Latest news with #Ghorman
New Statesman
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Statesman
In Andor's universe, real history doesn't work like the movies
Photo by 2022 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM A decent rubric for knowing when a TV show has become part of the zeitgeist is when people feel the need to publicly comment on the fact they don't like it. No one, that I recall, has ever told me they don't watch Emmerdale. This month, though, I have encountered several people announcing they didn't enjoy Andor, the Star Wars spin off whose second and final season just finished dropping on Disney+. Despite being a career nerd, I've never quite clicked with Star Wars, and have always suspected that you need to have seen it in a cinema aged eight to truly love it. Andor, though, has grabbed me like little else. I obsessively text friends memes about it. I seek out podcasts about it. Then every few hours I remember something clever or notice something new, and text the same friends all over again: it occupies my brain like the Galactic Empire occupies Ghorman. Against those of us who'd say it's not merely the best Star Wars, but one of the best TV shows of all time, though, there are those who say it is a pale comparison to the thrill provided by Star Wars to an eight-year-old. I can't, in all honesty, tell them that they're wrong: if the things you want out of Star Wars are droids and space wizards, then here you're largely out of luck. Andor instead shows us the people who make up the backdrop to the rest of the franchise: farmers and miners and hotel receptionists; the imperial security forces plotting oppression, and the political comms consultants spinning their crimes. The result is a story that seems to be about a galaxy far, far away, but is actually about what it's like to live under authoritarianism – to survive, to rebel, to collaborate. There is an evil empire, working on a weapon that (spoilers if you're going to the cinema in 1977) can destroy a planet. But the people working within it mostly aren't inhuman monsters with magical powers: they're nervous soldiers hiding behind their uniforms because they're scared of that angry crowd, smugly paternalistic colonial governors, bureaucrats just trying to survive their next meeting. If Andor's empire is not all cardboard villains, neither are the rebels all straightforward heroes. Some are motivated by greed or opportunism; others are so useless we see them do nothing but fight other rebels. The most terrifying character in the show, a man willing to use and sacrifice others with abandon, is ostensibly fighting against the dark side. Just as the show's portrayal of oppressive regimes draws from the histories of European imperialism, its portrayal of the rebels draws on existing insurgencies. One scene was inspired by the Wannsee Conference; the funeral parade that ended the first season was based on those arranged by the IRA. Star Wars invokes the standard storytelling kit, where the action unfolds through the life of a so-called chosen one, a kid whose destiny it is to change the galaxy no matter that he seems like a nobody otherwise. There's comfort in imagining yourself taking on that role. But even the would-be lead ends up making contributions to universe that are vital and quickly forgotten. Andor is not a hero's journey. It has perhaps half a dozen protagonists, most of whom don't get their names in the title. None of this matters: the thing that brings down empires is not the actions of great men, but the tides of structural forces, so Andor argues. Or, more prosaically: real history doesn't work like the movies. [See more: Meet Britain's Joe Rogan] Subscribe to The New Statesman today from only £8.99 per month Subscribe Related
Gizmodo
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
The 20 Greatest Moments From ‘Andor' Season 2
Andor season 2 came to an end this week, putting an end to Cassian's chapters of the Skywalker saga and bringing about one of the greatest additions to Star Wars' modern era. Across four arcs jumping us closer and closer to the time of Rogue One, the season delivered some of the best Star Wars has had to offer–which made looking back on the season to collect what was the very best of the best joyous and painful in equal measure. But considering we can't just say 'all of it', here's our pick for 20 of the highest highlights from Andor's long goodbye. Act 1 (Episode 1-3) Stealing the TIE Avenger Andor so rarely allows itself a big damn hero action setpiece–action is, more often than not, the terrifying climax of tense release, from the Narkina 5 