Andor Andor Episode 1.12 (Season Finale!!) Discussion Thread (Spoilers Allowed)

Giddiness? I should probably rewatch this show.

 

I gave it a 7/10.

IMO there was nothing overwhelmingly spectacular about this episode; save for the post-credits scene which was kind of predictable (at least if you narrowed through the process of elimination what those large widgets they made at the prison were for). So of course Cassian returns to Ferrix. If he didn't show up, there wouldn't be much of a story to this episode. I was wondering exactly how he was able to get back there without anyone noticing. Obviously the ISP was waiting for him (as was Luthen's rebels). I'm not sure if the funeral march was meant to be a façade for the rebels to attack the Imperials, or they were only sparked by Maarva's holocomm speech. Meero is obviously vexed about the turn of events; she's rescued by....Syril. Looks like they could be a thing now. We get a glimpse of Mon Mothma's story, where I guess she caved and allowed her daughter to wed the other Senator's boy. So they'll get the money after all. Cassian finds Luthen, and gives him the option of taking him in or killing him. I've seen Rogue One, I know how this ends.

 

This was amazing.

“Remember this: Freedom is a pure idea. It occurs spontaneously and without instruction.

Remember that the frontier of the Rebellion is everywhere. Even the smallest act of insurrection forwards the line.

Remember this: the need for Imperial control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that.

And know this: the day will come when all the skirmishes and battles and moments of defiance will have flooded the banks of the Empires authority, and then there will have been one too many. One single thing will break the siege.

And remember this: Try.”

Good Lord this was such an amazing ending.

 

I just watched the finale for the 3rd time, and I've now come to the conclusion that this is a perfect episode.

The Maarva speech, and the context of it, is one of the best monologues in Star Wars history. We watch the fear fall from the faces of the people of Ferrix, we watch their anger and confidence kindle, and we watch them decide to take on a galactic fascist regime, in the course of that speech. Coupled with the instantly iconic visual of Maarva's hologram over the square, the band and the bricks, and then culminating in Brasso attacking with Maarva's brick, and his scream, I think this was one of the best and most inspiring moments of Star Wars I have ever seen.

Nemik's speech was also great. In a quieter and more intimate way, it was what the first nail in the coffin of Cassian's old mind, and his old life. With Maarva's speech being the final nail. Cassian is now in. I had tears in my eyes from this point of the episode to the end.

And the end was writing and acting perfection.

Luthen: What game is this?
Cassian: No game. Either kill me. Or take me in.

A 100% committed rebel is born and Luthen knows it.

10/10. Can't wait for season 2. Let's fight these bastards for real.

Maarva's speech sparked the rebellion during the funeral. They were not planning an attack. That's clear. It was a spontaneous death of fear that felt very, very, very similar to many of the stories I've heard about how the revolution began in Tunisia (the beginning of the Arab Spring). This was so well and authentically done that I can't believe the writers and directors haven't personally participated in the beginning of a revolutionary movement.

ETA: And the writing was brilliant in setting this up with Nemik's line: "Remember this: Freedom is a pure idea. It occurs spontaneously and without instruction." Chef's kiss. These writers weren't messing around. They wrote a show about the start of a revolution, not a "spectacle." I admire their bravery.

 

dp

 

The way he was last seen, the only thing it looks like he's going to become is an alcoholic.

At this point in the timeline the only Fulcrum out there is Ahsoka Tano. AFAIK.

Malachor hasn't happened yet, and the next known Fulcrum-to-be, Alexandr Kallus, is still an ISB agent.

 

We know Cassian Andor becomes a Fulcrum agent. Not to mention Saw Gerrera was in Clone wars.

 

I was wondering how Andor found Luthen but I figured he musta parked in the same place from ep.3.

 

Maarva posthumously inciting a riot via hologram is a great example of how the writing on this show can be so unexpected and so fitting at the same time.

And Cinta stabbing the ISB agent? I know we've seen stabbings and beheadings and such in SW before but it was always with lightsabers or lightsaber-type weapons IIRC. She used cold hard steel. Ouch.

I gotta say, between Andor and Tales of the Jedi, SW television has left me wanting more lately, which is a frustratingly good thing.

Now in my head canon I've made him the bartender at the Mos Eisley Cantina.

 

The riot breaking out after playing Maarva's message was planned to an extent, IMO. The kid made bombs in preparation. Even seemed like Cassian coming along was accounted for. All part of the plan. Exactly who the mastermind was and how many planned it was irrelevant. The level things escalated wasn't. The violent and disorganized response of the Empire played into the riot being larger. I wonder how favorably what happened on Ferrix will be looked at in hindsight for the Rebellion in spite of the inspiration because it was bloody. What lessons the Empire learned. We have Ferrix and Lothal. Will we see copy cats? It almost caused Luthen to bluescreen. He needed to be interrupted by this.

