What I’m Watching: Andor (Season Finale)

Andor: Season 1, Episode 12 “Rix Road” (B+)

I had assumed that the standard operating procedure for most Disney+ series these days, whether they’re Star Wars or Marvel, is that there will be no indication of a possible second season until the show finishes its first. Apparently this one already had a second iteration ordered before it premiered, which means that I’ll have to come back and watch more of it whenever it does return. I’m not sure what it was that just didn’t intrigue me and compel me about this show, even if it finished strongly with one of its best episodes here. I spoke with friends recently who were trying to understand why I didn’t love it, but it just hasn’t energized me the way I had hoped. What I liked about this finale is that it brought all the characters together, an unusual development that we haven’t seen before, and allowed for some worthwhile interactions in the process. Meero thanking Syril for saving her was a nice moment, and Andor also got to be completely candid with Luthen, who was not expecting him to just offer himself up. The best part of the episode was Maarva’s posthumous recorded speech in which she egged on the gathered crowd to fight back against the Empire. The post-credits reveal that Andor and his fellow prisoners were building the Death Star amps up an intense season two, though, as I’ve always said, we know how it’s all going to end. I’ll be back to watch since it’s hard not to, but I hope I’ll start season two off feeling much more connected and involved.

Season grade: B
Season MVP: Denise Gough as Meero