Star Wars: Andor

[Zaukrie]

I know I've already posted this in the thread, but, wow, great tv. Seriously love this show now that we aren't getting flashbacks.....so good.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

Reminded me more of things like "Buck Rogers" and "Genesis 2."


EDIT Anyone recognize the name of the lead character from another, later Roddenberry spawned project?

Hercules in Space! Also known as Andromeda. Arguably, until Sorbo took full control, it had a pretty neat story and setting, but when he drove away key writers it became less interesting... Never watched the final season, I think.

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

Hercules in Space! Also known as Andromeda. Arguably, until Sorbo took full control, it had a pretty neat story and setting, but when he drove away key writers it became less interesting... Never watched the final season, I think.

There were a few promising, but ultimately terribly unsatisfying, "UHF" scifi shows in the 90s.

The two that spring to mind are always Earth:Final Conflict and Andromeda.

Both shows had really good first seasons (especially for the time), and then completely cratered after that.

You point out what happened with Andromeda (Sorbo seizing more control and marginalizing the writers and actors that made the show ... you know ... good). An even greater tragedy, in my opinion, was E:FC. It was also based on a Rodenberry idea.

The first season was genuinely good and intriguing for its time ... not great, but solid and had a few episodes that showed you the potential. And then ... there was an issue with the main actor (Kevin Kilner) and they went in a terrible and stupid direction. It went from a good and intriguing show to one of the worst things on television.

 

[Ryujin]

Hercules in Space! Also known as Andromeda. Arguably, until Sorbo took full control, it had a pretty neat story and setting, but when he drove away key writers it became less interesting... Never watched the final season, I think.

Having seen both I'm pretty sure that the original idea for "Andromeda" was first shown in "Genesis II." Both are Roddenberry-based projects. Both involve a man who has been effectively frozen in time until long past when his world has ended. Both involve bad guys who are arguably superior to regular humans. I would say that of the two, "Genesis II" was the better property. Not only was Lyra-a (Mariette Hartley)
hot and had two navels, but the movie also had Lurch the Butler (Ted Cassidy) in a starring role.

There were a few promising, but ultimately terribly unsatisfying, "UHF" scifi shows in the 90s.

The two that spring to mind are always Earth:Final Conflict and Andromeda.

Both shows had really good first seasons (especially for the time), and then completely cratered after that.

You point out what happened with Andromeda (Sorbo seizing more control and marginalizing the writers and actors that made the show ... you know ... good). An even greater tragedy, in my opinion, was E:FC. It was also based on a Rodenberry idea.

The first season was genuinely good and intriguing for its time ... not great, but solid and had a few episodes that showed you the potential. And then ... there was an issue with the main actor (Kevin Kilner) and they went in a terrible and stupid direction. It went from a good and intriguing show to one of the worst things on television.

Don't forget about "TekWar." Created by Captain Kirk. Starring BJ, but no Bear, and also featuring a rather young Andromeda.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Apart from the last couple of action shots, that fan intro does an excellent job of making it look like a show with a 1970s BBC budget: all story and acting, no sets or effects (or at least nothing that couldn't be filmed in an old quarry or using a polystyrene model).

If they got anything wrong, it's the choice of font for the credits. Too modern.

Still slow, compared to Space 1999...

The font is similar, but not quite right...

 

[trappedslider]

 

[Paul Farquhar]

It might of been fun if Luthen had discussed the significance of the headdress with a customer. Something along the lines of "it's an ancient Nubian courting helmet". But Andor doesn't do fun.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

Some people here and elsewhere wonder if Luthien might be a former Jedi (or even Sith). It's possible, but here is my reasoning why within Andor's more "grounded" feeling it would be wrong:
The time for Jedi to save the day comes later, after the ordinary people have done the basics. The Rebellion's foundation and growth must be based on the expressed will of the oppressed, the victims of the Empire starting to resist, not the whims of a superpowered individual. Only then does the legitimacy exist for what is basically a superhero to help them accomplish their goal. It's already the will of the people for the Empire to end, they just can't do it alone because the Empire is lead by a supervillain, too.

If the Jedi basically manipulate the Rebellion into existence, it loses legitimacy. Of course, some would point out that it's a symmetry, a Sith manipulated the Empire into existence, a Jedi manipulates the Rebellion to defeat it. But I think it violates the spirit of the Jedi being the good guys. The Sith do things because they want to serve their own interests, the Jedi do things to serve the interests of the people. For a correct symmetry, the Rebellion has to be started and organized by "ordinary" folk.

I could be wrong, of course, then you can all laugh and point.

 

[Nikosandros]

I could be wrong, of course, then you can all laugh and point.

IDK if your are right or not, but I love your take.

 

[Ryujin]

Some people here and elsewhere wonder if Luthien might be a former Jedi (or even Sith). It's possible, but here is my reasoning why within Andor's more "grounded" feeling it would be wrong:
The time for Jedi to save the day comes later, after the ordinary people have done the basics. The Rebellion's foundation and growth must be based on the expressed will of the oppressed, the victims of the Empire starting to resist, not the whims of a superpowered individual. Only then does the legitimacy exist for what is basically a superhero to help them accomplish their goal. It's already the will of the people for the Empire to end, they just can't do it alone because the Empire is lead by a supervillain, too.

If the Jedi basically manipulate the Rebellion into existence, it loses legitimacy. Of course, some would point out that it's a symmetry, a Sith manipulated the Empire into existence, a Jedi manipulates the Rebellion to defeat it. But I think it violates the spirit of the Jedi being the good guys. The Sith do things because they want to serve their own interests, the Jedi do things to serve the interests of the people. For a correct symmetry, the Rebellion has to be started and organized by "ordinary" folk.

I could be wrong, of course, then you can all laugh and point.

I absolutely agree with this. The Jedi are supposed to serve, not lead. And it makes sense that a dealer in antiquities not only knows about Lightsabres, but has an understanding of how Kyber Crystal tech works (talking about his ship-borne "lightsabres" here).