The penultimate Andor season 2 episode trilogy aged me 10 years
- Camila Domingues
- May 8
- 6 min read
The penultimate set of episodes for Andor's second and final season have dropped. And so has my heart.
We knew things would be a little more tense, a little more dangerous, and a little darker as we approach the season finale. Again, we know who makes it onto Rogue One and who doesn't, and as we zero in on the endgame, we have to be ready to take some hard hits. This week was no exception. We previously theorized a few things, but these three episodes are not only a masterclass in how to keep your audience on the edge of their seat, but also deliver some powerful, painful, and raw moments we did not see coming.
Let's go a little more into detail on the latest and second-to-last episode trilogy for Andor season 2 below, but before we do, a warning - PLEASE BEWARE SPOILERS BELOW. If you're not caught up to season 2 episode 9, skip this one until you are.
Andor season 2 episode 7, "Messenger"
One year later, we're in BBY 2. Two years before the famous Battle of Yavin, two years before the events that take place in Rogue One and Star Wars Episode V: A New Hope. It's only been one year, but the amount of changes makes it seem like it's been longer.
Things have soured for Cassian and Luthen - Cassian wants out and to stay out for good. There's a mysterious blaster wound that won't heal on its own, and this time, Bix is the one doing the moral supporting. Cassian is emotionally wounded, and it is starting to show in every aspect of his life. The Empire is getting bolder and bolder, slowly but surely squeezing tighter on the chokehold it has the galaxy in. Syril is feeling it, and his relationship with the Ghorman has soured. He's questioning Dedra's orders, the Empire's motives, and what kind of game he's been a pawn in for the last few years. The Senate is also tightening up on the Senators - ISB spies and guards posted everywhere, tracking everyone's moves and putting listening devices in their offices. Vel is in her self-care era, which is amazing, and is doing recruitment intake instead of missions for now. It's also motivational - if Vel can tell herself it's time to chill, so can we all.
Things have changed for everyone. This episode is also a gift - it gives us one of the most extraordinary scenes in Star Wars history.
Bix takes Cassian to see a Force Healer. He's skeptical, to say the least. This scene shows an aspect of Star Wars that seems to be forgotten - prophecy and faith. Anakin was prophesied. The Jedi are a religion, believing in the Force and how it connects everything and everyone. The Force Healer says Cassian is a messenger, and a messenger he is. Not only in the sense of bringing the final message to the Republic while being dissolved in Scarif at the end of Rogue One (spoiler alert - it's been almost a decade). But in the sense that he's witnessed horrors and saved so many, and brought hope to even more. He's a messenger, and his message is to have hope.
"He's a messenger. There's some place he needs to be."
These words shape the next two episodes in such a way, that the ending of the third one (we'll get to that) brings it all full-circle. This is about faith, about the Force working its will in prophecies.
Andor season 2 episode 8, "Who Are You?"
"Who Are You" is a masterclass in how to keep your audience on the edge of their seat.
The tension, the suspense, the absolute horror is not just palpable but beyond immersive. I'm pretty sure I held my breath from the moment the tension starts building up until the episode's resolution. My Apple Watch actually informed me my heart had started to beat irregularly, which is a common symptom for me whenever I become very stressed. So, thank you, Disney.
This episode deserves an award. The writing, the framing, the scripting, the acting, the absolute shock and horror... It's truly TV at its finest. Words don't make justice to the way things go sideways so fast. I sat there at a complete loss for words as things began to spiral - the barricade was formed, the guards were sent out to patrol, the Stormtroopers blocked the exits... and then Dedra gives the command to fire at will and incite violence.
We all knew this would happen, yet watching it all unfold was... scary. I could not help but think on the recent violent acts in our country and how much worse things could get if people who can actually do something about things decide it's not worth their time. It's too real, it's too horrific, and it's a true act of war. Remember - Star Wars. Sure, the lightsabers make it flashy and fun (and they cauterize immediately - how convenient), but the real war fought out in the streets like we see in Ghorman was also a huge part of what was going on while Luke was adventuring around in episodes 4-6.
This episode aged me ten years. And there was still one more episode after it.
Watching it all play out, seeing some known and liked faces be killed one by one in such a tragic and terrifying way was painful. Dedra's reaction as she comes to terms with what she's done and that she's directly responsible for the death of her own lover is a haunting moment, and it almost makes one feel bad. Almost. If anything, her reaction and the aftermath of her actions are exactly why "I'm just following orders" doesn't justify the means or end.
"I meant you no harm." "How do you say that?! How do you speak the words?! You've destroyed us."
How can one claim to want no harm done upon someone while simultaneously acting in ways that hurt them directly? Some of us are asking that question right now in real life. Scary, isn't it? When it's put into this kind of perspective? Just food for thought, as usual.
Andor season 2 episode 9, "Welcome to the Rebellion"
If Genevieve O'Reilly doesn't win an Emmy over her performance in this show, I will riot.
"The death of truth is the ultimate victory of evil."
When Senator Mon Mothma addressed the Senate in this episode, she might as well have spoken out against our own current and unfortunate administration. Look, I'm not trying to make this political - I'm the last person who wants to go that route, but the parallels are there, they're too relatable, and this episode has given me what I've wanted to feel for a while: hope. Hope that there's a reckoning coming, and that things will go back to making sense, and that people will go back to caring about each other. In other words, we need a Mon Mothma right now. Badly.
Back to Star Wars things, this episode continues to expand on the idea of Cassian being part of a Force prophecy. Luthen brings it up before being interrupted by Kleya - Cassian happens to appear exactly where he's needed, and when he's needed the most. Maybe he is a messenger. Maybe he is part of something much bigger than he is. Maybe the Force is real, and is orchestrating events as the Jedi believe. And where was he this time? Right on time to save Mothma.
And let's talk about that ending. Bix makes the ultimate sacrifice, the decision that propels Cassian deeper into the Rebellion. She chooses for them so he doesn't have to make that choice, she knows where he's needed. Whether she's thinking about the Force Healer's words, or simply understanding that he's a pivotal piece of the Rebellion, she's the reason everything happens from here on out. It makes Rogue One's ending hit even harder - we can only guess how he's feeling relieved to be finally reuniting with his long dead friends and sad to leave the ones who are still alive.
And so it begins - the countdown to the end. One more week until we see how all loose ends are tied, how the Rebellion flourishes, and just how badly our hearts will be broken. Don't miss it.
Honestly, why is this series so good? Even if the themes didn't hit a little close to home this year (and thank you Tony Gilroy for being the writing genius that you are), the story is so good and it touches on every aspect of Star Wars without needing a lightsaber.
Andor is now streaming on Disney+.
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