‘Andor:’ Spy thriller, sci-fi drama or both?
By Wendell Gaa
The year 2025 will go down as yet another highlight time for television.
A series set in the “Star Wars”universe, “Andor,” won five Emmy Awards. I do agree from a critical standpoint, it is the best story connected with the “Star Wars”lore to ever be produced since the classic trilogy films of the late 1970s to early 1980s.
To be on point, “Andor” is not just a great science fiction drama, it is a great television drama. Period. Chronologically in the “Star Wars”timeline, this TV series is set in an era long after the events of the prequel trilogy-Episodes I, II and III, and just shortly before the events of the classic trilogy-Episodes IV, V and VI. The protagonist here is Cassian Andor portrayed by the wonderful and talented Mexican actor Diego Luna, an ordinary man who upon chance and circumstance evolves from a common thief to a heroic rebel spy.
“Andor” is as much a political spy thriller as it is a sci-fi film. The series chronicles not only the story arc of Cassian himself, but the many characters who are involved in the sprouting of the Rebel Alliance against the unjust Galactic Empire held sway under the tyrannical Emperor Palpatine and his right-hand man the iconic Darth Vader.
What makes “Andor” so different however is that unlike the other movies and TV series which depict the benevolent Jedi Knights with “Force” powers such as Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi as the main heroes, this series focuses on the everyday people with ordinary skills who use their own wits and resources at their disposal, risking their very lives and careers as they battle in the name of all that is good, fair and just.
Now “Andor” isn’t a series for those who are expecting a space adventure with high-octane action like what one would expect from watching all the “Star Wars”movies including the classic, prequel and sequel trilogies or even the other “Star Wars”series streaming on Disney+ such as the popular“The Mandalorian” which I also love and am a huge fan of.
“Andor” is really more of a complex drama with an ensemble cast which addresses such moral quandaries as assessing and realizing the strengths and weaknesses of one’s position of power in society, and to how far somebody should go in order to achieve their life aims and objectives for the sake of family, survival, self-preservation and allegiance.
“Andor” is the first Star Warsproduction of its kind wherein by viewing it you can truly get a feel of the everyday oppressive governing nature of the Galactic Empire and its impact on everyday citizens living on planets under occupation by imperial troops loyal to the Empire, yet another key dynamic leading to the birth of the Rebel Alliance. Additionally, even villainous members of the Empire are not one-dimensional, and they are given ample screentime to show just how human and vulnerable they are in their decision-making just like the rebel heroes.
In summary, “Andor” is mature “Star Wars”television drama for adults. Each episode in this two-season series which you can currently stream on Disney+ has a larger-than-life atmosphere which is very much reminiscent of another epic Emmy award-winning TV fantasy drama series, “Game of Thrones.” And for this alone I have nothing but the highest admiration and respect for “Andor” as by itself it proves the storytelling diversity of the “Star Wars”mythology in popular culture which people of different age groups and demographics can watch, enjoy, and even draw inspiration from.
