Harvest

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.

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 just an initial reaction. Man this episode left me riveted. The topics they tackle in this episode are insanely mature and they handle them very well. I was absolutely not ready for how dark this would get.

As for the show itself, it's still great. People probably won't love Cassians plot in the first two episodes but i enjoyed it because I think I see what they were trying to do with it. I think that plot is supposed to be a microcosm of the rebellion and how there's no trust and everything's chaotic and it'll be a contrast to the end of the season once the rebellion truly unites.

I loved everything else. Krennic, mon mothma, luthen, bix. The ending of the last one almost got me ngl. Overall this was a phenomenal start and I don't use that word lightly.

The pacing and growing tension leaves me feeling anxious for characters I seem to genuinely care about. This episode left me sat silently at the end processing the arc so far.

Twists and turns from the previous series and the two previous episodes culminating in a crescendo of emotional blows that hurt because of the time and skill invested by everyone working on this show.

Dedra brings an E-WEB to a knife fight in a series of scenes so unexpected and divergent from the pace of the rest that it is more arresting and engaging for that difference.

If the remainder of the run continues at this pace and with this quality it will be a lasting testament to all involved and to what sci-fi can be even in this era.

I can't take credit for it, but I saw someone online say "This wedding could have been an email" about this episode and it's true.

We did not need 3 episodes of a tiresome, make believe wedding with Stellan Skarsgard's character furtively appearing, whispering something inane, and then scuttling back off into the shadows. Where was the fearsome smuggler from s1 ?

Anyway, the entire wedding arc could have been over and done in about 45 minutes, but at least it was plot relevant.

The action in the rest of the eps so far was great, and it all came to a head in 'Harvest', with some real punch-the-air moments.

Also I've got no objection to Techno - even boring Club techno of the throw your hand in the air variety - being in soundtracks. I think they could use more Techno, and more Heavy Metal while we're about it, since Ambient and Hip Hop crossed that line years ago.

But, the arcs did advance. Season one was slow, with a lot to unpack. These first 3 eps of Season two are a little fatty and needed trimming, but there's definitely 2 episodes worth of material across the 3.

This so far is not Severance, or From. They haven't introduced 30 new characters and 15 new plot lines that don't in any way related to the previous season. They are continuing the arcs, and, with a little reservation about pace, I like where it's going.

Will be watching still!