The Poetry, Power, and Philosophy of Andor's Monologues

[@justlivin2499]

I may be in the minority when I say this but I genuinely believe that Andor has the best dialogue in all of Star Wars. Period.

[@eeaargpht9751]

No, you're right. The dialogue is so brilliant, creative and subtle. Nothing else comes close in all of Star Wars.

[@legolars5122]

Absolutely right. Andor ist the only thing of the star wars universe that truely deserves an award for story and acting.

[@henrifortier8621]

Not probably, it just does

[@matthewLkidder]

Best Star Wars down right, uncontested.

[@Epsilon.17]

Agreed

[@matthewpelletier6900]

I will never get tired of listening to people gush about this show.

[@MCKBeats]

I've never clicked on so many videos from random YT channels for any show or topic in my life as I do for Andor.

[@BenDover-qm6sh]

i've never felt so understood. seriously it makes me happy seeing people talk in detail about loving the things i love. these random youtubers always put my thoughts so beautifully into words

[@DisorderedArray]

@@MCKBeatsIt wasn't until we got Andor that we realised we didn't have enough Andor.

[@vthaver1]

@@DisorderedArrayUnfortunately, Andor ruined the other Disney SW products for me

[@Iron-Bridge]

One of the shows I enjoyed being wrong about initially. I thought it was a waste of time prior to watching a single episode. I was that judgemental about a Star Wars prequel 🤣. But I was sold after sticking past the third episode. It simply got better as it progressed. And I appreciated it more upon rewatching.

[@christopherkelly4555]

Andor is literature. It is SciFi at it's best. It examines the human condition. It's the first Star Wars that actually is SciFi. There is so much depth, thought, and love imbued in this amazing story. Somehow, this far after the end of season 1, after so many videos analyzing Andor, you still manage to find new perspectives and ideas. In a lot of ways you are to my KZbin feed what Andor is to Star Wars.

[@master_samwise]

Andor is a lot more sci-fi than most Star Wars, but Luthen's speech about the eternal consequences of his actions makes it more fantasy than most Star Wars. Really, it's just MORE than most Star Wars.

[@matttrevers2552]

There's plenty of stuff in The Clone Wars that is pretty sci-fi and dystopian as well.

[@TheWickedWizardOfOz1]

@@master_samwise I would disagree with that assessment. Religion and afterlife are major parts of real world philosophy, and there are great science fiction works that attempt to portray religion as driving parts of their stories (the existential fear of "self" disappearing in the cybernetic age of Ghost in the Shell is one example). The rooting of politics is not inherently more fantasy than sci-fi either, as Luthen's speech about his actions - as pointed out in the video - could easily apply to WW2 or many other real life scenarios. The key thing with Andor is that it is less of a "fantasy" than Lucas's SW. It uses real events and philosophies as its basis, instead of fiction and mythology. This does not follow the standard "hero's journey" template - it follows historical examples as its guideline instead. It is not necessarily more sci-fi - I'd argue that the three great fantasy shows about "rebellion" are all fantasy (the other two are Arcane and the 1980s/1990s anime Legend of the Galactic Heroes), albeit all three use sci-fi trappings. But they are fantasies based in history, rather than mythology, if that makes sense.

[@charrineau]

A similarity between Maarva and Kino is that their motivation to fight didn't come for the sake of their own freedom, but after realizing that their chance at freedom had passed. They finally spoke up in order to help others not to suffer the same fate. That's what makes Kino's final line- "I can't swim" is so heartbreaking; he knew all along that wouldn't make it, but rose up anyways.

[@-mason-6538]

He never cared. Kino is such a genius character because he wasn’t fighting to be a free man, he was fighting against oppression. If he lived didn’t matter to him, he just wanted to rebel against a system that had broken him.

[@Lstank]

Kino reminds me of the part in To Kill A Mockingbird when Atticus tells his son that "Courage is not a man with a gun in his hand. It's knowing you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what." That part always stuck with me.

[@mattgames7543]

Kino's "I can't swim" was a sharp exhale as he fell on the dagger of his own revolt. Truly an incredible arc

[@ThatGuy-rz6tv]

Not only is that a similarity between those two, Luther is the same as well. He will never get the freedom he fought for, but the next generation will, just like Maarva and Kino.

[@IshtarNike]

I heard some people say it was a laugh line. And I honestly lost respect for them lol. It's a purely tragic line. It's not funny and nor is it meant to be funny. I think some people are a bit weird.

[@ryansarafin12]

The fact that people say this show wasn't really Star Wars because "it doesn't have Lightsabers" aggravates me so much, this is hands down the best writing we've ever gotten in Star Wars and it went completely under the radar, and the chances we'll get something this good again is slim because of it

[@Justanotherconsumer]

The challenge here isn’t the lack of lightsabers, it’s the presence of substance. People want to be entertained, they don’t want to have to think.

[@Justanotherconsumer]

The challenge here isn’t the lack of lightsabers, it’s the presence of substance. People want to be entertained, they don’t want to have to think.

[@drewschobel2763]

“I share my dreams with ghosts … I made my mind a sunless space” chills every time

[@deetee1151]

So great. Simply said.

[@coreysaylor4736]

Andor was better than Disney ever deserved

[@DiamondKingStudios]

Arguably Lucasfilm as a whole

[@shivaramoutar5333]

@@DiamondKingStudios literally.

[@Blisterdude123]

Tony Gilroy was better than they deserved, but as a fan, I'm still grateful we got this brief glimpse of what Star Wars 'could' be, in the right hands.

[@hoshyro]

@@Blisterdude123 Let us hope that Gilroy will keep this fantastic writing up in the second season

[@DoremiFasolatido1979]

Andor was better than Star Wars fans ever deserved...certainly better than Lucas ever deserved. Andor is completely beyond the entire franchise. Rogue One had already upped the bar way past anything else in Star Wars, but it still wasn't amazing. Andor blew it all away. For a "nobody" character that didn't even exist until Rogue One...and that can't matter beyond that point, now. It's better than the entire franchise combined, and makes all the fanfic "legends" garbage look like a total joke.

[@flaviovisconti4415]

As an Italian, I was moved and impressed by how this series did a better job than decades of movies in depicting what fighting in the Resistance against the Fascist regime meant There’s a deep and precise historical study in the writing and the poetic speeches are so on point

[@DanBaker108]

Yes

[@DanBaker108]

As a left wing revolutionary and former political prisoner I am deeply moved by your comments and this art.

