Andor Season 2

Andor, Season 2 (Tony Gilroy, 2025)

Click here for the basics

Rating: DSQ=12, SP=8 / Decadence

Scale A=4, Scale B=4, Scale C=4, Scale D=4, Scale E=4

Fantasy, Science Fiction, Star Wars Universe, Epic

I had high expectations for Season 2 of this amazing show. I knew what the ending would be (Rogue One) and anticipated a lot more tension and depressing moments. And I wasn't wrong. I was blown away and left ruminating about the series for days.

Tony Gilroy knows Star Wars and knows how to write suspense and tension. Andor brings the gritty realism and relevancy to the Star Wars universe that no other Star Wars movie or show has. At times, I felt like I was watching a true story. That happened yesterday. Here on Earth, not in a galaxy far far away. And I think that is the real success and power of Andor. This science "fiction" story feels real. The characters seem like people you know. The emotions are palpable. The urgency makes your heart pound and sets your thoughts whirling--How can I help? What can I do?

How everything from earlier Star Wars shows and movies ties together is very satisfying for a true Star Wars fan--for example, I immediately watched Rogue One after Andor Season 2 and so much changed. I cried in a different way. The viewing experience was entirely changed. But you also don't need to have any context or prior history to get something truly meaningful out of Andor. It stands alone and fits in the timeline. And this is because the writing is masterful. Andor is timeless and important. It tells a story we humans keep experiencing and keep allowing to happen again and again.

Click here to read my post about Season 1.

--Don't understand the ratings? Click here

Happy 2023!

Happy 2023, everyone! This year's film watching was a lot of fantasy, adventure, and some truly amazing series. Probably my favorite film I saw this year was The Northman (closely followed by The Batman), favorite show was Andor: Season 1.

Other highlights were finishing my all-time favorite drama series, Peaky Blinders, an epic Season 4 of Stranger Things, Obi-Wan and Boba Fett--wow, what a year of excellent shows!

I'm hoping to keep watching new and old films in 2023 and doing a few more marathons: Mel Brooks films, revisiting Hercule Poirot BBC series, and a list of good films/shows about sailing/navigation (starting with the Horatio Hornblower series). I'll also be watching lots of classic 1940s-1960s adventure films I haven't seen before.

Best wishes!

Andor Season 1

Andor, Season 1 (Tony Gilroy, 2022)

Click here for the basics

Rating: DSQ=12, SP=8 / Decadence

Scale A=4, Scale B=4, Scale C=4, Scale D=4, Scale E=4

Such a dramatic and powerful show. I had spine-tingling moments and so much tension! I loved every episode. Andor is, in my opinion, the best Star Wars show yet. I might even like this more than any of the films. But Andor is a very different kind of experience--this is not about superheroes, fantasy, or escape. This show is realism and it is dark, scary, and disturbing. The universe of Andor is eerily reminiscent of the darkest points in human history and present--showing us what facism and dictatorship allow. It shows the Star Wars fans what the average person living in the Empire would have experienced. And it is frightening. 

All the actors, especially Diego Luna and Denise Gough and Andy Serkis, make this show absolutely riveting. Can't wait for the next series. So much more to know and see!

Fantasy, Science Fiction, Star Wars Universe, Epic

--Don't understand the ratings? Click here