Andor Is The Best Star Wars Has Been In 40 Years

[@megasmemecentral102]

Star wars executives: It's going to be a lower hyped and lower budgeted series compared to our other creations and it'll be about a side character from a side movie so don't worry about it too much. Meanwhile, Tony Gillroy who literally said he wasn't too into star wars lore: *Literal Masterpiece*

[@QuirklessShinobi]

Andor feels a lot higher budget than the Kenobi show.

[@matthewcarroll2533]

@@QuirklessShinobi Seriously, where'd Kenobi's budget go, Ewan Mcgregor? lol

[@parkerdavis7859]

@@QuirklessShinobi because it is. it was around 20 million per episode, around 250 million.

[@ericepperson8409]

The director of Empire Strikes Back, Irvin Kershner, had a very similar attitude towards Star Wars lore. He created what is critically considered the best Star Wars movie to date. The situation is a bit different because now there is 4.5 decades of Star Wars content to wrest with. But Kershner also had to come up with a sequel to the most popular movie of its time.

[@anydaynow01]

@@ericepperson8409 This series is what a lot of us original series fans were expecting when we heard the prequels were coming out and would cover Vader's rise to power. Instead we got a winy kid and a weird alien played through three really long toy commercials. The Palpatine arc was okay though, and TCW did a decent job at damage control in restoring Vader/Anakin to being a badass again and not some sad emo kid that hates sand and wants his mommy.

[@gr1mrea9er82]

Tony Gilroy is clearly a notch above anyone else who has handled the IP for Disney.

[@biashacker]

You are right. A couple of notches to be sure.

[@98999899]

If only he had been chosen to steer the franchise in stead of those JJ something or Ryan something.

[@Shishkebarbarian]

@@98999899 there is Hope. i hope he gets the keys to the kingdom after S2. first course of business, nuke whatever shit David Benioff and D.B. Weiss will be cooking up

[@inigoiraetau1903]

@@Shishkebarbarian They are cooking up nothing, they were fired years ago

[@Shishkebarbarian]

@@inigoiraetau1903 fantastic news. I thought I read something about them getting a d+ show recently

[@JeffHucik]

I’m a 35 year old fan that grew up with the OT and I think Andor is a masterpiece. I can’t believe we finally got something this good in the Disney era.

[@takanara7]

Andor is the only representation of the Imperials that actually seems like the imperials from the OT. Look at something like TFA or TLJ where the first order look like a bunch of buffoons.

[@JeffHucik]

@@takanara7 couldn’t agree more

[@ryanb9749]

Andor feels like the first 2 levels of KOTOR. My introduction to SWU.

[@docker31c]

Nah, i think you grew up with the prequels

[@JeffHucik]

@@docker31c 😂

[@brianursu368]

51 years old. I watched the originals in the theater. I never thought I'd see any other Starwars that I enjoyed more until Andor. This is the Starwars that I always wanted.

[@clonetrooper2003]

#CadualFan

[@QuirklessShinobi]

A small detail I don't see getting talked about is Luthen correcting Saw Guerra every time he says "30 men" Luthen responds "Plus Kreegyr". He counts them all, every life that he sacrifices for the cause, I think that's why Maarva's speech at the end affects him so deeply, he's been forced to put his empathy aside for the sake of his crusade against the Empire but in reality he has more than most.

[@MD-yd8lh]

+

[@she_who_dares9713]

Yes!

[@anydaynow01]

Maarva's speech was gold! Right up there with the Luthen and Saw conversation.

[@nickywags0712]

I never noticed that detail/thought about it like that

[@TheTolister]

And wasn't it the other way? That Saw didn't want Kreegyr to die, so when he counted those men, Luthen purposely reminded him the cost when he counted Kreegyr. As he would said: "Do you have the guts for it?"

[@ImTheReverse]

The heist arc was actually my favorite arc. Textbook character building right there. We’re introduced to all these random people in episode 4. Then in episode 5, we learn who they are, what their beliefs and philosophies are, what made them the way they are, and the way they interact with Cassian tells us so much as well. Then episode 6 hits so hard because we’ve actually been given time with these characters. I know a lot of people have said that this show would’ve benefitted from being released 3 at a time, but spending 3 consecutive weeks with characters like Skeen, Vel, Nemik, Gorn, Kino, Ulaf, Taga, etc, makes their deaths and/or sendoffs much more poignant.

[@msb4838]

Agree. It was also necessary for Cassian's evolution. Really well done.

[@dentangaji6161]

This show makes a heist arc more impactful than money heist.

[@IshtarNike]

Also the arc sets up the idealist Nemik as a solid reason for Cassian to gradually move towards active rebellion. It couldn't have worked as well with one less episode. The emotional climax would have felt forced.

[@Tahir_Ali]

@@IshtarNike - Yes, the influence of Nemik on Cassian cannot be understated. These are the people that come into our lives for a short time make a massive influence on who you are and then leave. The unsung heroes.

[@Trumpluv]

Andor pulled me back into SW too! I was ready for it to die. I too closed the book on SW, But I watched this and BOOM. I want more of THIS Star Wars.

[@gordonhowett7529]

You and me both man!

[@anydaynow01]

I hope they bring in Lars Mikkelsen to play Thrawn, this show is evidence of how good a show can be when they pay for top talent.

