Andorseason 1 is one of thebestStar WarsTV showsever made, and it’s helpful to remember some key moments from the show’s first season ahead ofAndorseason 2.Andorfollows Cassian Andor and his journey to becoming part of the Rebel Alliance. Cassian first appeared inRogue One: A Star Wars Storywhere he worked with Jyn Erso to steal the plans for the Death Star.
Andorseason 1 also showcases some of the key rebel leaders, including Stellan Skarsgard’s Luthen Rael, Genevieve O’Reilly’s Mon Mothma, andForrest Whitaker’s return as Saw Gerrera. Throughout these multiple storylines, we were able to see the radicalization and unity starting to form within different rebel cells. Audiences can expectAndorseason 2 to continue the storylines while also tying closer to the events ofRogue Oneand the originalStar Warstrilogy. So here are the best, most memorable moments…
10Nemik’s Narration of his Manifesto
The Speech Is Both Grounded and Inspirational
While Karis Nemik ultimately played a small role inAndorhis legacy will live on.Nemik shared his manifesto with Cassian and after his death, Vel Sartha gives it to Cassian stating that Nemik wanted him to have it.The manifesto remains unfinished because of Nemik’s death, what audiences have heard of it is inspirational, not only in the context ofStar Warsbut also in the real world.
“There will be times when the struggle seems impossible. I know this already. Alone, unsure, dwarfed by the scale of the enemy. Remember this. Freedom is a pure idea. It occurs spontaneously and without instruction. Random acts of insurrection are occurring constantly throughout the galaxy.”
While audiences don’t get to know whatNemik’s manifestosays while he’s alive, or even after it’s given to Cassian, Nemik’s voice is heard in theAndorseason 1 finale “Rix Road.” There he says:“There will be times when the struggle seems impossible. I know this already. Alone, unsure, dwarfed by the scale of the enemy. Remember this. Freedom is a pure idea. It occurs spontaneously and without instruction. Random acts of insurrection are occurring constantly throughout the galaxy.”These words mean a lot to Cassian, and it’s no wonder he kept the manifesto long after Nemik died.
Maarva Andor Inspires The People of Ferrix
So much had to happen inAndor’s season 1 finale “Rix Road” to not only wrap things up but also set upAndorseason 2. After a moving recorded speech by Maarva Andor after her funeral procession, she has a call to action—“Fight the Empire!”This cry starts a fight between Imperial forces and the people of Ferrix.The brawl is very grounded in that there’s nothing overly sci-fi about it. It’s a bunch of working-class people fighting back against an oppressive regime.
The fight is meaningful because it also acts as a spark for many of the show’s different characters. Characters like Bix Caleen and Brasso escape Ferrix after the brawl mainly because of their connection to Cassian. However, other antagonists like Syril Karn and Dedra Meero will likely see this event as a turning point in their defense of the Empire.
8Syril Karn’s Mom Gives Him Cereal
The Moment is Hilarious
After getting fired after the Ferrix incident with Cassian in the first few episodes ofAndor, Syril Karn goes back to living with his mother. There’s not much to like about Syril’s character, but almost everyone can feel bad for someone who has to go back and live with their mother after failing in their profession. This is only made worse by the fact thatSyril’s mother, Eedy Karn, is abrasive and chastises him for his posture among other things.
Both Syril and Eedy Karn will return inAndorseason 2.
However, something that stuck out to audiences was that Syril sat opposite his mother for breakfast whereSyril eats cereal while being lectured by his mother.Eedy is overbearing and pushy with her son, making audiences feel bad for Syril but also oddly endeared to Eedy. Her passive-aggressive approach to parenting is oddly familiar and grounded in the real world, but is still fascinating to observe, especially in theStar Warsgalaxy.
7One Way Out
Andor’s 10th Episode is The Shows Best
From beginning to end,Andorepisode 10 (“One Way Out”) is one of the show’s best, and may be one ofStar Wars’ best episodes ever.The episode shows the prison break of Narkina 5 and how all of these little moments had to happen for the escape to be possible.Not only did it prove that the Imperial officers were wildly outmatched by the number of prisoners, but it also showed the power of standing together in the face of adversity.
It’s clear that the prison break was only possible together, and that no one person could’ve done it alone. This was backed up by Kino Loy’s inspiring speech, it was clear that there was only one way out—together.However, the most heartbreaking part of the episode comes at the end when Cassian and Kino stand at the edge of the prison and Kino admits that he can’t swim, meaning that there is no real way out for him and that he will drown. It’s unclear what happens to Kino, but it’s presumed that he perished in the escape.
6The Eye of Aldhani Was A Visual Spectacle
It’s One of the Most Visually Stunning Moments in Star Wars
The Aldhani arc ofAndorseason 1 is one of the show’s best aspects and the rebels' eventual escape during theEye of Aldhanimade for one of the most visually stunning moments inStar Wars.Cassian Andor works with Vel Sartha, Arvel Skeen, and Karis Nemik to escape the planet Aldhani with a quarter’s worth of Imperial payroll,not only funding the rebels but harming the Imperials.
The rebels use a natural phenomenon known as the Eye of Aldhani as cover for their escape. While the rebels ultimately lose three of their team members, they are successful in stealing the Imperial payroll.The entire episode’s action and visuals were stunning and allowed for some ofAndor’s best storytelling.The heist is also a turning point for Luthen and the rebels as they hit the Empire hard, but also managed to fund themselves.
