If you’re a Star Wars fan — or even just someone who appreciates a good sci-fi story — the return of Andor on Disney+ should be a very welcome event. Disney has released the first three episodes of the highly anticipated second season, and the good news is clear: Andor picks up right where its excellent first season left off, without missing a beat.
For those who haven’t jumped aboard yet, Andor serves as a prequel to Rogue One, the 2016 film that chronicled the Rebel spies’ mission to steal the Death Star plans. Cassian Andor, the gritty, morally complicated hero of that film, is the central figure here. The first season followed his gradual journey into the heart of the Rebellion, while also weaving in storylines about the Rebellion’s secret leadership — operating right under the Empire’s nose on Coruscant — and the Imperial intelligence officers working to crush the rebellion while navigating their own bureaucratic power struggles.
Now, I’ll admit up front: I’m a lifelong Star Wars fan. I was nine years old when the original movie hit theaters, and it captured my imagination in a way that’s never really let go. My standards for Star Wars content aren’t particularly high — I’ll find a way to enjoy almost anything with a lightsaber in it. I even found redeeming qualities in the Kenobi series (thanks largely to another great Ewan McGregor performance), and I had fun with Skeleton Crew, which, although aimed at a younger audience, still had a lot of heart and some solid work by Jude Law.
But Andor is different. Andor isn’t just “good enough” Star Wars — it’s good television, full stop.
If Skeleton Crew was Star Wars simplified for kids and The Mandalorian was a loving homage to the original trilogy’s spirit, Andor is Star Wars elevated for grown-ups. It’s serious, character-driven storytelling that respects the audience’s intelligence. The show succeeds where many prequels fail: it introduces enough new characters and settings that you’re invested in the journey, even knowing where the main characters — like Cassian Andor and Mon Mothma — eventually end up. It also respects the established canon without cheapening it, a pitfall that has tripped up other parts of the franchise.
This formula — expanding the universe without trampling on what came before — is the same recipe that made Better Call Saul such a phenomenal prequel to Breaking Bad. And it’s why Disney+’s Star Wars series, when they steer clear of over-relying on Skywalker nostalgia, have generally fared better critically than the more recent films.
(Though there are exceptions: The Book of Boba Fett somehow managed to turn a legendary bounty hunter into a small-town mayor, and not in a good way.)
The first three episodes of Andor Season 2 prove the showrunners haven’t forgotten these lessons. The season opens with a tightly executed caper that quickly spirals into a breathless action sequence. Immediately, we’re reminded of two core dangers in the Star Wars galaxy: the oppressive surveillance of the Empire in its strongholds, and the ruthless anarchy of the lawless outer worlds.
Some viewers may pick up on political undertones — one early scene involving an Imperial raid on farm workers could be read as commentary on real-world immigration crackdowns — but given production timelines, any such parallels likely weren't timed for recent headlines. In any case, the storytelling rises above simple allegory, anchoring itself in character motivations and real stakes.
By the third episode, tensions have escalated sharply. Betrayals unfold. Old traumas resurface. Blackmail and personal loss loom large. (There’s one scene that was heavily hyped before release — without spoiling it, I’ll just say it’s impactful, though maybe not quite the earth-shaker some early buzz suggested.)
The dark side of the Star Wars universe remains strong in Andor, and that’s exactly what keeps the series compelling. By embracing complexity, moral ambiguity, and real character development, Andor brings a new kind of balance to the galaxy far, far away — one that fans of all kinds can appreciate.
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