[@daegnaxqelil2733]

nothig would still avoid someone to watch rogue one it was the last better SW movie before that series , although solo, and mandalorian weren't bad

[@98999899]

An epic show created by mature intelligent human beings for the viewing pleasure of other mature intelligent human being.

[@anydaynow01]

Well said!

[@kabirarya5381]

You don't even need to be that smart to watch it, you just need to be an average adult.

[@cowetascore8476]

And the main character DIES ... woohoo. Such drama!

[@sassenachdragon]

Yeah I think you used the right adjective, mature. This series is not made for children. There is little fan service. It’s primarily about politics like Star Wars has always been but it’s even more about politics than the OT because it tackles so many political topics: bureaucracy, prison labor, military occupation, authoritarianism, diplomacy, and all by showing how real people interact within those systems.

[@Strawberryknight]

Dumbass tiktok generation would never understand about fighting tyranny in real life.

[@TheNorthie]

Andor has done the best showing why the Empire is such a threat. They aren’t Saturday cartoon villains always losing in an embarrassing fashion. They oppress, they terrorize, they kill civilians with no remorse, they are accurate and deadly.

[@keeran697]

Worth remembering Lucas himself intended the Empire to represent American imperialism and the rebellion the Vietcong specifically and anti-imperialist armed resistance more broadly

[@papapalps2415]

​@@keeran697Lucas was a bit of a dumbass, wasn't he? Of course, the simple fact of the matter is, regardless of whatever Lucas believes personally, the Empire, like Star Wars (and specifically the OT and PT) parallels a great many things, not one in particular.

[@mike64_t]

I completely agree. I like when an IP takes its lore seriously and the plot is justified in light of said lore in a consistent manner. Its good when you can develop a feeling for what can realistically happen in said universe and not be completely baffled by a random event the writer forced in. I always wondered... how on earth can there be a small rebelion that grows to the point where it overthrows an unrivalled authoritarian police state? And to my surprise, family friendly Disney presents a f*cking tutorial on how to overthrow a government. I was honestly wondering. Did Disney really make this?

[@JackToeRip]

I also was amazed Disney decided to make this and leave a lot of commentary on social and politcal things in. Especially the commentary on Coporate towns leading to corruption that doesn't care when their own employees get murdered and instead try to cover it up to hide it from the Empire. Considering Disney runs their own coporate towns.

[@thomasffrench3639]

Lucasfilm actually has quite a bit of autonomy. I think the only exception is the movies, but they have more control over the shows and books.

[@fluidthought42]

I know, I still can't believe that a show with such a revolutionary mindset was produced by Disney. The presence of a character like Nemik and how they treat him seriously instead of simply being a goofy goober "extremist" that Cassian dismisses was extremely surprising, usually any character that drops any sort of political thought is mocked or demeaned by media.

[@aussiejed1]

3:44 "No stupid side characters from Clone Wars..." Saw Guerra: "Am I joke to you?" Seriously though, even that "cameo from a known character" actually makes sense and is relevant. Luthen is trying to bring together all the rebel factions and Saw is leading one of those factions. And Mon Mothma... well she went from Ms.Exposition in the original trilogy to a main character and *absolutely fascinating*.

[@m4r_art]

Allow me to sum it up in one word: Masterpiece.

[@HamishsRobot]

It absolutely is. I can’t find any fault with it. 10/10

[@crazydinosaur8945]

@@HamishsRobot i can, it has now set my stands for SW too high

[@MoovySoundtrax]

Fellow Star Wars not-carer here, dropping in to say Andor represents the most fucks I have ever given about Star Wars. I loved it and I'm going to spend the next two years until season 2 trying to convince my friends to watch it.

[@Casimir2811]

Exactly, Andor is so good that the story would still rock in another universe than Star Wars, thus everyone could enjoy it.

[@timk1619]

Andor is just brilliant. Story, writing, camera, the sets. Can’t wait for season 2.

[@JemyM]

Kyle Soller "Syril Karn" was one of the most important characters of the show for me and the fact that he is part of the entire season was great. He is not evil. He have this simple conceptualization of the police being the good guys. And keep on projecting his own idealism to one person after another who fails him but he doesn't see or admit it. He keeps on identifying with and supporting and organisation, loyally, that doesn't support him.

[@archangel5361]

He is poster boy for Banality of Evil type people. These type of people are what allowed functioning of Nazi Germany, Soviet Russia, Communist China or Imperial USA.

[@JemyM]

@@archangel5361 Yep. Thanks for reminding me of that expression.

[@katyatrosman2687]

Amazing. You have just described an average russian z-patriot. And like Cleaver pointed out - material gives plenty of food for thought regarding fascism/authoritarianism. I, personally, saw lots of parallels between Andor characters and people in russian reality of generations under the empire.

[@QuirklessShinobi]

Ironically he's just as oppressed by the Empire as the rest of the galaxy, although in a different way than most.

[@basementmadetapes]

He's written w sympathy, which is good writing, this is humanizing. His intentions are noble in his mind but don't get it twisted, this dude is a fascist. He's a problem. He's Andor's foil--thematically, situationally...Right down to his inverse relationship w his mother. Both of them are in their arcs toward their ideological conclusions. If he gets redeemed, fine, I can trust the writers to get us there, but so far there is nothing to suggest he's trying to be redeemed, or has earned it.

