One Year Later

I strongly encourage you all to watch the recap of the first season of Andor. It's been a long time since the last episodes aired on Disney+.

Because you will be given no time to catch a breath. I hardly knew anymore how much happened in the first season of Andor. It's great to see old characters - and also new ones. The eerie feeling you get when the intro appears. Great acting, great scenery, great music. Like in the previous season, there's so much happening - I can't and I won't describe any of it to stay at the no spoiler side of reviews. I just wish you all a great time finding your way back into Andor. The wait is over, and it definitely was worth it!

So it again took a bit to adjust to a new Star Wars environment. Again a bit slow. But none of this is a bad thing.

Star Wars stretching past Skywalker, savers and tattoine is a brilliant move. This episode starts slowly to set the stage. A bit more drama than last but beautiful to behold.

A lot if the time my imagination is wondering where the path is going. The building character development is awesome. The succinct scripting but secretive about the plot captivates me. Just like this rebellion, not is just given easily. You earn the outcomes as a viewer. I can't wait to see what next episode holds.

But, for Disney to take their 'best of all time' and kill it off after only two seasons is quite insane.

The production is very good, acting superb, direction and pacing quite wonderful. A truly compelling start to season 2.

The rag tag rebellion is painfully real, idiotic, childish in so many ways, just as it would be in many cases. Excellent stuff.

The opening scenes, also, prove the writers understand what it means to start something you might not survive in the long run, e.g. Rogue One.

Season One was super, a truly worthy beginning, a confirmation of Lucas' vision. I loved every second.

Flawed? Not. Exacting and reflecting the truth of Rebellion: Definitely.

(very mild spoilers)

Bigger, faster, louder, and dare I say funnier. The first shot screams artistry, the 4BBY date is like a doomsday clock for Rogue One - and the end of the show for that matter.

Grips you immediately and doesn't let you go, I honestly would've been happier waiting week by week for each episode, this episode offers a lot to think on. Especially considering this episode DOES NOT take it as slow and methodical as the start of season 1 was.

What can I say that hasn't been said about Season 1? The writing is brilliant, translating into realistic and charismatic dialogue, the production quality all around is top notch - feature film level in fact. The action is riveting and the CGI blends in with superb sets and costumes. Cinematography wise I'd consider this an upgrade over Season 1, using carefully composited framing with wide angle lenses. Used particularly to great effect in this episode in an immersive 'oner'.

The Tie Avenger is awesome, this IS Star Wars.

When "Andor" first debuted, it did so under a cloud of skepticism. A prequel series based on a character from "Rogue One" didn't immediately inspire confidence in a franchise increasingly reliant on nostalgia and familiar faces. But Tony Gilroy and his team shattered expectations, delivering a grounded, gripping, and complex political thriller that redefined what "Star Wars" storytelling could be. Season 1 wasn't just good - it was hailed as some of the best "Star Wars" ever made, a bold step into mature, character-driven drama that resonated with longtime fans and newcomers alike. So it's no surprise that anticipation for Season 2 has been sky-high - and with "One Year Later," that excitement is thoroughly rewarded.

Tony Gilroy's writing once again stands at the forefront of "Andor"'s excellence. The episode deftly introduces us to this tense, fractured galaxy, setting the tone for a season that promises high stakes and emotional depth. Cassian's espionage mission runs parallel to the growing unrest within the Empire, an unfolding political drama on Chandrila, and simmering tensions among scattered rebel factions. Each thread is layered with meaning and urgency, creating a rich tapestry of interwoven plots. These aren't just plotlines - they're pressure points in a slow-building revolution. Ariel Kleiman steps into the director's chair with confidence, continuing "Andor"'s tradition of grounded, tactile filmmaking. The show remains a masterclass in production design, utilizing practical sets and minimal use of the Volume to create some of the most authentic and "lived-in" environments in the "Star Wars" canon. Every setting - from a damp jungle outpost to the opulent halls of Chandrila - feels tangible. A standout moment is an extended one-shot scene featuring Mon Mothma, a quietly jaw-dropping sequence of tension and subtext that reminds viewers just how cinematic "Andor" can be without ever shouting. One of the hallmarks of "Andor" is its understanding that tension doesn't require blaster fire - and yet, when action does come, it hits hard. The opening sequence is a taut, sharply executed mission that immediately immerses the audience in danger and uncertainty. This episode proves again that "Andor" doesn't need to rely on non-stop set pieces to keep us on the edge of our seats.

"One Year Later" is a stunning return to form for a series that continues to set the gold standard for "Star Wars" television. Whether you're here for the politics, the espionage or the character-driven drama, "Andor" reminds us that the galaxy far, far away is big enough for stories that burn slow, hit hard, and stay with you long after the credits roll.