[@19ars92]

Tony Gilroy himself said that his writing was inspired by previous revolutionary rises in human history. Even George Lucas called him to congratulate him on his work

[@dutube99]

@@19ars92 didn't know that, interesting

[@maaderllin]

4:55 I'll add something about the power of the figure of the Empire being like rust. Not only it is a nice image, but it is an image that talks to the people of Ferrix. The name is in the place! Ferrous, or iron. They are scrapyard workers, salvaging parts of discarded ships, to give technological pieces a second life. In a flashback, we see Clem showing Andor how to remove rust from a very expansive component. The fact that Maarva compares the Empire to rust is specifically tailored by and for ordinary people whose lifes are spent cleaning rusty equipment. And this can trace a parallel to Kino's line: "If we can fight half as hard as we've been working". It calls for working people to fight. To clean the rust that is an authoritarian regime, the fight will be long and hard, but they're used to work hard for long periods of time.

[@DiamondKingStudios]

Talk about knowing your audience! This is the level of attention to detail that has been wanting in many fictional worlds put on the screen.

[@ethannehring3355]

okay, I knew it was brilliant, but dang!

[@mardkam_triplesh]

this show is too good!!

[@Hat_With_A_Hat_On]

Also the parts were considered worthless just because they looked dirty, and had already been used. They were right under everyone's noses but no one thought they had any value or purpose anymore. Lioe andor talking about how he walked right into an empire place and just took that part he was trying to sell. They respect the citizens so little that they don't even consider that they would defy the empire. Until dedra, they didn't even connect rhe dots about the rebellion, because of the same blindness. Debra's competition at work who oversaw the place she needed to investigate completely waved away her concerns. The rebellion, and citizens the empire oversees are just like the parts for him. Useless and dirty. Not worth even a thought.

[@1Bean1]

Andor's buddy on Ferrix is named Brasso (although I was hearing Brahzo), spelled like that cleaner that's used to make brass shiny and new-like,. Dunno if coincidence or intentionally named as part of the metal working metaphors that you pointed out (and thanks for posting all of that! I did not notice all of that while watching).

[@skaidonC]

As an actor: Andor is the kind of project we dream to be a part of. Disney Star Wars is usually what happens instead.

[@chenstormstout9456]

But as an actor. It doesn’t matter what the project is. You give the best damn performance you can. People will remember you for it.

[@DarkFenix2k5]

@@chenstormstout9456 Indeed, some of the most memorable performances ever have been when a great actor has given everything to their role in an otherwise awful movie. Sometimes their performance can become one of the movie's few redeeming qualities. On the other hand, sometimes a seemingly competent but uninspiring movie can be dropped into meaningless obscurity by the cast all looking and sounding bored, as though they're only there to pick up a paycheque and get the hell out.

[@Grimmlocked]

@@chenstormstout9456 e.g. Christian Bale In love and thunder

[@Treebohr]

"Luthen is not what people like to call 'morally gray'... because that doesn't exist, that isn't how morality works." I liked the video for this quote.

[@hooligan9794]

Morally gray absolutely exists. It means a character is not morally spotless, never doing bad things, nor are they just bad guys. They are aiming at goods but doing bad things to achieve the good ends. In the historical white knight(who only does good), black knight (only does evil) paradigm, they are a mix of black and white, also know as gray.

[@Freelancer4tehwin]

One Way Out was one of the finest prison breaks put to film. And then Kino Loy spoke into a mic, and it became to prison breaks what Helms Deep became to battle sequences - the bar by which the future ought be judged.

[@brianpainter6620]

It cracked me up hearing some of the criticisms of Andor having too much talking! 🤣 Seriously? This has the best dialogue and story telling better than so many shows/movies lately and not just in Star Wars!

[@DiamondKingStudios]

Michael Bay viewers be like:

[@Blisterdude123]

It's so dumb, good writing is like...music. It's theatre. It is quite simply, euphoric to listen to, it sends a chill down my spine, makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. It gets under my skin and leaves me thinking about it, profoundly moved, for hours afterward. Andor was doing that to me almost every other episode.

[@DanBaker108]

Idiots exposing their ignorance

[@RevanReborn3950BBY]

The prison escape is one of the best sequences in media

[@gobe8354]

Anytime anything about Andor hits the internet… I’m watching it.

[@austingreen1274]

“I’ll think about you constantly!” “That’s just love. There’s nothing we can do about that.” Makes me tear up every time. 😢

[@MrTappers7]

Andor is Art. Art is meant to use metaphor and analogy through beauty to describe and comment on the human condition. Andor exemplifies Art in every aspect of its cinematography.

[@coltonjohnson3062]

I know it doesn’t quite fit with your examples, but Brasso relaying Maarva’s words to Cassian after her death…they hit real hard

[@kamillavalter]

Yes! “I love him more than anything he could ever do wrong”

[@MrStatement]

that and the scene with Cassian and Maarva in episode 7 shattered my heart

[@411bvRGiskard]

How in the universe was that scene birthed from the Arrakis-barren talentscape of Disney Star Wars?

[@TheDemigans]

Something everyone seems to miss is the sound or victory in Andor. So far all the victories by the good guys were applauded. Everyone is happy, the goals were achieved, the people saved, the sacrifices were willing and knowing. Luthen is working to his own goals to rid the Galaxy of the Empire. But he needs a unified resistance, he needs people to stop sleeping and get up to fight. He uses the Aldani heist not just for money, the money is a secondary goal. He uses it to force the Empire to crack down so hard that people realize they need to resist. Luthen is always planning and on the move. We have one moment he’s not, and it’s during the Aldani heist when he’s waiting. Even then he is worrying and moving restlessly. Except in the last episode. He had his monologue, he managed to get the Empire to crack down. Now for the first time he has stopped moving. He should be running away to his ship and make his getaway. But instead he is standing on Ferrix and listening to the sounds in the distance. Shots from Empire soldiers, screams of unarmed civilians being killed. There is no applause. No cheers. Shots and screams. The sound of Luthens victory.

[@DanBaker108]

I’m a combat veteran and I was a political prisoner for 2 and a half years. This is the best fiction I’ve ever seen. It’s directly relevant to life as we know it in 2024.

[@jamesthemuchless]

The point that Dedra isn't even a utilitarian makes her character even more disturbing. The lack of internal need to justify one's actions is deeply inhuman, and precisely the kind of thing that I think CS Lewis had in mind in Prince Caspian when Lucy was afraid of the idea that humans would go wild inside like the talking beasts that gave up their sentience.