[@ChristopherGonzalez1280]

I don't know man, I think the third act with the heist was beautiful especially the part where he had to climb and it was very good with the score and everything

[@Hummingbirder1]

100% agree

[@MonstersNotUnderTheBed]

The imperial philosophical dialogue was pure gold ..... They were erasing Aldhani culture with bribes and distractions. Then eventually physically erasing them.

[@someguy3167]

I think he should rewatch the heist episodes. I didn't like them at first, but after a rewatch I felt the first 2 episodes really made the 3rd heist plot shine and it's my second favorite episode of the season other than the finale. I think they were the most subtle and slowly passed episodes of the season, but that in no way makes them bad. I dislike that he called it lackluster as that implies it was bad or poorly thought when they are clearly not.

[@ChristopherGonzalez1280]

@@someguy3167 agreed!

[@ChristopherGonzalez1280]

@@MonstersNotUnderTheBed The dialogue in the series was gold. Pure gold.

[@hkmrsrg1367]

The viewership for this show is horrible because the last two shows before it were Kenobi and Boba Fett and we all know how bad the quality of those shows are. Those two make me worry about Ahsoka actually. She's my favorite SW character (of course because Clone Wars fleshed out Anakin by showing us his slow descent using a new character that's practically his sister thus making his turn believable. And Ahsoka happened to be a very amazing character.) but they might eff up the character the way they eff up Obiwan. So sad we're only getting two seasons of Andor and you're right. This show is too good for Star Wars. Despite the love I have for Clone Wars, they could've trimmed a lot of it since the quality vary a lot. When it peaks, it's really great but for the most part, the episodes were okay.

[@Сайтамен]

His turn was always believable. Anakin lost a mother whom he could not visit because of the rules of the Jedi, even then he destroyed the Tuskens and ceased to trust the order. The Chancellor always treated him well and encouraged his ambitions. Further, he angrily killed the unarmed Dooku, breaking the code, was not given the title of master and was forced to spy on the chancellor, was not allowed to battle with Grievous, he saw Padme die, as he did with his mother, and Palpy promised to save her, plus promised strength, power and immortality, he was jealous of Obi-Wan, while Windu wanted to kill unarmed Palpy before his eyes, although the head of the Jedi himself ... Well, when Windu slammed, there was no turning back, only to complete the work of the empire.

[@someguy3167]

Disney also did like no fucking marketing for the show. I'm a huge star wars fan and I didn't even know it came out until 5 episodes were already out. Most of the marketing for the show has been word of mouth from other star wars fans, unlike boba fet or Mando where they market that shit for months before it comes out.

[@ImVeryOriginal]

@@Сайтамен "His turn was always believable" lol, watch some real movies, it was always stilted and cringy af. Some good ideas in theory, realised extremely poorly - that's the prequels in a nutshell.

[@Сайтамен]

@@ImVeryOriginal Any real arguments and examples?

[@apomegranatelove6881]

I love Jedi and Sith Force users … light sabers etc. But, this show reveals how writing, direction, locations, set design, measured effects, and excellent acting are always the TRUE ⭐️ of every film, or series episode. ( Like one commentator stated, “ Time to return to the basics, of what really works “ )

[@heavyvacation]

Yes it is time to reject Star Wars with all of it's fascinating, silly joy and triumphant, exciting, otherworldly fantasy for more Earthly depression and anxiety. New generation wants to watch crime dramas more than Star Wars.

[@avefreetimehaver5154]

@@heavyvacation: Must everything be boring and sad!

[@davemac9563]

@@heavyvacationas someone who’s been a fan of the prequels and clone wars, I have to admit I was starting to lose touch on why I loved Star Wars. Rogue one and Andor gave me that love for Star Wars original spirit of the rebellion back, and made me love Star Wars even more.

[@Funcubic]

The heist arc was very remarkable to me because it had a similar makeup to many other star wars stories where the heroes have to infiltrate some facility and do some stuff in there. Empire Strikes back, countless CloneWars episodes, Rebels, force awakens, Mandalorian, ObiWan, etc etc... but I felt never any suspension... it was always: "let's go in do our thing, we have plot-armor, no problem"... but the heist... you got introduced to all these intriguing characters.. how they become a band and when it finally started it was not clear at all how it would turn out. Especially because it was only the mid-point in the season! That was something I had missed from StarWars for a long time.

[@PotatosPotatoes]

I haven't been this amazed by a show from any universe since early GoT. This completely took me by surprise. Just so fucking amazing.

[@knutpohl339]

Please don't jinx Andor. I'm not sure I can take another exponential deca like GoT without getting major PTSD

[@soakedbearrd]

It gives me serious first three seasons of GOT (I’m still sad how that show turned out).

[@joseangelhernandez5274]

I imagine in real life rebellion, uprising and revolutions, the heroes had to do some dark shit. This make Luthen one of the most grounded characters in starwars.

[@dangermouse9348]

The gritty, dark Star Wars I've been waiting for. Slow burn but so, so good!

[@justcast1429]

Andor widens the scope of the Galaxy, the worldbuilding is criminally underrated by a decent amount of the “Star wars” KZbinrs

[@jacobgordon7998]

Andor so thoroughly and perfectly captures the mundane (non-Force) portion of the Star Wars universe which it focuses on. It is an absolutely brilliant organic story without agenda (other than to tell a great Star Wars story). If only Disney Star Wars could do the Force and Force user part of Star Wars as good as they can do the mundane part.

