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Essence of what made George Lucas’ myth truly epic, is back, thanks to intrigue & character development of creator Tony Gilroy…

Synopsis: “Andor is an upcoming American television series created by Tony Gilroy for the streaming service Disney+. It is a prequel to the Star Wars film Rogue One, following the character Cassian Andor five years before the events of the film. Diego Luna executive produces and reprises his Rogue One role as Cassian Andor”

Studio: Lucasfilm

Streamer: Disney+

Release Date: 2022

Format: Series

Genre: Live Action

Sub-Genre:  Action-adventure, Drama, Science fiction, Spy thriller

Runtime: 12 Episodes, typically 50 minutes in length

End Credit Scene: Yes

Directors: Toby Haynes, Samantha White , Benjamin Caron

Writers: Tony Gilroy, Dan Gilroy, Stephen Schiff

Cast: Diego Luna, Stellan Skarsgård, Adria Arjona, Fiona Shaw, Denise Gough, Kyle Soller, Genevieve O’Reilly

Characters: | Cast | Character | Description |

| Diego Luna | Cassian Andor | A robber whose planet Kenari was destructed by the Galactic Empire’s mishandled mining project. He becomes a rebel spy and leader.³⁴ |

| Kyle Soller | Syril Karn | A civil servant who works for the Empire and pursues Cassian Andor. He is uptight and zealous in his duty.³⁵ |

| Stellan Skarsgård | Luthen Rael | A collector and a black market dealer who secretly supports the rebellion. He meets Cassian Andor and offers him a chance to join a bigger cause.³⁵ |

| Genevieve O’Reilly | Mon Mothma | An Imperial senator who is secretly the leader of the rebel alliance. She makes a major announcement that will shake the galaxy.³⁴ |

| Adria Arjona | Bix Caleen | A mysterious woman who crosses paths with Cassian Andor on Ferrix. She has her own agenda and reveals her true identity and motives later.³⁴ |

| Denise Gough | Dedra Meero | An Imperial Security Bureau (ISB) supervisor who works with Syril Karn. She is ruthless and loyal to the Empire.³⁵ |

| Faye Marsay | Vel Sartha | A rebel operative who is part of the team led by Syril Karn. She is involved in the mission to infiltrate an Imperial garrison on Aldhani.³⁵ |

| Varada Sethu | Cinta Kaz | A friend of Vel Sartha who is also a rebel operative. He helps Cassian Andor prove his worth to Karn and his team.³⁵|

| Anton Lesser | Major Partagaz | An Imperial officer who is in charge of the garrison on Aldhani. He is the target of the rebel mission to steal vital information from the Empire.³⁵ |

| Michael Jenn | Supervisor Lagret | An Imperial officer who works under Major Partagaz. He is suspicious of Cassian Andor and his fellow rebels when they infiltrate the garrison.³⁵ |

| Robert Emms | Supervisor Lonni Jung | An Imperial officer who works under Major Partagaz. He is more naive and trusting than Lagret, but still loyal to the Empire.³⁵ |

| Dave Chapman | B2EMO (voice) | A salvage assist droid who belongs to Cassian Andor. He helps Cassian with his various tasks and provides comic relief.³⁴ |

| Elizabeth Dulau | Kleya Marki | An assistant of Luthen Rael who helps him with his collection and his dealings. She is loyal to Luthen and supports his cause.³⁵ |

| Joplin Sibtain | Brasso | A friend of Cassian Andor who lives on Fennix. He helps Cassian with his crime and gets involved in his troubles.³⁵ |

| Alastair Mackenzie | Perrin Fertha | A friend of Cassian Andor who lives on Fennix. He also helps Cassian with his crime and gets involved in his troubles.³⁵ |

| Bronte Carmichael | Leida | A young girl who lives on Fennix. She admires Cassian Andor and wants to join him on his adventures.³⁵ |

| Noof Ousellam | Corv | A bounty hunter who is hired by the Empire to capture Cassian Andor. He tracks him down to Kassa and tries to kill him.³⁵|

| Forest Whitaker | Saw Gerrera | A militant insurgent who leads a radical faction of the the rebellion. He has a history with Cassian Andor and offers him some help.^{35  |}

Source: Conversation with Bing, 7/10/2023

(1) Andor Cast & Character Guide – Screen Rant. https://screenrant.com/andor-cast-characters-actors-guide/.

