Andor, Season Two (2025)
With its multiple time skips and various storylines, Andor’s second and final season is undoubtedly ambitious as it chronicles the Rebellion’s humble beginnings, which are characterized by conflicting agendas and personalities. As a result, however, it doesn’t flow as smoothly as the first season and occasionally gets bogged down by its storytelling (e.g., Andor’s interactions with the Maya Pei Brigade). But once it gets going, hoo boy, we’re in for a ride as Andor, Luthen, Mon Mothma, et al. try to stay one step ahead of the Empire’s dragnet (led by the implacable Dedra Meero) while confronting the numerous sacrifices required by their rebellion. Diego Luna, Stellan Skarsgård, Genevieve O’Reilly, and the rest of the cast really deliver, especially when backed by the series’ incredible effects and production design. (Put simply, Star Wars has never looked better.) The season’s political intrigue is hauntingly relevant given our current political climate, with Mon Mothma’s impassioned speech about the death of truth feeling downright prophetic in the Age of Trump. Finally, Diego Luna’s Cassian Andor might be the series’ namesake, but for my money, its real MVP was Luthen’s resourceful assistant Kleya, played to steely perfection by Elizabeth Dulau in a truly breakout performance. Episode ten (“Make It Stop”), which explores her history with Luthen as she tries to infiltrate an imperial-guarded hospital, was the season’s highlight. (The fact that Andor was Dulau’s first major role after acting school only makes it all the more impressive.)
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