‘Andor’ Recap: ‘The Eye’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

(L-R): Cassian Andor (Diego Luna), Arvel Skeen (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), Karis Nemik (Alex Lawther, seated) and Vel Sartha (Faye Marsay) in Lucasfilm's ANDOR, exclusively on Disney+. ©2022 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Six of ‘Andor’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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One particularly violent act that we tend to romanticize in popular media, is revolution, and understandably so. After all, this is… a big event. Where the good people of an oppressed nation rise up and fight back and earn their freedom and a new way forward. So naturally, we should celebrate that since more often than not, they end in a better tomorrow for everyone. But as time goes on and the advent of technology continues to tie us into the world in ways, we never thought possible, we are coming to learn… that the fight for freedom isn’t filled with flags and triumphant music and heroes staring into the battlefield and dreaming of what will be. No instead, it is a violent and harrowing act, one that is both costly and terrifying.
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Which is why this week’s episode of Andor on Disney+ is of note. Simply because, for the first time ever, the Star Wars saga opted to explore that in realistic detail for a change. Which is fascinating and important since this saga has at times, romanticized the Rebellion. But this franchise is also growing up and getting with the times and that made for one powerful and devastating tale. One that was a masterclass in tension building as well. For the fight for Imperial cash in ‘The Eye’ wasn’t quick and swift. No instead, our heroes had to earn every credit and they were forced to stand amongst the enemy and witness their indignities toward the natives on Aldhani before getting their chance to finally go for gold. 

Which is where the ugly came into play. Because in order to get what they needed, they had to take hostages, including a senior officer’s family and they of course, had to strike fear into every Imperial in the docking bay, so that they could have their money and they even had to kill when things went south. Which made it clear how ugly rebellion is and while that alone could have carried this episode, it made sure to hammer the point home further… by bringing death into the mix. For not everyone made it out of this mission alive and some died badly, and even after the money was freed from Imperial hands, little joy was to be found. For Skeen wanted to just take half and go, and paid the ultimate price for treachery, and even Cassian wasn’t sure he wanted to do much more with the Alliance.

Largely because, he understood the sacrifices ahead, the bloodshed and the pain. But of course, something will change his mind down the line. But thankfully… this episode wasn’t all gloom and doom. For this is a story that made sure to point out that while rebellion is indeed a scary and horrifying and brutal act… it does have merit. For it will spark fear in the heart of the oppressor, as evidenced by the Imperial response and concern in this tale, and of course… it does inspire hope. Since Mon Mothma quietly celebrated a swift strike against their foe and Luthen… well he was simply over the moon. Because it meant at last, that more people would rise up against the Empire and fight for their freedom and well, we know how this story ends.

If anything, this was just… a brilliant episode when all is said and done. Simply because we were likely witness to the genesis of the wider Rebellion here. And we were treated to it in a shockingly realistic and horrifying manner. Because this episode was just brutal and human and everything we could have wanted from a series about the early days of the Rebellion and well… now that the first and decisive blow has been made against Palpatine’s living nightmare, it will be interesting to see what comes next for the Rebel alliance and what will make Cassian Andor, a hero and leader in the cause that will indeed, one day free the galaxy from tyranny. Until next time.

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