Andor: Making the Empire Scary Again

[@shannonpotratz489]

Andor is without a doubt my favorite Star Wars production under the Disney era, and easily the best series on Disney+...

[@federov100]

Andor’s changed things for me. I’ve discovered that I prefer a mature, realistic, well written approach to Star Wars over a cardboard space adventure fantasy approach.

[@user-yl4lf9mh1w]

realistic Star Wars has got to be the coolest thing ever. Imagine how amazing its going to be when they drop Emperor Palpatine into season 2... or Even Vader or even some Jedi. Imagine how realistic and terrifying they will be in this style. I cannot wait.

[@erin_3569]

​@@user-yl4lf9mh1w tbh, I think that they wouldn't do with the more mundane tone of Andor. Most of what happens on Andor is grounded. Save for a few differences with technology, species, etc..., what happens in Andor happens in our own reality. Sith and Jedi are a little too close to a fantasy story to fare well in that kind of story. They live in the same universe but they don't evolve in the same worlds if that makes sense

[@TheWizardGamez]

clone wars did that for me... at least after season 4. before that. its pretty lose on its child friendly label, but after it dives into the dark side of war

[@thalmoragent9344]

​​@@erin_3569 Tbh, a Jedi's personality and actions can still be grounded, even if the Force is utilized. The decisions they make, even when they decide to force choke or maybe electrocute someone, can still be done well with this kind of framing.

[@erin_3569]

@@thalmoragent9344 yeah, I agree but the plot of Andor isn't about a single jedi, it's about building a revolution from the ground and the strength of the collective. Having special peoples with super powers at the center of the story would undo that

[@TisButAScratch666]

Andor was brilliant! I loved the tension-building. Every character had dimension and grounding. Kenobi was pointless. BoBF not much better, but at least it had a few "cool" moments (even though it was heavily propped up by Mandalorian). And Mando worked because it was largely new with loads of cool moments for fans and a great soundtrack. Andor is the show I'm most invested in, that I'm still running through my mind. Mando is the show I know I will have the most fun with. The other live-action shows don't even factor in.

[@leocmen]

It is a Masterpiece Finally StarWars for Adults It Outclasses absolutely everything done by Disney in this franchise

[@HansLemurson]

An interesting thing to note is that the ISB starts implementing the PORD _before_ it is brought up for debate in the Senate.

[@levicarpenter5509]

That's what I like because it shows how in lore the empire still wanted to keep the illusion of democracy until the senate was dissolved

[@rye419]

Andor was a masterpiece through and through

[@Hongkongnyc]

meh

[@SodaDjinn]

"One of the best pieces of new Star Wars media since the Mandalorian" is quite an understatement in my opinion. It is easily the best piece of Star Wars Disney has put out so far. The only things coming close would be the final season of Clone Wars and maybe Rogue One. I like the Mandalorian, but Andor makes it look quite unambitous. Hell, the season 1 finale of Mandalorian didn't make TIE-Fighters look nearly as frightening as Andor managed to do and they didn't even fight one. The Empire in Andor and it's cold, calculating evil is as scary in every episode as the Darth Vader hallway scene in Rogue One. I really hope we get to see more of it. It may not be very popular, but I hope Disney sees the value of running critically acclaimed shows for the long run. Just add a few more alien specieses in season 2 please? I know the Empire must've seperated them a lot, but the rebells in the OG trilogy were quite a diverse bunch and I hope we get to see that as the story progresses. Getting to see what the empire did to the wookies in this show would be a chilling experience.

[@pbdenizen3008]

I totally agree that Andor makes Mandalorian look uninspired. At the end of Mandalorian Season 2 I was like, eh whatever at least that was sometimes fun. With Andor, I engaged with it so much I want to read every commentary about it and watch hours of video essays on it. The two shows are simply not on the same level. Also, I read that Andor will end with two seasons. I think that’s a great thing when writers are allowed to tell a good story with a satisfying ending instead of milking a promising concept dry for a gajillion seasons.

[@Kai-ky6tf]

Holy soy lmao

[@Taraquin]

8:54 - One might say, 'a new hope' for expansion of the Star Wars universe with actual decent writing.

