'Andor' Episode 8: "Narkina 5" Recap and Review
Suddenly the vastness of the Galaxy feels claustrophobic as all eyes and minds are occupied by Cassian Andor
WARNING: Contains Spoilers
The walls are closing in on everyone as Cassian is stuck right underneath the Empire’s noses. This week’s episode has an interesting, deceptive, quality to it. The few plot developments in this episode would normally feel underwhelming if it were just them but they were all bolstered by character threads connecting and the return and debut of familiar faces. Most of this episode highlights process. The process of tracking Cassian, the process of acclimating to incarceration, the process of strengthening the rebellion. It is easy to slap the label of filler on this episode, which it is, but kudos to the showrunners for figuring out how to best hide the fact and turn out a very good episode.
The episode begins with Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) as he is processed through the Imperial prison system. He is transported to Narkina 5. On Coruscant, the monotony of the day is broken for Syril Karn (Kyle Soller) as he is visited by security and taken away. Lt. Meero (Denise Gough) joins Karn and interrogates him about his searches for Cassian Andor. She leaves him and joins an ISB security meeting where she brings up Cassian and his mystery accomplice. She requisitions a search party to find the accomplice and end the Rebels. Andor arrives at the prison planet where his is stripped of everything including his shoes and is escorted to his new holding area. He learns that a fellow inmate runs the floor and meets him, Kino Low (Andy Serkis). Meero releases Karn but not before he pleads his case to join her in pursuit of Andor. Kino shows Cassian around and his job while on at the prison. It is clear that he isn’t going anywhere soon. Mon Mothma (Genevieve O'Reilly) is experiencing quite the opposite as she attends a party on Coruscant. Its not long before she is joined by Tay Kolma (Ben Miles) and the two discuss the money issue. They drop the talk as they run into her daughter who seems anxious. Cassian and the rest of the prisoners wait to be let into the holding area when he notices several inmates communicating with hand signals. Before bed the group argues about the attack on Aldhabi and Cassian attempts to sleep. 30 days pass and Cassian is well seasoned as a worker at this point. So much has changed on Ferix, Brasso (Joplin Sibtain) passes nothing but imperials and storm troopers as he makes his way to Maarva (Fiona Shaw) to check up on her. He arrives to find Bix Caleen (Adria Arjona) already helping her and learns that she hurt herself while helping the rebellion. Watching them are Vel Sartha (Faye Marsay) and Cinta Kaz (Varada Sethu) looking for any sign of Cassian. Cinta wants to stay on the planet while Vel wants to take a breather. Vel realizes there is no arguing with Cinta, she has to leave Cinta there alone. In a bid to get information on Cassian, Bix tries to contact Luthen Rael (Stellan Skarsgård). On Coruscant, Luthen and Kleya Marki (Elizabeth Dulau) receive the call but Kleya doesn’t want Luthen to answer, reluctantly, Luthen agrees and they cut off communications with Ferix. The next day, Luthen leaves Coruscant, but not for Ferix. The next day Bix finds a crowd gathered and group of Imperials harassing a friend of hers. One of the Imperial officers recognizes her and she takes off running. She doesn’t get far before she is caught. Luthen meets up with another Rebel cell leader, Saul Gererra (Forest Whitaker). Luthen offers supplies in exchange for joining forces. Saul is reluctant. Bix is taken to Lt. Meero, who is ready to anything for answers.
All the story threads seem to be braiding together nicely. Syril Karn has now put the name of Cassian Andor in the mind of Lt. Meero, who has in turn tracked down Bix Caleen, who in turn is being watched by Vel and Cinta under the instruction of Kleya who questions Luthen’s dedication. Everyone is now connected by the common thread of Cassian Andor. Mon Mothma seems to be the only one on the outside looking in despite her prominent role in the rebellion in the future. For now, it seems like she is almost looked down upon by her compatriots inside the rebellion. Mon is keen to stick to the shadows and fight from the inside. Luthen is beginning to make more and more “loud” decisions but still seems on the fence. But on the complete opposite side of Mon is Saw Gerrera, with Forest Whitaker returning to the role, who is almost cultish. To top it all off, her daughter shows nothing but contempt for her role in the Senate and her husband seems to be suspicious of her loyalty to the Empire and the Senate. Even at home she is being pressured by the extremes off the impending rebellion. Mon Mothma’s story is coming more and more into the forefront and desirably so, her character has been a prominent member of the Rebellion since the original trilogy and deserves to have her story told. Cassian’s story has stalled, but to be fair he is serving six years of hard labor. Something is up though, which potentially could lead to his escape. The presence of Andy Serkis is more than welcome in the Star Wars Universe but the fact that he is used in such a small role is somewhat disappointing.
This episode was more about unifying the story lines that surround Cassian Andor. Though, they clearly set up for some major moves in possibly the next episode with the inmates planning somthing, the spotlight was clearly on the rest of the cast. Genevieve O'Reilly is stealing a bit of the spotlight in this series as it is just as much about her ascent to the prominent role we know her to occupy. Another surprise highlight of the series is Denise Gough as Lt. Meero. Her ruthlessness in pursuit of the rebels has positioned her as the primary antagonist of the series. The next episode should be a more eventful episode considering the pattern built in the series so far. But make no mistake, Andor is still in contention for peak Star Wars.