I Have Friends Everywhere

There was one line in this episode that stuck out to me... a line spoken by Luthen:

"We will bring them down... or die trying!"

I was reminded of one of the core strengths of this show, besides its writing and production! While we do know where things are going from the grand perspective, we don't know the fate of many of the characters or how we reach status quo in Rogue One! Andor not only has a lot of original characters, but some very well written ones!

This episode slowly but surely builds tension! As it progresses, more and more is set up, for a potential thrilling, unpredictable episode 6! We are starting to realize that sense of danger lurking everywhere!

The final scene was incredible! Amazing acting and monologue that gave me chills!

Another fantastic episode setting up what is sure to be a fantastic finale to the arc.

The political suspicion and planning continue. There are eyes and ears everywhere.

There isn't much action in this episode, yet I'm locked in all the same. I can feel the shadow of something sinister cooking. Andor has doubled down on the gritty feeling it is known for.

Andor truly is the best Star Wars has to offer. It doubles down on the great dialogue and character work. I applaud the team behind this and the many hours that it definitely took.

Everything is shaking up for a great finale. Great decision releasing them 3 at a time.

Wow Forest Whitaker is one of a kind. His performance as Saw Gerrera is nothing short of exceptional. His monologue at the end was incredible. Easily the best part of the episode. A good episode. On the slower side of the spectrum but still very good, even at its weakest this show is still very strong and the consistency is impressive. Excited to see where things go in the next episode. I have to take a whizz right now, if only IMDB didn't have character requirements on reviews I could go right now. Man I'm so happy its the weekend. Cant wait to keep watching this show. Man Nightreign is pretty sick huh? Excited to keep playing that this weekend.

There is plenty going on in I Have Friends Everywhere and it's all very well done.

Cassian's arc significantly gathers momentum from the previous episode. I like the character development shown in his portrayal as an intelligent rebel spy, especially with some of his decision making.

Saw Gerrera and the Onderons have more screen time and the scenes are strongly plotted and benefit from the star quality of Forest Whitaker. I hope these characters have more involvement in significant rebel activities as this one promises plenty.

The scenes involving characters with unknown destinies like Dedra, Syril, and Luthen continue to be some of the most intriguing aspects. It makes me want to find out if the Imperial couple will continue down the current path or if there will there be a twist. Likewise Bix's fate is compelling, as what we see here fills me with dread.

As ever the visuals are excellent and the performances are strong. For me Whitaker stands out with the most charisma.

The amount of attention to detail in this show is light years above other space opera.

The writing has become very sophisticated. We have an insurgency, within an insurgency, within an insurgency here which I have never seen before in fiction. There are multiple factions, each with its own agenda, goals and motivations. I just hope the fate of the galaxy doesn't depend on some last minute hand to hand fight between Andor and Deedra or some old greasy kid stuff from Marvel Comics.

There are all sorts of little details happening in each scene that give is authenticity. Most of the characters are deep and robust, each intensely interesting, to the point they could each support a series on their own. Andor himself is perhaps the least interesting of them all yet he binds the story together.

This is a thinking persons show. Lots of characters maneuvering using their minds to out think their opponents. Brute force doesn't work here. No time wasted on fight scenes we've seen thousands of times before (boooooooring) or long spaceship battles (yaaaaaaawn) that are the sludge of most Sci Fi these days.

I especially like the Deedra actress (Denise Gough). She has these big eyes, and makes several of the scenes pop just by messaging with those eyes. Forest Whitaker's character spews spellbinding stories and philosophy and had me rolling on the floor with the absurd timing he chooses to tell them. Syril, the petulant, dedicated Momma's boy is entertaining too and his mother Eedy's scenes are completely superfluous to the story but the actress is so spot-on-Coruscant-stereotype-Jewish mother they have to throw her in here for pure entertainment value.

I applaud the director for bringing all the best out of the actors. Some of them play very eccentric personalities and highly entertaining. Mostly the evil ones of course because evil characters just by virtue of being evil have a lot more latitude to show off extremely wild demeanor. Chaotic Neutral characters too like Saw played by Forest Whitaker get even more free reign to cross the line. There are some scenes where I feel like the the show has become an actors study where the actors are actually putting the practice of acting-stealing-the-scene is the primary purpose of the show.

I don't know if this show would impress everyone but it's blowing me away and I'm going to have to watch it again because I'm sure there are details I missed.