Andor Is The Best Star Wars Has Been In 40 Years

After declaring that Star Wars should just die and the Andor show will be a bland generic mess only a few months ago Disney had to go and make me look like a fool. Oh well if me looking dumb is the price for good television then allow me to step on every rake there is.

[@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.

[@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?"

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@timk1619]

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

[@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.

[@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).

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@canicemccarthy7873]

“Andor-pilled” make me giggle

[@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.

[@dangermouse9348]

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

[@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?

[@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*.

[@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.

[@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.

[@raoulduke3000]

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

[@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..."

[@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.

[@kaned5543]

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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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)

[@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.

[@indianajim]

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

[@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 )

[@mardy3732]

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

[@luffytaro14]

That member berries analogy is spot on

[@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.

[@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!

[@auroralee3934]

Is it a flex to say that i was hyped about this show since the first trailer and watched and loved it from the first go, coz yeah.. I'm flexing😅😅

[@segcosare4749]

I'm with you 💪🏽

[@glenncreimer4245]

Same, particularly after I read who'd been assembled as the creative team and then the cast!

[@Hummingbirder1]

Hmm... is it a flex that as soon I heard this series was in the making I got very interested? Bcs contrary to many (most?) SW Fans I'm not really one (too old, was in my 20's when the first film, then only called Star Wars, premiered... which means it didn't "change my life") and I REALLY liked Rouge One and especially Cassian Andor, so well portrayed by Diego Luna. I was very intrigued by the little we got to know about him, and wanted more. Getting to know about the more sordid/realistic side of rebellion. To put it simply: I'm a sucker for spy stories, which means "Andor" is right up my alley. That it turned out to be SO extremely well put together gave me so much joy!

[@harrilarson1725]

What Andor does well is it isnt influenced by other star wars media. It is infkuenced by the things that influenced George Lucas to make the Original Star Wars.

[@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

[@andyb1653]

It's not just the best Star Wars TV show I've seen. It's the best TV show, FULL STOP, that I've seen since Sons of Anarchy, or perhaps the early seasons of Game of Thrones.

[@robhughes8198]

It’s fantastic but don’t forget Better Call Saul. Missing out if you dunno

[@andyb1653]

@@robhughes8198 Ehh, I know it's well liked, and technically very good, it just never grabbed me for whatever reason

[@JLeezy95]

Such a shame we're only getting 2 seasons

[@andyb1653]

@@JLeezy95 Agreed. The flipside, is that it's unlikely to get stale. Many a good show went stale by making too many seasons (glares at Supernatural)

[@TheYehat]

@@JLeezy95 Guess that's the fate of any good show... still thinking of Firefly :(

[@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.

[@unoriginalusernameno999]

i didn't think the heist arc was lackluster at all. to me it was about character building, especially the 2nd one "the axe forgets, but the tree remembers" - goes with the larger theme of the Empire forgetting about all the people they messed w/ but those people remember all the shit they went through i felt like it was the last episode that felt a bit rushed, w/ Andor reading the manifesto and getting inspired - would've been nice if they didn't show him reading it all, instead just letting Nemik's voice be in the background as the scenes play. because it felt slightly cheesy

[@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

[@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

[@veenchel]

Just found your channel today… jeez this was done well… especially when you talk about this is the show that is from the same ip as ( insert example lol )…

[@RaoulKunz1]

Also don't forget that the fact alone that the style and look of this show is *so* interbellum Europe helps the it a lot in creating this feeling, the idea that the people we see here *have* seen a great war in recent memory and in one way or the other feel supremely unhappy about the outcome. Another absolutely "Weimar" setup is the street fighting in the final episode and how it escalates from a working class class-conscious demonstration of solidarity and hero worship to a riot into a full blown MOUT situation. As a German and a trained historian this resonates strongly with the things we know have happened in the 1920s/1930s. And *of course* it looks stunningly 1930s in everything from Mon's art deco luxury apartment to the industrial brick architecture of Ferix to the trench coats of the Imperial officers. Best regards Raoul G. Kunz

[@WC-PO]

If they ever make a Knights of the Old Republic movie or series, I want the Andor team to do it.

