best Star Wars TV show with an outstanding second season.
Across the 24 episodes of Andor, the show focused on how the titular character edged his way into Star Wars' Rebel Alliance. Naturally, some episodes were better than others, but it is worth pointing out that I do not think a single episode of Andor is bad. In fact, there is not any one episode of Andor that I would describe as just okay, with all being good, great, or dazzlingly excellent. With that in mind, I it it proved more difficult than I thought to rank Andor's episodes, which is a testament to the entire show's sheer quality.
24 “That Would Be Me”
Season 1, Episode 2
The "worst" episode of Andor is the second of the entire show. As alluded to above though, this is still a good episode of TV. Where the first two episodes are concerned, to save me repeating my point in the next section, they rank as the weakest Andor installments due to their deliberately slow pace. This pace is necessary to set up the excellent Star Wars story of the next 22 episodes, however, so I cannot criticize them too much.
As with the rest of Andor, the production quality of "That Would Be Me" is beyond excellent. That, combined with the strong cast performances and intriguing backstory for Cassian, renders it an enjoyable episode. In comparison to what comes beyond it, though, "That Would Be Me" simply does not reach the same heights, yet provided a good installment to let Andor find its footing.
23 “Kassa”
Season 1, Episode 1
My opinion on "Kassa" is similar to how I feel about "That Would Be Me." Everything looks great, the performances are stellar, and the installment sets up the story to come well enough. It is simply the slower pace and more exposition-heavy set-up elements that rank it weaker than other episodes. In of why "Kassa" ranks above its immediate successor, I cannot forget how excited I felt that Andor's premiere delved into a sense of maturity unlike anything else in Star Wars only moments in. For this feeling alone, Andor's premiere comes in as the second weakest of the show's episodes.
22 “Sagrona Teema”
Season 2, Episode 2
In my review for Andor season 2, episodes 1-3, I specifically noted that episode 2, "Sagrona Teema" drags its feet a little. As the middle chapter of a three-episode arc, it suffers from, expectedly, middle chapter syndrome. The storylines teased in Andor season 2's premiere reach the middle of their journeys, leaving off before the real pay-off comes in episode 3.
"Sagrona Teema" also allows Alastair Mackenzie's Perrin to be the most likable he has ever been in Andor, complete with a beautifully written speech.
This, combined with the outright annoying storyline involving the Maya Pei rebels, renders "Sagrona Teema" one of the season's, and show's, weaker installments. Thankfully, though, the rest of Andor's production is excellent, and the mounting tension of the set-up in season 2's introductory arc is better than that in season 1's, explaining why "Sagrona Teema" ranks above "Kassa" and "That Would Be Me."
21 “Ever Been to Ghorman?”
Season 2, Episode 4
Much like the preceding three episodes I have ranked, "Ever Been to Ghorman?" only ranks this low due to the fact that less happens in this episode than in others. I am not someone who needs explosive action every week, which explains why I do not class any Andor episode as less than good, but I cannot deny that the slower episodes are simply less enjoyable than the bigger ones. "Ever Been to Ghorman?" is one of these episodes and, outside of a fantastic performance from Adria Arjona as Bix, offers little more - but also little less - than the three episodes beneath it on this list.
20 “Aldhani”
Season 1, Episode 4
Part of the trouble when ranking Andor episodes is that some of them, like "Aldhani," work excellently as parts of a whole rather than individual episodes. As an introductory part of the Aldhani arc, this episode is perfectly enjoyable. Getting to see a darker side of Luthen only teases more excellency to come from Stellen Skarsgård, and seeing him and Mon Mothma interact is brilliant. Cassian's integration into the Aldhani rebels is also fun, but the episode's focus on building another arc brings it down somewhat.
19 “The Axe Forgets”
Season 1, Episode 5
"The Axe Forgets" is similar to "Aldhani" in that it works excellently as part of the Aldhani arc. The former works better than the latter, though, due to the tension built for the heist ahead. The training sequences, the distrust between rebels, and the fear factor of the Empire all stand out in this installment, as does Alex Lawther as Nemik. Nemik's manifesto is expertly written and makes its first appearance here, and, were it not for the aforementioned set-up elements, “The Axe Forgets” could well have ranked higher.
18 “One Year Later”
Season 2, Episode 1
The opening installment of Andor season 2 is a mixed bag of an episode, with the good being so good that it ranks this episode above those below it. The only part of Andor I would describe as bad is the Maya Pei storyline, which begins here. Before that, Cassian's mission to steal a TIE Avenger features an excellent dialog scene with a fellow rebel, as well as some sweeping Star Wars starfighter action that is rare for Andor. This entire opening sequence is mind-blowingly good, with perfect CGI, a brilliant score, and classic Star Wars action.
TIE Fighters Have Never Looked Cooler Than They Do In Star Wars' New TV Show
TIE Fighters have long been a part of Star Wars canon, but never have they looked as cool as they do in the franchise’s newest TV installment.
The second half of the episode struggles more with the Maya Pei scenes and lacks the thrilling action of Cassian's earlier mission, but reintroduces Director Krennic to Andor in an enthralling scene that depicts the evil of the Empire's fascism better than any other Star Wars property. This plot, combined with the wedding on Chandrilla and the tense situation with Bix, Brasso, and Wilmon on Mina-Rau, sets up Andor season 2 more effectively than "Kassa" did in season 1.
17 “Announcement”
Season 1, Episode 7
"Announcement" is an exceptionally rare singular episode of Andor in that it does not take place within a wider arc, yet bridges the Aldhani storyline and the Narkina 5 plot. As a result, it is one of the only episodes of the whole show that can be entirely judged on its own merits. When doing so, it is clear to see why "Announcement" ranks this highly. The ISB scenes are as compelling as ever, and the highs of the Aldhani arc bleed over into this episode. When adding in the flashbacks to Cassian's father's death and the unsettling scene of Cassian being profiled by Imperials, "Announcement" really works.
16 “Daughter of Ferrix”
Season 1, Episode 11
With 24 episodes to rank, I do not want to risk repeating myself. Therefore, "Daughter of Ferrix" works in the same way every other Andor episode does. It transitions from the highs of its preceding episode excellently and tees up an exciting final episode. All of the performances are brilliant, driven by the death of Maarva Andor, which only makes the final two episodes all the easier to invest in. What stands out above other episodes here, though, is Luthen's dogfight scene, which provides a conventionally exciting Star Wars scene among quieter moments.
15 “Narkina 5”
Season 1, Episode 8
"Narkina 5" is another set-up episode as the opener of a new arc, yet it does this job better than most others in the show. The transition to an entirely new, threatening, Imperial area in the titular prison is refreshing and pins Cassian up against nearly insurmountable odds. This alone makes this episode a great watch, and that is only aided by seeing Andy Serkis in Star Wars once more. Outside of the prison, it is great seeing characters like Dedra and Syril interact for the first time, promising more expert storytelling to come.