prison riot to the Imperial oppression on Ferrix and Ghorman. But season 2 opens with a wonderful little display to give us a Cassian who has smoothly settled into his part as a Rebel agent, infiltrating Imperial ship research facilities on Sienar to swipe a prototype TIE (one with a fun Expanded Universe legacy). And then, just to knock him down a peg, it has him alert all the guards he can by accidentally backing it into a wall while he figures out the controls. Can't let him get too smooth. Krennic's Kalkite Boardoom Krennic's Imperial meeting room to reveal his plans for the planet of Ghorman is already a delicious example of how the Empire controls and abuses people on various fronts, but really, the reason this scene is so good is Ben Mendelsohn just relishing being back in Krennic's white cape. This is Krennic on the precipice of completing everything he's ever wanted, and all he needs is one more thing: Kalkite. Deep, substrate, foliated kalkite, to be specific. It's just a joy to watch Medelsohn dance around like he's top dog as he practically chews every word in the scene. Krennic's just enjoying being in the spotlight as he lays out how this room of top Imperial brass, from the ISB to propaganda divisions to the navy, is going to help him achieve it. Dedra vs. Eedy There is already so much going on as Andor hits you with the reveal that Dedra and Syril have started seeing each other, and the relationship is as weirdly charged as you could've imagined. But in witnessing a slice of their bizzaro domesticity, we get the diva-off fans could only have dreamed off: a dinner at home with Syril's mother Eedy, which leads to a stern Dedra turning the tables and making very clear who is wearing the immaculately-ironed pants in this relationship. Bix Strikes Back As the eye of Imperial oppression looms ever further over Mina-Rau, we see the true evils the Empire's power manifests as in a shocking first for Star Wars, an attempted rape, explicitly named as such, when one of the inspection officers corners Bix and goes to assault her. It's gutwrenching to watch, and one of the most tense fight sequences we've ever got in Star Wars, even as we get to see Bix triumph over her would-be abuser. It's a powerful moment, and a chilling way to make the Empire's abusive rot come to the forefront. Mon Mothma's Dance The sequence of Mon Mothma's crashout at Leida's wedding has a bunch of layers to it–the tacit realisation from her that Luthen is willing to kill anyone he needs to to protect her, Cinta and Vel's distant connection as the latter realises the former's there to do Luthen's dirty work, it all climaxing with Cassian coming just too late to save Brasso on Mina-Rau. But tying that all into the hypnotic, almost delirious sequence of Mon walking away from her conversation with Luthen to just give herself a moment to be lost in the crowd of dancing, exhilarated partygoers, swaying to the thrumming electro beats of that banger of a track… it's a beautiful way to climax the first act. Act 2 (Episode 4-6) Varian Skye, Fashion Elite As a nice mirror to his infiltration on Sienar, when Luthen first sends Cassian to Ghorman–a planet known for its exports of fashion–we get to see him do a bit of classic spywork and really dress to play the part, masquerading as designer Varian Skye to set up a meeting with the Ghorman resistance. It's a very cool look (those shades!), but it's also another way we get to see Cassian play his charm offensive, swaggering around with the confidence of a classy elite before he really makes clear to the Front just how much more prepared for this kind of thing he is compared to them. Tarkin's Legacy Syril's infiltration of the discontent Ghormans and 'Varian's' arrival on the planet reveals a wonderful bit of layering to Star Wars continuity: the massacre we've all known was coming this season wasn't the first on Ghorman, there was one that took place years prior under the watch of Wilhuff Tarkin. It is, of course, a nod to the Expanded Universe's original Ghorman Massacre, but Andor's choice to not just thrown in a nod to that version of events, but synthesize into its own history as further commentary on the Empire is a brilliant way to have an easter egg mention otherwise have some real dramatic heft. The Sculden Heist Andor's second season is somehow even more tense than the first a lot of the times, and one of its best moments just layers on that tension thick: Kleya recruiting Lonni at a party hosted by Davro Sculden so she can successfully remove a listening device from an antique Luthen sold to the Chandrilan magnate before it's discovered. There's so