[@master_samwise]

Right?!? She just... doesn't care. That's terrifying.

[@alesksander]

@@master_samwise I think she is mirror image of Syril Khan. I think in her backstory there is something more. I think. We will see if scary sociopathic actions and egomania have deeper roots. Almost always there more behind. Even Unabomber had understandable and broken life and backstory. :D She could be just cog in machine. Like Nazi operatives in WW2. People quickly can get caought in bubbles and almost brain washed in wrong convictions. i trust Gilroy will explain or at least laid foundations if she can be even explained or even redeemed (i know dangerous tought). Hmm so well laid show we could talk and talk for ever...

[@MrTao-iy2nf]

Sages rain did a video on compromising your morals on andor titled the banality of evil.

[@DewNotDisturb]

after only one season, this show has cemented its place in my top 5 drama shows- along with the likes of breaking bad and better call saul

[@jazzx251]

I'm watching "The Last of Us" at the moment - about to start episode 5 I give the show so far 4 Andors out of 5 - which means "superb"

[@DewNotDisturb]

@@jazzx251 unfortunately I don’t have hbo max but I would definitely like to watch it

[@pseudonymousbeing987]

Good point. After just 1 season the sheer breadth Andor covers has solidly placed it in the all time pantheon. Just 1 season!

[@usertams]

exactly!!!

[@andrewkessinger5966]

Monologue is a lost art in film. Andor is such a good series. Favorite part of the series was the line "Never more than twelve." Perfect character buildup and payoff.

[@shawnthompson2303]

I was like Ooooooooooh yeah he’s thought of it!!!

[@STTPMASFTNE]

Luthen is my favorite Star Wars character. It isn’t even close. Perfect writing, perfect casting, layers of depth that the creators of the sequel trilogy could only dream of.

[@workshopkid37]

Andor is a masterful piece of art and it’s a shame not many people are tuning in. But it did gain a 10% audience increase by the time the finale dropped, compared to other shows losing 10-15% of their audience by the finale

[@jazzx251]

I'm not concerned at all Nobody watched Bladerunner either. And now look! Andor is a classic for all time - the amount of people that will eventually see it over the coming decades will outnumber the current population of all the planets in this solar system combined

[@MrStatement]

@@jazzx251 I agree I can 100% see Andor becoming a cult classic over the next few decades

[@MetaSarcasm]

I haven't even watched this yet, came up on my recommended and I just wanted to say thanks for talking about Andor! I think it's really important people keep continuing to do so, it may arguably be one of the most important pieces of media in decades.

[@DanBaker108]

Watch it soon before it’s outlawed and banned

[@MetaSarcasm]

@@DanBaker108Oh no, I meant the youtube video! I had already watched Andor and also downloaded it so I could come back to it whenever I like :)

[@MichaSennin]

"Dont you want to fight these Bastards for Real" is when I knew this is it. Andor gave the Empire more Character. The Emperor being this unreachable, unfathamble Evil and you know its there. Andor him and the Show changed how I look at SW as a whole. Im so late to this but this Line, ill never forget. Probably my favorite moment in all of SW next to Luke watching the twin Suns with the Force theme playing. What a Show.

[@christopherpardell4418]

Andor is about as close as I’ve seen visual media come to being a novel.

[@schroecat1]

We used to get thought provoking movies like this every few years, but cinema has become so devoid of good stories with real human philosophy in the last decade or so that we're shocked when we encounter it again.

[@TheWickedWizardOfOz1]

I'd recommend the films of Mariano Llinas - especially Extraordinary Stories. His movies can be very novelistic in their approach, in that they use a narrator EXTENSIVELY over the film, with even dialogue between characters occasionally being read by the narrator. It's a unique approach and may not be for everyone, but they are in a way "novelistic" in that they capture the feeling of reading character's thoughts and feelings and backstories while characters wander through a temporal space.

[@Drifter-while-hungry]

Bro why can’t Disney just hire Tony gilroy to do everything for Star Wars, he should be getting all the praise from the fandom, not Dave filoni

[@master_samwise]

Andor: 0/10, no lightsabers.

[@LauchTV2311]

In my perfect world Filoni does the animated shows and Gilroy does the live-action shows

[@TheTimothyThibodeaux]

@@master_samwiseBRUH. I know you’re joking but it’s 11/10 for being able to write an incredible story without using lightsabers as a gimmick

[@guzimAntonova]

@@LauchTV2311 nah rather have no filoni at all

[@Slugnoramous]

i might be misremembering but i think i heard in an interview with tony that he's done after season 2 of Andor. i think that means in other words he wont want to, even if disney offers. :(

[@MrJakeros]

The actress that portrays Deedra is worth the dozens of others sycophants that Disney has to buffer its ego.

[@jazzx251]

Her real name is Yennefer of Vengerburg ... she's the only reason I began to watch the show [her real name is Denise Gough - who boasts 2 Olivier awards for her stagecraft - and, as mentioned, has been a big part of one of the greatest ever video games - "Witcher 3"]

[@MrJakeros]

@@jazzx251 Wait seriously? She voiced Yen?

[@jazzx251]

@@MrJakeros Team Yen all the way! :) I had never seen her face before - and saw she was in Star Wars ... "Andor" was hardly an inspiring title, but I saw that Yennefer was in it [on wikipedia] from about episode 4 - she was in every episode from then on, so I thought it might be worth it ... just to see her face. I knew from her brilliant voice-acting that she would at least be a good addition to Star Wars, she wouldn't be an embarrassment. I decided to give her the big build up, and watch every episode from the beginning - even though it was probably a load of kiddie rubbish ... Not only did I grow to love the first three episodes ... when "Yen" (Dedra) finally appeared in episode 4, her voice was unmistakeable - and she reeled off facts and figures like a proper space Nazi would! ... and the rest of her performance was sheer awesome! It was her performance in Witcher 3 that led me to this greatest of all Star Wars projects, and I'm so thrilled that she will be remembered alongside all of the great Imperial Star Wars villains

[@MrJakeros]

@@jazzx251 couldn't agree more. I still need to get back to finishing Witcher III one of these days.

[@diamondking1987]

The two biggest differences between Andor and other Star Wars live action shows, it it feels complete, and the writers cared

[@matthewy2j]

Turns out making your villains competent can have a great story impact.

