Andor Season 2 Episodes 4-6 Review
‘Andor’ season two’s fourth, fifth and sixth episode properly introduce audiences to Ghorman, an extremely beautiful and cultured world. Audiences see more and more eyes turn to the planet, as the Empire and Luthen are keen to manipulate the situation to their advantage. It builds the tragedy of what’s about to come. Off world, Saw Gerrera’s crazy unravels, and Luthen and Mon Mothma go to a tense party with some very important guests in attendance.These episodes are certainly necessary for what’s to come, but are missing the payoff that is no doubt arriving next week.
Out of the three, episode four is by far the weakest. While It’s obviously important to see Syril in his spy role, the eagerness and inexperience of the Ghorman Front, Mon Mothma’s failing political career and Saw’s continuing slide into crazy, this is contrasted with the mundanity of Cassian and Bix’s life on Coruscant. They attempt to live a normal life while waiting for their next mission, but this is just them in their apartment chatting. With not even a slight hint of action or tension to keep audiences hooked, it very nearly crosses the line to becoming boring.
Luckily, episodes five and six are much more engaging. Andor takes a trip to Ghorman, which hammers home their eagerness and inexperience. The way he dresses down the rebels, and reminds them of the peril they’re in. He warns them to be careful, that the Empire will crush them. But he received the reply that the Ghormans can’t do nothing while their planet is being taken from. It’s a dilemma that doesn’t have a true answer. Luthen’s response to Andor’s concern is further indication of his lack of compassion and care, highlights the perverse strategy he’s pursuing.
The Ghoman people are caught in the middle of a struggle far bigger than they are, and they’re tragically going to pay for it. In episode six, the rebels rob a transport tank with Vel and Cinta. It going wrong – not from Imperial interference but by the rebels failing to adhere to basic commands – results in a tragic loss for Vel, hammered home by a short but powerful monologue. The robing of the transport vessel is unfortunately weak for the three episodes, but that’s likely because the next three episodes will amp up the action.
The set design on ‘Andor’ has already proved beautiful, but Ghorman manages to outshine that. The area has a strong French/Italian flair to it, in the language, fashion, and more. The sets are incredibly detailed, matching the Ghorman’s love of spiders and twills. The plaza is a highlight. Andor’s disguise is truly amazing, it’s restrained and doesn’t go overboard. All of this helps he Ghorman’s feel like they exist, which will make their massacre hurt all the more when it inevitably arrives. There’s an incredibly tragic Easter Egg, with the original Ghorman Massacre (now called the Tarkin massacre) being worked into the planet’s history, now the planet is going to suffer two horrific acts at the hands of the Empire.
On Coruscant, audiences are shown how Bix is struggling to cope still. Luthen meets her behind Andor’s back, encouraging her to be healthy. It forms a crack between him and Andor, an interesting development in their relationship. But that crack is papered over when Luthen helps them both get revenge on Doctor Gorst, a satisfying moment. Luthen also has an information problem, with too many bugging devices, as highlighted when Kleya notes one is about to be compromised. Sticking on the theme of information, the same issue is pointed out to the ISB’s Major Partagaz, that too many criminals are being arrested. Anton Lesser is brilliant as the major, carrying himself with an air of superiority above those he’s above. His dialogue is sublime, a continued strength of the writing.
Mon Mothma reachers her breaking point with the Imperial Senate, being forced to swear loyalty to the Empire and attend too many parties. Genevieve O’Reilly’s face in the swearing in ceromy is one of complete pain, showing a woman struggling to go on. She gets to debate Orson Krennic about history, all while Kleya has forced their spy in the ISB to help her remove the bug. Her coaching and his freaking out help raise the tension of the scene, especially as they’re tested on their knowledge. This is Kleya’s moment to shine.
Saw’s activities are shown off, with his extreme views on full display. He won’t let Wilmon leave when he’s supposed to, threating to kill him even though they’re on the same side. He brands one of his own men a traitor for no reason at all, just to kill him. To top this off, he gives an unhinged monologue about the unstable fuel rhydonium, mixed with his own history. It again shows a different side to the rebels, especially as he seems to be the most equipped. His base of operations is on D’Qar, a pleasant nod to the seqel era.
‘Andor’ season two stumbles slightly with this arc, especially with a weaker opening to the three episodes. Episodes five and six do help pick up the slack, though it’s not likely the payoff to these episodes won’t come until next week’s set of three episodes. The biggest achievement by far is establishing Ghorman as a place of culture and its struggles, so it can be ripped away by the Empire. Hopefully the inevitable payoff is worth it, as that will improve the view of these episodes in the eyes of many.