(2) Andor Season 2: Cast, Filming Updates, and Everything We … – Collider. https://collider.com/star-wars-andor-season-2-cast-filming-details-everything-we-know-disney-plus/.

(3) Andor season 2: Release date, number of episodes, and everything … – BGR. https://bgr.com/entertainment/andor-season-2-release-date-number-of-episodes-and-everything-we-know-so-far/.

(4) Andor Cast List: Meet All The Stars From The Show. https://bing.com/search?q=Andor+%282023%29+cast+and+characters.

(5) Andor (TV Series 2022– ) – IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9253284/.

(6) Andor (TV series) – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andor_%28TV_series%29.

Critical & Audience Reaction:

The below is an unofficial, non-definitive summary, yet a unique synthesis of web reviews.

Episode 1: Kassa
– Release Date: September 21, 2022
– Summary: Cassian Andor’s reckless search for answers about his past makes him a wanted man. He travels to the planet Kassa, where he meets an old friend who might have some clues. But he also attracts the attention of the Empire and a bounty hunter who is after him.¹
– Critic Score: 7.3/10¹
– User Score: 7.4/10²

Episode 2: That Would Be Me
– Release Date: September 21, 2022
– Summary: Cassian attempts to lay low on Ferrix, a remote and rugged world where he hopes to find some allies. But he soon realizes that he is not the only one looking for something on Ferrix. He crosses paths with a mysterious woman named Bix Caleen, who has her own agenda.¹
– Critic Score: 7.3/10¹
– User Score: 7.5/10²

Episode 3: Reckoning
– Release Date: September 21, 2022
– Summary: Cassian’s desperation to avoid arrest leads him to a mysterious man with unknown connections. He offers Cassian a way out of his predicament, but at a high price. Cassian must decide whether he can trust this stranger, or if he is walking into a trap.¹
– Critic Score: 8.5/10¹
– User Score: 8.6/10²

Episode 4: Aldhani
– Release Date: September 28, 2022
– Summary: Out of options, Cassian is recruited for a dangerous mission to infiltrate an Imperial garrison on Aldhani, a planet under strict lockdown. He joins a team of rebels led by Syril Karn, a charismatic and ruthless leader who has a personal stake in the mission.¹
– Critic Score: 7.8/10¹
– User Score: 7.9/10²

Episode 5: The Axe Forgets
– Release Date: October 5, 2022
– Summary: Cassian must carefully navigate the distrust inherent in being the new member of a secret operation. He tries to prove his worth to Karn and his team, while also keeping his own secrets. He learns more about the true nature of the mission on Aldhani, and what it means for the rebellion.¹
– Critic Score: 7.5/10¹
– User Score: 7.6/10²

Episode 6: The Eye
– Release Date: October 12, 2022
– Summary: With cover from a spectacular local festival, the Aldhani mission reaches a point of no return. Cassian and his fellow rebels must execute their plan to steal vital information from the Imperial garrison, while avoiding detection from the Eye, a ruthless Imperial agent who is on their trail.¹
– Critic Score: 9.1/10¹
– User Score: 9.2/10²

Episode 7: Announcement
– Release Date: October 19, 2022
– Summary: The repercussions of the Aldhani heist reach all the way to Coruscant, where Mon Mothma and other rebel leaders are preparing for a major announcement that will shake the galaxy. Meanwhile, Cassian returns home to Fest, where he faces his past and his future.¹
– Critic Score: 8.0/10¹
– User Score: 8.1/10²

Episode 8: Narkina 5
– Release Date: October 26, 2022
– Summary: The Empire catches up to Cassian, but are as yet unaware of his identity and past. He is captured and taken to Narkina 5, a prison planet where he meets other rebels and criminals who have been locked away by the Empire. He also encounters an old enemy who wants revenge.¹
– Critic Score: 8.1/10¹
– User Score: 8.2/10²