[@soakedbearrd]

That game single-handedly made me a Star Wars fan. What Andor did for rebels vs empire and liberty vs tyranny, that game did for me the essence of force and what it truly meant to be Jedi vs sith.

[@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

[@JJ5Gamer]

While this show did have some clone wars characters, it felt like they actually fit in the show and was done really well. They dont constantly say their name and are like "wow look at this guy you remember him!!!" It feels natural.

[@ogerpinata1703]

It's the mature stuff that's lacking in Star Wars. Massacres, real blood, decapitations, rape, pillage and plunder. Stuff that makes kids cry. Unhinged sheer brutality and barbarism. It's that what made Clone Wars so great. Sure it was mostly marketed towards kids in the beginning, yet people die in droves. (Sex)Slavery, genocide, war crimes, beheadings committed by zealots. It's all there. Calling Vader's hallway scene bad really drives it home though. It's not about the lightsaber, it's about the power on display. Only in the comics is Vader ever shown so brutal and that's what Andor partially shows too. A breath of fresh air after so much disappointing crap only digestible if your really drunk and just don't care anymore. Maybe you are not even a fan, but then dare not to speak your mind.

[@MonstersNotUnderTheBed]

Dead children sounds for MKultra interrogation techniques...... Yeah...... Epic

[@Shadowmask8]

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

[@justcast1429]

Dedra is a respectable villain, something that is rare nowadays

[@soakedbearrd]

She’s great, believable and human. Complex as in dutiful but with ruthless moments like with bix and torture. She’s not entirely evil, but she’s certainly not good.

[@timothyvandenberg2905]

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

[@Devar]

Real Star Wars fans want exactly what this show delivered. Children want 45 minute lightsabre fights.

[@J3D1JC]

I can only hope Tony Gilroy is given more stories to flesh out in our universe. We need this quality of storytelling

[@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

[@jamiemunn9200]

Loved the review man! But.... the hiest arc was phenomenal setup for the final episode! You truly needed that extra time with Nymik to appreciate the uprising at the end. Just saying.

[@MegInWhispers]

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

[@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

[@shonix9]

Agree with almost everything except your thoughts on the heist arc.. I'm with you, I prefer a bit more the prison arc but the heist was amazing, filled with tension and beautiful visuals. Every arc was needed for Andor to become a full-on rebel. First arc is the recruitiment, second arc (heist) is sacrifice and meeting Nemik (the one who would 'radicalize' him), the third arc (prison) is him radicalizing someone else (Kino) and showing how no amount of credits is enough to escape the empire's domain. And the two part finale is him hearing Maarva for the last time and embracing the rebellion as she would've wanted. Just a perfect show all around, incredible.

[@HammieBone]

Saw is technically is a side character From the clone wars, as he did appear in the clone wars

[@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?"

[@skyw8248]

in my opinion this is the best star wars has ever been. the nostalgia of the original trilogy is strong but this is by far the best acting/ plot/world-building of any star wars media.

[@di5gustipated]

I'm on my second watch through, the ramp up to the heist was still pretty intense for me. I loved it. prison arc was better though.

[@ekszentrik]

Laughed at "Andor feels a bit too good for SW". What I thought as well. I guess this is what it feels like when you start drinking more commonly than social, then one day feel "this beer tastes a little bit too good" ... Andor can still "recoup" the difference in profitability vs. a show like Kenobi in other metrics than just viewership. It's more than self-evident that Andor almost uniquely for SW creates GOODWILL in the fanbase (I don't even consider myself a Star Wars fan, I just like the prequels as kids movies, and watched Andor because I heard it's good) that otherwise would have been ridicule. Now it's true, a little bit of Fandom Menace is actually good, as hate generates engagement and buzz, but this only up to a degree. Negative buzz can't replace ultra-positive buzz long-term, because the former burns out quickly, whereas the latter generates a sustainable community that produces e.g. content creators and such word of mouth.

[@scribbly2983]

"Lackluster heist episodes". Ooo I'll fight you on that. I loved the heist episodes. I found it really tense and exciting.

[@Pouk3D]

You managed to spell out what I feel in clearer form than I would.

