Star Wars: Andor has released the first three episodes which gives us a rather interesting take on the Star Wars series. Created by Tony Gilroy, the prequel series to the 2016 Star Wars spin-off Rogue One has Tony Gilroy, Dan Gilroy, Stephen Schiff and Beau Willimon as the writers for the show.
The show has an ensemble cast that has Diego Luna reprise in his role of Cassian Andor aka Kassa along with Kyle Soller as Syril Karn, Adria Arjona as Bix Caleen, Joplin Sibtain as Brasso, James McArdle as Timm Karlo, Rupert Vansittart as Chief Hyne, Stellan Skarsgård as Luthen Rael, Fiona Shaw as Maarva Andor, Alex Ferns as Sergeant Linus Mosk, Gary Beadle as Clem Andor, Genevieve O’Reilly as Mon Mothma and Denise Gough as Dedra Meero. The runtime of the first three episodes is approximately 40 minutes.
– Andor Review and Recap (Ep 1-3) Does Not Contain Any Spoilers –
Andor Review
The latest Star Wars show starts off with a very different tone than we are used to seeing. At first glance, the setting, which is less desert-like, feels something out of a Predator franchise. The tone, the visual glamour and the narrative in which the series follows is unique and might not be something the Star Wars fans are used to. Having said that, the show can really have a polarizing impact on people where either you end up liking it for the mature risk it has taken or dislike it for the deviation.
Set five years before the events of Rouge One, the show serves as an introduction to its titular character Cassian Andor and how his life was before he became a part of the rebellion in which he was a leader. To look at it more specifically, we meet Cassian before the events of Star Wars: A New Hope but, after the events of Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith. In this story, the familiar character that we know is more of a scavenger than a leader and is truly a lost soul trying to find his identity in the meshy and scary world of droids and galactic superpowers.
Andor Episode 1 opens with our titular character searching for his sister in the murky lanes of a brothel. The visit isn’t a pleasant one as not only is he unable to find out details about his long-lost sister, but he also ends up getting in trouble with some Imperial Officers that cause him to become a target in the eyes of The Empire which is heaving with power. As the episodes progress, we see how from being a scavenger, Cassian ends up becoming a fugitive on the run and ends up meeting the Rebellion and taking shelter amongst them.
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Andor Episode 3 Ending
At the end of Andor Episode 3, we witness the death of Timm. We see Cassian gain on Syril and questions him until Luthen’s advise to kill Syril strikes him and he leaves him tied up for good. Meanwhile, Syril’s forces continue to attack the ship that serves as a decoy to create time for Cassian and Luthen’s escape via a speeder.
The episode ends with a flashback that has been very relevant throughout the show. We see a younger Maarva take Kassa on a ship and leave Kenari. If Maarva is the villain of Andor’s story is something the audience are due to find out soon.
Andor (Ep 1-3): Final Thoughts
Overall, Andor provides an unknown touch to the Star Wars franchise, leaning more on the genre of noir than science fiction. The first two episodes are definitely slow but, by the third episode the pace picks up making it more engaging. The narrative style surely is unique and belongs to the food platter of a more mature set of audience, who want to look beyond the flashy ships and deep into the development and psyche of the characters.
You can watch the first three episodes of Andor streaming now on Disney+ Hostar.
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