[@BarioIDL]

disney, hire this man

[@glamourweaver]

Deidra’s monologue is also a key moment for the audience, because other media and fanon around (for example) characters like Thrawn, have trained us to see a character framed as competent who gets attention to their emotions and development as they seek a goal in their scenes - as at least an anti-hero. The audience to a degree having rooted for Deidra against her colleagues in the backstabbing of the ISB because we know she’s right in what she’s piecing together and claiming, wants to see her as a noble imperial. On the wrong side, sure but a fundamentally good person who does what she does for sympathetic reasons. She isn’t. She’s a high ranking officer in the setting’s equivalent of the SS. She is a fascist through and through. And that scene robs the audience of their ability to ignore that.

[@mlem87]

I love Star Wars, even though I was born way after the original trilogy came out, I read a lot of the legends novels and fell in love with the galaxy George Lucas created. That being said, Andor is the best Star Wars anything I have ever watched. It is the only show that gives us a bottom up perspective of the rebellion, which we dont really see a lot of. In the movies and a lot of the Legends novels, we only really follow a small cast of select heroes. I don't think this is always a problem, but it certainly gets stale after such a long time of only seeing these characters save everyone else. This top down perspective is great for what Star Wars is: escapism. But Andor did something more. By giving us a bottom up perspective, it is able to convey its themes in much more powerful ways.

[@DiamondKingStudios]

If anything it also immerses us more in that universe.

[@chorihae2934]

Luthens monologe, how he sacrifices Kreegyr, reminds me of the choices that british intelligence had to make during WW2 after they decoded Enigma. Not letting the Germans know they decoded it by sacrificing ships, civilians, cities in order to pursue a longer stretched goal of victory. It's horribly tragic how this is depicted in "The Imitation Game" :(

[@richardblum3516]

Love the villain lighting you have going on in your ad break.

[@master_samwise]

LMAO

[@rubensf7780]

A similar thing to what Luthen is doing here is the sacrifice of the 30 infantry brigade during Dunkirk. They were trying to evacuate the soldiers at Dunkirk but risked the German forces closing in and killing them before they had time. Therefore, the PM Churchill and the war cabinet decided to deliberately sacrifice the entire brigade fighting for Calais to buy time for the others, despite knowing they would be slaughtered by a superior German force. This would be out of the question in most movies today as the means are highly questionable, but in the end it succeeded and they were able to evacuate the soldiers. The people who made the decision probably felt horrible, but imagine doing such decisions over and over and over again, and you get Luthens state of mind

[@NoneOfYerBidniz]

In the same vein, the bombing of Coventry. The Allies had broken Enigma at that point. They knew every detail about the raid and could have scrambled every fighter in the UK to stop it. Churchill and Eisenhower made the call to let the raid happen in order to preserve the secret that we had broken Germany's best codes. Fighting a war means making some impossibly hard calls.

[@TheSutekh]

These are great examples others have mentioned in their content as well and highlight the one significant disagreement I had with this analysis as presented: the narrator’s moral absolutism (e.g., there’s no such thing as gray) is reductive and lazy. Put the “bad guy” label on Luthen and criticize his pride as culpable for atrocity if that’s what keeps your construct whole, but thank God that throughout history there have been people with the conviction to sacrifice their souls for someone else’s sunrise. If that doesn’t make you a “good guy”, I don’t know what does.

[@roho10011]

@@TheSutekh agree 100%! War by definition involves acts that are morally reprehensible when assessed in isolation from the larger situation. No party to a war, or in fact any person is 100% moral or immoral; we are and should be assessed overall on the sum total balance of what we do and why. Luthen committed some immoral acts to advance a righteous cause of liberty for the galaxy’s masses. Someone in the leadership fighting for such a cause has to be willing to do this when necessary (and fighting against such odds it will be necessary sometimes). That is very different than what the imperial agent was doing. At the same time, as a person Luthen knows these immoral decisions are a stain on his personal moral ledger even if not the cause’s; he is still the one who made these bad things happen and he takes personal responsibility, and carries the burden for them. The fact that such moral considerations are still so present in his mind means they will be a part of his decision making (he’s not become a blind ideologue) so he remains well suited for his role in the rebel leadership.

[@Biscuits..]

It’s insane these monologues exist in the same galaxy as “I don’t like sand” and “Somehow, Palpetine returned.”

[@creepyfellow]

There people go again, injecting modern politics into Star Wars... didn't know the emperor was Palestinian 🤣

[@Biscuits..]

JSJS IDK HOW I DIDNT NOTICE @@creepyfellow

[@TheWickedWizardOfOz1]

@@Biscuits.. Edit it back, edit it back! :P

[@Kutomi1]

​@@Biscuits..what did it saaay

[@geoffshaw2775]

Andor was a show I was extremely skeptical about. I thought Rogue One was fine so I didn't think Andor was a necessary show. But after finally watching it, I was blown away with how much I got invested. It's an incredibly good show that I unfortunately don't think it's quality will be a lesson taken into the other Disney Star Wars content.

[@aarlavaan]

I think it can be summed up like this: Andor is an orign story that nobody asked for about a side character nobody was interested in from a movie very few people cared about. and it is the best star wars since the original trilogy, bar none. it is truly a shame that it didn't get the views it deserved. it was punished for the sins of Kenobi and Book of Boba Fett. I curse those shows. may the fleas of a thousand camels infest their armpits.

[@AbhijeetMishra]

Luthen was so good of a character that I became emotional watching this video every time he was on the screen or being talked about. Andor was a great show in general, not just as a Star Wars show, and Luthen and Maarva in particular were amazing.

[@justlivin2499]

His monologue was so gripping I had my ADHD stricken ass hooked

[@kaitlnwhite6809]

I hope by the end of the show, Luther can see himself as a hero or do something he himself deems as heroic. His monologue is so brilliant bc aside from the determination and sacrifice, you can hear a tinge of how bitter and hard he’s become. He’s sacrificed his everything for this cause, so I hope before he dies, he could’ve at least seen himself as one of the heroes (even if they don’t acknowledge their heroism yet) he surrounds himself with and relies on. But that’s my wishful thinking.

[@justlivin2499]

@@kaitlnwhite6809 the only way they can properly end his character is by having him make the ultimate sacrifice to save everyone and nobody will know

[@irishpotatothief531]

I would call the philosophy of Luthen one of "Righteous Nihilism," or "Moral Nihilism." In summary, he believes in doing whatever needs to be done, at the cost of all he is and all he believed in, stood for, and wanted to be, in order to level the playing field for a truly righteous cause to take his place. He cannot succeed as he wants, and the way he can achieve success necessitates the utter destruction of himself in a philosophical, and potentially, probable physical sense a well. In doing so, nothing he does "matters" as it will not be his success that is celebrated, his feats remembered, his damage done critiqued, but his actions will have a subtle and necessary creation of something more pure than he could afford to be, and that is a morally upright or righteous thing to strive for. Essentially, "if nothing I do matters, let me ensure what comes next will."

