What a season of television! 'Andor' is easily one of the best shows of the year, regardless of genre, but it changed the game for Star Wars. Tony Gilroy laid the gauntlet, and is now stepping back into the shadows as he prepares to wow us again with season 2. Which, unfortunately, will likely be over a year away. In the meantime, we can revisit the masterpiece that is this first season. A season that was capped off with a finale befitting the rest of the show. Without changing the formula at the last second, it held onto exactly what is was, delivering not one, but arguably three rousing speeches (with special shoutout to Marva posthumously. Twice!), but also delivering the goods with a visceral, and violent, climactic set piece. The quality of this series, from the writing, to the effects, and performances, it has all been top notch, and deserving of a moment of recognition. As a whole, it's something very special that doesn't come around often. Bravo to everyone who worked on 'Andor', we all impatiently await the continuation of Cassian's story. No pressure.

One episode left! The level of quality on 'Andor' has been so high, the show so engrossing, the final episode for this nearly perfect first season feels like it's coming way too fast. We spend much of this penultimate episode moving the pieces into position for a what is shaping up to be a thrilling finale. All roads lead to Ferrix. With Marva's tragic passing pulling all the key players, including the titular, newly escaped, Cassian into a trap that is being laid by the ISB. Meanwhile, Syril has fallen off the wagon and is heading to Ferrix as well. Mon Mothma continues to struggle with her financial troubles, and with Leita leaning further into traditional Chandrillan customs, she may very well have the decision on Davo Sculden's offer made for her, despite her massive reservations. We also see Saw again, as he and Luthen grapple with the moral implications of sacrificing Anto Krieger and his men, in what is easily the best scene of the episode. The stage is set, buckle up, everything comes to a head next week.

Defying all odds, this show continues to get better every week. With the conclusion of the heist arch, and the weight of expectations it carried, it was impressive how well it managed to stick the landing. Now four episodes removed from that dramatic escape from Aldhani, we've reached the end of the prison arch. Not only does the show deliver an epic payoff to an escape we knew was coming, it did so while layering in deep character moments for Andor, an unforgettable speech from Luthen, and a heart-pounding exchange between Mon and a mobster. This is something special folks. Buckle up, we're in the final stretch, as we move into a 2-episode mini-arch to finish the season.

We're two-thirds of the way through this prison arch and once again the tension is palpable. Every scene drips with suspense - which is quite the feat considering we already know the fate of many of these characters. It's a testament to the quality of the storytelling that the show is able to create such dramatic weight in a prequel setting. We watch as Andor slowly puts an escape plan in place, while we cut back and forth to the ISB as they continue to close the noose on the Rebels. We also learn an interesting connection between Mon Mothma and Vel, while Syril slips further into fantasy land as he stalks Dedra on Coruscant.

Andor is admitted to a very "different" type of prison following his swift conviction. This further adds to the fallout from the heist as we see it's even reached previously convicted prisons. Meanwhile we see how the elites are handling this while Mon hosts another cocktail event to garner votes to delay the Emperors latest "overreach". On Ferrix the Empires grip tightens as Vel and Cinta watch Andor's mom in hopes for a clue. Maybe not as "exciting" as previous episodes, this one is particularly dense with some very fun surprises!

The repercussions from last week's "successful" heist are far reaching. This character driven and world building heavy episode shows us how the Empire responds to threats (not well), and what that means for the wider galaxy. Meanwhile, Andor has to grapple with all of this in a much more personal, heartbreaking, way. Mon and Luthen spar somewhat, but the mission continues as we're treated to some very intriguing backroom dealings of her own. Plus Syril gets a desk job.

Andor’s second 3-episode arch came to a dramatic close this week as the Imperial heist we have all been waiting for was finally executed. Was it a complete success? No. But the “heroes” did come out with a decent chunk of change, striking a blow against the galactic villains; “vulnerable to manipulation” my butt. The win came at a cost though, with key members of the team not reaching the the finish line. Leading up to that climax, the episode did a great job building suspense, with eerily beautiful music paired with stunning visuals as the titular “eye” was finally visualized. Ending with a surprising twist, and a peak at the Imperial Senate, there was plenty to enjoy. Overall, it doesn’t get much better than this, but there’s still plenty of episodes left to be proven wrong.

Some might say this middle episode of this second arch is slow, but if you ask us, it’s some of the best character work ever done in Star Wars and it’s doing a masterful job of setting up a thrilling follow-up that will see Andor and his team of misfits finally take on the Empire on Aldhani. Meanwhile, we check in with Mon Mothma, as her web of lies, necessary for keeping a nascent rebellion alive, is straining her family life. Speaking of strained family life, we also get to check in with Syril and his mother as they attempt to regroup after the fiasco on Ferrix that forced him back home. We also briefly touch base with the ISB and Luthen to make sure everyone gets a scene. All in, certainly not an “exciting” episode by any traditional metric, but for our money, this is still some top notch Star Wars.

After a thrilling finale to the first three-episode arch, we pick up episode 4immediatly following the events that drove Andor from Ferrix with Luthen. As Andor gets drawn further into the ranks of the Rebellion, we also get introduced to a new plot line, as we start following an Imperial Security Bureau (ISB) agent Dedra and her colleagues on Coruscant. Speaking of which, this is the first time we’ve returned to the galactic capital in any meaningful way in live action, particularly in Imperial era, and damn is it good to be back. We’re also reintroduced to Senator Mon Mothma in one of the best scenes in the show yet. The political intrigue is ramping up fast and we’re here to break it all down!

Small Screen Star Wars returns to cover another Disney+ adventure in a galaxy far, far, away. Julian and Rachel break down every single scene from the first 3 episodes of 'Andor'. A series pitched as being "Star Wars for adults". From writer Tony Gilroy, 'Andor' follows the titular Cassian Andor, who you may remember from such films as 'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" as he joins the ranks of the Rebel Alliance. We're promised political intrigue mixed with a spy thriller. The first 3 episodes are more heavy on the latter but I suspect there will be plenty of the former over it's 12 episode first season. Join the SSSW Crew as they examine what makes 'Andor' unique from other Star Wars projects, as well as dive deep into how it shows the beginning of the rebellion from a new perspective. Yes, it's a slow burn, but have faith, as 'Andor' is shaping up to be something completely new for Star Wars; a fresh tone with mature characterizations. Who woulda thought you could pull that off in a Star Wars show?!