Andor [Disney+]

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119828556#Comment_119828556

That's a pity. I can't see any way Obi Wan or Bobba Fett could be considered better shows so ya maybe it's the lack of recognition.

connemara man

This show is the king of the slow burn.

Treating every 3-4 episodes as a mini block so those stories are given time to logically breath, and the characters motivations have time to change logically

gmisk

Feck me...this is really top notch stuff. This week's episode was terrific again.

The cast and acting is terrific but Denise Gough is really turning into the standout. Her and the Kyle Soller character are well matched both zealots and psychopaths (in fairness his ma isn't much better)

The only weakness acting wise would be Mon Mothmas daughter...the actress is awful...it's clear she is going to stick a spanner in the works at some stage.

Spoiler Warning

RIP Ulaf...only 40 days left as well.

Bix not having a good week...shades id clockwork orange.

Andy Serkis character looks on board for the break out!

Apothic_Red

Not a Star Wars nerd so only came to this after Rings of Power & GOT finished.

Loving it so far, even more the last 2 episodes with Serkis.

I'm sure there's a million easter eggs I'm missing.

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119831241#Comment_119831241

Thankfully not many Easter eggs at all. It doesn't need to be relying on the memberberries like weaker shows.

Agent Coulson

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119831241#Comment_119831241

I'd say if the writers are clever and when this series is finished the easter eggs from this show could be found in Rogue One on second viewing.

pixelburp

AFAIK there have been a couple of very "deep cut" easter eggs from the Expanded Universe canon, but mostly just passing names during dialogue scenes. Nothing that'd confuse, but the kind of eggs that make long-term fans go "ooh!"

I only just checked, but I was right: I spotted the Sankara Stones in Stellan Skarsgård's shop (the McGuffins from Temple of Doom)

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119831622#Comment_119831622

There have been some and thankfully they are proper old fashioned hidden Easter eggs and not the "every character is related to a famous one" shte that the likes of Star Trek have been doing.

The catspaw dagger in HotD really annoys me more than it should too.

ohnonotgmail

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119831622#Comment_119831622

we have already had an obvious easter egg with a character from Rogue One working on the same table as Andor.

pixelburp

Just on the question on popularity and worry about future episodes: by chance I saw a reference to this interview, published yesterday, with Tony Gilroy where he openly talks about directors for Season 2. So unless things swing wildly in another direction he obviously has been given the nod to start work on a second season.

https://collider.com/andor-season-2-directors-ariel-kleinman-janus-metz-alonso-ruizpalacios/

AMKC

What an excellent episode. Loved all the prison scenes and I thought the way they went from the Woman being tortured back to the prison seems was excellent too. Great ending. I guess your man realises he is not going to get out either. What is Andor at when he goes for his run? Is he trying to make a weapon when he is cutting the pipe?

I can see some of the prisoners dieing whenever jailbreak is attempted. Maybe that is for the season finale.

xper

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119827711#Comment_119827711

Ah, it’s Disney/Star Wars. I think it would be more jarring if it was flat out HBO levels of sex, violence and potty mouth.

we’ve had couples climbing into bed, people being shot in the face by the protagonist , albeit off camera, creepy stalker talk and “bastards”. That’s all pushing the SW boundary a bit. Baby steps.

the most jarring thing I seen all series was the toilet bowl in the latest episode! A jacks in Star Wars!

edit: of course they’ve yet to top the incestual snog in the original trilogy

Sudden Valley

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119831839#Comment_119831839

You are probably right, and Marvel and DC have produced some adult shows that haven't all been good, like DC's Titans. not all adult shows are HBO classics like Sopranos or the Wire. If people are being killed i just think its weird when no-one curses, not even once. Its like watching the toothless new terminator movies.

I hate the Lucas idea that star wars is made for 12 year olds.

Tony EH

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119825536#Comment_119825536

Thank christ there's none of that Stormtroopers can't shoot straight bollocks in the show.

I fucking hate that crap.

Tony EH

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119827821#Comment_119827821

Spoiler Warning

A guy got "released", but actually didn't. He ended up getting revolved back into another section and was recognised. So they killed the entire block to prevent word getting out that none of the prisoners are every getting out.

Personally, I'm not too sure how that would have worked anyway. Surely the guy who was (not)released would have blabbed in time to his fellow inmates?

Edit - basically what others have said...LOL

Tony EH

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119832150#Comment_119832150

He only said that because people were ripping the prequels to shreds.

His original intent for Star Wars was never exclusively for 12 year olds.

midnightblue

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119831622#Comment_119831622

Will definitely be rewatching Rogue One after S1. I think I'll be rewatching Andor as well, which I've only done for Mandalorian from all the SW shows so far.

Denise Gough is soooo good as Dedra.

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119832218#Comment_119832218

I assume they were getting "released" to another prison, killed or maybe that prison has some horrible pit level you never get out of. But this one guy went to the wrong place.

Flinty997

I'm liking it. But I would also agree with the criticisms.

I think Rogue One and Sole did the "serious" start Wars better. They retained all the classic Star Wars elements much better. Andor doesn't.

