Season 2, Episodes 10-12
Across the two seasons of “Andor,” so much has happened that at times it has been easy to forget that the show is, functionally, a prequel. All along, we have been watching the story of how the rebellion against the Empire evolved and strengthened in the five years leading up to the films “Rogue One” and “Star Wars.”
But does “Rogue One” feel like it follows directly from “Andor”? I watched the movie again after the “Andor” series finale, and the transition is not smooth. The movie shares some of the show’s themes, exploring how rebellion requires compromises, sacrifices and a willingness to set conventional morality aside for the sake of a higher purpose. But as a viewing experience, “Rogue One” is big and loud, full of blockbuster-scale battles. “Andor,” while often thrilling, operates at a more personal level, following how individuals can be swept up in the rush of major historical events.
The difference is made especially clear in the final three episodes of “Andor.” Last week saw the conclusion of this season’s primary story line, about how the Empire’s destructive Ghorman mission galvanized the galaxy’s scattered resistance movements. One year later, the rebels finally discover that the Ghorman project was tied to the construction of a superweapon, and must decide whether to act on this intelligence.
That debate is mostly saved for the strangely sedate series finale. This set’s first two episodes are mainly about the Alliance’s most problematic adjuncts: Luthen and Kleya. Cassian’s admirable loyalty to these people — who inspired, sheltered, exploited and infuriated him — anchors one last swashbuckling “Andor” adventure rooted in the idea that every soldier counts in a fight for freedom.
Luthen and Kleya remained on Coruscant — largely forgotten — after the nerve center of the rebellion moved to Yavin 4. As the start of Episode 10, the ISB mole Lonni Jung meets with Luthen and says that he has been secretly snooping through Dedra Meero’s private digital files for a year, piecing together the Empire’s Death Star plan. He asks Luthen for safe passage for himself and his family. Instead, Luthen kills him.
Luthen, knowing that his whole operation probably just died along with Lonni, hustles back to his antique shop to destroy the evidence of his galaxy-spanning communications and intelligence-gathering apparatus. Before he can finish the job, Dedra appears at his door.
