Board 8 > Andor Season 2 Discussion Topic (Spoilers)

(+) Yeah! (+)

The first three episodes drop tonight, and they're going to drop in triplets each week for four weeks (meaning 12 episodes total). There are supposed to be four arcs this season leading up to Rogue One, so it sounds like they're releasing a complete arc each week.

Mark your spoilers, of course.

Lets go!

(Im going to be a little delayed to start this. Still on Ep 9 of my S1 rewatch. It absolutely holds up).

Reviews are insanely good:

98% Rotten Tomatoes, 9.2 average score
https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/andor/s02

94 Metacritic
https://www.metacritic.com/tv/andor/season-2/

The Metacritic score is particularly wild given that it is the highest of any show this year (topping Hacks with 92 and Adolescence with 91) and the highest of any Star Wars project ever above A New Hopes 90.

So yes, hype!

Season one was great, looking forward to this with only slight trepidation. Just have to decide whether to wait until all 12 episodes are out

Star Wars is back

Super excited!! Just did a rewatch of S1, along with re-listening to the AMCA podcasts episodes about S1.

Finished episode 1. Cassian struggling to pilot the ship in the opening scene was fantastic. The political intrigue in this show is so good.

I'm also glad to see that the Emperor's search for unlimited power continues...!

Was Kleya hitting on Vel for a second there

Wow that was excellent. And supposedly this is the relative low point of the season!

Scattered thoughts:

Episode 1 was probably the weakest because it had a lot to setup and the contrast between the truly horrifying (and based on real historical events) Imperial meetings about Ghorman with Cassian encountering those absolute moron rebels. Although the commentary the latter is going for makes sense.

Loved Cassian struggling to fly the TIE Avenger like it was a ship in a video game ha.

They were only in it for a couple of minutes but those Ministry of Enlightenment guys made my skin crawl.

Episode 2 was great and better than episode 1.

Really good development for Perrin. That speech was genuinely touching!

Episode 3 was incredible, one of the best of the show.

First of all, the Bix stuff needs to be talked about (content warning sa). Quite shocking they went there, not so much in the attempted rape scene itself, that I could probably see them getting away with, but I am amazed that they actually said the word out loud. Its a harrowing sequence but also an important one as its dealing with real exploitation and sexual violence that happens in situations like that. My concern however is that between this and the torture scene from season 1 Bix has now been subjected to probably the two darkest scenes in all of Star Wars and I hope she is built on positively from here so shes not just getting victimised all the time. Shes a great character and performance as she showed when she killed that bastard, shes just been through it!

A contrast that really, really worked was the contrast between the horrors infolding above and Mon Mothma going absolutely ham on the dance floor.

On a much lighter note, the Syril/Dedra/ Eedy sequence, lol, lmao even. Apparently him lying on the bed distraught was improvised.

The looks on everybodys faces in the last scene had me tearing up.

WazzupGenius00 posted...

Was Kleya hitting on Vel for a second there

I actually viewed this as being the other way around, Vel hitting on Kleya, like Jleya says surveying the prospects and Vel goes okay then Im going to survey you. Speaking of that storyline, the episode 3 reveal of Cinta was really well done, I thought theyd been written out then it hits you.

Finished all three episodes! Really good stuff. The family dinner scenes were so good, omg. Krennic slides right in like he was always on the show

Episode 2 watched now

This show does a good job of driving home what a mess the Rebellion was early on

Episode 1 was alright, felt like a lot of setup mostly without being great standalone. Episode 2 was solid though. Especially liked the Imperials on the farming planet. Getting some Hans Lander vibes from that one imperial officer.

Finished with episode 3.

who would've guessed the most tense moment of the show so far would be Dedra meeting Syril's mom

Also probably the only time youre ever cheering for an Imperial! On that note I liked how the fake smile she does in the mirror getting ready is the only smile weve ever seen from her.

Finally finished my S1 rewatch. So Ill be trying to catch up this weekend.

The funeral procession down Rix Road gave me chills. Just a phenomenally well done scene.

New episodes tomorrow

Super excited. Although itll be Wednesday for me.

Behind the scenes for episodes 1-3:

https://youtu.be/5SdMzzmeNsY?si=YuxL9WcVlHaH_pMe

Has spoilers for those episodes.

Also the soundtrack for the batch is out, including this banger:

https://youtu.be/HK1u_X_rsx4?si=SxtlHO-KhE7w51Iz

Now just waiting for the AMCA podcast to drop.

Part of me hates myself for suddenly rooting for Dedra and Syril. There's the Emperor, and then there's Syril's mom on the all-time Star Wars villain list. I think I would be willing to watch a full-length Dedra/Syril domestic series.

Id watch a Syrils mom/Emperor series, too.

Moonlighting: Star Wars Edition

LightningStrikes posted...