[@Deivid-bn6yw]

What I realised from this is I’ve grown up. I’m no longer that kid that just liked to see cool Jedi fight evil sith, I’m after something more nuanced and Andor is nuanced, this show feels like it’s for a mature audience compared to the rest of the series that feels like a kid mashing his toys together with all its crossovers. This show not only has way deeper themes than the original films I loved as a kid but it doesn’t treat its audience like they’re 7 years old again watching Luke Skywalker blow up the Death Star for the first time. It understands that Star Wars fans have grown up, I’ve grown up and so should the rest of the franchise.

[@Deivid-bn6yw]

To add: What I loved about Star Wars as a kid is still there but I’m no longer that kid, that whimsical nature of the series belongs in the 80s and the 00s. It’s time Star Wars moves forward and broadens it’s horizons for storytelling

[@thalgrond]

Semantic note: "fascio," the bundle of sticks that is the root of the word "fascism," actually refers to a symbol of power that was used in the Roman Republic, and later the Roman Empire. It was a bundle of sticks that was carried by bodyguards of important Romans while within the city, with a battle axe in amongst the bundle. This symbolized the right of the state to commit violence. Normal people at the time were not allowed to carry weapons within the city of Rome, but senators' guards could, and the sticks may have been used to dole out whippings to commoners. In addition to the more obvious metaphor of the bundle being stronger than the stick, the fascio also served Musolini's regime as a symbol both of militaristic and violent social control - the threat of the axe and the whip - and a symbol of ancient glory by appealing to the political structures of the Roman Empire that he supposedly sought to remake. Fascism very often harkens back to a time of glory, whether that time is a few decades ago or millennia in the past, when a given group of people were "on top," as a way of appealing to those people. In this case, it was a reminder to the Italian people of the time when they had once ruled what was arguably the most stable and, for a time, most unrivaled superpower of the ancient world.

[@arneczool6614]

The crazy thing about Andors viewership is that while less people might have watched it so far, the majority of those who did, love it to a point that simply goes deeper. When I watched an episode of Kenobi in comparison, I still felt somehow entertained, but always with flaws everywhere. It was like dating a new girl and while having fun with each other, you also discovered … some things don‘t fit together here …. you don‘t give up at once, but it simply doesn‘t work well. Andor is rather like meeting the woman you will marry ^^ The more you get to know her, you discover whats hidden under the surface.

[@zljmbo]

yes, Andor is wife material

[@dangermouse9348]

Outstandingly good show. Gilroy and his cast and crew did an amazing job. They are already up for awards. I hope they win a lot. They deserve them.

[@markrichards7377]

I would have skipped Andor if a friend hadn't recommended it. I was so let down be Disney+ Star Wars, I was almost ready to walk. I hope people give it a chance because it's worth it.

[@Some_Call_Me_Pietro]

There aren't many shows I've insisted people watch more than Andor

[@theoretical2031]

Wow I cant believe I didnt hear about this show earlier and I'm definitely going to check it out now. It's also refreshing to find a new channel able to explain the "politics" in Star Wars in a mature way, unlike many other creators...

[@danilapolesciuk4316]

Andor is a great way to tell if someone is a real star wars fan that loves the story and IP or a fake one that just loves the action and Sci-Fi

[@gooddog2001]

It is a classic, one of the best shows ever, and not just by STAR WARS standards.

[@zljmbo]

beautifully said. Shayne, please I need more

[@lynnkain]

Not since A New Hope did it portray storm troopers as capable and deadly.

[@soakedbearrd]

What’s interesting is A new hope has actual meaning now. What is hope? Hope is meaning and idealism in the face of an encompassing negativity. In this case fascism, or tyrannical authoritarian oppression. This show gives us the catalyst on WHY hope is a powerful force(no pun). It is through the unnatural control mechanisms that unity, love and bravery becomes possible. It is a catalyst to show people what truly matters and what we take for granted. This show sets the dominos that eventually leads to ROTJ.

[@lightaces]

I loved Andor, and would go as far as to say it is the best Star Wars since Empire Strikes Back. I can't wait to see season 2, and I desperately hope they do more along these lines in the future. But I also hope they never make ONLY shows like this, which would be a disaster. There is room in Star Wars for many different genres. The lessons to take from Andor are; 1) writing matters! get it right. 2) great acting makes a world of difference. 3) Star Wars has room for adults. 4) Let the creative guys create, and the business guys business - no cross over.

