Season 2 Of Andor Delivers Some Of The Best Star Wars Content Ever

The second season of Andor has arrived and brings with it a very compelling and richly woven story that sets a new standard for Star Wars series.

Diego Luna returns as the title character and over the course of twelve episodes, the political and personal intrigue slowly burns until it reaches a breaking point. Multiple characters are given a chance to develop as audience see the conflicting loyalties, games within games, and personal agendas that often do not align with personal ambitions and goals.

The deeper look at the workings of the Empire come into play as the layers of knowledge within the deep structure are shown as only a handful of people know of the true objective of increasing agitation and their presence on a wealthy planet known for their clothing manufactured by Spiders yet the depths that the audience is shown from the emerging resistance to local and galactic Imperial Officers and their agendas makes for compelling storytelling.

The series is also not afraid to go into darker areas, as revolution makes for uneasy alliances and confrontations.

The series also did a great job at showing multiple sides to the characters as even the various Imperials who could be simply stock villains are given a depth that you almost feel a degree of sympathy for some of them as they are simply doing their jobs and unaware that they are often Pawns in a much larger game.

The series also took the time to establish elements that at first seem unrelated to the larger story such as Mon Mothma’s (Genevieve O’Reilly) domestic life as we see her dancing away at an engagement party and with her husband as she deftly mixes politics and a personal life.

As the series unfolds it is clear that this as well as Andor’s domestic situation drive home the high cost and sacrifices characters needed to make for the cause that they have enrolled in even when that places them in harms way or at odds with others.

The slow build pays off over the final episodes as some old favorites enter the mix and the action builds which has a longer but more satisfying buildup than the events of season one as audiences have become more invested in the characters and knowing the events of “Rogue One” the emotional impacts of several scenes including the ending will be one that lingers.

Tony Gilroy masterfully crafts a character-driven series with just enough action to keep fans happy, but in doing so, gives a new standard for character development in a Star Wars project as we see the good, bad, and potential in characters that often surprise the audience with their choices along the way.

Season 2 of Andor is not only great Star Wars but great television, and I cannot say enough praise about the final product.

Season 2 of Andor will debut on Disney+ on April 22nd