« Andor », season 2: grown up in a wide, distant galaxy

« The empire must not win » is a sentence that shaped the marketing of the new season of « Andor » and sums up the dark basic mood of the series. With the second and last season, « Andor » becomes even more uncompromising in the representation of imperial brutality and changes the image of « Star Wars », which fans know. The series remains an exceptional case in the franchise: politically, grown, complex and emotionally profound.

Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) focuses even more. But as in season one, the perspective remains deliberately wide: the stories of many secondary characters make it clear that the fight against the empire is not a single fate. The threat from the Death Star is decisive, while intrigue, tensions and elegant dialogues are condensed into well -dosed action.

Strong appearance with small weaknesses

The series has many strengths, but not everything has succeeded. Some illogical decisions – such as death that hardly wears emotionally. The leaps of time between the episodes also tear gaps into the plot, although they make sense. The year that lies between some episodes would have earned more explanation. Nevertheless, the season succeeds in making development tangible over time.

The figure of the Cassian remains complex. He is not a typical hero, but a displaced person who is looking for his place in a torn universe. Diego Luna embodies him with impressive calm and hardness. His relationship with Bix Caleen (Adria Arjona) gives him emotional depth and never appears – it offers humanity in a world full of despair.

Genevieve O’Reilly shines as Mon Mothma in a refined staged party scene that is reminiscent of a techno-rave and which illustrates the gap between political ideal and real madness. Stellan Skarsgård as an antique dealer Luthen Rael remains a highlight of the series.

The series does not show Rebellion as a mere struggle, but as an interplay of fear, ideals, class differences and personal victims. In particular, the massacre of Ghorman – the central allegory of this season – is reminiscent of real atrocities of authoritarian regime and gives the series its political strength. At the same time, « Andor » remains visually at the highest level, with impressive camera work and well thought -out sets.

« Andor » deliberately dispenses with fan service and nevertheless manages to hit bridges to « Rogue One ». Figures like director Krennic appear in a targeted manner – never as a gag, but sensibly integrated and seriously. The series not only becomes the best “Star Wars” sequel of recent years, but also an independent masterpiece that gives the franchise a new depth. Andor is an adult, more relevant and braver than anything that has come to the screen from a wide, distant galaxy.

The first six episodes of the second season of « Andor » are available on Disney+. Three new episodes appear every Wednesday. There will be twelve episodes in total.