Star Wars: Andor

[Vael]

Finally got around to finishing Andor Season 1 (on the plane; we haven’t had D+ for ages) and my God, the last four episodes are absolute bangers. Not only the best Star Wars TV but some of the best TV ever, and certainly the best TV about fighting authoritarianism. And if Star Wars isn’t about fighting fascism, what the hell is it about?

Of particular note are the four classic speeches (One Way Out, What Do I Sacrifice, Fight the Empire, and Nemik’s Manifesto) which are all absolutely amazing. It’s a pity Mon Mothma doesn’t get one, but maybe she will in S2. One Way Out is about capitalism and nobody can convince me otherwise. Nemik’s Manifesto should be the new pledge of allegiance in schools.

So many good speeches. It's up there with Babylon 5 for great monologues.

As others have noted, Mon Mothma gets a banger of a speech in S2 ... but I have to give credit to her scene with Tay in E7: Announcement

Mon: "What you see, what people say about me, it's a clear picture, isn't it. I'm a polite, sometimes-indecisive Senator who spends her days fighting and failing to protect Separatist do-gooders and battle Empire overreach. An irritation, as you so harshly put it."
Tay: "I've made you angry, I…"
Mon: "No, No. You've set me free. I've been wondering all day how I could be sure of confiding in you."
Tay: "I don't know what we're talking about."
Mon: "It's a lie. The Mon Mothma people think they know, it's a lie. It's a projection. It's a front. Smile. I've learned from Palpatine. I show you the stone in my hand, you miss the knife at your throat."

It's a great moment for the character, as the show tends to show us her at her more conflicted state, fretting about family and finance and just the strain of keeping up that projection. But here, it's all about how one of her "oldest friends" has completely bought into that projection of hers and she shows how she's managed to survive within the Empire.

 

[Nikosandros]

I'm finally catching up with season 2, so - until I finish it, I'll stay clear of the spoilerific thread. So, just a small question: am I dreaming it or are there frequent musical callbacks to "Ali's Theme" from the Battle of Algiers? Given that the movie is about the struggle for freedom against colonial domination, it would be extremely appropriate, so I wondered.

 

[Ruin Explorer]

I'm finally catching up with season 2, so - until I finish it, I'll stay clear of the spoilerific thread. So, just a small question: am I dreaming it or are there frequent musical callbacks to "Ali's Theme" from the Battle of Algiers? Given that the movie is about the struggle for freedom against colonial domination, it would be extremely appropriate, so I wondered.

Listening to it, er yeah that definitely does sound like a musical reference point.


LOL one of the comments is about Andor fans!

It would be very unsurprising given that Tony Gilroy has specifically said the Battle of Algiers was a big inspiration for Andor. Haven't seen Battle of Algiers since uni and my memory of it was a bit hazy for... reasons... so I need to rewatch it.

 

[Nikosandros]

Listening to it, er yeah that definitely does sound like a musical reference point.


LOL one of the comments is about Andor fans!

It would be very unsurprising given that Tony Gilroy has specifically said the Battle of Algiers was a big inspiration for Andor. Haven't seen Battle of Algiers since uni and my memory of it was a bit hazy for... reasons... so I need to rewatch it.

I think that The Battle of Algiers is a great movie, a true masterpiece, IMHO. I also appreciate that while it is a very "partisan" movie, it still shows also the French point of view and does not shy from showing the brutal effects of the FLN terrorist attacks.