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This can be a spoiler-free assessment of all 12 episodes of Andor season 2.
There isn’t any query that Andor season 2 is considered one of my most anticipated reveals of 2025. Ever since Disney announced the release date for Andor‘s second and final season final November, I have been counting down the times till the critically acclaimed present’s return.
Within the two and a half years because the Star Wars TV sequence’ first season ended, my pleasure ranges have solely grown. That might’ve introduced an issue if, like many a crashed starship within the well-known galaxy far, far-off it inhabits, the political spy thriller did not stick the touchdown with its second and last installment.
Be part of me in respiration a sigh of aid, then, that it does. Andor season 2 is a near-masterpiece that, a few faults apart, cements the present’s place as the very best piece of Star Wars live-action media because the authentic film trilogy.
Insurgent leaders, standing by
Initially choosing up occasions after its predecessor’s finale, Andor season 2 takes a distinct storytelling strategy to the Disney+ sequence’ first outing.
The place season 1 adopted its ensemble forged throughout a single 12 months, this season’s 12-episode run is split into 4 trilogy-style occasions. Every three-episode block depicts a selected occasion throughout the 4 years main into Rogue One: A Star Wars Story – the 2016 movie that connects Andor to Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope.
Andor season 2 is… the very best piece of Star Wars live-action media because the authentic film trilogy
Beforehand described as “very sexy” time jumps by showrunner Tony Gilroy, episodes 1 to three cowl three days, 4 years earlier than Rogue One occurs. Then, chapters 4 to six depict a week-long occasion three years out from the aforementioned film. Subsequent, entries 7 to 9 deal with a 14-day interval two years earlier than the Gareth Edwards-directed flick. Lastly, episodes 10 to 12 happen within the 5 days main as much as Rogue One.
With each seasons reportedly costing an eye-watering $645 million, it is clear Disney, which has tightened the purse strings throughout Bob Iger’s second stint as CEO, wished to wrap up this expensively-assembled program.
That is unhealthy information for fans who loved Andor‘s first season and craved extra of its thrilling, character-driven storytelling. It additionally introduced a inventive conundrum for Gilroy and firm to beat – learn how to cram 4 seasons’ value of character evolution and plot development right into a dozen episodes.
Some teething issues in season 2’s first act however, it is a storytelling strategy that, hesitant although I used to be over how properly it’d work, I really warmed to. Certain, season 2 is fast-paced at occasions (I will get into this extra later as a part of my wider criticism of this season), however the fantastic thing about its four-year cycle is its capability to point out the ever-evolving nature of the present’s key relationships at annual intervals.
Be it friendships, romances, uneasy alliances, or one other sort of interpersonal dynamic, season 2’s multi-year plot strategy – one largely devoid of filler materials – highlights the rollercoaster experience that every one goes on.
Certain, character dynamics can change inside TV present seasons whose occasions play out over weeks and months slightly than years. It is a course of that labored wonders for Andor‘s first season, however armed with its multi-year format, the sequence’ sophomore outing not solely demonstrates how its tentpole moments influence these relationships but additionally the in-flux nature of its core dynamics in all of their soul-stirring, melodramatic, and tear-jerking glory.
The great thing about this season’s four-year cycle is the way it showcases the ever-evolving nature of the present’s key relationships
Predictably, lots of the shifting dynamics revolve round Cassian Andor (Diego Luna). Because the present’s titular character, season 2 takes a purposeful strategy to inspecting the ebb and circulate of his private associations.
Certainly, there’s underlying rigidity, occasional levity, and soul-piercing drama to the bonds he shares with these he is closest to and works for, in addition to clear affection and/or respect amid the oft-times messiness of those dynamics. Understandably, that features ones he has actual stakes in, with Bix (Adria Arjona), Luthen Rael (Stellan Skarsgård), Wilmon (Muhanned Bhair), and, as confirmed by an look in Andor season 2’s first trailer, his eventual android bestie Ok-2SO.
That mentioned, whereas the sequence bears his identify, season 2 is as a lot, if no more so, an ensemble piece than its predecessor was. (By the best way, it is value watching the season 1 finale once more, or streaming final season’s 14-minute recap, to refamiliarize your self with the sheer variety of characters within the present. My head was spinning all through season 2’s opening salvo as I attempted to recollect who everybody was, what they have been doing, and the place they have been!)
Fascinated although I used to be by Cassian’s relationships with a few of Andor season 2’s cast, I discovered myself extra hooked by the politically dicey dynamics involving Mon Mothma (Genevieve O’Reilly), who’s arguably this season’s stand-out. She’s definitely essentially the most fascinating character in season 2’s first act and, spoilers however, episode 9 totally cements O’Reilly’s place as one of many most interesting actors to grace the Star Wars universe.
