‘Andor,’ reminds us of the deadly price of inaction

Andor

Created by Tony Gilroy (Lucasfilm, 2022–present)

Critically acclaimed “Star-Wars-for-adults” hit Andor concluded its spectacular two-season run with a hard look at the cost of rebellion—and the greater cost of complicity.

Creator Tony Gilroy earned considerable respect for his work on Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016), which introduced Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) as one of the Rebels who steal the Death Star plans, leading to its legendary destruction in the original Star Wars film. But Andor is no typical origin-story spinoff: After its 2022 premiere, viewers were stunned by its complexity, exquisite production value, and unshrinking exploration of the humanity behind revolution. With outstanding writing and performances, Andor will stand the test of time more as a top-notch political thriller than as typical Star Wars fare about space wizards and bounty hunters.

If Season 1 showed Andor’s progression from self-seeking survivor to daring Rebel soldier, Season 2 shows the galaxy falling into step behind him. As the Empire tightens its stranglehold on everything from tiny planetary economies to truth itself, the Rebellion must determine not only what it is fighting against, but what it is fighting for. And Cassian Andor becomes the linchpin through which the scrappy, in-fighting factions must unite their destinies—or fall.

Much has been said about the timeliness of this story, set in a galaxy far, far away but brimming with familiarity in the here and now. Birthing a resistance is morally fraught work, done by flawed people. Not every choice is good. Not every hero is admirable. But Andor reminds us that the price of inaction is far greater—for society, and for the soul—than taking a stand. That it is through moments of great heroism and communal acts of defiance that empires fall. And above all, that rebellions are built on hope.

The Latest season of Andor is available to stream on Disney+.