Now this is Star Wars.
With the return of the second (and final) season of Andor, Disney shows that it still knows how to bring the power and fury of the Wars universe to life. Once again spearheaded by Tony Gilroy, season two of Andor is not only a fitting conclusion. It cements the series as elite sci-fi storytelling that sets itself apart from other entries into the Star Wars canon.
In the second season, Andor is set as war is on the horizon. Now a key player in the Rebel Alliance, Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) has taken up the mantle of responsibility in the battle against Imperial dominance. Even so, every move that he makes is being watched. As the stakes rise, Andor’s allegiance will be tested in a world of betrayal. After all, inching ever closer to the events of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, this is a world of growing evil and the evolution of a rebellion.
Operating with a slow burn, Andor takes its time to develop its characters, especially in the face of a growing Imperial threat. Without giving any spoilers, the second season Andor sees the tensions rise to scalding hot proportions, offering the necessary build to the battle at Scariff. By the time that the final three episodes conclude, the show becomes truly gripping.
Admittedly though, it’s worth noting that fans may have to exercise some patience to get there. While season two fully unleashes itself in the second half, the first six episodes tend to meander in parts. Even though the show remains interesting, side stories involving a band of forest renegades and dinner with the ‘mother-in-law’ can feel less important when held up against the growing rebellion. However, even in moments like these, Andor proves able to do something that few other franchises on streaming have been able to do.
Andor actually makes its cinematic counterpart better.
Whereas Rogue One introduces Cassian Andor as a character, the film only gives us roughly two hours to care about him and the sacrifices he made. But Andor fleshes out his character journey with such effectiveness that one cannot help but appreciate his role in the film that much more. When we first meeting Cassian in season one, he’s a man who’s only mission is to survive in a brutal world. But season two sees him committed to the cause. Here, the spark of rebellion exists within him in a way that it didn’t in the first season.
As such, the new season gives meaningful character moments with Luna that make him endearing. Torn between his personal relationships and the call to action, Andor is a man who is passionate about change but still conflicted about the sacrifices being asked of him. In these moments, Luna shines. There’s an empathy behind his eyes that stands opposed to the demands of ‘the mission’. Held up against his ‘handler’ Luthen (another stellar performance by Stellan Skarsgard, I might add), Andor is being asked to lose a piece of himself for the sake of the cause while he is fighting to hold on to his soul.
But, in some ways, what makes Andor particularly interesting is how current the series feels. Men and women are taken from their homes in the middle of the night. Government conspiracies lead to uprising from those affected on a personal level. In stories that feel almost ripped from the headlines, this is meant to depict life on the ground at its darkest. Although Andor never speaks directly to today’s political climate, there’s simply something underneath the sci-fi language that feels raw and honest.
Whether it’s the rebellious fire of Luthen, the quiet sincerity of Mon Mothma or the sometimes-conflicted Andor himself, each character is allowed to show their humanity in ways that other Star Wars content hasn’t been able to accomplish. These aren’t stereotypical heroes who always do what’s right. Instead, they’re all trying on one level or another to determine what ‘the right thing’ actually means in chaotic times. (What’s more, with almost no mention of the all-powerful ‘Force’, these men and women are left to rely on themselves and one another.)
As such, season two of Andor proves that the heartbeat of Star Wars isn’t merely lightsabers and Jedi mind tricks. Instead, it’s the furious heartbeat of change that has made the series feel relevant across multiple generations. And it’s this spark of hope that provides the necessary fire that fuels Andor’s epic finale.
The first three episodes of Andor S2 are available on Disney+ on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 with 3 new episodes streaming each week thereafter.
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