much at play, not just as Kleya struggles to manage both her own nerves and Lonni's as she struggles to free the device: they're interrupted by Krennic and more ISB bigwigs being toured around by Sculden, who then bring up Luthen, Perrin, and Mon Mothma. The butting of heads between Senator and Director, the will-they-won't they of just who might get ratted out in this moment it's all deliciously done. Vel and Samm The tragic, sudden death of Cinta after she and Vel are also sent to Ghorman on Luthen's behalf is one of season 2's most delicate moments, but after the initial shock of her catching a stray blaster bolt from the unseasoned Front member Samm, what really twists the knife in is Vel's reaction afterwards. Not content to leave the distraught young man be, Vel takes all her pain and pushes it into a terrifying warning for Samm that what he's done, the life he's unjustly destroyed, will haunt him for the rest of his life. A harsher punishment than if she'd lashed out or tried to hurt him in turn. 'We're the Fuel' Saw makes a compelling case for why so many are willing to follow him in a brilliant, charismatic scene with Wilmon after the Partisans use the young man's technical skills to successfully steal a load of highly volatile starship fuel. Inviting Wil to huff the toxic fumes as he has taken to–a predilection that we know will eventually leave Saw's body broken down even further by Rogue One. Saw's loving ode to Rhydonium as the symbol of everything his fight against the Empire stands for is equal parts rousing and heartbreaking. Admitting that he's long exchanged his life and his sanity for what he has to do to resist the evil of the Empire, in that moment Saw truly becomes the charismatic leader we've been told he is, consequences be damned. Act 3 (Episode 7-9) The Healer and the Messenger Andor has largely drawn itself to other forms of spirituality than the Force up to his point, but Cassian's brief encounter with a mysterious healer at the Yavin base is a wonderful way to bring Star Wars' core mysticism into the fold. It's treated with a sense of weight and trepidation in equal bearing, as the healer offers a portent of Cassian's importance to the skeptical man and an awestruck Bix. If so much of Star Wars is going to play with the idea of destiny and fate, this was a clever, beautiful way to bring in the inevitability of the events of Rogue One into the narrative of Andor. The Massacre The explosion of the protests on Ghorman into a full-on Imperial massacre is one of the most chilling sequences in contemporary Star Wars. A brilliant mirror to the climax of season 1 and the riots on Ferrix being putdown by the Imperials, the Ghorman Massacre not only becomes bigger from an action standpoint, but thematically denser and richer as it weaves in Syril realising just too late that everything Dedra was working him for was a horror on a scale unlike anything he could've comprehended. It's also so brutal and horrible to watch, and that's even before you get to… 'Who Are You?' Ah, what a perfect end to Syril Karn. From the moment he spots Cassian among the screaming masses being slaughtered on the plaza, to the moment a confounded Cassian hits him with the question that's haunted his whole life, Syril's final moments are a brilliant exploration of what has made his character so compelling, a deft commentary on how the Imperial machine craves young, impressionable men like him, only to forge them into useful, evil tools that can be discarded at a moment's notice. A fitting end to one of the show's best characters. The Senate Speech We don't get to hear the full version, but we hear enough of Mon's rousing denouncement of the Ghorman Massacre to matter, as does the galaxy, as she finally lets her rebellion step into the sunlight for all to see. It's already potent for the moment it represents in Star Wars, but it's a profound step for the franchise's relationship with its own political history, with the explicit invocation of Empire's actions as genocide. It's always been the endeavour of the foolhardy to obfuscate Star Wars' political message, but this was the franchise shouting it for all to hear in a way you can't ignore. Re-Writing the Story Andor has layered all sorts of connective tissue to the wider world of Star Wars across its story, but in making Mon Mothma a central figure of its story, it was always going to be running headlong towards another series almost as inevitably as it was Rogue One: her flight from Coruscant to Dantooine as depicted in Star Wars Rebels, to make the formal declaration of the Rebel Alliance. How Andor handles that is subtle, but