Andor Recap: No Creature Comforts

by

Moving forward a year from the last “Andor” storyline, this episode explores two interconnected narratives: Cassian and Bix navigating undercover life on Coruscant; and Syril Karn stirring unrest on Ghorman, a planet known for its twill, which we were introduced to earlier in the season. Both settings carry an air reminiscent of Nazi-occupied France (or movies depicting such an occupation), with Ghorman standing out due to its smaller size and the Ghorman Front, a group of rebels yet unaligned with the larger rebellion, acting as a resistance network. (They seem more organized than the rebels we encountered on Yavin in the previous arc, at least. It’s likely they either become more structured or are eliminated by more disciplined rebel factions.)

It appears that Syril has moved up (or been assigned, as his mother might say?) to lead the Ghorman field office for his bureau, which some call “counting spiders” (as Eedy does). He’s reached out by the Ghorman Front and attends one of their secret gatherings. There, he discovers their anti-Empire movement and strategies to resist in some manner. Given Syril’s uneasy demeanor throughout much of the previous season, it’s surprising to see him not only maintaining composure but also showing open support for this group of unfamiliar anti-Empire advocates.

In this story of Cassian and Bix, the lack of dramatic events is what gives it its worth. We’re given a glimpse into the lives of two rebels who are deeply committed yet worn down, which can be a form of torment in itself. Bix continues to struggle with nightmares from her past torturer and feels a lingering guilt over the Imperial soldiers (regardless of their status) who have perished not on a traditional battlefield but to protect her and Cassian. Interestingly, despite all these challenges, Bix appears to feel safer than Cass does, even as he insists that “the madness of the city keeps us safe,” at least compared to other places they could be hiding out. He’s overly protective and thus more prone to paranoia. On the other hand, Bix, possibly seeking solace from her trauma, yearns for simple freedoms like running errands and finding joy in their meager existence. This narrative is deeply emotional, particularly when compared to the numerous romantic relationships in Star Wars that are typically formed in high-action scenarios. The domesticity that Bix and Cass experience here is a sad imitation of what they could have had under different circumstances.

The communication channels between Syril and Eedy occasionally reopen. During one such instance, there’s a hazy conversation between them, with Eedy being influenced by anti-Ghorman propaganda that Krennic and his associates have intensified since the last storyline. This conversation serves as a platform for Syril to potentially show empathy towards Ghorman citizens, given his strained relationship with his mother. Later, he makes another clearer call back to Coruscant to talk to Dedra, whom he allegedly left behind. Interestingly, it’s revealed that Syril is using his bugged office as a trap, aiming to earn the trust of the Front so he can acquire information and pass it on to Dedra. It seems that Dedra, who looks surprisingly stylish back on Coruscant, is the one Syril appears most loyal to. However, one cannot help but wonder if Syril is simply enjoying the attention, basking in the fact that factions from both sides now hope he’ll share their secrets?

In the closing moments of the episode, Luthen asks Cassian for a clandestine task: He wants Cassian to sneakily investigate Ghorman and determine if the Ghorman Front can be integrated into the larger rebellion. This mission is somewhat ambiguous, but it provides Cassian with something to focus on – and that ‘something’ involves worrying about Bix, who Luthen prefers not to have on this mission due to her inherent risks. As it turns out, after he departs, Bix embarks on a dangerous venture to acquire illegal substances, which in the sci-fi world is referred to as “hard drugs.

The plotline of Bix resorting to drugs during her solitude and distress seems predictable, and it weakens the second half of the episode, as the sprawling, multi-character narrative arc of Andor becomes more prominent. Instead of focusing on two intertwining perspectives, the series must include additional scenes for coherent storytelling – prioritizing the overall progression of the show over individual episodes. Consequently, there’s a sequence where Mon Mothma struggles to gather votes against Empire legislation, even from a Ghorman representative who fears escalating their planet’s vulnerability; a scene in which Luthen reconnects with one of his informants; and a scene depicting Wilmon, Cass and Bix’s friend, accomplishing his mission, delivering advanced fuel-stealing technology to the eccentric revolutionary Saw Gerrera (played by Forest Whitaker). However, Saw decides to detain him until he can teach more members of his group how to operate the device.

In a casual, yet clear manner: The scenes in this episode of Andor are acceptable, although they seem a tad routine. However, something about the show has been bothering me, and it’s the absence of non-human characters that I find intriguing. By “non-human,” I mean creatures that aren’t purely human; these are often portrayed with makeup, puppetry, or CGI in Star Wars. For instance, during the previous arc, I noted the absence of any mention of Geonosians, the buglike beings who contributed to the design of the Death Star. Since the Empire is typically depicted as being run by humans and possibly looking down upon other species as inferior, it makes sense that Krennic wouldn’t give due credit to the extinct bug race. However, I can’t help but feel that Tony Gilroy and his team might be intentionally minimizing these types of characters, keeping them as minor roles whenever possible, perhaps in an attempt to come off as more serious and sophisticated.

In simpler terms, we spend a lot of time on the planet Ghorman, where spiders create valuable twill, but we rarely see the spiders themselves. Instead, we only catch glimpses of them in news reports or as souvenirs sold to tourists. At a recent meeting about Ghorman, almost everyone present appears human. This raises questions about whether the aliens are being marginalized on this planet. Similarly, in the Star Wars prequel films, Coruscant seemed more populated by humans than aliens. Is this because the Empire is removing the alien underclass? While Cassian suggests that the crowded environment keeps them hidden, there are also alien characters in the background. It seems strange that Cassian would react suspiciously to an alien-looking character in a shop, given his interactions with other aliens have not been portrayed as problematic. Why can’t the shopkeeper or other background characters be more diverse and interesting instead of just being more humans? Is this necessary for the story, or does the show simply prefer using actors who resemble those who might be part of the Empire, even in non-Empire roles?

This episode on D’Qar stands out with some familiar faces from the Rogue One group of rebels, which are an unusual addition to the storyline since they aren’t focused on as much as other rebel factions like the Ghorman Front. It seems a bit peculiar that the creators would highlight these characters in this way, especially considering the overall quality of Andor. However, it may be seen as strange because the show sometimes appears to overlook a distinctive aspect of Star Wars for reasons related more to aesthetics rather than themes – a tactic often employed by the Empire.

Rebel Yells

In “Rogue One,” I appreciated Forest Whitaker’s portrayal of Saw Gerrera. It seems unusual to exclude him entirely from the five-year storyline of “Andor,” but I’m unsure if he requires a screen presence in this series, considering that at the beginning of “Rogue One,” his alienation from the Rebel Alliance is so pronounced that they need Jyn Erso to prevent their people from being immediately targeted.

He has a fondness for Syril, be it due to his genuine curiosity about spiders or, more probably, influenced by a past encounter with a Ghorman merchant who encouraged him to amass spider-related artifacts.

It’s peculiar that there isn’t more alien content in Andor, considering Gilroy likely doesn’t prioritize broader Star Wars lore (which often enhances the show). However, Andor still features numerous planets and concepts from various movies, series, and additional materials. For instance, D’Qar, Saw Gerrera’s home planet, is the Resistance headquarters in The Force Awakens. I hope some of Saw’s associates might appear as minor characters this season, but I have a hunch their chances aren’t promising.

Incidentally, I regret to mention that Bix doesn’t spend any leisure time in Coruscant by having meals at Dex’s Diner.

Read More

2025-04-30 07:02