Immediately my favorite season of Star Wars television.
Awesome finale. I can only hope season 2 is as good as season 1.
Great finale, amazing first season. Maarva’s hologram speech is such a captivating catalyst. “There is a wound that won’t heal at the center of the galaxy.”
A PERFECT tension-filled finale to what ended up being one of the most powerful and emotional Star Wars stories yet! More adult/serious Star Wars please!! Thank god we have season 2 to look forward to.
"If could do it again l'd wake up early and be fighting these bastards from the start.
FIGHT THE EMPIRE!"
GOOSEBUMPS
[7.4/10] This felt like a midseason finale rather than a season finale. There’s nothing wrong with that, but considering we got so much build to Maarva’s funeral, with all the major players converging in one spot after so many disparate storylines and choices, I was expecting a rollicking ending to, at the very least, this chapter of the story, if not the entire show.
Instead, it ends with more of an ellipsis, suggesting that there’s much more to come next season, rather than anything that puts even a minor amount of finality on this one. Again, there’s nothing inherently wrong with that approach, but it does feel a little unsatisfying when it seems like we’re being strung along a bit, rather than settling much of the business here and moving on to new adventures next season. That said, if this were, say, episode 13 of a 26 episode season, I don’t think I’d feel the same way, so I don’t want to slate Andor too much over format distinctions.
Even taking the episode on its own terms, it’s a little unsatisfying. Part of the trade-off to Andor is that the time we spend on set-up and throat clearing in many episodes is fine and good, because they make the episodes with a ton of payoff more meaningful. Well, the problem with the finale is that, despite being a fairly long episode, there’s still a lot of throat-clearing. It doesn’t move the ball that much, and then the payoff is pretty good, but not as incredible as the escape from Ferrix, or the raid on Aldhani, or the prison break on Nakina 5.
Everybody's there. Everybody’s scheming or skulking around. Andor’s sneaking back and some folks are helping him, while others are tipping the authorities off. It doesn’t reveal much in the way of character or establish much in the way of what’s to come. All of this comes off like wheel-spinning before it’s time for Maarva’s funeral.
And yet, once we get to Maarva’s funeral, things are pretty good! The local orchestra marching through the streets, gathering mourners as they go, is mellifluous and mournful in perfect balance. The locals starting their processional at the time they chose, with as many attendees as they wanted, is a good show of defiance to kick things off. And Maarva’s closing speech, decrying the Empire as a disease, imploring her fellow citizens to wake up and rise up, shows the revolutionary spirit that her son would take to heart, and that the galaxy would catch fire with sooner than later.
I like the theme of this episode, and by extension the season, about what spurred Andor to go from a good-for-nothing scoundrel to a dependable agent of the Rebellion. Part of it comes from his mom, who has that revolutionary zeal and it inspires it in others. Part of it comes from his dad, whose flashback talks about recognizing the value in things other people ignore, that just need a little fixing up, a metaphor for Andor himself.
We even get to hear a bit of the manifesto, which is a little too cute in how it predicts the way a few choice losses will lead to the downfall of the Empire, on the idea that authoritarian regimes founded on control are too brittle to withstand liberty. It’s a little naive, but inspiring nonetheless, which is the right balance for something like this.
The actual skirmish is reasonably exciting as well. The action is a little more generic than in prior outings. But the scale is impressive, and the scenes of the proud people of Ferrix, growing fed-up with their oppressor, and trying to throw off the shackles of the Imperials, comes with a good amount of oomph to it.
The catch is that so much of what happens here feels like setup to season 2 rather than a close to this one. Cassian can’t save his mom, but he can save Bix, and rely on his contacts here to set those close to him off on their next adventure. Karn saves Meero’s life, seeming to give her a new appreciation for him, possibly clearing his name for losing Andor and giving him a leg-up to get back into the service. A regretful Mon Mothma introduces her daughter to the son of a well-heeled gangster, but in a clever ploy, she also works ISB by suggesting her money irregularities are the result of her husband’s gambling problem.
And last but not least, Cassian confronts Luthen about he and his agents being on Ferrix to kill Cassian as a loose end. Once again, these all gesture to future stories rather than close off what Andor set up so far, but they’re mostly teases. Reasonably good teases though. (The same goes for the reveal that the parts Cassian and company worked on in the prison were being installed on the Death Star.)
The first season of Andor was very good. It has a British spy film tone, which fits the material, and is pitched squarely at adults, which adds variety to a franchise that is churning out project after project at rapid pace. The craft remains impeccable, and the deeper grasp on politics is a welcome one. I will surely be watching Andor season 2 when it comes out, but I still wish what we had here was an end to the current season, rather than a mere prelude to the next one.
Expectations are a weird thing. I expected nothing from this show and got everything I wanted. And it's not over yet - it seems to have just started.
The build-up within this episode was seriously awesome. They were putting in all the pieces and you know at some point there'll be an explosion. And it came. The Maarva speech was so emotional, I was really about to start crying when all hell broke loose.
With all that it was easy to overlook the brilliant scheme by Mon Mothma, putting the spotlight on her husband. And seeing the self indulgent ISB patting themselves on the shoulders. Not understanding they've been had.