fascinating, climaxing Mon and Cassian's flight from the Senate with a moment of realization for the latter, and just how much this wider Rebellion is going to distance itself from the part that raised Cassian up: the story of Cassian's extraction will be handed off to a more proper Yavin escort, the story told in a cleaner, more palatable way. It is by no means a knock to Rebels, but it's a brilliant way to bridge those two stories. Act 4 (Episodes 10-12) Luthen and Kleya It's unfair to practically assign an entire episode of prestige television as a best 'moment', but christ, that's kind of what 'Make It Stop' ends up being. From Dedra cornering Axis at last, to Kleya's one-woman infiltration mission to send Luthen on his way after he mortally wounded himself rather than give up the Rebellion, it's an incredible farewell to one of Andor's core characters, while passing on his legacy to the next generation, woven throughout a brilliant exploration of their history together. Andor's got a lot of finest hours in its two seasons, but this is the finest among them. Krennic Gets Dedra Not to pick a moment within the above moment, but it would be remiss to not point out the moment Dedra's obsession and ambition finally lays her low. The moment of terror as she realizes Krennic has come to bludgeon the systems she has upheld against her for hoarding all the little scraps of information that lead to word of the Death Star making it out to Luthen is incredibly played by Denise Gough, and Mendelsohn again manages to balance the delectably scene-chewing bravado of Krennic with a genuine menace. 'It's Everywhere, Isn't It?' Getting to hear Nemik's manifesto one more time might have been enough to mark this as a best moment, but the way it's deployed is incredibly satisfying: one of the last things ISB head Major Partagaz hears, as he prepares to kill himself rather than face comeuppance for the ISB's failures is an unknown voice of rebellion that's echoing across the galaxy. His final admittance that the 'disease' he sought to contain has come to choke him is a fitting end. Cassian's Dream One of the first things Andor set up was Cassian's search for his long lost sister, and in an age where Star Wars is more broadly obsessed with filling in as many details it can about its world and its characters, the fact that the show largely moved on from the 'mystery' became something of a sticking point for some fans. Andor season 2 doesn't give us an answer either–or rather, perhaps not one that would satisfy that need for cold, hard facts. One of the last things we see Cassian do in the whole show is wake up from a brief dream of his sister, and it's all we really need to know: that he still thought of her, even right up to the very end, even if neither he or we got the answer. The Final Shot Regardless of the controversy around Bix's arc in season 2, the very last scenes of the series climaxing with her living a life of peace on Mina-Rau are a potent, hopeful note to end the series on. A series that was always barrelling towards the tragic sacrifice of its titular character instead ends on the revelation that the legacy he loved and shared with Bix will live on into a new generation, one that, at least for a while, will get to eventually come of age in a galaxy at peace.
The Hindu
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
‘Andor' Season 2 finale review: The Force is with Cassian and company in thrilling, tragic climax
What a smashing segue into Rogue One the finale of Andor Season 2 is! The bitter-sweet ending brings some character arcs to a close and leaves others open-ended, much like life itself, which very rarely ties up all loose ends in a pretty bow. Dropping three episodes weekly is immensely satisfying as it makes Season 2 like watching four mini-movies. A year after the wedding at Chandrila, the Imperial designs on Ghorman, and the escape from Mina-Rau, Cassian (Diego Luna) and Bix (Adria Arjona) are working for Luthen (Stellan Skarsgård). Still troubled by the torture she suffered, Bix has become a shadow of herself, drugging herself to a stupor. Andor Season 2 (English) Creator: Tony Gilroy Cast: Diego Luna, Kyle Soller, Adria Arjona, Stellan Skarsgård, Genevieve O'Reilly, Denise Gough, Faye Marsay, Varada Sethu, Elizabeth Dulau Episodes: 12 Runtime: 38 – 60 minutes Storyline: As the terrible truth of the Ghorman massacre and other Imperial actions come out, both sides pay a grave price The Ghorman massacre, which the Imperial forces spin as an insurrection is the final straw, for senator Mon Mothma (Genevieve O'Reilly) and she makes a speech denouncing Emperor