Episode 9: Nobody’s Listening!
– Release Date: November 2, 2022
– Summary: Under intense scrutiny while imprisoned, Cassian makes allies to plan an impossible escape. He also receives a message from an unexpected source, who offers him a chance to join a bigger cause. Cassian must decide whether he can trust this voice, or if it is a trap.¹
– Critic Score: 8.5/10¹
– User Score: 8.6/10²

Episode 10: One Way Out
– Release Date: November 9, 2022
– Summary: A rare opportunity opens and the time for Cassian and his fellow inmates to act is now. They launch a daring breakout from Narkina 5, but they are not the only ones who want to escape. They face obstacles and enemies from within and without, as they race to freedom.¹
– Critic Score: 9.4/10¹
– User Score: 9.5/10²

Episode 11: Daughter of Ferrix
– Release Date: November 16, 2022
– Summary: A fugitive once more, Cassian must make his next move before it is too late. He reunites with Bix Caleen, who reveals her true identity and motives. She asks Cassian to join her on a mission that could change the course of the war.¹
– Critic Score: 8.4/10¹
– User Score: 8.5/10²

Episode 12: Rix Road
– Release Date: November 23, 2022
– Summary: Cassian returns home to Ferrix, a tinderbox that is experiencing a spark of rebellion. He joins forces with Bix and other rebels to strike a blow against the Empire. But he also faces a personal dilemma, as he learns the truth about his family and his past.¹
– Critic Score: 9.1/10¹
– User Score: 9.2/10²

¹: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9253284/episodes?season=1
²: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9253284/ratings?ref_=tt_ov_rt

Source: Conversation with Bing, 7/10/2023
(1) Andor – Season 1 – IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9253284/episodes?season=1.
(2) Andor (TV Series 2022– ) – IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9253284/.
(3) Andor Season One | Wookieepedia | Fandom. https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Andor_Season_One.
(4) Andor season 2: Release date, number of episodes, and everything … – BGR. https://bgr.com/entertainment/andor-season-2-release-date-number-of-episodes-and-everything-we-know-so-far/.
(5) All the Andor season 2 news we’ve heard so far – Polygon. https://www.polygon.com/23475516/andor-season-2-release-date-cast-news.

Trailer:

AppFlicks Exclusive Review:

Have you watched Star Wars: Andor (2022) before? What did you think about the Disney+ original series based on the Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) film, its direction, cast, the story, cinematography, soundtrack and overall themes?

Gripping! Andor, in my opinion, is what George Lucas’ Star Wars has been missing since Disney’s hit, or mostly miss, acquisition. Creator Tony Gilroy, writers Dan Gilroy & Stephen Schiff and directors Benjamin Caron & Samantha White deliver some of the very best intrigue & cinematography of any streaming film or series to date! I know that’s a large claim to make, but it is, without a doubt, the best original programing to land on Disney+ to date!!!

Having watched each episode of Andor, twice, allow for about 6 months to pass, between viewings, I still firmly believe, this is not only the best Star Wars in the Disney-era, it is also the best Star Wars writing, since Star Wars, Episode IV: The Empire Strikes Back (1980).

The returning and original characters, their casting, are some of the very best, in Star Wars history.  Stellan Skarsgård as Luthen Rael and Genevieve O’Reilly as Mon Mothma are likely the most well-rounded Rebels we’ve ever seen on screen, with Denise Gough as Dedra Meero and Kyle Soller as Syril Karn, as some of the most delicious villains, since Chancellor cum Emperor, Sheev Palpatine in the the Star Wars films, as depicted by Ian McDiarmid. Hopeful, this titular character appears in Season 2 of Andor in 2024 as I would love to see this great actor, work under the masterful direction / writing of Gilroy.

Please watch the first three episodes back-to-back in the same sitting, if you have the time… you will thank me! The show is slow to start, but once it gets going, you’ll be on the edge of your seat. I adore this brilliant series and highly recommend it to hard-core Star Wars and non-Star Wars fans, alike. Be sure to wait till the end of the credits, after Episode 12, Rix Road, it will blow your mind!

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