Andor Recap: Outside Agitators

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Due to its elaborate and occasionally complicated four-part structure representing different seasons, the second season of Andor has, by its midpoint, formed a complex connection with time. This was somewhat present in the first season, which also featured time leaps between storylines. However, advancing approximately one year every three episodes inevitably creates a stronger feeling of discontinuity – of what is left out during the gaps between episodes, both for the characters and for viewers who are eager to spend more time with them before the inevitable conclusion that is scheduled at a specific point. This also heightens our concern for Cassian’s personal timeline, as we are aware of the heavy price his final assignment will exact from him.

In the year 2 BBY, the rebels have made significant strides, establishing the Yavin Rebel Base as their new home. My beloved rebel pair now reside amidst the trees, trading the bustling metropolis of Coruscant for a more tranquil environment where they can catch their breath. However, this communal and somewhat regimented lifestyle is bittersweet, tinged with Cassian’s physical pain from an off-screen mission injury sustained in the past year.

The return of Will, who seems to have distanced himself from Saw Gerrera’s fume-filled escapades, brings news from Luthen. It appears that Luthen is aware of Cassian’s injury and queries if he’s ready to resume work. Despite Luthen’s offer of a mission last time – which in the world of Andor is akin to giving someone a couples spa day – it’s clear that the bond between Luthen and Cassian has grown strained over the past year, with Luthen delving deeper into the Ghorman project with Will’s assistance.

Will receives an updated proposition from Luthen that involves him and Cassian revisiting Ghorman with the intention of eliminating Dedra Meero. This isn’t solely about revenge for Ferrix, Will assures, but it does seem to hold some allure in that area. It’s also clear that this isn’t something Cassian is doing to boost his reputation with rebel leaders who are growing frustrated by his frequent comings and goings as they strive to establish a more formalized command structure (which Luthen evidently doesn’t adhere to). Despite Cassian’s reservations about Luthen, and his reluctance when prompted by Will, he seems to accept these directives more willingly than he would if Bix were to take him to meet with a type of healer, for instance.

The character portrayed as a healer possesses an intuition towards Cassian that’s reminiscent of Chirrut Imwe, the Force-sensitive blind character played by Donnie Yen in “Rogue One.” Although it’s delightful and crucial that the narrative arc between “Rogue One” and “Andor” excludes lightsabers and Jedi, it’s equally exciting to observe how non-Jedi characters can connect and manipulate the Force uniquely. This portrayal of the Force seems to demand a degree of faith beyond what a typical padawan might encounter. To entrust oneself, to some extent, to a greater entity without clear instructions promising guidance… it’s not unlike joining a massive revolutionary movement, isn’t it? I appreciate non-Jedi-centric interpretations of the Force, and this one aligns perfectly with “Andor’s” exploration of how individuals navigate collective action amidst the struggle between rebels and fascists.

In a slightly different wording, could it be said: Is there maybe an excessive hint of foreshadowing in the conversation between Force Healer and Bix regarding Cassian’s sense of needing to go somewhere? While it is plausible that she senses his pain and fear, and even suggests to Bix that “perhaps you are the place he needs to be,” the portrayal seems to border on prophecy. Although the writer, Dan Gilroy, aims to create a sense of destiny, it appears somewhat forceful, despite not being directly linked to his role in the larger ground battle. (The frequent shots of boots on the ground in this episode make this connection easy to remember.) However, the healing she provides seems effective; Cassian’s shoulder begins to feel better. By the end of the episode, he is once again on Ghorman’s ground with Will, preparing to assassinate Dedra from a hotel across the plaza and observing stormtroopers hiding just above him.

In this episode, I found myself consistently drawn to the dynamic duo of Dedra and Syril, who once again steered the narrative masterfully. There’s also a brief moment when Mon Mothma learns that Ghorman is on the brink of disaster, symbolized by the escalating presence of Imperial troops. Meanwhile, the Ghorman Front grapples with their strategy as the pressure mounts. Additionally, Vel pays a visit to Bix to emphasize the crucial role Cassian plays in our rebellion. However, the show cleverly highlights the parallel yet distinct characteristics between the dedicated pairs of Cassian and Bix, and Syril and Dedra, offering intriguing insights into their individual journeys.

In a different phrasing, we find Syril is more focused on the past than ever before; his belief in the Empire’s legal system seems strained by Dedra’s readiness to engage in deceit to climb the social ladder. Major Partagaz early in the episode tries to appease her with compliments and promises of recognition, but Syril, who is still working diligently on Ghorman, appears unaware of how effectively she’s been manipulating the situation – particularly, that the “outside troublemakers” he’s been investigating are actually what the Empire intends to exploit as a pretext for stripping Ghorman of its valuable calcite deposits.

From my perspective, it’s not so much about Syril disagreeing with the Empire’s objectives or tactics, but rather the apparent disorder he perceives. In a moment echoing his semi-invasive behavior from the initial season, I find myself questioning, “What progress have we truly made?” When speaking privately with Dedra, she can’t reveal that the unrest – the media reports portraying Ghorman as persistently resisting Imperial customs – is exactly the achievement. Instead, she shares more assurances and sweetly kisses him. The affectionate gesture is somewhat softer than the slap Syril experiences later when he proposes to one of his contacts that Ghorman might be spared if blame was indeed placed on “outsiders.

It’s surprising to find Syril still connected with Ghorman Front informants, and this is another instance where the time jumps in Andor really pack a punch. Although it appears Syril has chosen to align himself with the opposing faction (and one female antagonist in particular), there’s an emotional resonance in the growing realization of his aimless state, as if he’s spent a year achieving little for either side of this conflict. Much like many people, he seems to be on a long and winding path to understanding that his actions have been going in circles.

Rebel Yells

In Star Wars, there’s often an intriguing balance between elements that resemble Earth and those that are uniquely galactic. Regrettably, their depiction of news, even state-controlled news which seems to blend Fox News-like propaganda with a hint of BBC credibility using minimal resources due to technology, appears somewhat cheesy to me. While having the world of Andor reflect our own can provide some relevance, the concept of well-groomed reporters who echo our weakest forms of journalism feels too stereotypical and on-the-nose for my taste.

If there was any doubt about Tony Gilroy having watched “The Force Awakens,” given that it was a critically acclaimed $2 billion hit which he was working on the next “Star Wars” movie, it’s possible he did see it. As for “The Rise of Skywalker,” it seems less likely, but I ponder if anyone filled him in about the Force-healing aspect in that film, which was an intriguing element. Interestingly enough, this concept actually stems from “Clone Wars,” but for many viewers, “Rise of Skywalker” might have been their first encounter with it. Overall, I found the portrayal of these Star Wars mysteries as intriguingly enigmatic.

It’s a relief to discover that perhaps Bix may have overcome his drug problem due to the change of surroundings. However, it appears that even during brighter times, Bix seems to primarily engage in serious conversations with other characters regarding Cassian.

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2025-05-07 07:39