5Maarva Andor’s Funeral Procession
The Entire Sequence Was Incredibly Moving
One of the traditions of the planet Ferrix is that after dying, a person’s ashes are mixed and then made into a brick. With the death of Cassian’s mother, Maarva Andor, it was clear that she would have a funeral procession as a beloved member of the community. Brasso carrying the stone in which Maarva was interned plus the multiple musical processions was incredibly moving.
This plus Maarva’s final words given to audiences and the people of Ferrix via a recording B2-EMO played was incredibly moving. The speech was a call to action, but was also the lynchpin for so many characters including Cassian. Nicholas Britell’s score for Maarva Andor’s funeral is incredibly moving and fits perfectly with the tones of the show as well as the people of Ferrix.
4A Common Expletive Is Used for the First Time
No One Was Expecting This Curse Word to be Canonized
BecauseStar Warsis largely a child-friendly franchise, there have been few instances of characters cursing. While there are in-universe curses, there are few that overlap with the real world. However,Andorchanged the game when one of its characters said“Sh*it”. Of all of the things fans expected fromAndor, a confirmation that these characters have the same curse words we do wasn’t high on the list.
Despite this, it was actually a welcome surprise that alsoadded to the gritty nature ofAndorand made it feel more boots-on-the-ground than otherStar Warstitles. While Sergent Linus Mosk’s expletive was a first forStar Wars, it almost wasn’t alone. In theAndorseason finale, Maarva Andor’s battle cry of“Fight the Empire!”was supposed to include a different expletive, but was ultimately changed.
3Mon Mothma Makes a Shady Deal For the Good of the Rebellion
Mothma’s Deal Puts Her Daughter At Risk
Mon Mothmahas been a fixture inStar Warssince the original trilogy, and it’s been great seeing the character return inAndoras well as other titles likeAhsoka. However,Andoris one of the first times audiences get to spend a lot of time with the Senator-turned-Rebel-leader. Through this focus on her, the true danger she put herself in day in and day out is truly on display.
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One of Mon Mothma’s biggest dilemmas inAndorwas that her previous way of channeling funds to the rebels was no longer a viable option and instead,Mothma must make the choice to deal with some shady figures who will help her accomplish her goal.One of the stipulations was to formallyintroduce Mothma’s daughterLeida to Davo Sculdum’s son. Davo Sculdum was a well-known thug, but if Mon Mothma wanted her funds out of the eyes of the Empire, she had to do it. While not a formal betrothal, it’s implied that Leida was interested in making that happen.
2Cassian Tells Luthen Why He Can Steal From The Empire
This Cemented Cassian As a Rebel
After getting into trouble for killing a guard inAndor’s first episode, Cassian tries to make a deal with Luthen Rael, who instead recruits him to be a rebel. Luthen questions Cassian as to why and how he was able to obtain an unused piece of Imperial technology, andCassian’s answer is something that has been used in promotional material but also cuts directly to the core of the show.
Luthen Rael
A mysterious leader in the Rebel Alliance, Luthen Rael is comfortable making decisions others - such as Mon Mothma - would find uncomfortable. Luthen seems to have modelled himself on Palpatine, presenting a front as an antiques dealer while he travels the galaxy supporting rebel cells. His story seems fated to end in tragedy.
Cassian tells Luthen that the Empire is so fat with greed that they cannot even fathom that someone would attempt to steal from them.The speech is delivered by Diego Luna with such conviction and clear hatred of the Empire that it easily makes the scene one of the best and most quotable. This speech is also important for Cassian’s trajectory as a character because this is what makes Luthen take him to Aldhani where he learns what it means to be a rebel.
1Kino Loy’s Inspirational Speech
Andy Serkis’ Portrayal Is One of the Best Moments of the Show
Andy Serkis returned toStar Warsafter portraying Supreme Leader Snoke in the sequel trilogy. InAndor, Serkis portrayed Kino Loy, a leader in the Narkina 5 prison.Audiences got to see Kino’s evolutionfrom someone who lives by the rules and is set on serving his time in prison to someone who becomes radicalized because of the injustices of the Empire.
Andor Cast & Character Guide
The cast of Andor, Star Wars' latest Disney+ series, is filled with faces both familiar and new. Here are all the characters & their actors explained.
Without the help of Kino Loy, it’s doubtful that the prisoners of Narkina 5 would’ve been able to lead a successful prison break.Kino Loy’s unforggetable speech inspired the prisoners to rise up and that they were the ones who outnumbered the Imperials, not the other way around. Andy Serkis’ delivery was amazing, and it’s easily a top-five moment of the entireStar Warsfranchise.
There’s no denyingAndor’s impact onStar Warsand that the story that Tony Gilroy crafted is superb; frankly, you could make a case for so many other scenes to be added to this list too.Andorseason 2 will premiere on April 22, so it will be vital to remember some of the more memorable parts of the story. WhileAndorisn’t a perfect show, it’s clear that the risks the show took often paid off and left audiences with some of the most memorable and best moments inStar Warstelevision.
Andor
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Andor is a Star Wars prequel series set before the events of Rogue One, following Cassian Andor as he navigates a world of danger and deception. The series delves into his transformation into a pivotal figure in the struggle against the Galactic Empire.
