Andor Season 2 is finally here. I might be right in saying that this is one of the most anticipated series of television in the ongoing run of modern Star Wars storytelling. The first season left us with jaw-dropping moments. However, here we are with the second season, which is also the series finale. It’s been a long-awaited moment. Diego Luna returned as Cassian Andor and wasted no time getting into the action in the first three episodes of the second season.
Showrunner Tony Gilroy and many of the cast and creatives have said that we will look at Rogue One: A Star Wars Story very differently after Andor Season 2. Already, just from watching the first episode, you can feel the delicate craftsmanship that has gone into the world locations. From Chandrilla to Sienar, and the new farmworld planet of Man-Rau. But let’s be honest, does this first story arc keep up the expectations that have been set?
It’s worth mentioning that Andor Season 2 takes place one year after the Skirmish on Ferrix. SPOILER WARNING – This review will discuss the first three episodes of Andor Season 2.
© 2025 Lucasfilm Ltd™. All Rights Reserved.
Stealing The Tie-Fighter
Since it’s a teaser in the trailers for Andor Season 2, I’ve been excited to see the Tie Fighter Heist. While many presumed this was a TIE Interceptor, which was first seen in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, this fighter is actually a TIE Avenger. Long-time Star Wars video-game fans would remember that this starfighter first appeared in an older video game. This entire sequence was both tense and lighthearted.
Cassian’s moment with the Imperial Staff Member, turned Rebel Agent, was touching and reflective of the incoming broader Rebellion movement. Everyone is starting to stand up against the Empire, in their own way, and that is what matters. I really enjoyed this opening scene. Andor Season 2 wastes no time in both setting the tone and getting into the action. The entire TIE Fighter escape sequence was fantastic. It’s even better when you learn that the production team built a hangar as the whole bay area and a TIE Avenger prop.
Unfortunately, the following two episodes with Cassian seemed to slow down his story to allow room for the other characters. Cassian and his freshly stolen TIE Fighter are stuck on a planet, which is later revealed to be Yavin 4. It works as a great reveal, but the band of Rebels, who are disorganised and not ready to work together, also highlight a problem the Rebellion will face. Still, I wonder if we’ll see them again. The story of Yavin 4 is significant in the lead-up to Rogue One, so while it was slow, this was an interesting way to introduce the planet and its environment.
A Wedding!
Genevieve O’Reilly delivers her scenes as Mon Mothma during the wedding parts brilliantly. Given we’re seeing this moment of her life, before jumping into the next year with Episode 4 onwards, it’s essential. The writing team, art department and overall production come together to deliver some fantastic set pieces and both visual and audio design. Watching these scenes, you can see Mon Mothma navigate this critical part of her life. It’s touching.
Luthen’s (Stellan Skarsgård) arrival appears to trouble Mon. It’s understandable, but the writing points out why this is both troubling for Mon as it is for Luthen. With the Rebellion activity growing, it is only a matter of time before the Galactic Empire discover the link between the pair. I do wonder how Andor Season 2 will handle the character; you can almost see cracks in the relationship forming. Hopefully, we get much-needed backstory on Luthen before the Empire does catch up with him.
A small detail in this scene, which shows how seriously Andor takes its role in the wider Star Wars universe, is the inclusion of minor but important characters. This would be Pierro Niel-Mee as Erskin Semaj. Now, you may not know who this character is. It’s his first live-action appearance, but the character appeared in Star Wars: Rebels and aided Mon Mothma in her escape from the Empire. It now suggests we will see an element of that scene in the coming episodes.
The Sacrifice
We all knew we were heading towards a wedding scenario. This is something we’ve seen teased in trailers and releases. However, I found the scenes between Mon and Leida (Bronte Carmichael) rather touching. Viewers who remember last season will know this marriage is essentially for the benefit of the Rebellion.