[@KryoTronic]

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

[@DeadLuckArchives]

As a SW fan, its sad how diluted the brand really got and Andor is a wakeup call.

[@void-creature]

I find it wierd that you lambasted *Rouge One* for being "StarWars P*rn", when it shares most of the elements that make Andor so brilliant. A grounded and serious conflict, a belivable setting whose scale dwarfs our protagonists, and an overall "unfiltered" look at the StarWars galaxy. As someone who is very allergic to pandering fancervice, I always felt that the "fanservice" in R1 was purely there to enhance the Movie's plot or theme, not the other way around. Rouge One and Andor are my favourite pieces of StarWars media period (next to CloneWars), and for the same reasons.

[@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.

[@nickywags0712]

I liked Star Wars my whole life but once I started listening to Star Wars Audiobooks I’m nuts for the lore and history built up in this universe. Once I heard that Disney was making dozens of Star Wars show I was excited thinking that with more time they could craft more well built stories. I was wrong and pacing was atrocious through much of the series’ shown on Disney plus. Andor was something different, it literally feels like one of my audiobooks grabbed and thrown on the silver screen. It’s incredible, the filmmaking is incredible and gives so much information off which I thought impossible after seeing the last shows. All the internal dialogue that books do so well is done with a few well acted looks and well chosen dialogue. I could rave about it for days

[@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.

[@carterc174]

4:30 I have not heard anyone put it a better way than this. I did not know how to describe why it was so good in comparison to the other shows but this is it.

[@rogersjolly1]

This is the Star Wars I've been waiting for! More story. I grew up during the OT, and put up with the PT, and damned the ST, but this show..., this show is great. Sure a little slow at times, but it's phenomenal compared the all the other Disney crap. I did like Rogue One.. mainly because it wasn't filled with Jedi and lightsabers. I've always been so much more interested in the timeframe between the OT and PT, and now I have what I've wanted. I guess when a child of the late 70's gets old, he's more interested in story than a shoot-'em-up show.

[@T1m1ch]

Loved the points and observations throughout the video. But I gotta confess it was hard to follow parts of the video cuz of the looped footage that really had little to do with what was narrated. I'm sure if you can step up the editing so the footage lines up better with the voice you'll break the 6 figures viewership ez.

[@bobogus7559]

Another point is that, while it does bring in the Clone Wars / Rebels character Wullf Yularen, it does so in a subtle fashion, so that fans will recognize him but newcomers will still be able to follow along even without understanding his backstory. And Saw Gerrera is likewise introduced to newcomers as just the leader of another Rebel cell with a different ideology, although anyone who has seen The Clone Wars, Rebels, or Rogue One will know him better

[@crandleberrysadie]

Great summation. Thank you.

[@samuelwallace2782]

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

[@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

[@j-train13]

"No side characters from Clone Wars" Saw Gerrera: Am I a joke to you?

[@HolyknightVader999]

If you want a more mundane Star Wars like this which is very grounded and realistic, I recommend that you read the Thrawn Trilogy and the James Luceno novels, Dark Lord: Rise of Darth Vader and Tarkin. They're very realistic and grounded with how they approach the franchise. Sure, these books have Thrawn, Vader, Luke, the Emperor, and Tarkin present as big players, but the way they deal with the world around them is very realistic and grounded. So yeah, Andor isn't really that alone in having a gritty SW story that's grounded and realistic. There are also other comics that can scratch your itch for this grounded Star Wars story. Crimson Empire is a story after the fallout of Dark Empire, which was the original Clone Palpatine saga. After Palpatine dies for real, there's a power struggle in the Empire, and the series follows a lone Royal Guard who's trying to avenge Palpatine, knowing that the emperor's killer is now the new guy in charge of the Empire. This royal guard has to slum it in with a local rebel cell in some backwater Imperial world and bide his time to seek revenge. Again, no lightsabers, no Jedi heroes, just a story about a royal guard forced to switch sides to honor his oath to his emperor.

[@TheodoreJudah]

I just loved that we got to look inside the imperial bureaucracy and its individuals with agendas and rivalries. I also very much loved the Mon Mothma story arc. - her sacrifices and the front she had to keep up all while her family is falling apart and deals she had to make. A beautiful tragedy to watch. Looking forward to season two.