Palpatine. In a nail-bitingly tense sequence, Cassian helps her escape to Yavin IV, laconically commenting, 'Welcome to the rebellion.' The final three episodes that lead directly to Rogue One, sees the different narrative strands being pulled tighter together. The ambitious Imperial Security Bureau officer, Dedra Meero (Denise Gough), who was assigned to Ghorman by the director of advanced weapons research, Krennic (Ben Mendelsohn), returns to hunt for her bête noir, the rebel agent, code named Axis, who is actually Luthen. Ghorman took a lot out of Dedra, personally as well, when her partner, the equally driven Syril Karn, (Kyle Soller) paid the ultimate price. As Dedra gets within a hair's breadth of uncovering Axis, Luthen sets up exit protocols. Though Cassian helps Bix get closure on her torturer, Dr Ghorst, she leaves Cassian urging him to continue working for the revolution, promising him she will find him after 'it is all over,' which we, as the audience know will not happen. As things fall apart, the Rebel Alliance grows stronger as does the Death Star, which Krennic says is a just a week away from being ready. Andor continues to thrill, with many Easter eggs, including, 'May the Force be with you', while still being solidly on the side of strong story telling. All character arcs are given their time, including Mothma's husband, Perrin (Alastair Mackenzie) who is shown drinking his troubles away in the back of a transport. Vel (Faye Marsay) Mothma's cousin puts her lover, Cinta's (Varada Sethu) loss behind her to further the cause. We learn of Luthen's and his efficient assistant, Kleya's (Elizabeth Dulau) past. There is no return to Cassian's home planet of Kenari even though he dreams of the green hillsides before it was destroyed by Imperial forces. The dialogues are full of quotable quotes from extremist leader Saw Gerrera's (Forest Whitaker), 'revolution is not for the sane' to Nemik's (Alex Lawther) 'tyranny requires constant effort.' The return of the reprogrammed Imperial droid K-2SO (Alan Tudyk), ensures some C3PO-type humour. The worlds are beautifully realised, with the gigantic, sterile buildings contrasting starkly with the spectacular wilds. The level of detailing, from costumes (Cassian makes for a natty designer on his undercover visit to Ghorman) to Ghor, the language spoken on Ghorman, is nothing short of marvellous. The visual as well as implied signatures are mind boggling from the tall impersonally beautiful buildings to the sterile prisons and anonymous apartments. The spiders of Ghorman, the Ghorlectipods, whose silk is used to create the fabulous Ghorman twill, are unable to stand against the might of Imperial misinformation and might. The spiders are also emblematic of the tangled webs, characters weave in the pursuit of perceived needful things, only to be trapped by them. Luna has created a very human rebel leader in Cassian and Skarsgård manages to keep the audience as well as the Imperials and rebels off kilter about his true intentions. All the cast, in their roles big or small, have us invested in their stories. Tony Gilroy, who wrote Rogue One with Chris Weitz, has created a spectacular show that tells of a rebel and a revolution and the role of a fascist government in birthing them. Andor is currently streaming on JioHotstar
Metro
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
You can binge all 12 episodes of sci-fi thriller fans called a 'masterpiece'
All good things end, even one of the best TV shows ever made. Yes, after 12 episodes, Andor season 2 has come to a close, and Cassian's (Diego Luna) Star Wars story is over. The show, which followed the titular spy as he went from smuggler to soldier to rebel leader over the course of several years, was hailed as a 'masterpiece' by critics when it was released on Disney Plus in late April. Since then, fans of a galaxy far, far away have been treated to three new episodes each week – with each new block covering a year of Andor's life – and things came to a dramatic close on May 13. We won't spoil things for those who haven't had a chance to watch it yet, but those of you who've watched Rogue One and know Andor's ultimate fate will understand why the finale was so heartbreaking. In fact, people have been so moved by the finale that they've been sharing the love on social media. 'Andor is…phenomenal, from beginning to end,' wrote @QuigonJenna on X. 'It's without a doubt not only one of the greatest Star Wars projects ever made, but it's also one of the best television shows ever created, period. I'm going to miss it immensely. Thank you, Tony Gilroy.' 