[@DanBaker108]

Damn

[@Sindrijo]

To kill the monster, I see that I have no choice but to become one, I will rip and tear as it will rip and tear. My blood will let but so will my adversary equally, I will drag it with me down into oblivion, into the muck by whatever means I have, and I do have all the means. I may well become worse than the monster I fight, but that is inconsequential, I have *already* perished I have *already lost*, so I cannot loose more. I have given everything.

[@jasonbond5213]

I would include at least two more pieces of monologue here, however I understand why you didn't include them because they do border on dialogue: on the one hand, luthen talking to Saul about abandoning kreeger. This is such a powerful scene, because you see just how far luthen is willing to go and how many lives he is willing to sacrifice in order to serve the long term goal. Also, the way in which he convinces Saul to trust him is brilliant writing: "If I were ISB, why would I not just let you go out there with him?" However, I especially want to give a shoutout to a scene I rarely hear people talk about and that is one of my absolute favorites in the show. Mon Mothma talking to Tay at the dinner party is such a powerful scene. In the beginning he makes an implication that he strongly disagrees with the empire but doesn't elaborate, saying "you might find my politics a bit strong for your taste" implying how far he is willing to go and how far his anti imperial thought reaches. Then, mon mothma says his words freed her and starts entrusting her secret to him, knowing now that he is an ideological ally. The way in which she tells him about her secret operation of sending funds to the rebellion is brilliant, as it is a symbol of the mask she has to put on: she says it with a constant smile on her face, and asking Tay to do the same. She has to keep the appearance of someone at least partially in support of the empire, even while planning its downfall. She is aware of the acute danger she is in. Even the way she funds the rebellion functions in this same way: She makes it appear as if the money is going to one of her failing charities, all the while they actually go to people like luthen. The way she answers his question of what she is actually doing with "raising money" and the tone of her voice suggesting everything that implies is brilliant acting. And then she cites her friends words from a few minutes earlier: "Or perhaps you find my politics a bit strong for your taste". This is a way of communicating that she, in fact, isn't less radical than he is: She is even more involved in plotting the empires downfall, her anti imperial sentiment is even stronger, her appearance of only moderate criticism and action is a mask to protect her true intentions and rebellious actions. This scene alone made mon mothma one of my favorite characters in all of star wars. This is brilliant writing, it shows her courage, it shows how people who are part of the imperial system have to cover up their rebellions with smiles and flattery, and how incredibly dangerous her position really is. It's one of the best scenes in all of star wars.

[@MagicOmelet]

Stellen Skarsgard was very excited about his role in Season 2, so I'm very optimistic. Only one more year or so ._.

[@andrewclarke4273]

Why Andor speaks to me is I'd love to believe I'm an Andor. But I'm most likely a Sargent Moss or a Syril or a Medra, than be the Cassian or Luthen I'd love to be. The reality of life and the fantasy of life are 2 drastically different things. This programme makes me wanna stand and shout for those who deserve better, but I know if I was to do such a thing, I'd be chopped liver in nanoseconds. But Andor makes you believe you could. Makes you believe YOU would be the one to bring around a bright future, the catalyst for siesmic change. This is why I love this programme. It makes me believe what I'm too conditioned to believe, that one moment, against a torrent of change, could inflict a change you will NEVER see. "I sacrifice EVERYTHING!!!" If only "I" could be so brave.

[@gchecosse]

But Syril is brave. He twice defies his superiors to do his duty and go after the murderer. He doesn't know he's just the antagonist of someone else's story, he thinks he's the main character.

[@andrewclarke4273]

@gchecosse Everyone is the main character in their story. (Andors writers smashed this part of the story.) Same as Lonnie. And Kino Loy. Even Marva. All brave in the face of adversity. All stood. Just depends which side of the coin your standing for and which power you believe in. (Edited for spelling, I failed GCSE English)

[@idanmuze]

We need to keep bringing up Andor because the mainstream fanbase refuses to. Great vid.

[@lightarc7126]

Speaking of poetry, very poetic that Cassian’s raid on the empire inspired Marva, who in death inspired cassian to join the rebellion. Andor is so good

[@CantankerousDave]

I loved how the music at her funeral starts out as a funeral dirge. Then there's the pause. Then it's a goddamn battle march.

[@kamillavalter]

I love your Andor essays! Please continue

[@charrineau]

While the plot function of Luthen's speech makes it technically a monologue, it feels like a soliloquy. I get the sense that he'd never stopped to reflect on this previously, and Lonnie's question ultimately serves as an opportunity for him to think out loud. Colorful speeches are definitely not his style, so I don't see this as a calculated strategy to win Lonnie over. He starts off just calmly trying to list his sacrifices but increases in verbosity and intensity as the answer pours out of him, ending with an outburst likely containing more emotion than he'd shown in years.

[@stmcde1701]

Interesting. I actually got the opposite impression in a way. To me Luthen has clearly spent a lot of time thinking about his path and his choices, but nobody's ever asked him about the toll it's taking on him. He's built up this image as the aloof strategic planner but he is very aware of who and what he is, but he can't burden anyone else with it. It is his secret to keep, and as much as it may bother him he is not one to voluntarily open up to others. Lonnie's question is finally the chance for him to externally voice his internal thoughts, perhaps only so that way someone else will know what he feels

[@charrineau]

@@stmcde1701 i get what you mean. he's definitely the type to have reflected once or twice on his choices. however, saying it out loud is often the ultimate step in the thinking process with difficult self-admissions like his. I still see his speech as an unscripted, unbidden outpour of his deepest thoughts, and a brief slip of the mask, even if he had considered some of it previously. It also seems very Luthen to keep every tool, even self-reflection, in his back pocket until his rebellion has direct need of it.

[@Aliddotia]

One small quibble: I don't think Luthen's talking literally that he thinks he's going to a Star Wars equivalent of the Bad Place in his speech, but that he's already judged and damned HIMSELF for what he did. He's living in his hell now, understanding that he deserves it for what he's done and is presently doing. There's a discussion to be had if his putting the decision on Saw in ep11 is him wanting to share the heavy weight of these choices, or merely sharing the illusion of complicity with Saw to control him...