TheIrishGrover

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119831839#Comment_119831839

Oh, TBH, I don't necessarily want to see a HBO-style Star Wars series. I too think that would be too jarring. Certainly no "Game of Sith Thrones" Rapey-murder show (As I heard Thrones described). I think Andor is striking the right balance. And you can do a lot at that level as we have seen. Again, I don't think ALL shows should be that. There is space for all age groups.

And, as for the views: While streaming platforms are secretive about their numbers, they can identify to the exact number, the amount of legit streams. I mean they'll have their server logs (As opposed to torrents, illegal streams). I believe it has been greenlit for 2 seasons (Yeah). And, does it need to be dragged out longer? We know where it's going. We know Rogue 1 is about 5 years later (Episode 1 opened with the statement 5BBY - Before Battle of Yavin. Destruction of Deathstar). So yeah, that'll do

Star Wars: Andor Boss Says Season 2 Is Entirely Planned Out (cbr.com)

Flinty997

I don't need a 18+ rating to enjoy a show. Usually ruins it.

Sudden Valley

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119832549#Comment_119832549

I dont think it needs it, it just is sometimes more noticeable when a show is pg rating. Alot of the best show out there were 18+ such as the wire, sopranos, breaking bad, game of thrones. War on screen definitely feels more authentic when 18+

Flinty997

War on screen 18+ usually is like put down the guns and do hand combat for 30 mins.

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119832777#Comment_119832777

I actually think the 18+ became detrimental to GoT. The early seasons were better when they just talked about the battles and stuff like that.

They started to rely too much on shock value.

Sudden Valley

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119832854#Comment_119832854

The writers of GOT did develop a penchant for rape- storylines which was unhealthy. I believe the tv ahow hannibal was not 18+ in america, violence seems ok there but sex and language is a big no-no.

Perhaps when lucas dies star wars will develop, similar to the way star trek did after Gene Roddenbery died.

Flinty997

GoT was a very flawed show. I enjoyed most of it. But it lost the run of itself.

Tony EH

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119832888#Comment_119832888

Frankly, GoT would have been better without all the cheap titillation.

Sudden Valley

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119832846#Comment_119832846

That is not my recollection of all the 18+ classic vietnam war movies. Though the mostly recent Rambo movie had a lot of that!

Flinty997

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119832888#Comment_119832888

Theres been a lot of low quality stuff added to Star Wars in recent years.

As for Trek Discovery was horrible. Picard very patchy. But other stuff has been ok.

I guess everything is a mixed bag.

Flinty997

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119832967#Comment_119832967

Classic stuff is different. I'll give you that.

Remember the doctor said "not anymore" in relation to releases. It's likely a new phenomenon like the cycle increases and massively increased sentences.

pixelburp

Episode 7 down, fantastic stuff as always. So much heavy lifting by its cast elevating the dialogue that cut to the heart of everyone's motivations without using Capital Letters. Fiona Shaw's tearful determination to stay put, her little response to Andor's comment that he'd fret of "that's love, nothing you can do about that..." absolutely fabulous. I had wondered what became of her partner (business or romantic it hasn't been clear), but again this show nails the balance of horror and bloodlessness.

Nails too the idea that revolution costs, and you can't raise an army without deception, money and tough decisions. Such as forcing enemy to lean into its own villainy, even if it costs lives, to push more people towards the rebellion - that's an astonishing level of moral subtly for a Star Wars show.

Or indeed playing a front to the extent your own friends think their politics differ from you. Playing Mon Mothma as the performative bleeding heart a neat touch.

And leave the moment you realise your workplace is like that of an ISC conference. Yikes.

Also: was this the first episode to feature stormtroopers? Did feel like we got the first reference to Palpatine. Almost feels comical, a villain that evil speaking trivialities with that ISC boss.

Flinty997

For all the slow pace it does build tension well I think..

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119841124#Comment_119841124

Palpatine has been getting mentions in Mothma's dinner parties and the likes before this episode.

If there were any Storm Troopers early on they were very background I think.

pixelburp

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119841528#Comment_119841528

Fair enough. It does speak to the dissonance at the heart of this mind you. As brilliant as this show has been to render a universe of mundane, functioning tyranny, it's hard to reconcile the ISC's diligent, pragmatic malevolence compared against the operatic EVILLLLLLLL of Mr. Palps. Maybe the ISC chief said he met the Emperor but I highly doubt Palp is the kind to swear the small stuff. Or indeed give a jot about a payroll theft on some backwater planet.

And if this season doesn't end with Lucille Bluth's head being caved in, I'll be shocked. Love her voice, so strange to the ears but kind of hypnotic. Reminds me of a higher pitched version of The Expanse's Shohreh Aghdashloo

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119841662#Comment_119841662

I think the heads of ISB are probably some of the more important of Palps cronies in peace time. He probably gives them a few minutes via hologram to feel important.

They are essentially his Stazi.

Agent Coulson

Looks like this won't be dragged out over 3/4/5 seasons...

