For those of us who grew up waiting for a new Star Wars episode, each new episode in the franchise brings with it a mix of excitement and scepticism.
We remember the first time we heard the sound of a lightsaber or the sense of wonder at seeing the Millennium Falcon soaring through space. But we’ve also seen how some productions have lived up to George Lucas’s legacy, while others have left us with a bittersweet feeling.
However, Andor achieved something special: it brought back that sense of danger and resilience without the need for Jedi or superpowers. Now, Disney is giving us the chance to relive this experience from the beginning and has given all fans a surprise: they’ve uploaded the first episodes of Andor to YouTube for free.
But this release isn’t a surprise, nothing is a surprise at Disney, it coincides with the series’ arrival on Hulu in the United States, which shows they’re investing heavily in the franchise.
What is ‘Andor’?
One of Disney’s latest series, in this case, takes us back to the origins of the Rebel Alliance, placing us five years before the events of Rogue One. In this context, we follow the story of Cassian Andor, a thief who, unintentionally, ends up embroiled in the fight against the Empire.
Andor moves away from the struggle between good and evil and goes a little further. Its characters are full of nuances and also show the circumstances that lead them to the extreme decisions they make. There are no perfect heroes or absolute villains, just individuals trying to survive in a world dominated by the Galactic Empire.
Why is Andor so special?
Because it’s unlike anything Star Wars has ever seen before. It’s not The Mandalorian, nor is it just another bonus episode. Instead, it stands out for its in-depth script and meticulous attention to detail. Instead of focusing on big space battles or overuse of special effects, Andor focuses on storytelling, espionage, prison breaks, and an intricate political plot that may seem familiar.
The cast
Diego Luna takes on the role of Cassian Andor, joined by a cast that also includes Adria Arjona, Stellan Skarsgârd, and Denise Gough.
There’s no doubt that the series aims to be the complete opposite of, for example, The Mandalorian, with which it “competes” in that it takes on a much more mature tone. With Andor, they don’t aim to create a series tailored for fans, but rather to tell a new story that explains the context of the revolution.
Disney’s strategy
If you’re wondering why Disney is making accessible those episodes of Andor, it is quite easy and simple, it’s like giving a child a piece of candy, they will want more and more. Disney is waiting for the audience to take the bait and subscribe to Disney+ to watch full the second season of the series.
But, there is a problem (at least for non-English speakers) and is that those episodes are only available in English, but it is still an incredible opportunity for those who had not watched the series yet.
What do we know about the second season?
Disney has been so shy about Andor’s second season, but something we know is that this will be the final season of the series, and that it will be directly connected to Roge One (becoming Cassian Andor in the famous heroes we already know).
Creators and directors have promised that the series will maintain the same style, but that this one will inquire more in the history of the Rebel Alliance.
If you haven’t seen Andor yet, this is your opportunity to give it a chance. Let us know if this story worths it or not!
