Reactions: Ups and downs, overall enjoyable
Where to watch: Disney+

Season 1 of Andor felt like 3 tv shows in one. Every few episodes an entirely different adventure unfolded. Like, suddenly Cassian Andor spends three episodes in a prison. Uh, why? Season 2 started off that way too. During the first two episodes Cassian is captured by rebels, which doesn’t seem to have anything to do with the plot. It was so annoying. 

I gave up on Andor S2 after episodes 3 and 4. I was ready to write it off and forget about it. Then I started seeing news about how episodes 7-9 were amazing and how Senator Mon Mothma’s speech was tremendous. Ok, ok. That got me back. And those episodes were, in fact, quite riveting.

Then the final three episodes (10-12) take place and give us the series finale. These episodes, while not all action packed, really connect us to the Rogue One and Start Wars Episode IV movies. I was a little confused by the last two minutes of episode 12. Why was it just this weird slow-mo montage of the various characters? But then I watched Rogue One (again), and it all made sense.

Rewatching Rogue One immediately after watching Andor S2 was, quite frankly amazing. The writers did a brilliant job with the tv show, setting up Rogue One and establishing the origins of the Rebel Alliance. Most importantly, the ending of Rogue One is way more powerful now that we know Cassian and what he meant to the Rebellion.

My recommendation is: Slog through the various slow parts of the tv show, finish both seasons, and then immediately watch (or rewatch) Rogue One. That’s some mighty fine storytelling. Nice work, George and team.