Andor Recap: Way Station

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One advantage to the change in format for Andor, moving from a five-season plan to a two-season series with frequent time jumps, is that it allows some plotlines to develop without stretching them out over multiple episodes. For instance, Cassian being stranded at an unexpected base among a group of anxious rebels might have become a multi-episode dead end, similar to certain Lost episodes set in cages. Similarly, the storyline involving Mon Mothma’s wedding could have resembled the season of How I Met Your Mother where most of it takes place during Robin and Barney’s wedding weekend.

As a passionate movie enthusiast, I can’t help but contemplate an extended version of the series ‘Andor’. One that isn’t confined by the captivating visage of Diego Luna or the financial constraints of corporate entities like Bob Iger. In this hypothetical scenario, we could dedicate entire episodes to Cassian’s detour and his wedding at the Mothma estate, making them distinctive, memorable chapters in the grand saga. This immersive approach could have significantly enhanced the narrative depth of Cassian’s storyline, which was gripping in its initial installment due to the stark contrast between Cassian’s actions and the Imperial regime’s icy control. However, this time around, it feels somewhat lackluster, similar to watching unfamiliar characters argue and shoot at each other from opposite ends of a jungle clearing until a magnificent creature appears and causes chaos. Despite some humorous and exhilarating moments, the episode seems hesitant to provide or even hint at the context needed to fully appreciate these scenes.

From a film enthusiast’s perspective, the grandiose Mothma nuptials were brimming with undercurrents. Cousin Vel (previously known to me as Vel Sartha), Mon Mothma’s kin, confides that she’s lost touch with her past love, Cinta, a revelation from the previous season. Meanwhile, Luthen, the ever-present shadow at these gatherings, seems to know where Cinta is but remains tight-lipped about it. Weddings, indeed, are hotbeds of gossip. On a less festive note, Mon learns that her childhood friend Tay Kolma has suffered financially due to increased rebel activities and subtly requests a financial aid from Mon as a quid pro quo for concealing her support of the rebels. In essence, the nuptials serve as a canvas for updates on last season’s narratives, artfully woven into the hushed whispers of an affluent social affair.

In this episode, the most intriguing plot point comes from a brief scene: Dedra, having just returned from her Imperial meeting on Coruscant, tries to decline the Ghorman project. Instead, she prefers to pursue the rebels who evaded her in the previous season. However, she can’t step away from the Empire once she’s involved. So she goes back home to her apartment and, unexpectedly, finds Syril (Kyle Soller) there! It’s not surprising that he’s present; we see him earlier in this episode, having advanced at the Bureau of Standards, and seems quite proud of it. He shares a bureaucratic success story with a new employee, ending with what he believes is an inspiring message: “There’s a future here for those who dare.” Yet, is he truly persuading a new Imperial worker or just trying to convince himself?

Irrespective: Syril managed to win over the girl! It’s no surprise he’s so self-satisfied! This fellow appears to be living with his ideal partner, a fascist! He’s even picking up groceries! I find myself oddly and intensely pleased for what seems certain to be an absence of any genuine domestic harmony. A telling example: Their initial exchange upon Dedra arriving home revolves around whether they should postpone a vague social event, presumably at their residence. Syril suggests rescheduling; as expected, Dedra remains firm: “We can’t cancel again.” It appears that Syril’s mother, who seems destined for the role of nightmarish mother-in-law, is likely to arrive soon. Unless a stunning plot twist occurs and Dedra and Syril have somehow made real friends.

The storylines aren’t poor quality overall; there are just some minor concerns about Cassian’s deviation. However, compared to the first episode, this second installment seems more like it’s linking events together than driving its own narrative. It’s as if we’re in the heart of a sequence that connects other sequences, which is fitting given it’s a sequel to a prequel to a prequel.

Rebel Yells

Adding another plotline: On Mina-Rau, communication lines are currently inactive due to the Empire’s ongoing audit, and a shady lieutenant is making advances towards Bix, unconvinced by her claims of marriage. (I must admit, this did leave me wondering: Wait, are they and Cassian married? Yet, given the documentation, such an arrangement seems unlikely.) It’d be refreshing if Bix had a storyline not centered around managing domestic issues amidst turmoil.

On Cassian’s previous planet, a creature similar to both a reek and a mudhorn from “The Mandalorian” appeared during a crucial moment, but it didn’t seem exactly like either. Interestingly, the series “Andor” tends to avoid giving substantial dialogue to aliens and prolonged scenes of large, bizarre creatures.

Let me rephrase for you: It’s clear Syril takes care of the cooking at home. Could we discuss the possible wage gap between them? Is it significant, perhaps she earns more, or even substantially more than the other person in this household?

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2025-04-23 06:54