ANDOR: SEASON TWO
Starring: Diego Luna, Kyle Soller, Adria Arjona, Stellan Skarsgård, Denise Gough, Genevieve O’Reilly, Faye Marsay, Varada Sethu, and Elizabeth Dulau
Creator: Tony Gilroy
QUENTIN
Andor is a great example of how two seemingly contradictory things can be true because this series remains the best Star Wars offering despite its disjointed narrative structure, issues with story sprawl, and often sluggish pacing. It’s a clear step down from Season One and, frankly, somewhat disappointing. But when it hits, it fucking hits, carried on the shoulders of a terrific Diego Luna. I wish showrunner Tony Gilroy could have seen his five-season vision come to fruition instead of truncating those planned seasons into what amounts to Season Two’s four-pack of three(ish)-hour movies, but as flawed as it is, this extremely topical final season should satisfy fans.
AMARÚ
After the weighty ending to Season One, opening Andor’s second season with rock-paper-scissors battles and techno raves felt very weird and very human. It was unexpectedly authentic, if out of left field, but reiterated how, even amongst tragedy and darkness, humanity is layered and complicated. Building upon that intriguing start, each progressive three-episode saga pushed its momentum forward like the ever-growing rebellion it portrayed, culminating in some of the most powerful, well-acted, satisfying, and emotional Star Wars since they released the best Star War, which not incidentally, is the movie that this season seamlessly leads to (Rogue One).
ROBERT
Hey, Obi-Wan! This is how you lead into a popular Star Wars movie property! Andor’s second season has more uneven connectivity between arcs than Season One, likely because of the time jumps and release schedule, but that doesn’t take away from the breathtaking storytelling and grandiose themes woven into a show about intragalactic rebellion. Its highs are the highest you will see in media, not just science fiction, as this show exposes a larger truth than that of the Emperor’s energy program: Tony Gilroy should be head of creative content for Star Wars, written in laser-scorched markings on all Disney press materials.
ADRIANO
After years of Disney running Star Wars dry with boardroom-produced slop, Andor's two-season run proves that when done right, this franchise can hit. Like its first season, the second and final season is smart, well-produced, emotionally effective, and exhilarating. There are devastating moments of political misery, making it feel like a show for adults that never shies away from war's disgrace and evil. In fact, the eighth episode made my stomach hurt with how brutal it was. At the risk of sounding hyperbolic, Andor is by far the best Star Wars has offered since the original trilogy. I want more of this, Disney.
