Editor’s note: The below contains spoilers for Andor.Andoris the boost of energy that theStar Warssaga needed. While many of Disney’sStar Warsprojects have been terrific, includingThe Last Jediand the final season ofThe Clone Wars, the franchise is catering to a select fanbase that is only interested in seeing how the stories fit together within the canon. There’s nothing wrong with fan service if it’s for thesake of a good story, but a surprising cameo isn’t going to make something age very well.
Andormay be a prequel, but it doesn’t seem like it was made to answer a lingering question. It’s apolitically relevantseries about the impact offascism and propaganda, thepower of resistancegroups, and howsystemic oppressionbreeds violence. It’s thefirst time in agesthat theStar Warssaga feels like it’s made for today’s audiences; the best franchises evolve with the times, andAndoris the savvy espionage series we need right now.
AlthoughAndorappears to be performing betterthan initial estimates suggested, it trails behindThe Mandalorian, Obi-Wan Kenobi, andThe Book of Boba Fettin terms of viewership. It’s a little disheartening, consideringreviews have been positiveamong fans, critics, and casual viewers alike.Andorshouldn’t serve as an anomaly within the Disney+ ecosystem. It should serve as an inspiration to creators to be empowered by the stories that they are telling.
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‘Andor’s Tone and Maturity
Andoris the most matureStar Warstelevision show thus far, and not just because it’s a little more violent and has a few sexual references. It’s not a show that is intended to sell action figures and entertain children. It’s a more gradually paced drama series; whileObi-Wan KenobiandThe Book of Boba Fettfelt like films that were stretched out to the length of a weekly series,Andoris actually paced like something you would see on HBO or FX. There are slower episodes, and that’s okay! You don’t get rewarding moments without setting them up first.
There’s humor inAndor, but the story itself is very bleak. There’s a side of the Empire that we don’t usually see, with attention paid to the prison labor, propaganda on the HoloNet, brutality by the Stormtroopers, and corruption of corporate authorities like the Pre-Mor group. While this may not seem as inherently exciting as seeing a lightsaber duel or a fan-favorite starfighter, it makes theStar Warsuniverse seem more lived-in. This is a vast galaxy where not every story has to connect to the Skywalkers.
It’s also a series with less clear-cut heroes and villains. Cassian (Diego Luna) is an abandoned child who’s grown up with tragedy, but he also murders two Pre-Mor officers in the first episode. Luthen Rael’s (Stellan Skarsgard) ideology is more extreme than many of the rebels that we’re used to seeing, and it’s hard not to sympathize with Syril Karn (Kyle Soller) as he’s continuously subjected to humiliation. It lends an element of moral grayness that might not appeal to all fans.
‘Andor’ Offers a Break From Nostalgia
Andorseries creatorTony Gilroyhas remarked on several occasions that he’s not necessarily an obsessive fan of the franchise. Gilroyhelped saveRogue One: A Star Wars Storyin reshoots,but he wasn’t involved in the more obvious ties to the beginning ofA New Hopeand the appearance of Darth Vader.Andordoesn’t contain a lot of obvious Easter eggs,John Williamsmusic, cameos, or references to familiar stories; thus far, no one has even remarked, “I have a bad feeling about this.”
This is one ofAndor’s best qualities, but it may be a break away from what the larger fanbase is looking for.The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, and the upcomingAhsokaseries all tell a connected storyline that ties into the animated shows, and evenObi-Wan Kenobifills in a gap in the overall timeline. If you’re watchingAndorhoping to see a cameo by Grogu or an unnervingMark Hamilldeepfake, you may be disappointed.
However, this also represents an opportunity forAndorto reach non-fans that not everyStar Warsshow has. If you only have a passing knowledge of the franchise, it may be overwhelming to startThe Book of Boba Fettif you haven’t caught up withThe Mandalorian, The Clone Wars, andRebels.Andoris a great entry point for the franchise, but it’s hardly ignoring long-time fans. There are some deep references toStar Warslore, likeSplinters of the Mind’s EyeandKnights of the Old Republic.
‘Andor’ Also Has Stiff Competition
InAndor’s defense, it’s also facing some heavy competition in terms of attracting viewership. It began airing during the run of HBO’sHouse of the Dragonand Prime Video’sThe Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, two high-profile genre shows that have been dominating both critical attention and social media. It’s also not the only thing that Disney+ is marketing;She-Hulkwas still airing duringAndor’s debut, and Lucasfilm recently dropped the anthology seriesTales of the Jedi. However, with bothHouse of the DragonandRings of Powerhaving wrapped up their freshman seasons, hopefully this will giveAndorthe opportunity to find the audience it has deserved since the beginning. We already know that a second season has been ordered — so there’s even more of the story to come — but now is the time for anyone who has been on the fence about watching to dive in.
We’ve reached the point where aStar Warsproject (or any franchise property) doesn’t demand attention based on the material that it’s based on. It has to carve out an identity of its own that does something new and inventive.Andordoes that, and it should be celebrated for doing so. Don’t sleep on this excellent series!
