'Andor' Episode 7: "Announcement" Recap and Review
The Consequences of Aldhani ripple across the galaxy as the waves of rebellion grow stronger and more ruthless
WARNING: Contains Spoilers
After the exciting and tragic heist last week the series takes a deep breath and gives the galaxy time to react… and react they did. The episode is anchored by the performances of the acting veterans scattered throughout this show, and it is highly needed. In terms of story there is very little, the episode serves as an epilogue to the previous episode with only a couple characters progressing in their own storylines and by a minute amount. Aside from this, the show is no less gripping then it was before, the progression of the titular characters story always manages to remain interesting in spite of the length of progress. Unfortunately, the balance of the episode leaned a little too strongly towards exposition side of the scales.
The episode begins on Coruscant in the Karn Household. Syril Karn (Kyle Soller) and his mother prepare for his job interview (she criticizes his suit) over breakfast when he hears the news of Aldhani. At the Empire’s Security headquarters, Lieutenant Meero (Denise Gough) joins an emergency meeting about the attack. While listening to news of the attack Luthen Rael (Stellan Skarsgård) and his assistant Kleya Marki (Elizabeth Dulau) are visited by Mon Mothma (Genevieve O'Reilly) without announcement. Mon grills Luthen about the attack and asks why she was not informed beforehand. Luthen is staunch in his insistence that now was the time, the war has already begun. Mon leaves unsatisfied to prepare for a meeting of senators to ask for financial help with the rebellion. At the Bureau of Standards, Syril takes a new position in Fuel Purity and has his previous record in security expunged. Leaving the shop, Kleya has a secret meeting with Vel Sartha (Faye Marsay) to discuss the heist. Meanwhile, Lt. Meero requisitions a report on all the thefts of Imperial equipment in secret. Kleya glosses over the deaths during the heist but orders Vel to do one thing specifically, get rid of the loose end, Cassian. On the now imperial controlled Ferix, Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) returns to his home with Maarva (Fiona Shaw). He tells her of his success and the money he has now to leave the planet and take her with him. She is reluctant but sends him to check on Bix before they leave. Back on Coruscant, Mon Mothma reunites with an old acquaintance Tay Kolma (Ben Miles), banker at the Bank of Kolma. Subtly she asks for his help with a secret project, one that would surly anger the Empire. Cassian sneaks to the home of Bix Caleen (Adria Arjona) where he checks up on her. She tells him that he is not safe on Ferix, and he needs get as far away as possible, it’s clear that this is goodbye. He returns to Maarva where she tearfully tells Cassian that she cannot join him, her place is on Ferix with the rebellion and his is not. She is proud of what happened on Aldhani and she is ready to join, with or without him. On Coruscant, the ISB is having another security meeting when Lieutenant Supervisor Blevin (Ben Bailey Smith) decides that to inform the group about Lt. Meero’s secret overstepping of boundaries. Meero defends herself from Blevin’s charges and much to the surprise of both Lieutenants, their superior sides with Meero and gives control of Ferix to her as well as a warning to watch her back. Cassian finds himself on the beach of planet Niamos. While heading to the store, he is mistaken as a trouble maker by a stormtrooper. The trooper questions him then tells a Security Droid to hold him. Cassian is arrested and sentenced to six years in prison.
What a performance by Fiona Shaw. The veteran actor is probably best known for her role as the mostly unpleasant Mrs. Dursley from the Harry Potter Franchise. Her goodbye to Cassian is that of a mother who realizes that she can no longer protect her son and must let him go on his own. Her performance is heartbreaking and a memorable final moment with the character. Another character that seemingly said her goodbyes to Cassian is that of Adria Arjona’s Bix Caleen. She made the most of her time on screen, elevating each scene she was a part of with great character work and a masterclass in subtly. Mon Mothma made some moves this week, first by confronting Luthen Rael about the making moves without her and then by making a move without him. She shed her timid role in the Rebellion and moved closer to the Rebel leader that we all know her to be. Elizabeth Dulau’s Kleya was also very surprising this week, emerging from her assistant role to show that she is as much a leader in the Rebellion as Luthen and is rather ruthless to boot. She casually sends Vel out to kill Cassian without batting an eye, referring to him as a “loose end.” On the other side of the war, we get a glimpse of the ruthless power grab that drives those in the Empire. Lieutenant Meero saw her ceaseless meddling in someone else’s sector first, called out for punishment, then rewarded by her superior. This disregarding of protocol reinforces why the Empire is dark to the core, as a Sith covets power above all else. As for Cassian, he is in a bit of trouble at the moment. He was arrested for literally nothing and also assaulted by a Security Droid in a clear cut example of excessive force. The use of the Security Droid is interesting and worth note as this could signal the imminent introduction of fan favourite K2SO, voiced by the incredible Alan Tudyk.
We are now firmly in the second half of the season and what an excellent first half it was. More interesting though was the format that emerged. It seems the stories have been split into groups of three episodes. The premier week released the first three episodes together which acted as it’s own opening movie that established the series as the spy thriller that it became. The next three episodes were all about the heist on Aldhari which together made up an incredible story on it’s own. So this being the first episode in the next three episode arc it is slightly unfair to judge it on it’s own, but even if you judge it as the Act One of a three act story the episode is light on progress. Yes, the previous arc has a weight to it, being the first shot by the Rebellion, and it’s effects cannot be ignored, but Cassian’s current predicament was only set up in the last few minutes of the episode when the rest was largely unrelated leaving the two situations feeling a tad disjointed. These issues are relatively minor in the grand scheme of the series but after the stellar episode that came before it, the drop in quality is far too noticeable.