[@mediumvillain]

There's a clear antifascist message, which is unfortunately quite timely.

[@jacobgordon7998]

@@mediumvillain More so a very timely coincidence. Did we expect anything else when the Empire is an autocracy and beings are rebelling against it?

[@soakedbearrd]

@@mediumvillain I would say fortunately because it’s needed for the people to see in the present moment. I see my rights slowly being taking away and ultra partisanship reaching hysterical levels. It’s not whether you are team blue or team red, it’s if you are team people. And those that wish to silence you, and take away hard earned rights, regardless of which team is doing it, need to be called out and pushed back against. But that’s the genius of tyrannical forces, divide and conquer and confuse truth along the way. Regardless from what angle it’s looked at, it becoming harder and harder to speak freely, and war is more and more becoming an every day reality. This show also shows the indifference of the struggle of the average person at the whims of political ambitions and struggle for power. It is from the commoner that we need to look at things because that’s what we are, and it’s WE that need to pick up the pieces after they are done playing God. For me it’s simple: is it for the people or against the people? Are one side being demonized and dehumanized and to what end? Is there justice or is it for hire? Do our rights matter and does it mean anything, or is it something that we never had and can be taken away for the benefit of the powerful? All the other stuff is fluff and smoke and mirrors. Cheers.

[@s.patterson5698]

​@@soakedbearrd well said!!

[@EnoughRhetoric]

46 year old here and Andor blew my socks off! It is amazing. Now I love me some Mandalorian fan service. But that doesn’t mean I don’t also love seeing such a high minded narrative take place in the Star Wars universe either. I think both can and should co-exist. Andor is pure perfection.

[@Forever_orwhatever]

Andor is so well written and gives so much depth to the Star Wars universe.

[@TalesFromTheUnderside]

This is absolutely the best Star Wars in 40 years. This show elevates the entire franchise and simultaneously makes the other media look even worse than it was.

[@RealZynexx]

Not at all lol

[@heavyvacation]

Not much of a Star Wars fan, eh? No joy or excitement, fun and amusement expected in your favorite TV shows, eh? Tony Gilroy said he wasn't much of a Star Wars fan either. Depressing and anxious just what America needs!

[@tekhnoir]

I think maybe the opposite. I haven't done it yet, but I think when I see "Rogue One" *and "A new hope" again, they will be better with the background provided by "Andor". And there is still the second season...

[@jessequeen4550]

@@heavyvacation What do you even mean by this?

[@brachiator1]

Great commentary. Totally agree that this series deepens and enriches the Star Wars saga. I started watching Andor only because some of the buzz was extremely positive, and quickly became engrossed in the story and its characters. I look forward to Season 2 and also hope that the example of this show inspires more creativity. And there is room for realistic drama and the more traditional grand adventure and escapism, when done right.

[@timtitus5002]

I find peoples lack of recognizing Vel disturbing. Her apprehension at leading the heist. Her questioning Luthens willingness to kill Andor. Her frustration at her partner for just agreeing to kill Andor. Great acting and interesting character.

[@andrewgarner734]

Roger one and Andor are kind of what I wanted the prequels to be more like,grittier and grounded I think it would have made the downfall of the jedi more emotional

[@gregs7562]

Agreed. The prequels were dire, such a waste. (Let's not mention the last 3 sequels either)

[@canicemccarthy7873]

“Andor-pilled” make me giggle

[@johantolli372]

While i have mostly enjoyed the different Star Wars tv-shows i do categorize in my head by which once a rewatch worthy and what isnt. A show like Kenobi while still pretty enjoyable, ive felt no need or want to rewatch. The first season of The Mandalorian has so far been the only content ive seen twice, all other show fall in to "fun but empty". Seeing someone like Ahsoka or Luke is cool in the end just there as fan service. Andor instantly fell in to the category of "im gonna rewatch and binge the whole show again in a few weeks", it was the first deep and meaningful Star Wars content Disney has put out, period.

[@threedplayer]

Andor is really good 👍🏽. It's action packed and slow moving when it's supposed to be. Simply excellent writing and character development 👏

[@ellagage1256]

Andor has easily become my favorite piece of Star Wars media in general, it's exactly what the series has been lacking for a long time now

[@dspserpico]

Andor did what Star Wars has failed to in the Disney-era. It showed and did not tell. It showed Andor’s orgins and showed how Ferrix was home. It showed the banal evilness of the Empire. It gave us a lived-in universe deeper than some grime on a set. Even the good Disney-era content (Mando, back half of Kenobi) relies on fan service as a shortcut for showing and not telling.

[@papapalps2415]

Mando and any parts of Kenobi being regarded as 'good' in even the slightest sense of the word is some funny stuff.

[@dspserpico]

@@papapalps2415 Life is too short and I too busy to hate everything.

[@papapalps2415]

@@dspserpico By all means, enjoy the goyslop, nobody is stopping you.

[@mardy3732]

When you said member berries I realized how right South Park was about everything all along.

[@jeremywalsh5666]

Its great they kept Luthen's past a secret, while giving away necessary, and delicious crumbs. "I've made my mind a sunless place..."

