Star Wars Andor: Rebellions Are Built on Hope

“I don’t think anyone was banking on Andor being the best series linked to a major franchise this year, but it is by a mile!” says Annlyel James

A couple of months ago when I said Andor was going to be the best Star Wars series this year I had full confidence in my conviction. And yet even then, I don’t think I realized just how special Andor was going to be until now. Today’s episode, “One Way Out” is a tour de force of reckoning. A blistering forty minutes of epic storytelling that showcases the heart of a rebel in a fashion far more powerful than anything I’ve seen in this franchise before. As I watched the episode play out I found myself gobsmacked and utterly moved by what I was observing.

THOUGHT-PROVOKING STAR WARS

Andor is something like a dream come true for me. It’s the type of story I’ve always wanted to see in this franchise but for once there are no hiccups in its narrative. The Last Jedi had some great thought-provoking directions in storytelling. Notions like Luke’s partial antagonism, Kylo’s semi-redemption story, and the idea that you don’t have to be someone whose bloodline is connected to a legacy character to be a powerful Jedi. It, however, had less favorable plotlines like the Canto Bight side quest. Which felt like a throwaway adventure Rian Johnson scribbled up so he could give Finn something to do. Or the most annoying plotline with erratic Poe Dameron and Admiral Holdo (who I think looks more like a character from The Hunger Games rather than a Star Wars movie.)

I FIND YOUR LACK OF WEAKNESS DISTURBING! 

Andor, for once, doesn’t have a single weak storyline. Every character is handled with such purpose that you can’t help being swept along for the ride. No character gets swallowed up in this powerful story of rebellion. Instead, they are fascinating pieces to this evolving story that will lead to the Empire’s eventual defeat. It’s incredible.

I’d also like to give a shoutout to the actors who are giving everything they have to this series. In a franchise where profoundly award-level acting isn’t necessary, it’s striking how good these actors have been in this series. I truly believe Stellan Skarsgard and Andy Serkis may get Emmys for their performance in this show. Their time in this series has been nothing short of brilliant. And I like to believe they are now considered some of the greatest characters to ever be introduced in this franchise.

PRAISE

Again, I am struck weekly by how good the show is. It almost feels like I’m running out of things to say sometimes to describe how much I love this series. I don’t think anyone was banking on Andor being the best series linked to a major franchise this year. Especially due to its competition with the fantasy powerhouses, House of the Dragon and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power but it is by a mile. Because this show isn’t just good. In fact, it’s more than great. It’s astonishing.

Star Wars: Andor is streaming exclusively on Disney Plus now.

Annlyel James

Annlyel James is a Senior Correspondent of The Future of the Force. She is passionate about Star Wars and Marvel but loves a wide variety of movie genres. Aside from her role with Future of the Force she also writes for her blog: annlyelonline. Follow her on Twitter where she channels the Force frequently!