Andor is a prequel television series created by Tony Gilroy that takes place in the Star Wars universe five years prior to the Battle of Yavin. The first season consists of twelve episodes.

Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) is searching for his missing sister when he kills two men who tried to rob him. Fleeing to his home planet, he tries to form an alibi with his mother Maarva’s (Fiona Shaw) droid. Andor becomes the target of security officer Syril Karn (Kyle Soller), but he evades them, costing Karn his job when the Empire sends the Imperial Security Bureau moves in. While on the run, Andor runs into Luthen (Stellan Skarsgård) who recruits him to steal the Imperial payroll from a mining planet. Unknown to Andor, Luthen is a Rebel Alliance recruiter who works frequently with Senator Mon Mothma (Genevieve O’Reilly) who is struggling to find funding and is having problems at home. ISB officer Dedra Meero (Denise Gough) arrests Andor’s friend Bix (Adria Arjona) to lure him out, but he is busy with Rebel officers Vel Sartha (Faye Marsay) and Cinta Kaz (Varada Sethu) with the heist which grows more dangerous.

There is a lot of criticism over making films and TV shows that are based on characters who have died in previous entries. I disagree with this. I love to see their story expanded, especially in Star Wars. The issue is, I want it done right and Disney has barely got anything right since their acquisition of LucasFilm. Andor, however, is an exception to this criticism.

Now, the show is a bit slower-paced. At times, I did find myself feeling like certain scenes or wide shots were dragging on a bit too long. I think if they had trimmed out some of Mon Mothma’s family drama, I think it would have worked better.

Aside from that, I enjoyed the series. Andor is a compelling character and Luna does a good job playing him. He is troubled, flawed, and clearly willing to kill to get the job done, but he is also loyal and kind to those around him. I especially enjoyed an arc where Andor was arrested for an unrelated crime and ended up in an Imperial prison. A fellow inmate played by Andy Serkis (in an unrelated role to The Last Jedi) and Cassian plan a daring escape. That was my favorite part of the show and probably the most well-developed.

The subplot of Luthien trying to amass funding for the Rebellion and working with Saw Gerrera, again played by Forest Whitaker, showed the difference between what is happening with the ones giving the orders and the ones enacting those orders.

In that regard, it reminded me of a Gundam series. It showed how those who were giving the orders were living in opulence while the foot soldiers are being slaughtered and used as pawns. Luthen and Mon Mothma must dodge Imperial officers, but they still attend parties while Cassian, Vel, and others are struggling and suffering at the hands of Stormtroopers. It is a good set-up and I look forward to a second season, which will supposedly lead to Rogue One.

It is being said that Andor is doing poorly in the ratings. That is a shame because it is a good Star Wars show, after The Mandalorian and Visions. Frankly, it is Disney’s own fault. They have been given mediocre or just plain bad Star Wars content with only a few exceptions. When the fans gave feedback, they attacked them, calling them bigots. With those bridges burned, Star Wars may not recover. It is a shame that Andor became a casualty in Disney’s war against their fans.

Check out the trailer below:

PARENTAL CONCERNS: Minor foul language, Violence

What do you think? Let me know in the comments below. Tell me if there is a comic book, movie, or novel you would like me to review. While you are at it, check out my reviews of Anatomy of a Scandal and The Patient. Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more posts like this one.

Connect with me on social media. You can support StudioJake on Locals.