[@nikgokuhil]

Star Wars is and was always meant to be a space opera. Space wizards doing cool space shit was always the point. However, it has an amazing world that it can share with a lot of other kind of stories. Andor being one of them. I love clone wars and Ahsoka, and one of the reasons for it was that it was a bit more grounded than movies and told stories that were just as much about the clones. Honestly, by the time order 66 came around, I felt more sorry for clones than I did for jedi. It had its fanservice and over the top cool characters too yes, but it had a lot of heart too. I still am invested in the Bad Batch cause of it. So an even more grounded series like Andor is another good and very welcome way to experience this world I think Andor proved that if they do this right, there is so much potential and stories in this world

[@thomasffrench3639]

Andor has a ton of memberberries, but it’s not with the main movies. It’s big EU stuff that’s being referenced. Honestly what this franchise needs after this is to finish the storylines that are set up (Clone Wars, Mando, and Andor) and move onto another era. This can be post sequel trilogy, or it can be old/high republic. I feel like Andor is the last story in the Galactic Civil War that needs to be told.

[@monster796abs]

Andor is a Masterpiece

[@raoulduke3000]

after watching the series two times in two days, I still can't believe how good it is.

[@MikeJan007]

The two scenes with Stellan Skarsgard and Forrest Green were FRACKING AMAZING!!!!! So much in there. I watch just those two scenes over and over again. The intriguing thing about Andor is that all (most of) the characters are three dimensional. There is their role in the rebellion/empire, but they also have families, jobs, relationships, history.

[@benhopper3363]

I agree with everything here. Just a phenomenal show. I had given up on Star Wars. Had zero expectations for Andor until I heard Tony Gilroy was involved. Then I was like, "Oh. If he's doing it, then it can't be bad, right?"

[@LornaYShaw]

It is totally totally awesome. I’m completely hooked. Ep 12 was majestic, and moving. I can’t wait for season 2. Meantime I’ll be rewatching. Everything about it is brilliant. Best Star Wars since the OT. Love it

[@peterstedman6140]

Hell yes. Mando S1 was fun, but this is excellent

[@ImTheReverse]

@@peterstedman6140Andor is what we would’ve gotten if Jon Favreau doubled down on the grit he flashed at us on the surface of Mando. If there was no Grogu. No Saturday-morning cartoon plotlines. I love Mando, but Andor is what I’ve been asking for for years.

[@thomasffrench3639]

@@ImTheReverse I like that both can exist in the Star Wars universe.

[@kibble24]

I actually really loved the heist arc. Nemik's beautiful and poignant words, and the cutting indictment of cultural genocide on Aldani by a colonial power, were incredibly moving, imo. Especially seeing as those episodes were filmed in the Scottish Highlands, an area that ironically has a very similar history. Nemik's words set me on fire... As a viewer, it took me from "wow, this is a really cool show, I didn't expect that" to "I want to read Nemik's manifesto and get it tattooed on my eyelids". I also think it was an important step in showing how Cassian, as our audience surrogate, is at a stage where he's straddling the line between hating the empire and properly being a rebel, not just a tool of the rebellion.

[@fluidthought42]

Nemik is my favorite character, and it's strange that an accurate representation of political theorists is so rare in media but that one was showcased in _Star Wars_ is insane.

[@patrickmccarron2817]

Completely agree when it comes to what many Star Wars fans want. It seems like they just don’t want Star Wars to grow up or experiment in any way and don’t really care much about the storytelling, so it’s no wonder Disney has been putting out lazy fan service for the past few years. It’s why before Andor, I had completely given up and written off the franchise. I just figured I had grown out of Star Wars and stopped caring about it. And I guess it’s just been so disappointing seeing some major Star Wars KZbinrs call Andor boring and asking Disney to bring back fan service. I even saw one person say Andor was “hurting the brand”. It’s just kind of baffling to me. I had the same experience with The Last Jedi, I actually really enjoyed it because it did something different and showed a different side to some of the characters, but it was so hated by the rest of the fan base that Disney threw storytelling out the window in order to prioritize pleasing the fans (and failed at it anyways). I’m not against fan service, but it has to come about organically during the writing process. But really above all else, I want to see good storytelling that can also explore the lore of the universe (which is exactly what Andor does), but unfortunately I think I’m in the minority.

[@nik021298]

I think the naming thing was a bit nitpicky. Cyril Abitebul sounds pretty odd, like Zhou. But those are just F1 related people. Nicolaas as opposed to Nicholas or Nicolas could look ridiculous to you or "space like", but it's just one of the Neetherlands way of writing it.

[@gordonhowett7529]

I think it is a testament to the show that the most nitpicky thing about it is the weird star wars names. lol

[@takanara7]

@@gordonhowett7529 I hate when they give characters in Starwars "normal" names, like "Ezra Bridger" or "Rose" So annoying.

[@bobbycecere1037]

With Rouge One, You have to keep in mind that the studio rewrote the film on them. There original draft was much darker. Probably more like this show. I'm guessing it wasn't the writers of rogue one that decided to put Vader & Tarkin in there.......

[@indianajim]

I'm a die-hard Star Wars fan since 83 and even I think this is the best thing since Empire.

[@artboymoy]

I'll have to disagree with you about the heist arc. I really dug all the character stuff of each of the members and the drills they were doing that showed really nothing of how the plan actually went down. Once they started the heist, and Andor closes the door and they start taking hostages, I found it pretty exciting. We didn't know that they were going to use a skeleton crew to actually move all the credits. It's very similar to the prison break in that regard. we know they're going to break out of jail and Andor was up to something in the bathroom and they kept track of the procedures, but then watching it go down, we didn't know the prisioners were going to throw things at the guards to distract them till they could get at them. I actually thought they could have used some parkour moves or teams guys tossing other ones up to the platforms but it's fine. I have so many people tell me that they fell asleep during the first or second episode. I don't see how that's possible. I found the setting the characters and dialog all engaging to immerse me in the world.