The episode ends with Cinta Kaz (Varada Sethu) appearing once again. We had already mentioned her before, with Vel Sartha (Faye Marsay) saying she hadn’t heard from her. The ending scene of Episode 3 suggests that Cinta is one of Luthen’s deep agents, there to do his dirty work. The episode ends without giving us an answer to what is about to happen. However, it is implied that Cinta will kill off Tay Kolma (Ben Miles) to silence him. I imagine we will get an answer to this next week… I hope.
The Ghorman Problem
Ever since talk about Andor Season 2 started, Star Wars fans knew we were heading towards a pivotal moment. While this is a galactic issue, it’s the driving force which forces Mon Mothma to publicly declare herself against the Galactic Empire and go on the run. This is the Ghorman Massacre. While we don’t see it in these first three episodes, the seeds are being planted. This is being done by Ben Mendelsohn, who returns as Orson Krennic. It seems Denise Gough’s Dedra Meero and Anton Lesser’s Major Partagaz are being caught up in the plans.
Once again, the Empire wants what it can’t have. These are precious resources on the planet of Ghorman. This is likely related to the Death Star project, but it hasn’t been fully mentioned. It’s somewhat alluded to. The further we go into this season, the more we will learn about it. Mendelsohn fits right into Krennics’ shoes once again. Seeing him on-screen makes me think I just rewatched Rogue One yesterday – I didn’t, but I am going to at the end of this season. He steals the scenes he’s in. You know going forward he is going to be a pain in everyone’s ass.
Gough steals the scenes she is in as Supervisor Meero. It does seem that the entire Ferrix issue has marked her record, but Krennic wants her personally for the Ghorman project. Though given fans know how this “project” goes, I do wonder if that might be the logical end of her character in the Andor series.
Domestic Duties
We can’t mention Dedra without diving into the new relationship we find ourselves watching. This is, of course, the development between Dedra and Kyle Soller’s Syril Karn. It seems since the Ferrix incident, the two have begun somewhat of an interesting relationship. While obviously intended to be so, these scenes are awkward to watch. Kathryn Hunter as returns as the queen that is Eedy Karn, to provide us with some scenes of putting Syril in his place. Though I don’t think many of us were expecting Dedra to put her in her place. Now this is proper entertainment.
Andor really shows that you CAN DO this type of storytelling in the Star Wars universe. While there is combat, death, and war in this series, it can also pause to show the domestic life of two of its characters. It develops them really well. I have to wonder what will happen to Dedra and Syril by the end of this season. Will they live? Will they fall victim to the growing Rebellion, or be consumed by the Galactic Empire?
Thinking about this further, and based on some trailer teasers and what has been mentioned, it wouldn’t surprise me if Dedra is simply using Syril to go after Axis (Luthen). We see from a conversation with the Major that, quite clearly, she is still obsessed with locating and identifying this Rebel Agent.
Conclusion
The first three episodes of Andor Season 2 are a slow start, but an eventful arc of episodes. The episodes were a nice blend of seriousness, comedy and genuine character-building moments. For a series ending in a few weeks, Andor doesn’t care about slowing down the pace or developing the characters we see on screen. This is something I am very grateful for. The number of episodes and time allotted to each allow for this. It is needed.
My only primary concern is the episode jumping. Each “block” of episodes encompasses a year of the story, leading up to the events before Rogue One. However, I hope the questions we are left with in each block will be answered. Like, what happens to Tay Kolma? Will we find out in Episode 4, even though that is another year in the story? Andor was initially planned to have five seasons. I hope we don’t reach the end of the second season and realise we needed more time to explore this story.
Andor Season 2 Episodes 1, 2 and 3 are now airing on Disney+. The next episode arc is due on April 30th. Essentially, each block of episode release acts as a mini Star Wars movie.
More From Nerdgazm
🚨 – Doctor Who Adds Slow Horses’ Kadiff Kirwan To Season 2 Cast
🔥 – REVIEW: Infested (2024) – Shudder Original
👀 – AppleTV+’s FOUNDATION Series Finds New Showrunner for Possible Season 4
You can also follow Nerdgazm on Twitter, find us on Facebook and check out our Instagram.