'Well done to everyone who worked on Andor. The series made the Star Wars Universe finally worth watching once again,' added Chris Broad. While Brandon Davies labelled it 'the best thing Disney Plus has ever released.' It was @Superfabn_K who was the most vociferous in their applause, however, calling the series finale the 'perfect ending' before declaring it 'a bona fide Star Wars classic.'' Beyond the effusive praise, there were a few dissenting voices. @CrimsonPorg wrote, 'Andor is over, and I have mixed feelings.' 'I'm glad everyone else seems to have adored this season, but with the exception of episodes 7-9 (i.e. the Ghorman arc), this season hasn't lived up to the first for me, unfortunately.' The majority of viewers, though, were more than satisfied with the ending, with many saying they were going to watch Rogue One straight after as a sort of strange epilogue. Yet while many fans are sad to see Andor blast off on his final deadly adventure, one person who's not sad it's all over is Diego Luna. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Deputy TV Editor Tom Percival shares his thoughts on Andor season two… Andor season two was a breathtaking show that balanced spectacle and thrills with high emotion, along with a deeply relevant story about the insidious nature of fascism and totalitarianism. Was it perfect? Of course not, the opening three episodes were arguably the weakest in the show's run, and the decision to squeeze five seasons' worth of plot into just 12 episodes definitely impacted the pacing. Yet despite these flaws, I adored it. This is Star Wars at its finest and proves that a galaxy far, far away is a far richer place than its obsession with space wizards and the Skywalkers would have you believe. Speaking to Metro last month on the Andor Season 2 red carpet, he admitted to us he was 'ready to go'. More Trending 'There's nothing [I regret]. There is nothing. I'm getting to the end of this journey after enjoying every second, and I'm ready to go because I'm still excited,' Diego said. 'I'm really proud of what we've done. I'm very happy I've made this family this connection, and that's the way to end things when you'd still like to come back; otherwise, it's wrong, you know?' 'I'm very pleased, I thank Cathy and Tony and the universe because this has been a very interesting ten years of my life, and I'm never going to forget what I went through.' Andor season 2 is streaming now on Disney Plus. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. View More » MORE: Shogun creator confirms major twist in season 2 after 10-year time jump MORE: Danny Dyer drops huge hint Rivals season 2 will be even steamier MORE: The heartbreaking moment in David Attenborough's Ocean that will haunt me forever
Digital Trends
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Digital Trends
Tony Gilroy added a key line to Andor because his son teased him about it
If you've ever paid close attention to Star Wars, you might notice that certain key lines of dialogue seem to echo across stories and characters. 'Rebellions are built on hope' is one such key line. We first hear Cassian deliver it to Jyn Erso in Rogue One, and she then uses it with the rebel council to convince them to go after the Death Star plans. Now, thanks to Andor, we know that that line originated with Ghorman bellhop Thela, who delivers it to Cassian just before he throws a bomb that blows up part of the imperial army. That line's echoes and reverberations are hugely important to the overall shape of the rebellion, but it turns out that showrunner Tony Gilroy didn't originally plan to include it. Recommended Videos 'My son is a big Star Wars fan, and he often comes to the house and busts my balls at the computer about how little I know,' Gilroy told Entertainment Weekly. 'One day he's there at the house and he's goofballing on me, and he's like, 'Well, who's going to introduce 'rebellions are built on hope'?' 'And I go, 'What do you mean?'' Gilroy added. 'He goes, 'Well, in Rogue One, Diego says it. And Jyn repeats it.' And I go, 'Well, isn't that from somewhere?' He goes, 'No, man, what are you talking about? You better figure that out.'' By the time Tony and his son discussed this, there wasn't much time to figure out how to include it, so he decided to give the line to a relatively minor character. 'The hotel clerk is such a groovy little character,' he says. 'It definitely comes from my son busting me on not having it in earlier [scripts]. I was like, 'Good catch.' So that's where it comes from.' It might not have been hugely thought through, but it undoubtedly adds more resonance to the use of that line in Rogue One.