[@mr.d.6529]

Andor has struck a chord, especially with how people have been exposed to Tyranny on this planet lately.

[@Bshipbuilder]

I just hadn't heard about it until recently, and when I realized it was centered on a Rogue One character I was excited. Rogue One was the best Star Wars since Empire IMO, and Andor is by far the best series.

[@codibooker5091]

Gotta disagree with you on the heist arc. That shit slapped. The three episodes gave me enough time to root for each character so when they got killed off it was genuinely impactful. Plus the sheer tension of scenes like holding the site commander and his family hostage and the shoot out where the trawler was. Plus the openning of the eye. Stunning shit. I don't know if I prefer it to the prison arc, but I find that spending more time with the imperials in that arc compared to that we did in the prison arc (which did work to its own effect) really made the heist that much more tension filled and effective.

[@takanara7]

I actually liked the heist arc more then the prison break. I guess the 'lead up' episodes were better - but the actual heist with the meteors and everything going on was cooler visually and in an action sense then the prison break scene. One thing that annoyed me was Cassian and the others didn't even try to grab the boots. Seems like the obvious move.

[@gregoryhayes7569]

By the time the prisoners were in any position to grab boots, the floors had already been shorted out.

[@mydogsfacelookslikeastockp8275]

Boots slow them down

[@mykilahsenwilliamsdorsey1495]

This is a grown up Star Wars show. It’s not made for 12 year olds. George Lucas has consistently stated that Star Wars was made for children. I love this show with a passion and agree with everything you have said. What I realized back in 1980 when Empire came out is that Star Wars is so hugely popular because there is something for everyone to love in this space opera mythology. Fleshed out interpretations of George’s original vision is what I hoped Disney would do with all of it’s money and influence. They have finally started to make good on that potential. They now have films and shows for kids, teens, and now finally adult fans how have been there since 1977 like myself.

[@thestarseeker8196]

This is the reason I love the show. I recognize OT is objectively good and certainly entertaining. But I’m not *feeling it* until you give me something more grey, more complicated. I actually think all the Disney shows have attempted that and for that reason I appreciate all of them, even though I know some are much weaker (BOBF). Andor’s damn near flawless.

[@mykilahsenwilliamsdorsey1495]

@@thestarseeker8196 Thanks for the positive comments, that is so refreshing to hear. I agree with your assessment of the Disney Star Wars era. I honestly like much of what they have attempted to do. I suspect make great Star Wars content is a lot harder than it looks. Quite a few talented film makers have taken a shot at it now and they have shown that to spite the on line fan base talking like all of us fans could do better if given a chance, I think we would realize that the fan base is so vast and broad we would make some happy and others hopping mad.

[@timothyvandenberg2905]

The Heist arc ROCKS!!! (2 slow episodes followed by one of the best 50 minutes (episode 6) in Star Wars history!

[@marsh3825]

This is a great video and breakdown! You hit the nail on the head at the end saying this show is too good for Star Wars. I'm with you in the sentiment that your average Star Wars fan is some kind of ADD Neanderthal that needs wizards and sword fights every ten minutes, but damn, I wish that wasn't the case as I would love to see way more content in the vein of Andor. I'm also secretly looking forward to season 2

[@1998rg]

Nah the heist is amazing; if you didn’t feel things at the climb scene idk if you are a Star Wars fan at all or a human in the first place

[@joramsim]

It's so sad that so many people are seemingly incapable of appreciating one thing without bashing other stuff... Just enjoy something and talk about that, there is no point in telling everyone how much you hate another thing just to show how much you like one thing. Very toxic and disappointing

[@Meatwadsan]

“A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they shall never sit.” -Greek Proverb

[@Dragoninja26]

The beginning is basically my situation too, I had given up and wasn't even gonna try Andor after Obi-Wan, but I started hearing too much good about it even from people who I knew were in a similar situation, and so I tried it and did not regret it (I started when 9 eps were out)

[@quernesvoice7507]

That´s why we can´t have nice stuff.

[@Miratesus]

Ive noticed that many prequel/clone wars fans are turned of by Andor. I enjoyed the prequels and the clone wars (watched it with my sons) But Andor is in a league of it's own. Feels more connected to the OT than anything else.

[@daniaaal]

The whole franchise is called Star Wars. Multiple wars. The prerequisite to wars are political struggles. The prerequisite to political struggles are the struggles of people on the ground. To me, Andor brought to light what Star Wars has been missing for a long time: the fight between good and evil isn't restricted to fancy space wizards with laser swords and telekinesis, the wars are fought by ordinary foot soldiers (in the case of Rebellion, ordinary people who have been pushed against the wall) who have a stake in the fight too.

[@soakedbearrd]

Exactly and we’ll said! I think many of us older folks recognize SUBSTANCE, and have the maturity and life experience to know there nothing that truly good vs evil. Maybe in overall theme, but in not in the average politician, or rebel, or imperial, or city or alien or human race. It’s nuanced and grey. This show understands that and humanizes culture (ferrix customs felt real). These small details make or break a story and Andor hit it off the park.

