"The Empire is a disease that thrives in darkness, it is never more alive than when we sleep."

Andor is the story of rebellion that Star Wars , and greater TV in general, has long since been craving. Complete with an absolutely incredible cast of actors who make every single second count, Andor is a masterclass in storytelling from start to finish. Between the script itself and the visual execution, there are barely any, if any, flaws in this series to point out.

Taking a more serious approach than any other Star Wars project to date, Andor studies the everyday lives of people in the galaxy, displaying candidly how the Empire creeps into these worlds and plagues them with their oppression. Almost every single line is quotable, packing a punch with each syllable spoken. Perfectly balanced with exposition, action, and tension, Andor sets a new standard for what stories in the Star Wars galaxy can look like.

Andor, however, is not for the faint of heart. This series is intense from start to finish, lacking the somewhat whimsical vibe that every other Star Wars project has. Audiences, like the characters, can barely catch their breath going from one thing to the next. It does so in a beautifully natural way, seamlessly transitioning between storylines that give each character the perfect amount of depth.

Standout moments from Andor season 1 include Kino Loy's and Luthen Rael's monologues in "One Way Out," Maarva's funeral speech in "Rix Road," and the absolutely stunning spectacle that is the Eye of Aldhani. This boots-on-the-ground story is exactly what Star Wars has been needing.

Andor season 2 couldn't be more anticipated.

"If you ever need us, we'll be there."

I knew The Bad Batch was going to be special before it even began. There was a magic I felt around its premiere that I've only felt once before, which was with The Mandalorian. The story that was set up for them in The Clone Wars season 7 was already compelling as it was; there was so much more to learn about these clones, and thankfully, that was an avenue that Star Wars explored.

The Bad Batch proves to be a blend of everything that's most beloved about The Clone Wars. There are episodic, fun adventures, but there is also an overarching, high-stakes story. Each character grows immensely over the course of the series, which makes its ending feel even more rewarding and satisfying. That's what's best about this series: the characters.

For me, this is one of Star Wars' very best families. I connected with the bond between Hunter and Omega immediately, and that which she has with all her other brothers as well. All the heartache comes to fruition, even Tech's tragic sacrifice, by the time the story comes to an end, doing so perfectly with the epilogue that sees Omega start her next chapter with the love and of the "Dad" Batch. I couldn't have asked for anything more from this series.

Complete with one of Star Wars' best redemption arcs ever in Crosshair, The Bad Batch is the essence of Star Wars to me, balancing its humor and fun with serious, timely storytelling that provides context to the greater galaxy and Star Wars story. The Bad Batch is a show that I absolutely cannot stop rewatching over and over again, and yet I still get something new out of it every time.

This might just be Lucasfilm Animation's greatest feat yet, next to The Clone Wars season 7. Here's to hopefully seeing more of Clone Force 99 in action one day.

An absolute masterclass in classic Star Wars storytelling; a perfect balance between a character-driven narrative and the sci-fi, fantasy blend that this franchise is known for. Without this show, the others simply would not exist. Because of that, The Mandalorian will always be the standard for me.

The Mandalorian arrived at a time when Star Wars needed it most. In 2019, audiences were divided over stories that were relying far too much on nostalgia. The Mandalorian was fresh yet familiar, delivering a brand-new array of characters on many new planets. The story was also something everyone could not only appreciate, but also relate to. Everyone yearns to be wanted and loved, even when they're used to moving through the world on their own. Din Djarin and Grogu both get to find that in each other.

Seasons 1 and 2 are Star Wars perfection to me. They advance the story beautifully while faithfully adapting the classic episodic storytelling and narrative aspects of a traditional Western, making Din Djarin truly feel like a space cowboy. Though there's a plethora of Star Wars cameos in season 2, the lack of them in season 1, along with the way these cameos never cause the story to lose sight of Din and Grogu themselves, help to balance them out. I can, and have, watched these two seasons endlessly, and I never grow tired of them.

Season 3 is certainly the weaker link for me, but it's still a good Star Wars story. What doesn't hit as hard for me is the way Din and Grogu were lost within the narrative; this show absolutely needs them at the core of its storytelling at all times, and season 3 didn't quite accomplish that. Despite this, I will always hold this show at a five-star ranking, as The Mandalorian will always be my favorite Star Wars project ever.

And a special shoutout to Pedro Pascal's incredible performance as Din Djarin, in every single moment. This is the Way.