Star Wars: Andor Season 2 Review - Episodes 7 to 9

      Chris Connor reviews episodes 7-9 of the second season of Star Wars: Andor…

      After six episodes, the second season of Andor has set the stage for a spectacular finale to one of the best entries in Star Wars media. While it may seem slow at times, the careful attention to detail and the nuanced storytelling have progressively aligned the components of Tony Gilroy’s complex narrative. Following the previous episode, it's evident that the rebels on Ghorman are becoming increasingly ambitious and resilient in their quest to understand the true nature of the Empire's presence on the planet.

      Similar to the first season, this last segment enhances the impact of the story arc structure. With Dan Gilroy (Nightcrawler) handling the writing and Janus Metz directing, the series delivers high-stakes action that ranks among the best in any Star Wars television project and is certainly the most intense. Alongside this, the political tension, particularly with Mon Mothma making pivotal decisions that affect not only her future but also the fate of the future Rebel Alliance, adds a profound layer to the narrative. The contrast between the all-out action and more dialogue-driven suspense highlights the show's sharp plotting and the meticulous thought that has gone into each scene to bring us to this point.

      Episode 7 establishes the mood for what will be an extremely tense conclusion to this arc. The rebellion is beginning to take a more recognizable form, having set up base on Yavin 4, which was previously hinted at this season and is one of the most iconic planets in the Star Wars universe. Cassian is yet to become the rebel leader we see in Rogue One; here, he disobeys orders and struggles to fit into the larger organization.

      Episode 8 significantly escalates the tension, presenting events that fans have been eagerly anticipating throughout the series, and it certainly delivers. Casual viewers who are not as familiar with the lore might be taken aback by the episode's direction, which strongly emphasizes the sacrifices involved in the rebellion and the stakes faced by those opposing the Empire.

      Diego Luna and Genevieve O’Reilly showcase some of their finest performances as their characters in a series filled with remarkable acting. It is delightful to witness characters who have been kept apart throughout the series finally starting to intersect as we approach the scenarios set forth in Rogue One and ultimately A New Hope.

      The second-to-last arc of Andor is among its best, making every preceding moment even more significant while underscoring the nature of the struggle they face and the price of freedom. This is particularly relevant in light of current real-world events and features some of the most compelling action and performances likely to be seen in any series in 2025, independent of its franchise affiliations.

      The final three episodes are poised to make this a memorable series.

      Chris Connor