'Andor' Season 2 Is One of the Most Ambitious Works of Sci-Fi Storytelling Ever (David's Quick Take)

David shares his quick review of 'Andor.' Also: Detailed recaps are on the way.

Hey folks, David Chen here. Welcome to Decoding TV’s coverage of Andor Season 2! In addition to our podcast coverage and this brief review, we’ll also be covering each of the four 3-episode drops with detailed written recaps by

Dan Gvozden

. The below review will contain basic details about the overall structure of season 2, but will contain no specific plot details.

When Andor season 1 debuted, it was a revelation. Here was a show that treated the Star Wars universe with the seriousness of a World War II drama, executed with so much confidence and verve that it arguably made the franchise’s subsequent entries about space wizards with laser swords feel trite by comparison. Andor grappled with weighty ideas like what techniques the Empire’s authoritarian government might employ to mentally and physically subjugate its people, and what sacrifices would be required for a rebellion to succeed.

Showrunner Tony Gilroy has spoken at length about how his original ambition for the show was far outstripped by the production realities of making it. What was originally supposed to be a five-season epic eventually got compressed into two seasons, with the second season being made up of four 3-episode drops, each separated by one year in the chronology of the story. This would make for a stark contrast with season 1, which all took place within the span of one year in Cassian Andor’s life (5 BBY, to be specific). With all that tinkering with the plan, would season 2 be able to live up to season 1’s accomplishments?

The first thing that struck me about Andor season 2 was the sheer ambition of it. Right from the first few minutes of the first episode, I was in awe of how many new characters were being introduced, and how many worlds and settings the show wanted to take us to. The show’s second season budget was said to be in excess of $290 million and it’s all there on screen: Gorgeous and elaborate sets, strong visual effects, and a sprawling scope that is unrivaled by most other TV shows. This is a season of television that demands a big-screen viewing experience and it’s kind of a bummer that the vast majority of people who watch Andor will probably do it on a TV alone.

Andor season 2 further explores and deepens the themes brought up in its first season. In the lead up to the completion of the Death Star, the Empire finds itself ratcheting up its repressive techniques, all while trying to maintain its legitimacy. Meanwhile, the nascent Rebellion is struggling to find its footing and Andor continues to find himself at the center of the action. It’s fun to see many of the same characters from season 1 are back and continuing on the trajectories that will take them to where they are in the Rogue One timeframe (whether we know what they are or not). But what really sets Andor apart is how it grapples with the same big weighty ideas that made the first season such a thought-provoking masterpiece. This is a show that thoughtfully deals with ideas like authoritarianism, protest, media misinformation, and the banality of evil, all while delivering the type of adventure and thrills that audiences expect from a Star War TV show. It could not be more timely.

I don’t think the second season is perfect. The one-year time jumps between episode batches are necessary to achieve the show’s ambitions, but it does mean that a bunch of character development happens offscreen. On multiple occasions, we’re reintroduced to characters whose relationship has evolved dramatically since we last saw them, which can be jarring and does ultimately lead to some unsatisfying resolutions. Nonetheless, it’s a small price to pay for a show that is trying to accomplish so much and largely succeeds.

I don’t have much hope for the future of the Star Wars franchise. I’m not a fan of most of what Dave Filoni has done and the failure of shows like The Acolyte and Skeleton Crew demonstrates that there’s no current viable path for shows that exist beyond the well-trod paths of conventional Star Wars stories. In that context, Andor season 2 feels like a miracle. Tony Gilroy and co. have made a show that is subversive, thought-provoking and electrifying in an environment that doesn’t necessarily reward those things.

As such, it’s a must-watch.