[@tophat2776]

It's a shame that Andor is only getting 1 more season. The world building and story telling was amazing. Luthien rael is such an interesting character.

[@capitalh1895]

without more than the slightest hint of cohesive storytelling disney starwars has been getting away with, you give us just that (in spite of recent failures, cash grabs on namesake alone, and overall slopiness) and ppl are SO HAPPY @ just actual internal consistency! Marry this with the billion dollar fx, acting, ect that is a bare minimum atm, and you get present day masterpieces. But all theyre doing is what should be expected... COHESIVE STORYTELLING!

[@badideabearcub2747]

Cohesive storytelling has never been the strongest suit of most of the Star Wars installments. Of course. the 3 Disney sequels went to the extreme of the ridicule, but what could you have expected from directors that made their name on nonsensical series and on subverting audience expectations just for the sake of outmaneuvering fan theories.

[@capitalh1895]

@@badideabearcub2747 I wouldnt dissagree. But that was a choice... jj & the like. Lucas starwars, imo Lucas tried and failed to make a grand, sprawling galaxy feel imressively complex, but failed on the surface. Disney starwars has been almost ALL surface; as a feature, not a bug. At best, because thats what they saw in starwars of the past, @ worst, it was incidental.

[@miniaturejayhawk8702]

"Though the empire rose to power by promising to bring order to the galaxy, it oversaw a period of harsh military rule and aggressive expansion." I dont see how their claim contradicts their actions. The empires motto was basically "Peace through strenght".

[@UnknownOps]

“Peace isn’t sought after, it’s enforced!” - Omni Man.

[@JackTPach]

Andor should be a show to reflect on what the empire has been shown to be. Or rather what the are to the common civilian rather than an epic hero.

[@ponchopalmera4917]

Andor was Amazing, period :)

[@Vasher-The-Destroyer]

It also seems to have a very cooperation vibe to them as well

[@maurjoy4104]

It is, very good. Very.

[@erin_3569]

Next : Guillermo Del Toro directing a Star Wars movie or serie

[@icecreamsocial123]

I had to turn it off I was so scared

[@tonylukban1880]

I think the prison aren't always like that. What I mean is the prison actually released prisoners after serving their sentence. what in my opinion change it was the thing that happened in Aldhani. remember that Cassian's was charged with anti empirial speech in which the sentence was supposed to be 6 months but they changed it to 6 years.

[@LexYeen]

There was an Empire-wide change in sentencing laws, my guy. And he didn’t _do_ anything except be in the wrong place at the wrong time and look suspicious to a trooper that ordered a droid to "hang on to this one" - which was interpreted by the droid as an order to _hang Cassian by his neck._ Any charges against him would immediately have been challenged if the Empire's legal system had any interest in justice, and I find it _deeply concerning_ that you would assume that criminal charges levied by an _authoritarian fascist dictatorship_ are anything other than a cudgel used to beat the population into compliance.

[@soakedbearrd]

This show is so important considering all that is happening now with our “leaders” and systems of authority (“trusted experts”). Imo this goes far beyond the SW universe and into the archetypal. But grounded in humanity, reality and in an ironic sense, idealism. To have hope in such a system is an anomaly, and YET it is the currency of the soul, and infects the hearts in a positive sense, almost like a meme that surpasses normal internal filters. What’s interesting is the first movie is called A New Hope. Hope can only come from the stubbornness and refusal to fall into despair, and this show does an excellent job re-igniting the fires of true courage in the hearts of the disenfranchised and “throw” always. It shows that you can make a difference and that no matter how small or insignificant you are, you are a voice of the voiceless. The force rewards those with passion in the hearts and the courage to take that faithful leap into the abyss with a shield of righteousness. This isn’t mindless entertainment, this is a hearty stew, ugly in appearance but nourishing and filling that sticks to the bone.

[@badideabearcub2747]

Amen

[@arneczool6614]

I agree to 90% of what you said, but „ugly in appearance“ ?!? The cinematography was mindblowingly beautiful, dedicated, passionate.