The engrossingly uncomfortable dynamic between Galactic Empire officers Dedra Meero (Denise Gough) and Syril Karn (Kyle Soller) that slithers with reptilian delight, plus the compelling enlargement of Luthen’s fraught surrogate-style relationship with Kleya (Elizabeth Dulau), are equally worthy of reward. I by no means bored with seeing these specific dynamics play out and, given one other season or three, I am positive they might’ve been much more intoxicating to look at.
Heirs to the Empire
Season 2 efficiently navigates its enlargement of, and name backs to, the broader Star Wars galaxy, too.
There’s, regardless of what Gilroy beforehand urged, some character and plot-based winks to the digital camera, however they don’t seem to be as egregious as references in different Star Wars initiatives.
Actually, whether or not it is the return of Rogue One‘s main villain Orson Krennic (Ben Mendelsohn), who steals scenes together with his terrifying unpredictability, or delicate nods to Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and Rogue One itself, they’re simply forgivable inclusions that truly enhanced my viewing expertise.
The addition of latest worlds additionally expands on the grandeur of Lucasfilm’s huge galaxy, which the Galactic Empire dominates throughout this time. The live-action debut of 1 planet is particularly key because it permits for the exploration of an emotionally devastating occasion that also needs to clear up fan confusion over mentioned incident’s Star Wars canonicity.
I will not tease a lot else about it for these with little data of wider Star Wars lore. Imagine me once I say, although, that season 2 episode 8, which showcases this occasion in such soul-crushing vogue, is likely to be the very best – if that is the fitting phrase to make use of – chapter because the season 1 finale. If nothing else, it definitely rivals final season’s twelfth episode for sheer emotional influence, and I am not afraid to confess that I shed a tear or two as its finish credit rolled.
Season 2 episode 8… rivals final season’s twelfth episode for sheer emotional influence
If there was an issue with one of many best Disney+ shows‘ last season – and this would possibly barely contradict what I wrote earlier – it is the condensed and at occasions rushed really feel of a few of its 4 acts.
I recognize it has been a expensive endeavor for Disney. I additionally perceive that showrunner Tony Gilroy had the unenviable process of compressing 4 seasons’ value of content material into the present’s final installment. So, the truth that he achieved this seemingly not possible process needs to be applauded.
Nonetheless, the sheer variety of narrative hoops that season 2 has to leap by, the quick-paced nature of some three-episode occasions, and the occasional sidelining of vital supporting characters make this season really feel a tad scattershot in its storytelling strategy.
Act 1, as an illustration, feels largely untethered and tonally completely different from its fellow volumes. The extreme cuts between scenes are sometimes jarring, whereas the dearth of narrative and character-based pay-off delivers an abrupt finish to season 2’s opening three-part chapter. It comes throughout as a standalone trilogy that feels misplaced amongst its brethren.
It isn’t the one act marred by niggling points. Act 4 is extra intently linked to acts 2 and three than act 1 is, and performs the function of direct hyperlink to Rogue One. Nevertheless, it is just a little on the brief facet, and I will admit I used to be anticipating a bit extra suspense or shock worth in a three-parter the place the Insurgent Alliance lastly learns concerning the Loss of life Star.
Do not get me fallacious, some moments are genuinely thrilling, dramatic, action-packed, and heart-wrenchingly unhappy, and I definitely wasn’t unhappy with how season 2 ends. Certainly, its last scene will make you view Rogue One in a complete completely different mild. I simply suppose that, with just a few additional minutes right here and there, act 4 would’ve been even higher than it was.
My verdict
Andor season 2 is a devastating and epic tour de pressure – one crammed of potent political drama, weighty moral dilemmas, and fascinating character introspection – that rebels towards the notion that Star Wars is a useless franchise strolling.
For my part, nothing comes as near matching the awe, shock worth, and status nature of the unique movies – which turned Lucasfilm’s iconic sci-fi universe into the powerhouse franchise it’s in the present day – as this epic and expertly crafted present.
Wouldn’t it be even higher as a three-season occasion (a Star Wars trilogy, you say?) comprising eight episodes apiece to totally discover its characters, their dynamics, the influence of their selections, and assist issues really feel much less rushed? Sure, however that is the hand that Gilroy and firm have been dealt, and there is not any debate that they’ve pulled off an almighty process in making considered one of 2025’s new Star Wars shows as breathtakingly good as it’s.
In my Andor season 1 review, I labeled it “a blood-pumping spy thriller that is likely to be the very best Star Wars reveals but”. Now, I might exchange “is likely to be” with “is”. If Disney learns something from Andor, it is that there is a complete galaxy’s value of extra mature, inventive, and authentic tales that should be explored.
The query now could be: will the Home of Mouse be courageous sufficient to pursue comparable concepts? If it does they usually’re nearly as good, if not higher, than Andor, I will be a Star Wars devotee for a very long time but.
Andor season 2 launches with a three-episode premiere on Tuesday, April 22 (US) and Wednesday, April 23 (UK and Australia). Three new episodes arrive every week till the present’s finale in mid-Could.