[@sivad1025]

That may be true, but it makes his chatacter much less interesting. If there is no afterlife and divine power, it's really hard to argue against utilitarianism. So what if you let some guys died if it means more lives will be saved? Since Star Wars has a religious backdrop, it's more fitting to perceive it as an actual damnation of an actual soul

[@eminentfire8464]

It's also possible that what he means is that he'll never been seen as a hero, as his actions are horrible and history would not look on him fondly because of that, if history even remembers him in the first place.

[@WhySolSirius]

The monologues made this show what it is. I think without them, it wouldn’t have the same impact, nor the characters. Luthen and Nemiks in particular I listen to frequently because of the power and impact behind them.

[@jim7217]

Well done sir - very good. Andor definitely has more Star Wars depth, and is more attune to good storywriting than anything else done for the last 30yrs in the Star Wars universe.

[@BigBoneESB]

The Expanse is also a masterclass in speeches and monologues. It's so great when the fundamentals start with quality writing as in character development and dialogue, all the CGI cannot buy a good story nor cover up the lack of it.

[@jaycollins2036]

I am currently rewatching this show. Watching it as it aired, it was a 7/10. Better than anything I'd seen in Star Wars since the original trilogy. I just got to episode 10. This show is probably one of the best pieces of science fiction in terms of writing, acting and production I have ever seen. It's only a bonus that it exists in a universe I grew up with that introduced me to cinema. What's crazy is not just what it has to say about the conflict within the universe of Star Wars, but rebellion and oppression as a whole. It feels real. The smallest details of each character, even the tertiary characters like the people on Ferrix, Andor's fellow prisoners on Niamos, and even Dedra's subordinates at the ISB, make them feel like real people affected by the jobs they do under the overwhelming oppression of the Empire. This show delivers on the promise of Rogue One, it shows us the cost of rebellion on the ground level and the ripple effects of every decision made under an oppressive regime. The dialogue is so consistently sharp and drives the plot forward. I find myself having to really pay attention, this isn't just "Star Wars for adults," this is honest-to-god, thoughtful science fiction. It enhances not just the franchise, but any viewer willing to engage with it. On my first watch I was so beaten down by low expectations and disappointment with the franchise that I let this masterwork pass through my mind like an above average but unimportant footnote in TV history. In reality, this is a substantial piece of filmmaking that sets a very high bar for Franchise television, every bit as good as early Game of Thrones with dialogue that rivals Succession. Many of these actors should have been up for Emmy consideration, and episode 10 should have won awards for it's writing. I hope we do whats good for us come season 2 and watch it, no matter how tired we are of Star Wars. To quote Luthen, its contribution to the franchise is "epic."

[@prOGamer-ul5zc]

Great breakdown. Andor is one of the best Star Wars properties that has been made, TV or Movie. I recommend it to all my Star Wars fans. It’s the only time I’ve ever been truly scared of the Empire. Mon Mothma has some great dialogue as well.

[@5PctJuice]

Nemik is easily one of my favorite characters in all of Star Wars. Personally I'm a philosophical materialist, so there's plenty I could take issue with in his analysis, but his analysis of oppression as "the mask of fear" is spot-on. In opposition to freedom being a pure Idea (yes I meant to capitalize that), I would posit that the impulse toward self-determination is a response to the oppression of a people or nationality by another. If you already experience self-determination, or freedom, there's no reason for that idea to consciously enter your mind. The Idea is informed by the Material, and the Material in turn informs the Idea. And I will say that Nemik is an idealist, but I don't think in the sense that you're using it. Philosophically, idealism holds that ideas and the material world are separate. Thought occurs "spontaneously," that is, without material influence, and our material reality is merely a reflection of the Perfect Idea. As an example, think of an apple. Every apple you've ever held or eaten is just your mind's interpretation of the Perfect Fruit. That's kind of what philosophical idealism is. Materialism, on the other hand, holds that the material world is all that exists, and all ideas spring from material conditions and circumstances. So that's the reasoning behind the first paragraph above. Functionally, Nemik is a philosophical idealist and revolutionary optimist; he believes firmly in the potential and inevitability of some form of rebellion overthrowing the Empire. He also hints multiple times at anarchist leanings. "Authority is brittle...The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural." He seemed to view all "artificial authority" as oppressive by its very nature. He may have viewed the New Republic as being nearly as oppressive as the Empire was, and might have ended up fighting it as well. He almost certainly would have joined the Resistance at the first opportunity. Sorry for the small essay. The overall philosophical and political content of Andor is a masterpiece, even if I have my issues with its presentation.

[@confusedpozole406]

As an anarchist, I can definitely atone to your analysis of Nemik, he definitely said some things that people like Emma Goldman could've said, or Kropotkin. Nemik is the first time I've seen Anarchist ideals not only not demonized by popular media, but actually given a chance to speak and inspire the main character.

[@5PctJuice]

@@confusedpozole406 As a Marxist, it's great to see more genuinely leftist ideas given serious room to breathe without ridicule.

[@vthaver1]

@@5PctJuice from Disney of all places

[@lydia1634]

My English professors defined poetry as the densest form of literature, filled with vivid and specific imagery. Poetry can be simple, such as in "The Red Wheelbarrow" by William Carlos Williams, but simplicity and density can exist together with the clarity of imagery.

[@leshaygood6054]

Absolutely brilliant video, man! I’m so glad to see this discussed. Thank you for posting!

[@MrStatement]

already commented but it's crazy to me that someone despite the trend of modern Star Wars ranging from painfully mediocre to downright horrible that we got a show like this that is honestly probably the best on screen star wars we've had to date

[@davidswarckof8025]

Fantastic video man…thank you for giving Andor the praise it deserves

[@ikr9358]

I think another interesting insight into Luthen's psyche is when he is talking to Saw Guerrera the last time. When they talk about sacrificing 30 men in the raid, Luthen keeps repeating "plus Krieger". He, himself, more than anyone, knows the true cost of the Rebellion, but he keeps going.

[@411bvRGiskard]

Andor’s dialogue is written and masterfully delivered from the depths of each character’s own soul and perspective and it is always delivered to & for the other characters in their world or for themselves. Think of all the silent inner dialogue we witnessed from Mon Mothma with just her distant stare. The key to its genius is that it’s NOT written for us, the audience, to drag us by the nose through every sentence of every scene.

[@Arthutstut641]

Have you ever heard a line go as hard as "Opression is the mask of fear."?

[@CantankerousDave]

"Power doesn't panic." (Said after the Imperials are clearly panicking.)

[@KoalaTContent]

11:01 Yeah but this line doesn't compare to Inquisitor Reva's excellently written dialogue during her interrogation where she just yells "I hope you like pain!"