Now just waiting for the AMCA podcast to drop.

you're gonna be waiting for a while, turns out
https://amorecivilizedage.net/website/why-were-postponing-our-andor-coverage

Ugh, Im sorry I support BDS usually, Im cancelling Game Pass over it, but the reasoning for the Disney+ boycott makes no sense. It is simply the fact that Disney cast two actresses in different movies, Captain America Brave New World and Snow White, filmed before the current war and genocide, neither of which made a big splash and one of which bombed. Also in one they basically removed all controversial aspects from the character late in production to avoid controversy anyway. Either way surely there would be a more positive impact for them to reach the wider audience with the themes Andor discusses?

Im sorry, Im pro-Palestine, and Ive been active in that, but I do not see the logic in this, you can strongly support Palestine and not always agree with the decisions of one specific organisation. From the sounds of it most of them did not want to go ahead with this decision but they took it anyway to avoid a split in the group which I respect. Just a shame and probably the end of the podcast as we know it given that Disney+ seems unlikely to come off that list any time soon as again it was a boycott over two films that already came out, and Clone Wars Season 7 is only on Disney+. Also not really interested in them going back to KotOR but thats a different issue.

Also if Fandom tries to nuke this post for politics I am making it in the context of a Star Was podcast. Almost like politics is inseparable from our everyday lives including in entertainment of all kinds!

Edit: And to make things extremely clear: screw Disney, free Palestine. I just fail to see the logic in this one particular action.

Its so weird, especially since the target is against movies that already came out and bombed. But if they want to stand by BDS more power to them. Though I think moving forward with Andor coverage but donating patreon proceeds to something pro-palaestine, and discussing that, would do more good than adhering to the boycott in this case.

Im disappointed but Im also fine listening to them talk anything Star Wars, especially KOTOR2

Well Brave New World had more of a middling performance, it didnt bomb really and will be profitable eventually. Snow White was a huge bomb though. But yeah, it would make more sense for BDS to boycott those specific films. As it stands they arent even on Disney+ yet, and the current targeted boycott as listed means that you could go and see both films, buy the Blu-rays, throw a ton of money their way, but if you have a Disney+ subscription for unrelated stuff thats no good. Then of course there is the fact that unlike their other boycotts, there is no stated end goal or target as the films have already released (one heavily recut to avoid this same controversy) which probably means that Disney+ will never get off the list. It just feels a bit sloppy and poorly thought out when the whole thing is supposed to be about maximising effective action, like they just thought whats a Disney thing people have? Oh yeah Disney+ and that was it.

Now to be clear we all want the same thing and critiquing certain actions or policies doesnt mean you hate an organisation or oppose its aims, and indeed the AMCA crew were apparently split on this. It is okay to disagree and respect each others viewpoints, which I say because some elsewhere from both perspectives are getting like the rebels on Yavin about it lol.

Oh well, theyll get to Andor season 2 when its out on Blu-Ray probably. Clone Wars season 7 might be a never though.

Plus this way they can give a full podcast to each episode instead of cramming three in a week

New episodes are out!

Watching episode 4 now

And done

I was kinda hoping we were headed for a Syril face turn instead of him just being the mole for Dedra. I guess it's not entirely out of the question that he flips by the end though.

We're definitely headed toward a bad end for Bix though. Too many flags being raised for her so far.

Glad they were able to get Forrest Whitaker back to play Saw again.

Still making mu way through the second batch but the (episode 5 spoilers) line Many of us believe the Emperor has no idea what others are doing on his behalf is incredible. One of those things thats both very historically accurate and true today. Its all those damn advisors that are the problem!

Episode 5 done

Anakin/Padme walked so Syril/Dedra could run

"Not much of a revolutionary, are you?" was a great line, too

Finished the first three episodes. Thoughts on Cassians story for Episodes 1 & 2

TFW you realize Saw was actually right not to trust other rebel groups

And done with episode 6

The Cassian/Luthen scenes were so good

Loved the last set of three episodes!

Leonhart4 posted...

And done with episode 6

The Cassian/Luthen scenes were so good

And every scene!

Leonhart4 posted...

Episode 5 done

Anakin/Padme walked so Syril/Dedra could run

https://youtu.be/P3ALwKeSEYs?si=McWmTc8vEDvm-Qsv

I said at the end of S1 (the first time) that Syril/Dedra was the awkwardest, cringiest ship ever, but I was totally here for it. Im in awe of what they are doing with it now.

This season hasn't quite clicked for me yet, aside from the absolutely stellar episode 3. It's still not really gone below a 7/10 at any point and I'm really waiting for shit to hit the fan, because I'm entirely confident it'll deliver. Also, I'm in absolute awe at the incredible costume design. It looks so much less plasticy and just, like a real world, compared to a lot of the mulch that gets churned out on Disney+.

The costume design and especially the cinematography is just leaps and bounds ahead of any other live-action Star Wars TV that I have seen.

Speaking of which. Behind the scenes for episodes 4-6:

https://youtu.be/3ihBfycg8Wg?si=yiBkD1RlIgLY2XgC

These videos are great, I just wish they were longer!

caught up on Andor (through episode 6) and am reallyyyyyy resisting the urge to go back to S1 and see if Cassian got a good look at Syril's face when he had him at gunpoint. Could make things real interesting if he returns to Ghorman and wants to meet the 'inside man'...