[@gman7497]

Yup, there's nothing wrong with Han Solo blowing up Tie Fighters and Luke fighting Darth Vader, but those moments were preceded by alot of ordinary courageous people organizing, sacrificing and laying groundwork. I didn't miss the Force or Jedi at all in this series coz the human drama is so compelling.

[@jonasplaysguitar81]

What you stated about Deedra is exactly why I love all the Thrawn Trilogies. Star Wars needs what Thrawn set up in his newest Trilogies.

[@darthnephilim]

Honestly I think it’s the best Star Wars period. Even better than the original trilogy. Let’s face it those are for babies.

[@goldenageofdinosaurs7192]

Fully agree that this is the best thing Star Wars has done since ESB. I’ve been saying it to everyone I can.

[@ryanlittle5919]

If you think the aldhani arc is “lackluster,” I don’t understand you...

[@QuirklessShinobi]

Andor is eating the best Pizza of your life after eating at the same 3 star Filoni Pizza joint for the past 15 years and the occasional JJ 2 star.

[@draxiss1577]

The show isn't afraid to be political. I mean, the show pretty much says "here's the weaknesses of a fascist regime and how to exploit them, here's why a violent revolution actually sucks (but still may be necessary), and here's the entirety of 'Eichmann in Jerusalem: A Report on the Banality of Evil'. Also, ACAB and you shouldn't side with oppressors even when the oppressed aren't on their very best behavior." It's so, so good.

[@mantovani3]

I just finished watching it. Honestly, anyone can enjoy this series, especially if they like espionage. The acting is spectacular, and the director and the settings were amazing. This is a must-watch.

[@segcosare4749]

I can't help but agree with you, that Andor is a little too good for Star Wars, particularly the die hard fans. Heck, one of the biggest SW ytuber says it's boring. They may have tons of 'woosh' moments when watching to come to that (also) boring conclusion.

[@glenncreimer4245]

BUT IF YOU LIKE IT, WTH cares what a KZbinr says?! And by boring. what do they mean? How do they detail that description? What they see as boring I see as methodical and meticulous character development by the writer's room in conjunction with the production designer and the composer. We all knew this was planned to be a slow burn spy thriller FROM ITS ANNOUNCEMENT!

[@whythatspreposterous]

@@glenncreimer4245 Unfortunately, there’s been so much conditioning through the majority of available media put out for younger viewers over the years to throw in bells, whistles, loud noises and explosions filling in and drowning out all quiet moments. I’m not just talking about Star Wars. Also, unfortunately, influencers not ‘getting it’ can and do sway popular opinion to a degree…and I am confident to suggest that everyone who has been amazed by this humble show would love to see this level of quality writing and production become the new standard by which future Star Wars is measured. With plenty out there seemingly not understanding why this show breaks new and important ground for the franchise, it’s highly unlikely to be the case. It’s not going to win points on marketing potential, that’s for sure.

[@prof_hu]

Said youtuber is a prequel child, that's a big handicap, IMHO. I grew up with the OT, I loved the space wizardry in it, (got emotional watching Mando S2 finalé), but I'm absolutely shocked by the quality Andor was able to pull off without that in the same universe.

[@noHOPEof]

opinions are just that The 3M plus youtuber's section for comments demonstrate that subscribers can seem as though they as a group have largely decided to fully disagree( refreshing , amusing to a point no one is dead wrong ) ~ Andor qualifies as a triumph( Witwer voices a shoretrooper only fan service that was required )

[@RadicalTrivia]

I love Star Wars and I hate talking to most fans of Star Wars. This show rules.

[@samuelwallace2782]

You're absolutely right that Andor is too good for star wars

[@tristanskywalker1998]

"Widely panned Disney era" is a misnomer in my opinion. I would even go as far as to call it a very vocal minority. Other than that, I agree with your analysis wholeheartedly

[@michaeld4868]

Great review! This was unexpected and a high bar has been set. I'm from the UK and a lot of the casting of small screen British actors brought an edge to this show. Also the way this whole series was shot along with the stellar writing of dialogue reminded me of a more gritty European style drama over an American all action presentation!

[@marlonbryanmunoznunez3179]

You nail it. This show is a bit too good for Star Wars. All the criticisms I'm hearing from fandom is that the show is too boring, too slow in pacing and there's not enough pew, pew, pew, lol. I suspect that for all the complaints of people demanding well paced, well written shows, we are at a point that most viewers can't recognize a good one even if it bites them. Instant gratification in social media has ruined people's attention span, so anything short of a constant barrage of action in the screen, is seen as a show dragging. This is worrying for media in general, since it closes the possibility of entire genres: it's simply impossible to do neo noirs or thrillers, if your public is demanding only action, since those are genres that demand quiet moments that only later pay off.

[@MythicBricks]

You deserve so many more subscribers! Great analysis for this great show. Your bit about the names had me laughing, I totally agree. Syril, Bix, TIMM? ahahah

[@PinkStalin]

Andor isn't just the best in 40 years. Andor is the best piece of star wars media ever. Focusing on the people more than a few main characters or villains. Mirroring real life in such an uncanny way, beneath the mask or the "star wars" name, people see things from a different perspective instead of just "bad vs good" or "people vs government". On the "cameo" problem, I didn't even notice leia as a "cameo" and wasn't bugged by it at all. She was just another member of the rebellion, not some main ring-leader. 10/10 series

[@MegInWhispers]

i LOVED the heist arc and thought the suspense was perfectly built and executed

[@KryoTronic]

Never saw your channel. Came for your title. You right, you right good sir. This show is gold.