I'm still not sure what role Syril will play. So far I get the impression you could remove him and loose nothing. He's always there, yet doesn't really do much. In this episode again.
Oh, and the after credit scene - a nice bonus.
Really looking forward to season two and angry I have to wait for a year.
Star Wars as it should be .
Incredible show, so exciting to have another 12 episodes on the way
That is how you make a season finale.
So awesome!
A great season finale that fits perfectly for the show that this is. I loved seeing all of the major characters we've been introduced to throughout the season all in the same place at the same time but with their own plans and the tension that came with that. Then watching the town get inspired and fight back after Maarva's speech was so swelling and exciting. Andor went on such a journey since first leaving Ferrix, and watching him come full circle and returning to the town then finally embracing the rebellion was very cathartic. This show has been all about the common people finding the courage to rebel, as well as the (often internal) complexity of being a rebel and leading a rebellion, and this finale was the perfect way to cap that off.
A really good finale of a really good season!
Great finale!
As you want a finale to this great show!
shows like this just make me love star wars even more <3
That was the best Star Wars I’ve seen in awhile. The use of music in particular is just something I’ve not seen and won’t soon forget.
changing my will to only invite enemies to my funeral who'll be smited with a brick made from my cremated ashes
Maarva's funeral turns out to be one giant wake-up call. Unfortunately, Cyril saves Meero from the running masses. Cassian manages to rescue Bix and later turns up on Luthen's ship with an offer: Luthen either kill him or take him with him. Back on Coruscant, Mon Mothma makes her choice.
The atmosphere on Ferrix, including anvil, the score, Maarva's speech (which is so very simple and true and relevant nowadays more than ever)... utter brilliance. The only downlet, if you want to call it that, is that Meero and Cyril don't get trampled and killed (but there is a second season... so, still a chance for that). Loose ends with Cassian have been tied up, so his career in the rebellion can begin.
That after-credit scene: Okay, now we know what was built in those labour camps.
Never thought I’d get emotional from a droid, but that “you always say that” and “you always come through” lines had me teary eyed :sob:
Excellent finale,can't wait for another season.
Awesome finale, and this isn’t a spoiler, but don’t skip the post credit scene!
Thanks Tony Gilroy for the this emotional Star Wars series! The born of revolution
fight these bastards
i need to rewatch this season over again. so amazing.
What a fantastic season finale and episode. Felt like movie! It has been a long time since I had goosebumps for a movie/tv series. Never heard of Benjamin Caron as a director but kudos to him for delivering this amazing episode.
Perfect finale for a flawless season. The rebellion on Ferrix happening independent of Andor or Luthen... Luthen's faces of guilt and shame, proving his words of being a coward right... all the plots intersecting into one crescendo... The music... Cassian's expressions of yearning and desperation... this is cinema
I liked it. This felt like a round ending to the series and could perfectly well be the complete prequel to Rogue One when it comes to Andor himself. I am even perfectly fine with the many open endings. They would simply fit the shows mood if they simply stayed as they are.
Speaking of mood the episode took up the same kind of slow atmosphere that was so great in the first arc. Although the procession took a bit too long. But still there was again so much tension. It was great to tie most of the many storylines together so convincingly in the first place. Having them and the characters each with their own motivation meet was so full of suspense because it wasn't clear who was going to come out on top. Especially because there was no plotarmor or any mercy. The escalation was completely ruthless and simply consequent in its delivery. I was really surprised that was actually dragged into the middle of the riot without any obvious escape. I really had thought that the writers would be so bold to ... write her off. Only to be surprised again.
In terms of content this also had some very nice elements, like the Speech.
But however much I love this show for its portrayal of everything when it comes to the empire ( like finally Stormtroopers being treated like the elite they are supposed to be while most of the soldiers present are imperial soldiers!) I am still taken out of it whenever I see humans humans humans.
Yes they do have some... Statutory aliens in closer shots but just way too few and not a single character or supporting character.
I’m lost for words. So good and don’t miss the after credits… just goosebumps all the way!
Now that was some good tv
Don't miss the End Credit Stinger :100:
I cried a little about bee.
We found it to be the worst Star Wars series, slow, you don't give a shit about the characters, what they do and what happens to them.
fucking immaculate perfection. just just everything a tv should be and more. how everything came together in Fiona shaw's speech and how it motivated everyone. the layers of everything it's just too fucking perfect.
A great season finale!
The music, the rebellion on Ferrix, Cassian freeing Bix and going all in, the escape, etc. <3
Edit: Oh, wow, and that post end credits scene!!!
I cannot wait for the next season :o :)
This is the sort of TV that truly spoils a skiffy fan like me -- just some tremendously good stuff.
Excellent addition to the Star Wars saga.
Great performances throughout and I particularly thought the music was quite haunting.
Yes, the added bit at the end of the credits.
Well worth the wait.
My favourite series so far.
Shout by AlexVIP OG 12BlockedParent2022-11-23T21:30:05Z
I usually do not watch TV episodes till after the credits roll but there is actually an after credits scene here that noone should miss!