Also just need to mention that my favourite character in S2 remains the ISB management guy - I dont know his character's name or the actor's name but he'll always be Qyburn from Game of Thrones to me.

"They're inexperienced but very eagre"
"How often those attributes align"

I lol'd

(also like that they managed to add in Ben Mendehlson/Krennic to the show even if it wasn't necessary to, am still keeping the lookout for more Rogue One character debuts...)

Yeah I rewatched for this season and they tie Syril up so I assume they saw his face. However, they approach him from behind.

MartinFF7 posted...

Also just need to mention that my favourite character in S2 remains the ISB management guy - I dont know his character's name or the actor's name but he'll always be Qyburn from Game of Thrones to me.

"They're inexperienced but very eagre"
"How often those attributes align"

I lol'd

Anton Lesser! Great actor who was one of those guys who was just kind of in everything in the UK for decades but never in big roles before Game of Thrones. Actually kind of lovely that he had a big breakthrough even after decades in the industry.

Also speaking of great lines from those episodes, Vels whole monologue, but especially this is like skin was exceptional.

Great set of episodes tonight, 8 and 9 especially are a welcome boon after the second arc.

also getting emotional whiplash from the realization that when they mention handing Mon Mothma to Gold Squadron for escort they are referencing a specific episode of star wars rebels...like 15 minutes after this episode ends she enters a cartoon for children to hang out with Ezra. I'm dying laughing thinking about this

Episode 8, oh my god. I havent even watched 9 yet.

Episode 8 might be the best episode of the entire show. It's certainly up there with Rix Road and One Way Out.

Episode 8 might be the best episode of any show! And even more impressive that episode 9 manages to follow it up so well.

Just a really excellent pack this week. Also serving to highlight just how underwhelming the first three episodes were, frankly.

As much as I hated the "Syril standing around in a haze while people around him are getting killed" clich moment, it made me appreciate it all the more when he saw Andor. Like just thinking about how this guy's having the worst day of his life and then Andor's there, lol. Such catharsis. Also bonus points for having saved Dedra's life (though only we'd know that as the viewer, but still).

Knew as we're getting closer to 0 BBY that Bix would need to leave the show somehow, figuring next week will be 1 BBY so thought it would happen then but it took me by surprise happening now. Kind of anti-climactic but that was one way to do it

I wanted to rewatch Rogue One before season 2 started and never got around to it. I know I should watch it after next week's episodes but I'm going to try to watch it before then... think I'd rather appreciate any movie references while watching the last episodes rather than after-the-fact.

Loved the episodes, 8 is especially great but I'm definitely feeling the pain of the timeskips/compression of this season. I feel like theres no room to breathe. And were missing a lot of smaller scenes from the first season. if Narkina 5 happened in this season itd be like one episode, and that would be so much worse. And for me, while I get the idea behind Bix's decision but the show hasn't really had the time to explpre her and Cassian's relationship

GANON1025 posted...

if Narkina 5 happened in this season itd be like one episode, and that would be so much worse.

Mmm...I don't think this is quite it. Each arc has been appropriately paced imo. All the issues I have are with the things we DON'T see, like what you mentioned and getting dropped into a fully formed base on Yavin IV in BBY2. Maybe it's just me but I really thought we would get some setup for that!

There's two areas where this really hurts the broader story: character deaths, and Luthen. For the first, there is an obvious recurring theme of senseless violence and death under war and revolution, but we have almost no time to actually sit with the deaths so they lose impact. Now, this could be intentional and if so then kudos to them but it feels weird to me. As for Luthen...he's weirdly taken a huge backseat? In this set of episodes he has suddenly gone from driving force to barely even relevant. Characters have completely moved past him and his influence. A large part of his storyline appears to be how he's losing his touch and we get a lot of little moments of him interacting with Cassian and Bix and Kleya to show this and they're all delightful scenes. But it's happening SO fast. I really wonder where he'll end up in this final act.

I think with Luthen the point is that the rebellion has moved past the need for someone like him. It's no longer a series of splinter cells and is now being run by professionals, with formal rules and structures. We even see Andor chafe at this a bit where he tries to take a flight without following the proper procedures, and some of his angst is clearly coming from being uncomfortable with all of this and his place in it. Luthen set the table, hell he built the restaurant, but now he's been replaced by actual generals.

Just watched episode 8. I don't think anything from this season has surpassed the prison arc from Season 1 yet, but that was pretty great. I kinda wish Syril had completed the face turn, but at least he went down swinging.

also I hope we get reprogrammed K-2SO in the next arc

I feel like he actually would have completed it, if not for seeing exactly that person at exactly that time

I'm like 99 % sure there's some scenes in Andor S2 (ie S2 E7 around the 11:50 mark) that just straight up use Mass Effect soundtrack. Like, that's the Normandy theme from ME 1 for sure!