 

The sacrifice was not pointless, it preserved the mole in the ISB, probably the most important intel asset in the whole rebellion. But it was certainly bitter.

 

Oh, by unexpected and fitting I wasn't referring to the riot per se or whether it was planned to some extent or not, but rather to Maarva herself having an active role in the riot despite being dead. When Maarva died off-screen it seemed anti-climatic at the time because the things she had said led me (and probably others) to think she would have some active role in some rebellious action...some even speculated that she might not be dead, but that doing that would undercut the emotion of her death. So what happens then? She appears to the funeral procession as a pre-recorded hologram and sets the crowd off with a stirring and seditious speech. Unexpected, simple, and totally fitting. To me anyway.

 

Here's another audio excerpt from Nemix's tablet, but Cassian finds it in the "Various Musings" file.

Spoiler

 

The show of defiance for the funeral was planned, for sure, but I think it was initially intended as a peaceful show. Then the kid had a bomb. Maybe a few others knew what Maarva’s speech was, and that it would likely precipitare a fight. Etc. But largely, I’m quite sure it was mostly unplanned. Some people came prepared for a fight to break out, but that wasn’t certain. Until the last stretch of Maarva’s speech. And the Imperial tried to cover the hologram. And Maarva’s final words. And Brasso’s brick smash + battle cry. Then it was on.

This 100%. Another example of the pitch-perfect writing in this series.

 

Imagine the police putting out a BOLO for a silver Honda Civic. Except this one can change plates and VINs instantly. Also he has stealth capability, it was unlucky that he got "pulled over" just cruising last episode.

 

Right. The writing in that episode made it 100% clear that the Imperials considered the ship to be a totally nondescript, normal, mundane haulcraft. So it will be visually indistinguishable from likely millions or perhaps even billions of other ships of that kind. So the complaint about it being risky for Luthen to be on Ferrix because of the possibility his ship will be visually ID’d is pretty off, based on what the show has presented. Just because one viewer didn’t pick up on that doesn’t make it contrived writing. A viewer who gave the episode a 3/10, I might add. Don’t think we’re getting a good faith critique, in that context.

If someone doesn’t like the flavor of Andor, fine. That’s understandable. But don’t use that dislike as grounds for making hyperbolic and nearly nonsensical complaints about bad writing.

 

I think this is interesting compared to what Yoda says, do or do not, there is no try.

 

Wrong thread.

 

Can we all agree that Dedril is now canon?

 

I cannot believe I’m saying this, but bring on the Dedra/Syril ship. I’m morbidly curious to see it should the show choose you go there.

 

Here's a thought.

Spike and Drusilla without the vampirism.

 

Different context. Yoda was telling Luke he couldn't achieve is goal (lifting the xwing) if he had any doubt. I will vs I'll try.

Nemek is saying that although the odds seem long, the effort is worth it

 

"Nothing is true, everything is permitted."

"To say that nothing is true is to realize that the foundations of society are fragile and that we must be the shepherds of our own civilization. To say that everything is permitted is to understand that we are the architects of our actions and that we must live with the consequences, whether glorious or tragic."

 

My favorite thing was the Death Star shot, from the lil bots to the realization that the prisoners were making those parts in the earlier episodes.

 

So many good folks have said so much positive stuff I cannot really add anyhting else. This was a teult great show.

I really liked that we got 2 awesome speeches per episode recently. Each one different angles on Rebellion. Maarva's "waking up" speech and Nimek's "freedom" speech were fabulously inspiring!

Maybe not wrong, IMHO, but an acknowledgement that there is another way, one that is free of mistrust?

Such an unexpected and brilliantly done scene/episode to do in Star Wars. The build up was great - you could feel the tension for both Imperials and soon-to-be-Rebels.

A real tragedy.

Weirdly, I thought it gave them both an endearing quality. Kinda like buddies in a cop film. It reminded me that they are characters with a previous history...

Agree totally @BadAcrobat .

The line in RO "your father would be proud"... I'm glad his Dad put in a final appearance too.

I think this was also meant to show the things Luthen has sacrificed too - love, calm, kindness, etc - and how relationships are difficult to sustain when you're in fear and mistrust and fighting all the time.

As Luthen says, those bit players won't see a sunrise nor will they be remembered. Quite sad really.

I liked the way all the characters became part of their "side" (Empire or Rebel) and were shown to be a part of their group's efforts. A great ensemble ending.

Waiting for the shuttle was terrifying in BF2.

This needs quoting every few pages.

Well done Andor creators! A brilliant couple of months' TV.

On to a rewatch to soak up all the goodness again.