[@soakedbearrd]

@@arneczool6614 i didn’t mean it literally towards the show, I was using a metaphor of a hearty stew and used that term to describe the stew. What I meant by that is Andor captures themes that can be ugly (totalitarianism and grayness of morality on both sides). The cinematography was spectacular and easily movie quality and the directors choice of shots, angles and close ups was top notch.

[@mildsoup8978]

MESA Jarjar at it again

[@Daneelro]

Yes, the Empire is fascist. But to describe fascism solely through its statist and anti-individualistic trait is overly simplistic and rooted in American political mythology. I suggest you read the classic definition by Umberto Eco (which will also help people in identifying some modern fascisms in the real world).

[@salsheikh4508]

People just streamed it for Free....

[@naithanvarughese8393]

Dedra is a great example of girlboss feminism. She struggles to climb the ranks as the only woman, and you almost feel for her. But ultimately she upholds an oppressive system.

[@1111Tactical]

The Empire isn't Fascist, it's an...Empire Fascism is a very specific thing, it's not just "militaristic dictatorship", it's certainly isn't a monarchy with an Emperor. The word has been overused and drained of any meaning. The union of corporate and industrial forces with the government to oppress, expand, and control is a key part of fascist most people, including you, leave out. Your definition at 3:02 is so overly broad that Communism, Fascism's mortal enemy, also fits that definition. Even though Mussolini admitted FAscism was related to Marxism and was his improvement of it, it's a big change from Marxism.

[@KnowledgeDriven]

George W Bush: 'You Are Either With Us, Or With the Terrorists' - 2001-09-21 >> Begins what are now known as our endless wars (we've always been at war with East Asia)

[@iconpoet]

Something Andor and the new Star Wars gets wrong about the Empire is adding diversity. It's really dumb to me to have an entity based on the Nazis to have women and people of color on positions of power. The lesson of the O.T. was the Empire was weak because of their LACK of diversity. They were all white, male, human only vs the diverse group of rebels. Having the Empire be diverse and inclusive defeats the purpose...

[@danilapolesciuk4316]

The Empire is more of a anti-alien empire instead of an anti- everyone that isn't white

[@Hongkongnyc]

I thought Andor had a great tone and cinematography, acting was fine. Major pacing issue as with most modern series. Socio economic political messaging seemed pretty heavy handed to me: Fascism is bad, Marxism is the solution. But anyone with a history book knows that Marxism is a twin evil to Fascism... would have really loved a story that kept the Empire as a Fascist state but that showed the traumatized victims who became Marxists turn out to be as evil or more than the bureaucracy they replaced.. escalating acts of rebellion leading to innocent victims, the inevitable witch hunt of anyone not deemed subversive enough and in the right ways.

[@Hongkongnyc]

Side note: I thought Rogue One was fantastic and really universal, which made the childish messaging of Andor that much more disappointing.

[@WalkerOne]

Can someone tell me the difference between the fascism of Mussolini and the communism of The soviet union? What I see in Star Wars a new hope and Andor is more in line with communism than fascism.

[@thesmilyguyguy9799]

= - D

[@rioluofthedarkness]

I couldn’t get past the first episode

[@JamoonXerxesSauber]

If you're into character/story driven, cinematic, slow-burns then you are really missing out. First half of season is slow but that's building the foundation and it's totally worth it. Especially if you want to see a darker, more mature star wars series.

[@KnowledgeDriven]

Watch S01E03, if you like it, watch the prequels S01E01 & E02. Then watch E06; if you like it, then watch the prequels E04 & E05. Repeat to E12.

[@kamerondonaldson5976]

whats evil about wanting to prevent the starvation of your people by securing more territory for gathering more resources for them to consume by any means necessary? the louisiana purchase was an act of imperialism just as much as manifest destiny was.

[@todddammit4628]

Found the fascist

[@Daniel-Strain]

What's evil about "describes obvious evil stuff".

[@kamerondonaldson5976]

@@Daniel-Strain yes, forcing people to starve to death when that could have been avoided is evil.

[@JamoonXerxesSauber]

@@kamerondonaldson5976 "by any means necessary" is the worrying part