[@mikhailaldonza6360]

I love Andor, it is like not too much Starwars and not too much Bladerunner.

[@HolyknightVader999]

12:22 The thing is, why would Syril think the Empire is evil or corrupt? From what he's seen so far, troublemakers like Andor and the rebels are the bad guys, since they're the ones who mucked things up for him. Things were fine under the corporation which he worked for until Andor showed up and killed men whom Syril considered to be his comrades in arms. Granted, the Empire fires them when he mucks up the mission to arrest Andor, but it makes sense, considering that he did fail, and the Empire is punishing him for his failure, and they responded to the failure of the corporate state by taking direct control of Preox-Morlana. Maarva had a good reason to see the Empire as corrupt; they killed her significant other. But with Syril, he has every reason to take the Empire's side, especially since they represent law and order to him, and the corporate state he served wants to let Andor off the hook, whereas the Empire doesn't. Syril might've even have a laugh at Andor's expense had he found out that Andor got arrested for loitering and sent to a jail. He'd look at that and call it justice.

[@johnfielder2064]

absolutely loved andoe, im 51 saw a new hop at the cinema when it came out, its one of my rst childhood memories, to me this is one of the best star wars things to come out since then, loved it tony gilroy is amazing, shame its not the the 5 season idea

[@Shadowmask8]

Honestly this is the first time in recent memory that Star Wars Names haven't bothered me

[@luffytaro14]

That member berries analogy is spot on

[@briancahill2136]

Been a Star Wars fan since I first saw the first film back in the 70s when i was a kid...And i agree with every thing you have said here......Andor.... And the first series of the Mandolorian have made Star Wars good?? Exciting to be a part of it again. Well done.........

[@TheYehat]

Dude, do you know how many of us were feeling like you! It is plain crazy, how it turned out! Me also have decided willingly NOT watching anything beyond Ep. VI... and still haven't...until now. I also noticed 2 weeks ago the feedback from real people that have grown with StarWars back then. Decided to give it a try, but how come, you'll ask?! Don't know, call it whatever, but there's something, and now I'm so satisfied I did. In fact it made me go and watch Rogue One. Still, "Andor" has very different depth, so many connection points done exceptionally, not empty dialogues... what not to like!

[@liammckenna1479]

I said the exact same thing, that Andor's writing is as good as or better than anything in Star Wars since the Empire Strikes Back

[@truongtran-cx9mo]

The idea of Star War is so good. We willing to put up with all the shit to see how it goes. But now, it pays off. Andor is here.

[@DocEonChannel]

Tony Gilroy was actually brought on to reshoot and re-edit Rogue One. It's very possible the "Star Wars porn" was in the material shot before he was involved, so it was just what he had to work with.

[@thedivinemessenger]

Agree heavily! But fam, ROGUE ONE is FIREEE 🔥 As well lol

[@Fellowz]

Andor is, along with Rogue One the best thing to come from Star Wars since the Disney takeover, its intelligently written, gritty, the lack of force wielders and mythology surrounding the force lends to that, it shows what life is really like under the Empires boot and what people are willing to do and sacrifice to break free from that oppression, the Rebels are the "good" guys but they way they go about it isn't so pretty and it shows. Disney didn't market the show very well at all it wasn't even on the top of the Disney+ app when it was released, I have been a Star Wars fan since I was 5 or 6 (some 30 years ago now) and as much as i loved the Original Trilogy, the Prequels grew on me over time Clone Wars overall was good, Rebels again had its high's and lows, the Sequel trilogy for the most part was just awful, lacked imagination, good dialogue, poor design choices and was basically a quick money gab for the mouse. the Mandalorian however, flawed but very enjoyable was a nice addition, BoBF was a weird one. Obi was better than BoBF but not by much, i was just glad to see Ewan and Hayden back. i hope that season 2 continues on this path, and i think we need to get Tony Gilroy in for more of this sort of content.

[@xuanisaacxolos]

you really did describe Star Wars Theory, he really wants that General Grievous movie :(😢😂

[@twodanex]

You need way more views than that for this video. Extremely well done, structured, and thorough. Excellent video 👏🏼 Edit: make more lol

[@Sevearith]

It's the first actual adult orientated Star Wars show and I can't believe how good of a job they did!

[@TheYehat]

And one more reason Andor catches and raises the bar to the high levels. In the sense of a true, impactfull SF (or just Fiction, whatever), which is known to be the art of telling or revealing a social truth and relations, but on the fiction scene, it does exactly that! No need for conscious understanding, one feels instinctively there're social and political relations that exist, or have existed, or may really exist in our lives, not in some distant Galaxy. That's the power of a true story telling, and SF gives enormous power to the storytellers who recognize that.

[@soakedbearrd]

Much respect for your honest take without catering to SW fan fanatics. I agree with you, this is the best SW for me at least.

[@allsorts-]

It would appear many of those who grew up with the prequels like all the "pew pew" backflips and lightsabers. Growing up with the OT the PT never hit, it had some moments but some of the Clone Wars and Rogue One better serve the story and have better acting. That said, Andor is the finest Star Wars since the 80's.

[@imustremaincivil2932]

I'd say it's even better than Empire Strikes Back.