Star Wars Andor (Disney+ TV series)

[Thain]

This show is tremendous. You really could take the Star Wars out of it and it would still be great, but the fact that it is Star Wars is just icing on the cake.

And wow, the Empire has never been scarier. I find Dedra and the ISB far more frightening than Vader or the Emperor ever were.

 

[Wolfsburg]

the shutting of the door was very much ANH. I dig that

I noticed that too! That was an almost identical shot to Leia's cell door closing as the torture droid goes to work and the camera sweeps to a guard walking by and down the hallway. Loved that nod.

This show just never fails to impress me. They get so much right across the board, in my mind. I don't really have much to say in praise that hasn't already been said. Even the THX1138 vibe at the factory is such a great aesthetic to go with. They could've easily gone with a grungy, oppressive mechanical hellscape of a factory but the sterile simplicity they went with is great. If I had to nitpick, I would say the overall lack of aliens and droids is a bit odd but that's a minor thing. I still love the look of Mon Mothma's apartment and I almost get Cloud City vibes to an extent. Vel being Mon's cousin was an interesting twist for sure!

 

[Victor3]

deleted

 

[Victor3]

You know you're a creepy MFer when you freak out an ISB supervisor....

Right? I loved that look that look of creeped-out disgust on her face!

 

[dascoyne]

Andor has been great at subverting my predictions.
Here's how the show might really surprise me again:

Spoiler

Wouldn't it be tragic if Andor remains in prison for the remainder of the season, maybe even through a lot of next season? He could attempt but fail breaking out. And when he finally emerges, it is only to discover that everyone he has ever known has died.

 

[Gimpdiggity]

This show is tremendous. You really could take the Star Wars out of it and it would still be great, but the fact that it is Star Wars is just icing on the cake.

And wow, the Empire has never been scarier. I find Dedra and the ISB far more frightening than Vader or the Emperor ever were.

I agree 100% with both these points.

For me it’s fairly simple to see why the Empire is scarier in this…it’s because it’s very “real.” We don’t have two space wizards wielding space magic and fighting with glowing swords. It’s very difficult to make something come across as “Okay yeah, these people are downright evil” when they’re so far out of the realm of reality that it’s impossible to truly relate to them.

The Empire in this is an oppressive regime that seems like it will go to just about any length to stay in power. It’s being portrayed extremely well, and the fact that it’s grounded in a reality we can actually relate to makes it all the better.

This show is fantastic.

 

[Thain]

I agree 100% with both these points.

For me it’s fairly simple to see why the Empire is scarier in this…it’s because it’s very “real.” We don’t have two space wizards wielding space magic and fighting with glowing swords. It’s very difficult to make something come across as “Okay yeah, these people are downright evil” when they’re so far out of the realm of reality that it’s impossible to truly relate to them.

The Empire in this is an oppressive regime that seems like it will go to just about any length to stay in power. It’s being portrayed extremely well, and the fact that it’s grounded in a reality we can actually relate to makes it all the better.

This show is fantastic.

Absolutely.

I've heard a decent amount of complaints about the lack of aliens and droids, and I certainly understand that sentiment and agree with it to some extent. It would be nice to see more peppering the backgrounds. However, I think the greater absence of these usual "Star Wars" elements and showing us mostly humans ends up making the world even more relatable, and in turn strengthens the show and the story it's trying to tell. Everything in this show feels real.

 

[dascoyne]

It's an unfortunate fact that Star Wars aliens aren't very good actors.

 

[RodanAZ]

For me it’s fairly simple to see why the Empire is scarier in this…it’s because it’s very “real.” We don’t have two space wizards wielding space magic and fighting with glowing swords. It’s very difficult to make something come across as “Okay yeah, these people are downright evil” when they’re so far out of the realm of reality that it’s impossible to truly relate to them.

The Empire in this is an oppressive regime that seems like it will go to just about any length to stay in power. It’s being portrayed extremely well, and the fact that it’s grounded in a reality we can actually relate to makes it all the better.

It was all there in OT... it was just more subdued, or 'off camera'. Andor is really bringing it home on a very personal level and turned to 11, something we're seeing for the first time in SW.

This series is still exceeding my expectations, and that's very refreshing and encouraging. Maybe someone will see that investing in good writing, solid acting and production values can trump explosions and FX with the fans.

 

[Mr Webber]

This has been such a pleasure to watch. The fact that the production is managed by the same, small creative team with a crystal clear vision and creative standard that ridicules the "You have a turn" directive rewarding those who willingly wash their hair in the contemporary Kool Aid is encouraging at the very least.

