Movies

Andor’s perfect second season proves that the series is the best Star Wars show – with no contest

BBG News

In the second season of Andor, we welcome back the highly praised Star Wars production that has been a hit with critics lately, and fortunately, it continues to captivate audiences with its complexity, intensity, and richness – exactly what fans had anticipated.

It’s great news for them, given that these very fans have faced a tough time lately. The Star Wars sequel trilogy sparked varying opinions among viewers, and the franchise’s venture into streaming content hasn’t exactly been a walk in the park, to put it mildly.

Each season of “The Mandalorian” or “Star Wars: Visions” has been followed by either an “Obi-Wan Kenobi” series or “Book of Boba Fett”, but newer shows like “The Acolyte”, “Ahsoka”, and “Skeleton Crew” have found it challenging to draw large enough audiences, possibly due to their high production costs.

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Amidst the chaos of this galaxy, Andor stood out as a beacon of quality. With its premiere in 2022 met with widespread acclaim, both critics and audiences admired the series for its mature themes, complex political machinations, compelling character development, and authentic emotional depth.

In the second season, all those elements return, but we’re now slightly closer to the fateful events of “Star Wars: Rogue One”. The entire series seems infused with a sense of urgency that propels it forward at breakneck speed from the get-go.

In the opening scene of Andor’s second season, we find Diego Luna’s character, Cassian, more convincing and eager for his cause compared to before. Despite this shift, he continues to exude his usual charm and flirtatiousness.

Over the course of the twelve episodes during the season, Luna delivers another compelling performance that sets her apart in a genre filled with ‘charismatic Star Wars rogues’. While Cassian Andor may be our primary hero, he’s also a complex blend of apprehension, urgency, intelligence, and determination.

The early scenes of episode one establish the series’ overall aesthetic, with Andor‘s distinctive mix of computer-generated and real environments continuing to impress throughout the entirety of the season’s 12 episodes.

In many contemporary genre series, elaborate CGI environments are commonly used, but Tony Gilroy and his team have demonstrated yet again in the second season of Andor that making a location feel authentic often boils down to simply using genuine, real-world settings.

The design and choice of locations, along with the cinematography and direction, are consistently strong features of this production. For instance, during the opening sequence of season two in ‘Andor’, a deep red light fills a TIE Fighter Hangar, accompanied by blaring alarms and marching troopers. This scene demonstrates the powerful impact that the show can deliver when it is at its best.

The influence extends consistently throughout the entire galaxy as envisioned in ‘Andor’. Given that it’s an ensemble series, nearly every significant character from the first season gets their moment in the spotlight right away.

We soon catch up with Imperial Agents and star-crossed (fascist) couple Syril and Dedra on Coruscant, where their tumultuous home life unfolds in an alarming fashion. Kathryn Hunter’s captivating performance as Eedy adds a memorable touch to the chaos. Meanwhile, Mon Mothma is filled with worry as she prepares for her daughter’s Chandrilan wedding, with rebel agent Vel by her side.

As a dedicated fan, I must express my admiration for the outstanding costume design in the early scenes of ‘Andor’. Michael Wilkinson, our brilliant costume mastermind, truly shines here. The sophisticated gowns and waistcoats, meticulously tailored, polished, and free from any wrinkles, create a stark contrast with the worn, dirty farming attire sported by characters like Rix and Brasso. This juxtaposition, much like other aspects of ‘Andor’, adds an authentic, gritty touch to the series, making it all the more captivating.

In order to preserve some surprises, we won’t reveal the exact connections between all characters, but a notable enhancement in season two is the return of Ben Mendelsohn as Krennic. This actor reprises his role from the movie “Rogue One“, which continues the storyline from “Andor“, and introduces an intriguing twist to the Empire’s representation within the series.

As a gaming enthusiast diving into season two of this epic show, I was intrigued by the unique way they decided to release it – a move that sparked quite a buzz among fans when first announced. At first, I had my reservations about watching three episodes per week for four weeks straight. But surprisingly, it’s turning out to be an engaging experience. The story of Andor is structured into mini-arcs, each taking place a year apart, creating the feel of four separate movies within a single series.

Extending the series run to 12 episodes might have enhanced the viewing experience, as the intriguing and captivating discussions surrounding season one played a significant role in our overall enjoyment.

The scheduled release implies that the series “Andor” will conclude permanently in only four more weeks, possibly marking the end of its brief impact or influence.

This show stands out from other major franchise sequels we’ve seen lately. It’s bold, mature, and surprisingly, even as a movie spin-off, it has a feel of high-quality television. The storylines and topics are complex, varied, and undeniably political. After the finale, one can’t help but wonder if Star Wars is ready to take such a significant leap again.

Beyond merely its genre, the bold manner in which it realizes its vision at every turn is truly remarkable. Regardless of the effect it has, it’s indisputable that both galaxies, including ours, would be diminished without the presence of Andor.

Andor season two is available now on Disney+ with new episodes releasing each Wednesday.

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2025-04-23 14:50

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