Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Andor season 2Star Wars' movies and TV shows.
Andor avoids overlap with most major characters throughout Revenge of the Sith's deleted scenes, but also, Andor season 2 provides significant newfound insight into this era. It is in Andor season 2 that we can more fully see the villainy of the Empire, the efforts of the Rebels, and all that came to following the prequels.
Andor Shows The True Depths Of The Dark Times
Andor Season 2 Has Never Shied Away From The Brutal Realities Of This Era
One of the most jarring differences between Andor season 2 and Star Wars' various other shows and movies is Andor's willingness to depict the most gruesome, brutal, and dark truths from the Dark Times. This has included, among other things, the Ghorman Massacre. Both of these events reflect the realities of oppression, rebellion, and (eventually) war, and that is being done in a way that feels truly new in Star Wars.
Yes, war has been a key aspect of Star Wars from the beginning, but the franchise has never felt closer to real life than it does now. We are seeing peaceful protesters gunned down (or viciously smashed against the ground) and witnessing how oppressive regimes target the most vulnerable in a way that feels uncomfortably accurate to real life. Unlike many Star Wars projects, including the original trilogy, this story isn't about the most exceptional or powerful—Andor season 2 is focused on the everyday heroes, and that makes it feel so much more real.
Andor season 2 is focused on the everyday heroes, and that makes it feel so much more real.
Palpatine Isn't Present In Andor... But His Presence Can Be Felt
Palpatine's Influence (And The Threat He Poses) Are Ever-Present
Image via Disney+
As mentioned, Andor is very intentionally not focused on some of the biggest names in the galaxy, and that includes even the Emperor himself. However, Andor season 2, episode 9, has made it clear that even without his appearance on screen, Palpatine is dominating the narrative. During her imioned and groundbreaking speech before the Senate in episode 9, Senator Mon Mothma calls Palpatine out directly, by name, implicating him as the true source of evil in the Empire.
Star Wars Just Revealed Palpatine's First Failure (& It Was Glorious)
Emperor Palpatine/Darth Sidious just experienced a very public failure in Andor season 2, episode 9, and it was genuinely satisfying to see.
This is particularly notable given Andor season 2 also revealed that some genuinely believed the Imperials were not carrying out these heinous acts at Palpatine's behest; they believed he was oblivious to the evils being done in his name. Mon Mothma has more than set the record straight (although there are still those who will not accept the truth, of course), which also makes this a perfect follow-up to Revenge of the Sith. In that movie, Palpatine tried to present himself as a leader who was doing right by the galaxy. Mon just shattered that illusion.
Andor Is The Best Star Wars TV Show To Date
This Show Is Bringing An Entirely New Feeling To Star Wars
Image via Disney+
Even with three episodes left in the show, it's clear Andor season 2 is absolutely one of Star Wars' best TV shows—and there may never be one like it again. Andor showrunner Tony Gilroy himself indicated he believes there will never be anything like Andor again in Star Wars, in part because of the resources the show required. While I certainly hope that's not true, and perhaps naively believe the fanfare around the show may encourage Disney to be more open to bigger, more expensive Star Wars shows, it will undoubtedly be true that this story will be unmatched.
Andor season 2 has shown how gritty, realistic, and serious Star Wars can be, and that has been a notable difference from other Star Wars movies and TV shows, even as they tackle similar themes. It very well may be that nothing like Andor ever comes along in Star Wars again, although I sincerely hope that's not true. Whether it is or not, though, Andor season 2 has proven to be the perfect sequel to Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, and it is forever changing Star Wars.
New episodes of Andor season 2 release weekly on Tuesdays at 9 PM EST/6 PM PST on Disney+.
Release Date |
Episode Drop |
|---|---|
April 22, 2025 |
Andor season 2, episodes 1-3 |
April 29, 2025 |
Andor season 2, episodes 4-6 |
May 6, 2025 |
Andor season 2, episodes 7-9 |
May 13, 2025 |
Andor season 2, episodes 10-12 |
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