Tony Gilroy has said season 1 will represent 1 year in Andor's life

Season 2 will be broken into 4 blocks of 3 episodes with each block representing 1 year.

The series finale episode of season 2 will walk the audience straight into Rogue One

Season 2 starts filming on the 21st of this month.

https://deadline.com/2022/11/andor-season-2-sets-filming-start-date-creator-tony-gilroy-1235164764/

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119842516#Comment_119842516

That's absolutely brilliant from the point of view of quality and goes against everything that is the "content for the sake of content" mantra of Hollywood.

Reminds me of the great British/Irish comedies like Faulty, Black Books and Ted which were 3 seasons of 6 compared to a million seasons of Friends or my favourites Sunny and Curb dragged long beyond sell by date.

pixelburp

Both glad and sad there's a hard limit on this show - but it makes sense and glad Gilroy got to call the shots enough to put an ending on this. We'll have a start middle and end.

Hopefully when all's done Disney learn the right lessons here. Cos having tasted Star Wars with a distinct flavour and purpose I'd despair if we went back to Power Ranger Mods. I'm hopeful the respective responses to this and Obi-Wan / Boba Fett are instructive.

Flinty997

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119842615#Comment_119842615

"Power Ranger Mods" so true. Lol.

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119842615#Comment_119842615

They will probably keep making sht Star Wars but as long as they keep making stuff for the Andor audience alongside it I will be happy.

pixelburp

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119842659#Comment_119842659

Well I have next to zero expectations with that Ahsoka series; I'm a avowed hater of all things Jedi anyway, so it was always going to struggle to build hype in my blood. Especially after this series showed me the version of Star Wars I've always wanted more of.

In which case, I'll be very curious to see what, if anything, Disney commissions next in this rough sphere of Star Wars with more mature storytelling techniques. I'd hate for Andor to become the one swallow we all thought was summer - but there's so much potential here. Even within this specific series, though not sure who you could potentially spin-off from if Andor has to get to a pre Rogue One status by Season 2's end.

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119842753#Comment_119842753

There is the whole period when the empire falls which could see a lot of worlds in grey areas. The galaxy must have been absolute chaos.

Could also go post TRoS but that would take a seriously good writer to create a whole new post Jedi/sith force world.

Slydice

Oh cool. I imagine it will be something like this current season then.. with different writer/director combos for batches of episodes.

Has felt like a pretty good way to do it so far.

Tony EH

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119841662#Comment_119841662

The ISB (Imperial Security Bureau) chief is a guy called Yularen. He was the guy in the white uniform from the original 'Star Wars' conference scene where Tarkin discussed his own conversations with the Emperor about dissolving the senate.

So to me, at least, it wouldn't be that out of place to have Palpatine engage with functionaries on that level, who would then have to pass on the communique to the lower ranks. Plus the decree to increase Imperial heavy handedness, which was what Yularen was talking about, would probably have to come from the highest orders.

Your inner sTeR WaArS nerd needs a good kick up the arse. 😋

But yeah, there is a definite contrast between the nebulous and unseen "Emperor" of the original film and the ridiculous pantomime that George Lucas concocted for 'Return of the Jedi' and, ugh, the prequels.

Tony EH

@Agent Coulson

Season 2 will be broken into 4 blocks of 3 episodes with each block representing 1 year.

Really don't like the idea of that.

breezy1985

Never realized that the original movies had guys in white uniforms. I always thought they were only introduced in Rogue 1

Tony EH

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119842659#Comment_119842659

As long as shit Star Wars can be separated from good Star Wars, I'll be happy. When it starts to overlap, then there's a problem. So far, shit Star Wars (prequels, sequels, Solo, cartoons, BoBF, Obi-Wan) outnumbers good Star Wars (original unmolested trilogy, Rogue One, Andor, The Mandarlorian) which is a shame. But there is a throughput to be followed in the good Star Wars that can eliminate the shit Star Wars.

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119844225#Comment_119844225

I agree about the overlap.

All those cartoon characters in Mando really bored the ars off me. Having the cartoon Mandalorians made a little bit of sense but I can't stand that Ashoka character who was conveniently sitting out the war and Luke's rebuilding of the Jedi. Also bringing fat old Bobba Fett into Mando was a joke.

Tony EH

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119844304#Comment_119844304

Having Starbuck (whatever her name is) show up was fine and ties into the whole Mandalore thing, even though they were kinda stupid. But there wasn't ever any need for Ashoka to make an appearance at all and that was simply down to Filoni, because she's largely his creation. Having Boba Fett return from the dead was just insipid too and, TBH, the show took a real nosedive at that point. I forgave Luke's dodgy CGI appearance, because he made sense. Dingaling was always going to be passing off baby Yoda to a Jedi. So passing it to the guy who was supposed to be making a new Jedi school rings true.

And while 'The Mandalorian' is "good" Star Wars, it's only just inside that category. There's plenty of flaws within it, just not egregious enough to get it kicked out of the good club. Frankly, I'd like to see it tighten a lot of things up for S03.