Thanks much for this Luc - I also enjoyed the logically building plot, the well-developed motivations of the characters, and the pressing moral questions in Andor S1, and am looking forward to S2. Please do write a "spoiler-filled analysis" - I would happily read it :)
What I love about Andor, beyond all the wonderful things you point out here, is that it shows a man discovering the value of freedom for himself. Like you say, it's not a sudden conversion - he has to live through tyranny up close and personal to get why fighting for freedom matters. It's an exceptional piece of television and it's an absolute marvel that Disney-era Star Wars produced such an outstanding show alongside a lot of very mediocre ones. I can't wait for season 2.
At one point, you mention a parallel with Han Solo in Star Wars: A New Hope: "It takes the story of Han Solo in A New Hope—the story of a scoundrel who goes from cynical pragmatist to true believer (in a sudden twist)—and turns that late plot-twist into twelve episodes of character development. The story of Cassian Andor is more like the long-developing story of Jean Valjean in Les Misérables than the quick, off-screen change of heart of Han Solo."
While it's true that in the Star Wars film that *is* a "sudden twist" and "quick, off-screen change of heart," it took a 2018 film that I love--"Solo: A Star Wars Story"--to learn how and why Han would *of course* become a "true believer" rebel in Star Wars. If you have not seen that film, I strongly encourage you to do so. It deserved a lot more credit than it got at the time. I won't give any spoilers here. :o)
Thanks much for this Luc - I also enjoyed the logically building plot, the well-developed motivations of the characters, and the pressing moral questions in Andor S1, and am looking forward to S2. Please do write a "spoiler-filled analysis" - I would happily read it :)
What I love about Andor, beyond all the wonderful things you point out here, is that it shows a man discovering the value of freedom for himself. Like you say, it's not a sudden conversion - he has to live through tyranny up close and personal to get why fighting for freedom matters. It's an exceptional piece of television and it's an absolute marvel that Disney-era Star Wars produced such an outstanding show alongside a lot of very mediocre ones. I can't wait for season 2.
Luc, I love this essay for so many reasons!
At one point, you mention a parallel with Han Solo in Star Wars: A New Hope: "It takes the story of Han Solo in A New Hope—the story of a scoundrel who goes from cynical pragmatist to true believer (in a sudden twist)—and turns that late plot-twist into twelve episodes of character development. The story of Cassian Andor is more like the long-developing story of Jean Valjean in Les Misérables than the quick, off-screen change of heart of Han Solo."
While it's true that in the Star Wars film that *is* a "sudden twist" and "quick, off-screen change of heart," it took a 2018 film that I love--"Solo: A Star Wars Story"--to learn how and why Han would *of course* become a "true believer" rebel in Star Wars. If you have not seen that film, I strongly encourage you to do so. It deserved a lot more credit than it got at the time. I won't give any spoilers here. :o)
I saw Solo years ago!
That might be a fun rewatch to compare Cassian to Han in more depth!
I absolutely agree, Andor is great!