[@MrStatement]

To be completely truthful if the second season is able to stick the landing this show is definitely earning a spot in my list of favourite shows ever, season 1 was near perfection in almost every regard and if the second season is able toe replicate that then it deserves a spot.

[@mattgames7543]

Your analysis of Luthen's monologue is spot on. The purpose of his language is what makes it hit so hard opposed to it just being an exposition dump, a trope far too many pieces of media rely on.

[@tigertankerer]

How is it possible that in this one series is more inspirational speeches than in all other disney era productions together?

[@CantankerousDave]

Because it was written by competent writers, not college freshmen gender studies majors churning out fanfic.

[@ukuviispert9599]

while this may not be noticed by many people, one reason the poetry fits so well especially into andor is because in real life, many resistances during the USSR era etc hid their messages between the lines of poetry. In the country Im from for exampple: Estonia. There was a woman working for a newspaper during USSR who made poems, but hid ideas about a free country into the meaning, but in a way where the higher ups of USSR didnt notice it. The same way Maarva, instead of just saying empire is taking everything over, said that there is darkness like rust devouring everything. Her audience knew exactly what she was talking about, but the empire either didnt realize the insult towards them or didnt do much about it because it wasnt said straight out. This makes the entire rebellion itself feel so much more realistic, because it mimics the way rebellions actually work

[@matttrevers2552]

The way that the Ferrix citizens hit pipes and bells in early episodes to warn of the security forces was directly lifted from the Troubles in Northern Ireland. The practice was called "bin-lidding" for obvious reasons.

[@DiamondKingStudios]

As someone from the United States, I am surprised by how much a show made here can impress people from around the world with details that I in my different upbringing and cultural context would never notice. Writers must have done their research.

[@goatmeal5241]

Your interpretation of Luthen reminds me of Cyrano de Bergerac: only realizing on his deathbed that he loved his pride, his own tragedy, even more than Roxanne, and that there could have been another path if he had let himself come clean.

[@Eilonwy95]

Fantastic monologues and great insights on them. I never get tired of revisiting this show

[@mrmoviemanic1]

I think you hit the nail on the head with what makes Andor stand out to many. It's characters are guided by what they want, not what the plot demands. I'd argue a lot of that has been missing in places with Star Wars. I think that's why Revenge of the Sith is my favorite film of the series, because it's guided by what the characters want vs their duty, same with what I love about Clone Wars.

[@philjohnson1744]

Well done. I'm off to start the show fer the umpteenth

[@npsloopy6758]

Andor is so underrated

[@ymir36896]

I really appreciate you highlighting such genuine and meaningful aspects of stories like this in modern media. I’d be interested what you’d have to say on the show Vinland Saga, I think you’d find a lot of value in its story

[@master_samwise]

I've started watching it! Really like Thorfinn and Askalad as characters so far.

[@user-yl4lf9mh1w]

The most meaningful and beautiful star wars in 40 years.

[@ethannehring3355]

28:00 "for one thing, because that doesn't exist; that's not how morality works." THANK YOU!

[@Nichrysalis]

There's an important omission from this video, and that is the 6th and intentionally poorly written monologue from Syril which serves as an important contrast to the other speeches. Syril speaks mostly in short quips, demonstrates an inability to think critically, and the one time he is given the space and platform to give a speech, he hasn't really earned the privilege to lead because he's blunt-forced his way in a self-obsessive pursuit to prove he's right at all costs. As a result of these three things he proceeds to say an awkwardly strung together series of one-liners that shows his lack of authenticity and the lack of conviction behind his own beliefs. This speech tells the audience if you believe these fascistic absolutes like Syril does because you are unsatisfied with your life, this is what you look like, this is how you come off to others, and this is the danger and toll of pursuing these ideologies. They will not make you happy and others won't respect you. The rest of the characters, including Deirdre, do not lack authenticity, hold steadfast in their beliefs, and think critically. Therefore their speeches come across as considerably more creative. They aren't just speaking their words, they're believing them. Syril doesn't have faith in what he says, which is why it was an excellent choice to write his speech to be so unmemorable, generic, and shallow that it alienates him from his peers. And it was executed and directed to perfection. I just don't think that it gets talked about enough how hard it is to write bad writing *well* and Syril's speech is an excellent example of that.

[@master_samwise]

I actually have a whole video breaking down Syril's arc. I don't think I cover that speech in detail, but I definitely touch on it. I found him super interesting as a character, and that speech is a great highlight of who he is vs who he thinks he is.

[@danibsen7912]

Due to a lot of comments about this show I was beginning to doubt my original impression that it is leftist subversion. Thanks to your comment I don't need to waste more time hearing about it or watching it.

[@Nichrysalis]

​@@danibsen7912no such thing my dude.

[@jonahthejedai4973]

This is a very concise and helpful guide to why Andor is great. It also doubles as a guide to why the Prequels and the Rise of Skywalker are not.

[@justinblower7598]

Simply brilliant writing.

[@LyudmilaÖdi]

Luthen's character should be applied to storytelling in the modern world. He is a unique character that acknowledges and looks at himself with nothing but abhorrence. Yet, he continues to perform his actions knowing that others who follow won't have to do the same in the future. He is a person who will actually pull the lever in the trolley problem, while not taking pride in doing so. Unlike how "gray" characters are depicted who are nearly just anti-heroes or straight up madmen, fixated by self constructed ideals, and glorification.

[@WonderingAboutThat]

Great review. Completely agree. The monologues were fantastic in this series. It's probably one of my favorite shows in recent years.

[@eianfederle2715]

I believe that Luthen's philosophy is a deeper branch of the philosophy of a greek proverb: "Society grows great when old men plant trees in who's shade they know they shall never sit." He knows that a lot of his actions for the rebellion aren't exactly justifiable and possibly makes him just as bad as the empire, but he's willing to shoulder all of that if it means a free and just future for the people of the galaxy. When I say his deeds are heroic of the highest order, I don't mean that he's totally a hero. He's an anti-hero, someone who achieves/aims to achieve a heroic goal using unjust means. He and Saw gererra are somewhat on the same level BUT saw is way less heroic because while he aims to achieve a heroic goal, his unjust methods are not shouldered like Luthen's due to his ego. The show is setting up Luthen to be the ultimate hero of the rebellion and the new republic, but there are no memorabilia to commemorate him or references to Luthen in the new republic and victory over the empire because Luthen willingly takes on the dark deeds of the rebellion and...fades away into the void...for a free galaxy. That is his sacrifice. In other words, the heroic epic of Luthen is a story only for the audience, us. At most, he is just a forgotten myth within the star wars universe.

