What a Festive Evening

The score, the visuals, the effects, the acting, the directing, the writing, the editing - every element is a masterclass in this arc.

Even though there wasn't much action, I was still on the edge of my seat at the end of this episode.

The characters are smart, there's not a single mistake or irrationality in the writing, each actors and actresses deliver absolutely phenomenal performances.

One criticism I would say is that the last scene may have been rushed a little bit, a short scene where the characters get informed and discuss their next move which was displayed in the last scene may have helped in my opinion.

Still, the other Disney plus series can't even compete with "Andor", this show is on another level. Sadly I feel we will never get this good Star Wars ever again after this show ends, but I'm grateful it happened.

"Andor" has quietly but powerfully established itself as one of the most compelling entries in the "Star Wars" universe - not by leaning into nostalgia or spectacle, but by building real, tangible stakes into every moment. That's no small feat for a prequel. In a story where we know that only a few characters survive into future installments, it would be easy to assume the outcome for everyone else is predetermined or inconsequential. But "Andor" flips that assumption on its head- Instead of using predetermined fates as narrative limits, it treats them as a creative challenge. The show thrives in the ambiguity, where the lack of guarantees for its ensemble becomes a source of constant tension. Every character feels like they're walking a tightrope over a bottomless chasm, and the show is relentless in its willingness to let any of them fall. That uncertainty doesn't just serve suspense - it deepens emotional investment. As a result, "Andor" crafts tension not through cheap thrills, but through the calculated risks its characters take, the moral compromises they make, and the weight of decisions that may never pay off. It's a brilliant method of storytelling that keeps the audience on edge, not just because they're wondering what will happen, but because they truly don't know who will survive the next crossfire, betrayal, or act of rebellion. Episode 6, "What a Festive Evening," builds on that foundation with gripping momentum. It weaves character, politics, and action into a narrative that's both deeply personal and grand in scale, offering a stunning example of how this show continues to elevate the genre through sheer narrative craft.

Cassian's dynamic with Bix continues to evolve in complex, painful ways, revealing how trauma and loyalty intersect and often conflict. Their scenes carry a rawness that underscores how far Cassian has come - and how much he still carries. Meanwhile, Vel and Cinta are given some of the most emotionally resonant moments of the episode, allowing their relationship to breathe in ways it hasn't before. All of this plays directly into Luthen's cold philosophy that unity breeds vulnerability, a haunting notion that this episode dares to test - and perhaps even vindicate.

Politically, "Andor" continues its scathing indictment of imperial bureaucracy and aristocratic indifference. The Investiture party, dripping with opulence and indifference, becomes a microcosm for the Senate's impotence - where debate is performative, and power is wielded in whispers rather than policy. The inclusion of figures like Krennic and the sharp verbal sparring between him and Mon Mothma brings a chilling reminder: the machinery of the Empire doesn't need to be efficient to be effective. In fact, it's very dysfunction is what allows it to thrive unchecked. These scenes act as a mirror to modern-day political complacency, making the commentary as sharp as ever and terrifyingly relevant.

Visually, director Ariel Kleiman once again proves his mastery of tension and tone. The climax of the episode, which juggles the chaos of a daring heist with the slow-burn unease of high-society politics, is a triumph of cinematic storytelling. The editing is precise, ratcheting up suspense with perfect timing, while the cinematography uses claustrophobic framing and sharp contrasts to juxtapose adrenaline-fueled action with icy decorum. The result is not only one of the most gripping sequences of the series but also one of the most stylishly executed.

The performance, as always, are stellar. Adria Arjona's Bix is a standout here, delivering a quietly devastating performance that carries both pain and agency. Faye Marsay gives her most layered turn yet as Vel, capturing grief, rage, and love in a way that feels heartbreakingly human. And Ben Mendelsohn slips into the room like a shadow in the night - his Krennic is all icy menace and calculated charm, a terrifying reminder of the Empire's capacity for charismatic cruelty.

"What a Festive Evening" is "Andor" at its most potent: character-driven, politically charged, and visually elegant. It's an episode that deepens the emotional toll of rebellion while never letting up on the pulse-pounding tension. In a series already lauded for redefining what "Star Wars" can be, this chapter proves it can still surprise, devastate, and dazzle in equal measure.

This series really does get better and better from story arc to story arc. The build-up is insane, the script is perfectly structured, the dialog is fantastic and the acting from EVERYONE involved is just great.

This is peak Star Wars!

Andor proves that with the right leads in front of and behind the camera, it's still possible to tell great and not forced stories in the Star Wars universe and I'm so grateful that this show exists and hopefully Disney will finally take a cue from the quality of this show for the future of Star Wars.

Tony Gilroy has created something truly wonderful here.

PS: Gohrman is so detailed I could cry.

Plenty of people are saying Andor is Star Wars for adults, finally. Others, fewer, are lamenting that Andor ruins Star Wars by depicting attempted sexual assault and drug use. (Though, the Star Wars OT movie series has gleefully depicted murder, slavery, and genocide, so it's never been as kid-friendly as those people would have you think).

Halfway through Andor season 2, I'm not convinced I'm even watching Star Wars anymore... but that's not the complaint it sounds like.

My dilemma is: Either Andor makes the Star Wars OT look quaint, or the Star Wars OT makes Andor look pretentious. It's difficult to accept that the two exist in the same universe.

In Star Wars OT, the Rebels are a league of hopeful idiots, smiling as they fling themselves toward doom. In Andor, they're still idiots, but they're not sure of why they're fighting, what they're resisting, where they're headed, or which of their comrades they should murder.

Andor's Rebels bicker over rations, fire their weapons wantonly, huff solvents, betray one another, bungle everything, kill each other out of mistrust... in short, barely the sort of group Princess Leia would associate with, nor the type that Luke Skywalker would aspire to.

No binary goodness nor Jedi sheen in sight.

When the Rebels aren't bumbling about, other characters are shooting heroin, or phoning their mothers, or conspiring to deface artwork, or enduring tedious board meetings.

I kinda love it, but cautiously.

If you heard Mon Mothma say, in ROTJ, "Many Bothans died..." and then wondered what the workday of a typical Bothan looks like, and where he buys his fruit, and how his birthday dinner went, and whether his student loan application has been processed in time for the opening semester, then this is the show for you!

Andor truly fleshes out the Star Wars universe, and expertly so, opening doors into rooms you only ever fleetingly wondered about, but in doing so, it almost becomes something other than Star Wars.

Superior to every Star Wars product since the OT. And, yes, better than Rogue One, assuming prematurely that it will stick the connective landing.

Greetings from Lithuania.

"What a Festive Evening", a sixth episode of "Andor" season 2 was a good one. Tense, were thing and events starting to (finally) move. Its not just about building pieces of a puzzle, but pieces started to move. The ending was surprising and rewarding. What is like about "Andor" is its unpredictability. Its a Star Wars but in spies world. The scene in the museum was a standout for me. Rebels, spies - all coming into one place.

Performances were excellent as usual, and i really looking forward to see remaining half of the last season 2. Its intriguing and well written story.