‘Andor’ Recap: ‘The Axe Forgets’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

(L-R): Arvel Skeen (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), Cassian Andor (Diego Luna), Taramyn Barcona (Gershwyn Eustache Jr), and Karis Nemik (Alex Lawther) in Lucasfilm's ANDOR, exclusively on Disney+. ©2022 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Five of ‘Andor’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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As we continue our journey through the supremely unique and fascinating Disney+ series, Andor, it is quickly becoming apparent what the first season of this Rogue One prequel is working to accomplish. In that, this is the series that is going to answer all of our questions regarding the Rebel Alliance. Such as why it was formed in the first place. Which one would think would be a simple question to answer because, Empire, oppression… etc., but… the need to fight a powerful regime really does go beyond that. Which is why this week’s episode of the show was of note. Because ‘The Axe Forgets’ did indeed focus on that particular question and well... we quickly came to learn in this tale, that a genuine hate for the Galactic Empire, and the evil its men do and its overall push to have control over all things, was indeed the spark that lit the proverbial match.
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Since that is indeed what motivated so many of Cassian’s new cohorts to join this fight and find themselves in this tough and unsettling place. Which is a truth he learned as he did his best to blend in and prepare for the fight ahead. But thankfully, as he got to know his cohorts, it became apparent that revenge or a chance to stick it to the man, isn’t what truly keeps rebellions going. For that’s just hollow in nature, and that’s really when this episode went to some far deeper philosophical territory. Because preparing to finally fight the evil that Palpatine put forth, left all of our main characters wondering, exactly what they were fighting for and why. Because there just had to be more here than just sticking it to the Emperor and his ilk and slowly but surely, they began to understand what a rebellion is built upon through and through.

In that for a rebellion to really thrive… it needs more than a rallying cry. It needs to inspire; it needs to make people believe in a better tomorrow and make them comfortable with the sacrifices that will happen along the way. Which is an epiphany that no one has completely embraced just yet, but that’s okay. For this is the genesis story here, and minute by minute, we will see these heroes find that inspiration point and express it to others and tap into parts of themselves they didn’t know they had, as evidenced by the knowledge and leadership that Cassian inadvertently fired off in this tale, the kind that earned him respect and understanding. However, while it was indeed fascinating to explore the inner workings of the rebellion and really ponder upon the genesis of such a movement in an era of storytelling where rebellions are seen as immediately ready to roll in fiction, this episode was also quick to explore the other side of the coin and ponder upon what keeps an outfit like the Empire running.

Because we like to believe that fear and terror motivates people to join up and make use of the cause, but spending time with Syril here, and seeing the unique life he was living post termination… spoke to something more. In that, this sequence helped to remind us that empires also thrive… because they enable the worst tendencies in people, and they celebrate them. And doing so, gives them a fine stream of volunteers and people eager to seize power. For now, the marginalized and those who always wanted something different but were afraid to speak up, can have their day in the sun… and it is only a matter of time before Syril commits to that darkness as well. All of which makes this, another brilliant episode from a genuinely brilliant Star Wars series. Because this one is really exploring concepts that no other series in the SWU has even remotely touched, and it is doing so in a shockingly compelling manner.

For one would think that a slow burning Star Wars story would be tough to watch since this is a universe filled to the brim with lightsabers and interstellar dog fights and epic battles above forest moons. But it works here, mainly because of the characters and how well written and fleshed out they are, and because of the new concepts this series is diving into. But it would indeed seem that the character study aspect and slowing burning style of this story, might be paused come next week. For it would appear we are about to see the Alliance make its first real strike against the Galactic Empire and that will require more traditional elements here, and that’s just fine. For this is a series that requires that as well since we need the catharsis of watching the Galactic Empire suffer in any capacity. Until next time.

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