[@NicD]

I'm still internalizing that whole "I can't swim" bit, and your comment brings perspective I appreciate.

[@NunezBallonDor]

Just did my second rewatch. It just got better. The cinematography. The dialogue. It not just “good for Star Wars” it’s exceptional story telling.

[@irondragon3430]

SUPER late to the party, but THANK YOU for speaking of Andor. It's by far the best Star Wars series out there and I see almost nobody talk about it.

[@Vynsomnia]

Maarva's speech is genuienly one of my favorite Star Wars moments of all time, it really hits me every time I watch it

[@Greyzlack]

That show is basically a WW2 storyline, the Empire always has been a reflection of the Third Reich but without pushing too far into the totalitarianism aspect of it. Empire Strikes Back was the first level, Rogue One pushed it further and this show gave of a pure mature and deep aspect of what it really is to fight against a totalitarian power. Moving under radars, risking your life on a daily basis on what is supposed to be your daily routine and how devastating that daily routine turns either because of the Empire, or because fear never leaves your guts. I do really enjoy the character of Luthen Rael, I cannot stop thinking that he is inspired by the life of Jean Moulin, whom was a main leader of the resistance during the occupation, which his main activity as a cover was: being an antique dealer. I love to have at least one or two productions that developped this side of the Star Wars universe, it's good storytelling. If I have to suffer three lame / desappointing production just to have one more season of Andor, or any new production going into that quality of storytelling, well, so be it.

[@peterk2735]

That’s very true and I appreciate that Andor didn’t try to lecture you with some abstract ideals, they showed you what it’s like to live under a totalitarian dictatorship day to day. And yeah, just like in real life, fighting against a regime is not clean work, all the freedom fighters battling the Nazis during WW2 had to get their hands dirty. Andor doesn’t shy away from showing you what it takes to fight an oppressive empire

[@noahmartinez314]

An amazing video. Very insightful, especially when you speak about fundamental truths. Art is, to me, the communication or expression of a truth. The more fundamental/deep the truth (coupled with sufficient execution/expression) the greater the art. Andor very well recognizes and displayes these truths: Freedom and it's costs and demands, rebellion, a righteous fight, and love, the most fundamental force. Your video very well elaborates on the power of their expression. Be proud of yourself and your work.

[@nateperkins9860]

This video is phenomenal

[@TheTyJager]

One reason I believe Andor is as good as it is, especially within Star Wars, is how they make the world feel real. Not from sets or anything, but by the characters and the writing. Creating a world that isn't purely black & white. Our "heroes" are flawed and each have their own individual goals, motivations and thinking. And the monologues express this in its purest form.

[@grmgt]

Loved the video overall. But in regards to Luthen, i think your missing piece is that you can not mistake the reaction of the oppressed with the violence of the oppressor.

[@Eilonwy95]

I think what he is saying is that using the same tactics or actions as the empire is not suddenly moral because you have a just cause. The ends don’t justify the means.

[@TC24sevenTV]

Honorable mentions - Brasso recalling Maarva's final words to Cassian in ep 12 and the back and forth between Cassian and Luther when they first meet in ep3 is brilliant. A few things of note in Luthen's monologue masterpiece are the clues to his true identity as a Jedi. Because of order 66, any Jedi using the Force or wielding a lightsaber would be targeting themselves for certain death. Therefore, if they choose to fight the empire they will be "condemned to use the tools of my enemy to defeat them." He shares his dreams with ghosts. Force ghosts, perhaps? He wakes up every day to an equation he wrote 15 years ago. What happened 15 years ago? Order 66. None of this is coincidence. There are clues in every episode. Not to mention his escape from the Imperial Patrol ship in ep 11. That sequence, the dialogue, the editing and the performances -- it doesn't get any better.

[@gabrielbrennan4149]

The show is just phenomenal. Great takes!

[@glamourweaver]

One thing that strikes me about Andor is how completely out of place the Jedi would be. Not just in the obvious way that Andor is a pretty grounded with casual technological scifi, but no hint of the sweeping fantasy elements much of the rest of Star Wars is centered on - but philosophically. The idea that anger is wrong, that hating a brutal oppressor makes you as bad as them - none of that is here. Anger is the correct response to injustice! Being consumed by hatred is worth avoiding as it leads to bad judgment more concerned with revenge than achieving material beneficial goals, but there is no moral equivalency between the oppressor and the oppressed. This world show would cast the core philosophy of the Jedi as milquetoast liberalism that maintains a moral high ground while refusing to do what’s necessary to liberate and make positive change.

[@mundovernal]

These monologs are nearly Shakespeare-Ian, and completely elevated the franchise amidst some utter duds. I grew up loving jedi light saber battles, but it's all been done to death now. If Star Wars wants to continue to grow, they need more writing like this...

[@CaptainRG2]

This excellent video had me thinking I'd forgotten to pause the God of War score in my other tab...

[@killachicken7577]

“I won’t have peace. I’ll be worried about you all the time” “That’s just love” Makes me cry every time

[@chikomz]

Tony Gilroy, Dan Gilroy, Beau Willimon and Stephen Schiff - the writers we have to thank for this fantastic show!

[@WhyDaRumGone]

I love this show!

[@DanBaker108]

I saw Andor the week I was released from prison (I was locked up illegally for a Facebook post and I’m still on probation) and I wept multiple times during the first series.

[@TaleshicMatera]

I appreciate that on a grander scale, all the protagonist monologues are some variation of that theme of the rebel: fighting for a sunrise they'll never see (because they can't swim, because they've damned themself, because there is no finish line only an endless progression, because they're already dead, etc.)

[@spiraljumper74]

Whoever decided to put politics back into Star Wars deserves a raise. I was expecting to hate this show with how much I disliked Rogue One and how ambivalent I was on Andor’s character. But this show was the complete opposite of the vacuous and vague “revolutionary” message of Rogue One. It was pointed, and insightful, and explored the banality of everyday fascism and the political utility of violence in ways I was not expecting to see in the generally scrubbed, corporate Star Wars universe.

[@tticusFinch]

Fantastic video. I appreciate you underlining the act of "trying" as a major message in the show. It was something i had noticed but i had not seen anyone else talking about it.

[@master_samwise]

I didn't include it in the video, but one of my favorite all time quotes is: "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." "Remember this: try." is basically another way of saying that.