There is no way we are going to see one of the self absorbed creative team insert themselves in this as an X Wing pilot with a speech impediment.

Its so good that I am embarrassed that I gave The Mandalorian any praise at all. Kind of interesting that many of the people who fell over themselves to lavish praise on the, in retrospect, childlessly written Mandalorian, Boba Fett and Kenobi dross are silent in this thread.

 

[Jaitea]

This has been such a pleasure to watch. The fact that the production is managed by the same, small creative team with a crystal clear vision and creative standard that ridicules the "You have a turn" directive rewarding those who willingly wash their hair in the contemporary Kool Aid is encouraging at the very least.

There is no way we are going to see one of the self absorbed creative team insert themselves in this as an X Wing pilot with a speech impediment.

It’s so good that I am embarrassed that I gave The Mandalorian any praise at all. Kind of interesting that many of the people who fell over themselves to lavish praise on the, in retrospect, childlessly written Mandalorian, Boba Fett and Kenobi dross are silent in this thread.

“I heartily agree with you sir”

J

 

[NakedMoleRat]

With this series, we finally see the machinations of the empire! How they are subversively wedging their way into the lives of every person on every planet.

They are transforming from a governing agency into a subversive controlling group of dominators.

Now we understand why the empire is so evil, not just because a farm boy with special powers and a light sword hates them!

 

[jkno]

https://ddesole.tumblr.com%2Fpost%2F699215053527957504

 

[Mr Webber]

Impressive, most impressive.

 

[Thain]

Its so good that I am embarrassed that I gave The Mandalorian any praise at all. Kind of interesting that many of the people who fell over themselves to lavish praise on the, in retrospect, childlessly written Mandalorian, Boba Fett and Kenobi dross are silent in this thread.

I admit, rewatching some episodes of Mando recently after having seen how brilliant Andor has been, I also had the realization that it's not always very well written. But I don't think that discredits The Mandalorian at all, and I still adore it. Mando feels like classic Star Wars—an easy, high-flying adventure story with lovable characters. Whereas we're getting more challenging, mature political intrigue/thriller with Andor, where the writing is rich and full of subtext and subtlety. I firmly believe there is space for both tones, not every series needs to be all doom and gloom. But it sure is nice to get one that focuses on the every-people of the galaxy rather than the superheroes and space wizards to which the Empire is an actual threat and not a bunch of bumbling idiots.

 

[Jaitea]

After the surprise & deserved appearance of Luke in the last episode of Mando series 2, then the forced retread of the story to get Grogu back in the show for series 3, I can look back at the show & realise that Series one is the only part that I can now enjoy.

Mando S1 was original, showing us an expanding SW universe, heading outward, new characters, an underworld etc. S2 was a complete U turn, heading back into the heart of SW (Luke Skywalker), on the way to that episode, we get all familiar known characters & Dave Filonis favourites thrown in.

It’s kind of the same with the cartoon Rebels, S1 was very OT style, but soon it slipped completely into Filoni Clone Wars, with helicopter lightsabers etc, I switched off after I saw Vader flying his TIE standing on top of it

Rogue one, Mando S1 & Andor is the only quality Disney Star Wars for me

J

 

[NakedMoleRat]

Filoni’s Folleys make up most of Star Wars content. Thank goodness he’s not doing Andor.

Otherwise, we’d be likely to see the bad batch make an appearance at some point.

 

[Mr Webber]

I admit, rewatching some episodes of Mando recently after having seen how brilliant Andor has been, I also had the realization that it's not always very well written. But I don't think that discredits The Mandalorian at all, and I still adore it. Mando feels like classic Star Wars—an easy, high-flying adventure story with lovable characters. Whereas we're getting more challenging, mature political intrigue/thriller with Andor, where the writing is rich and full of subtext and subtlety. I firmly believe there is space for both tones, not every series needs to be all doom and gloom. But it sure is nice to get one that focuses on the every-people of the galaxy rather than the superheroes and space wizards to which the Empire is an actual threat and not a bunch of bumbling idiots.

Respectively, The Mandalorian was nothing more than a reasonably constructed merchandising vehicle. It handed out the "member berries" with aplomb yes but at its very core, it is hollow. Baby Yoda was a genius construction but really. The writing of Mandalorian was pathetic. At the time I accepted it because everything Disney that came before it was so destructive.

Andor, so far is a product of depth and respect.

 

[Kylash]

I think the ISB office room is inside Epcot.

 

[Thain]

I think the ISB office room is inside Epcot.

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Renovations underway. Be on the lookout for the new Imperial Security Bureau attraction next year!