[@melvinloyalist6758]

Andor can be summed up in a single phrase: “A surprise to be sure, but a welcome one.”

[@frappes_]

This show's first season literally had no weak links imo. Can't wait for season 2, but I can't help but expect more major characters to pop up, which may entrap the story with the perennial disney star wars curse of vapid cameos. But I trust Gilroy and his team, the writing and themes they created for Andor just really sets it apart from anything released on TV in recent memory.

[@frappes_]

And yeah, this is too good for a Star Wars production

[@soakedbearrd]

I don’t mind it as long as there a point of it to the story. I mean it’s inevitable because this is leading up to rogue one which leads into A New Hope. But it’s all about how it’s done.

[@jongoff7829]

I think Andor is the Star Wars Lucas was trying for with the prequels, but just wasn't able to.

[@jamesmarshall6619]

What someone else pointed out, not my original thought, was that Andor made The Empire seem truly scary. The way they shot TIE fighters and Stormtroopers, you saw them but sparingly at a distance from the view of the protagonists, and doing something so small such as that made them seem more like good horror menacing movie villains as opposed to what they have been, mostly props there to be killed by the heroes. The Empire seems truly evil because it's just regular bureaucrats who are so far removed from regular society, who are so ambitious, and an organization like The Empire creates a breeding ground for a handful of intelligent people who will cast aside moral qualms for money, power, and ego. It's the "boring" evil, the kind of people that don't have super powers, they aren't looking to be gods, they are normal people who want to show how smart they are, be in control, and don't really care who they have to step on. Far more frightening as a viewer than the Emperor.

[@MrHereWeGoYo]

It's been great to watch people come around on Andor. Certain youtubers were really sticking to their guns about how boring and un-Star Warsy the show is but Andor has gotten the last laugh.

[@liamwelch505]

I dont know about your assumption about star wars fans not wanting to watch Andor because of no sw porn I think people love a breath of fresh air like this and star wars for sure needs this

[@indianajim]

Such great analysis! As much as I have enjoyed most of what has come out since Disney's purchase, I knew Tony Gilroy would give us the best yet and he has not disappointed! They have done so well making a slow build that just ratchets up the tension with every episode.

[@michaelvandermeer5852]

Agree completely, best SW since Empire

[@NovelPhoinix]

Saw is literally a random side character from clonewars. But i really love andor!

[@logtothebase2]

I dont agree on Star Wars fans, just wanting fan service stuff, well maybe they do, But Andor is more a case giving them what they didn't know they needed, but now they love it anyway because they know what it is. I think more have grown out of whimsical Star Wars and didn't quite realise it, the Animated Stuff was great because it recaptured the Spirit of A New Hope, after the movies unhinged. But at the end of the day was for older children and young adults NOT mature fogies who Saw all the Movies at the theater the first time around, because we might own SW T Shirts we wear at the company christmas party to impress out employees and people who work for us. But we read Le Care', watched ER, the West Wing, Sopranos Season 1 through 6 of Game of thrones , Just Star Wars again, even done well like in the Animations isn't going to cut it for us now we grew up, sorry.

[@joeandrew8752]

I mean, considering the viewership, part of me does agree that this was probably too good for star wars. I'm glad it was made for sure but I can't help but feel a bit annoyed that the larger star wars fanbase probably feels that the Mandalorian (a good show, I really liked it don't get me wrong) is what star wars can only be. what I mean is, simple stories, power fantasies and generic characters with a lot of references thrown in. One is a pretty good adventure serial, the other is literally the peak of star wars when it comes to writing, the best written show Disney has made since it got the IP (like 10 years), better written and executed than the prequels and probably better written and executed that ROTJ.

[@notthatnick5546]

I couldn't agree more about the names. There was Cassian, Cassian's mom, Cassian's robot, Cassian's girlfriend, the lame police guy, the career lady, the mysterious leader, the lady senator, the lady senator's husband... I don't know any of their names. 🤣

[@patrickestwick5675]

Andor gets my vote as one the very best Starwars stories ever told.