*Spoilers for episode 11*
And here it is. The end, the last Andor there is. I’m writing this a couple days out, and I’m still processing it. There are a lot of feelings going on right now—I’ll continue to sort through it and have more spoiler-specific things to say about the whole thing in the coming weeks, especially after I rewatch Rogue One.
Cassian and Melshi have found Kleya, who’s reluctant to go back with them to Yavin, but ISB is closing in on them. They have to find a way back so they can share Kleya’s crucial intel with the Rebel council.
I’ve lamented about Cassian not being prominent enough this season, and I’ve been sad about various moments we didn’t get to see. In that vein, it’s wild to me that in 24 episodes, we get exactly one where Mon Mothma is a Rebel leader on Yavin. Wild. But I like her role here. It’s interesting to see her caught between two well-intentioned but opposing parties, trying to figure out the right thing to do. And there’s a great scene between her and Vel as she struggles to work it out. Vel herself, by the way, has an excellent final episode, featuring multiple strong one-on-one scenes with a variety of characters.
K-2SO continues to be an icon. He’s great during the showdown with ISB, and that fantastic scene presents a delightful contrast to him worrying about getting in trouble for the unsanctioned trip to Coruscant: “I plan to tell them I was kidnapped,” he decides, giving a hilarious little wave to the angry, suspicious Rebels wondering about their whereabouts.
And then, of course, there’s Cassian. I would’ve wanted more for him for the show’s final episode, since a lot of what we get from him here is valorizing another character. But there are still some great moments for Cassian in the finale, and Diego Luna never disappoints.
For starters, he’s also excellent in the showdown with ISB. Even as he’s stunned and disoriented in the attack, I like that his first instinct is to protect Kleya, shielding her from further harm. He also makes a strong showing in a scene where he addresses the Rebel council. While Cassian’s barely restrained exasperation and impatience are evident, he keeps just enough of a lid on things to forcefully make his case. The council is skeptical, but they can’t immediately dismiss him out of hand. When he’s reprimanded, I love the seething undercurrent as he says, “Requesting permission to visit the infirmary,” to check on an injured ally. And I won’t go into the details now, but there’s a shot of Cassian watering his plants that is so affecting in context. Although it’s only a few seconds long, it might be my favorite part of the episode.
Since this is the end of Andor, here are my final thoughts on the series:
Recommend?
In General – Yes. Season 1 is a thing of absolute beauty, and even though my feelings on season 2 are more mixed than I would’ve liked, I’m so grateful that this show existed. It stretched the limits of what Star Wars can be with complexity and care.
Diego Luna – Oh my, yes. So much yes. Luna’s performance as Cassian Andor is truly a gift to the whole franchise. This is one of his best roles and he never misses.
Warnings
Strong thematic elements, violence (including torture, attempted rape, and genocide,) language, drinking/drug use (for fictional space drugs,) and sensuality.
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