Harvest

When the ragtag and inept group of leaderless Rebellion fighters tried to settle their infighting with a galactic version of rock/paper/scissors, the full genius of Tony Gilroy's writing was shown.

I love "Andor" more than any Star Wars movie or series. Like many, I've been watching anything and everything to do with Star Wars since the very beginning. "Andor" finally, FINALLY filled what I didn't even know was missing. "Andor" gives us a full, detailed, emotional and passionate back story as to how the Rebellion impacted the general population. We already know about heroic Jedi, Starfighter battles and adorable (or quirky) aliens, so it is a relief to understand why a galactic war is necessary.

Fighting back against the Empire is astronomically expensive (pun intended) and procuring those funds is fraught with intrigue, danger and boldness. This episode shows exactly how money plays into any war. Mon Mothma is on a terrifying, emotional roller coaster surrounding her financial backing of the Rebellion and we all should applaud Genevieve O'Reilly for bringing IT to the role. The Empire has its own troubles in procuring a much needed mineral (calcite) from planet Gorman and this is where Dedra Meero enters the narrative. By the way, that dinner between Dedra, Syril and Eedy may go down as the most delightfully nutso family dynamic to grace the small screen. I actually found myself cheering for Dedra and Syril even though they are the Bad Guys.

Yet most important to these early episodes, we see how the Rebellion has as many bozos fighting in the ranks as the Empire has in their ranks. Or maybe that is too harsh of an assessment. The discombobulated, messy group of Rebellion fighters who hold Cassian prisoner are hungry, tired, scared, frustrated and worst of all ... leaderless. In-fighting is norm. I will assume that this season will treat us to how the Rebellion tries to overcome these obstacles.

Again, I love this series. Next week's 3-episode airing cannot come fast enough.

The Empire has always loomed large over the "Star Wars" galaxy - a monolithic force of control, fear, and ironclad authority. From the first moments we encountered them, we were told about their cruelty, their chokehold over worlds, and the suffocating weight of their dominance. But it wasn't until "Andor" that we truly began to see what that meant. This series hasn't just expanded on the myth of Imperial power; it's redefined it, presenting a more insidious, grounded version of tyranno - one that is more dangerous precisely because of how real it feels. Through cold boardrooms, morally grey alliances, and devastating civilian consequences, "Andor" has become a story as much about the dangers of unchecked power and authoritarianism as it is about the spaceships and shootouts that made the galaxy far, far away so iconic. Season 3, Episode 3, titled "Harvest," continues to prove just how essential this series is - not only to "Star Wars" lore but to the very idea of storytelling in a political landscape. This episode further intensifies the show's commitment to portraying the Empire not just as a villain, but as a system - a brutal, calculated machine that preys on the innocent, the desperate, and even those within its own ranks. We witness the unraveling impact of Imperial control on lives scattered across the stars, and how even the agents of that control - like Dedra Meero and Syril Karn - are caught in a twisted dance of ambition, humiliation, and compliance.

What makes "Harvest" so compelling is its story and themes. Tony Gilroy's script keeps pushing the narrative forward by exploring the emotional and physical cost of rebellion, oppression, and survival. Whether it's through Cassian's desperate efforts to protect those he loves or Luthen's cold-blooded pragmatism in silencing potential threats, the episode reminds us that in a galaxy ruled by fear, trust becomes its own battleground. Innocent systems like Mina-Rau continue to be crushed beneath the Empire's boot, and even as resistance grows, the desperation among civilians becomes palpable - not just from the cruelty of their oppressors, but from the actions of those who claim to fight for them.

The tone and tension remain razor sharp. The cruelty of the Empire isn't just discussed - it's felt. It pulses through a dinner scene that's as emotionally claustrophobic as any battle, and it erupts in moments of violence that are sudden, visceral, and horrifying. The political pressure is as fierce as ever, with secret deals and hard choices surrounding Mon Mothma and Luthen, while on the front lines, lives are being torn apart. The tension here isn't just in whether the good guys win - it's in wondering if there's even such a thing anymore.

The character development is masterful. Bix Caleen, already one of the show's most tragic figures, faces a moment that deepens her trauma and reminds us just how much she has suffered. Adria Arjona continues to deliver a quietly devastating performance, and her pain feels earned. Mon Mothma, brilliantly portrayed by Genevieve O'Reilly, balances sorrow and diplomacy as the cost of her rebellion grows heavier. Meanwhile, Dedra and Syril's dynamic continues to twist into something uniquely uncomfortable, with their dinner sequence offering an intimate look at the emotional manipulation at play - not just between them, but from Syril's mother, Eedy, whose presence remains disturbingly effective. Each of these characters feels like they're evolving because of their circumstances, not in spite of them.

Visually, "Harvest" is stunning. Director Ariel Kleiman brings an elegance to the chaos. The show's minimal use of the Volume continues to pay off, grounding scenes in tactile, physical environments that feel real. The editing is sharp, especially during the euphoric Chandrilan dance sequence, which is hauntingly intercut with the violence and collapse happening elsewhere. It's a stark contrast that elevates the entire episode, emphasizing how disconnected privilege can be from pain, and how celebration can occur alongside atrocity - if only you look away long enough.

"Andor" remains a triumph. With "Harvest," the series digs even deeper into what rebellion really means - and what it costs. It's complex, gripping, and unflinchingly honest. If "Star Wars" is about hope, "Andor" is about the price you pay to keep it alive.

No spoilers: The sets were incredibly designed. Acting is the best for any Star Wars movie/show. The story is very detailed and deeper than expected. The dialogue is calculated. Impressive, most impressive. I also felt the editing was paced perfectly as the episodes' intensity grew. Since we know the next 3 take place one year later, I can appreciate Gilroy's detail in showing you every character of the story and where they are today and what they are going to be doing in the future episodes, at least what it seems they will be doing. Paying attention to dialogue is of most importance on these 3 episodes. A rewatch might be needed. Enjoy Star Wars at its best.

You can easily cut out the wedding sequence from these 3 episodes and it would have been much better off for it.

Personally, the wedding sequence and the back room politics could have taken at least 15 minutes to accomplish the same thing that 150 runtime did. I feel like there was a lot of long winded sections that could have been cut out or tightened up for sure. Mon and Luthan don't actually do anything useful at all in these opening episodes. In fact the only characters doing anything worth paying attention to is Cassian and his friends, and even that's being a bit generous.

I did like the highlight of how divided the early rebellion is, but beyond that, these esp didn't accomplish much. I feel the dynamic of the rebel infighting was way better portrayed in the first season during the money heist than it was here. I feel the writers knew that, so they just remixed it a bit differently this time around but made it a bit more silly with that classic, corny Star Wars humor.

Overall, it was good 3 eps arc that sets the stage for the rest of the season.

I'm not one to memorize all the details if any certain movie it tv show. I watch for how it makes me feel.

Each of us different but for me, nothing made me FEEL the weight of the story, characters and outcomes like Star Wars, empire strikes back, rogue one and Andor. This episode embodied that spirit. Will they survive, will they be victorious or is this a loss that must be regroup and be rallied around. I'm not one to cry but there are moments that really affected my allergies.

The pace is quickening and has most if all aspects in this episode that should make everyone happy

I think this 3 ep release schedule is awesome. It's like watching a movie. I'm nderjng if each week will cover 1 bby it charting the timeline is not as critical as main story elements that take us to rogue ones door step. Time will tell.