‘Andor’ Recap: ‘Kassa’, ‘That Would Be Me’, & ‘Reckoning’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) in Lucasfilm's ANDOR, exclusively on Disney+. ©2022 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the series premiere of ‘Andor’.
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One thing that every fan of science fiction can agree upon, is that the Star Wars saga is truly one of the great sci-fi epics. For it features romance, action and adventure, a grand battle between good and evil and once even featured a touch of political commentary. But what’s fascinating about this franchise, is that it has only scratched the surface of its true potential. For while it is beloved and generational in nature, it has yet to really go deep with its concepts or grow beyond the fluffier stuff that it tends to send our way. Because let’s be honest, this is a galaxy, far, far away that caters more to the family experience than in-depth storytelling. The kind that is unafraid and bold in nature.
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Granted, it has toyed with heavier concepts. Since The Last Jedi took the time to explore how time and failure and incredible expectations upon us can jade us, and Rogue One is a story that also went to new places by giving us a taste of life under the Empire’s rule before tying us into the Skywalker Saga with that powerful and devastating ending that took us right to the start of A New Hope. But beyond those two major experiments, the franchise continues to try and hang onto what fans love it about the most since even Mandalorian and Book of Boba Fett feature moments that are familiar and lovely, and really… none of these observations are insults. Because this saga does bring us joy, but it wouldn’t hurt for the franchise to be bolder and really try some new things that it hasn’t before and well, it would seem that time has finally come.

For this week saw the debut of Andor on Disney+. A series that returns to the proverbial Rogue One well  by whisking us back in time five years before that film, wherein we get to reunite with Cassian Andor to learn how he came to serve in the Rebel Alliance and helped it to legitimacy and one of its greatest victories and well, it doesn’t take long for the viewer to realize this three-episode series premiere, is indeed the grown up iteration of Star Wars that we’ve all been waiting for. First and foremost, because it is devoid of the name Skywalker. For there are no cameos and fan service to be found here, just life under the watchful thumb of the Galactic Empire, and while we know Palpatine, Vader and Obi-Wan, and Han Solo and the Skywalker twins are out there… they are insignificant here and that is so refreshing.

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(Counterclockwise, from far left): Sergeant Mosk (Alex Ferns), Syril Karn (Kyle Soller) and Maarva (Fiona Shaw) in a scene from Lucasfilm's ANDOR, exclusively on Disney+. ©2022 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

For now, we can truly see what the average citizen dealt with as Emperor Palpatine did everything to consolidate power and spread fear and well, that brings forth some fascinating commentary into the mix. Since we come to find that corporations receive great benefits and power for properly serving the Empire. To the point where they have resources and autonomy, and their own armies. Something we sometimes see in our own world, giving rise to depth in this story and a genuine sense of suffering for the people under the thumb of these mega corporations. Since they are forced to abide by the almighty credit in this sector of the world and disobedience is punished in a manner that will please the emperor, giving rise to fear and compliance and it is that fear that is truly fascinating regarding this premiere… since that is what is inside Cassian Andor’s heart when we meet him here.
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Which leads him to ugly trouble, the kind that is a stain on that very corporation and of course, also leads to him being hunted down and well… that fear never leaves him during this premiere. He’s terrified of losing what little freedom he has, and he wants nothing more than to enjoy a little peace and calm and that’s a stunning place to meet him. Since in Rogue One, he’s a bold man. One that knew what needed to be done to fight the Empire and he stopped at nothing to accomplish that. But of course, a chance encounter at the end of this journey is likely going to lead to the chance to become that man. Which means this is a season of storytelling that is going to provide us with incredible character growth. The kind where we see Cassian Andor slowly transform into a true hero, one that will bring out the hero in another wavering individual in Jyn Erso and well, in the end… all of these elements make this a brilliant finale.

In large part because we’ve never seen a Star Wars story like this. One that is grown up and fleshed out and eager to take its time in the name of world-building and character development. But also, because… this is the franchise finally reaching its potential and really tapping into topics that other science fiction stories hit upon often. Giving rise to a series that could finally allow for this saga to stand as something more than popcorn fueled fun and give us topics to think about and explorations on the human condition and well, that is going to make the wait for next week’s episode as difficult as it gets. Simply because this is refreshing and new and engaging, and it will be genuinely fascinating to see what this bold new chapter in the Star Wars saga is going to accomplish storytelling wise as we inch our way toward Cassian’s fate in Rogue One. Until next time.    

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