'Andor' Episode 4: "Aldhani" Recap and Review

Now that pieces are set and the rebellious game is underway, this week introduces us to the players controlling each side of this interstellar war

WARNING: Contains Spoilers

After the incredible premier of this series there is one word that embodies the tone succinctly: gravity. Not in the physical sense of the word, although the irony is not lost, but in the sense of the root word gravitas, meaning dignity, seriousness, or solemnity of manner. There is a sense of gravitas in that looms over every character involved in the rebellion from either side. Each side treats every single detail and move as the life or death decision that they may be. For the Rebellion, they are fighting the tyranny that plagues the universe for the freedom of an entire galaxy full of people. And for the Empire, they are fighting to keep control and order to the galaxy they have taken upon themselves to protect from itself. When both sides believe their cause to be right, you have the potential for some very explosive conflicts that will leave a trail of bodies in their wake.

We begin where we left off, Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) and Luthen Rael (Stellan Skarsgård) travel through the stars at light speed. Luthen outlines the options for Cassian but pushes one, join the rebellion and fight the Empire for real. On Coruscant an Imperial oversight committee meeting is attended by Lieutenant Dedra Meero (Denise Gough), all is normal until the news of a stolen Starpath Unit peaks her interest. Cassian and Luthen finally arrive on Aldhani where Luthen meets with the leader of the Rebellion Cell on the planet Vel Sartha (Faye Marsay). Vel is not happy with Cassian’s inclusion but eventually she comes around based solely on need. At the Security Outpost, Syril Karn (Kyle Soller) and his other officers are being disciplined by their Imperial overseer, during the reprimand, Karn is informed of his release. On Aldhani, Vel vets Cassian and emphasizes secrecy as well as informing him of their goal, to robb an Imperial Garrison and Armory. On Coruscant, Lt. Meero researches the stolen Starpath Unit and determines that since it was stolen in her sector, she has jurisdiction over the case, but her request is refused by the overseer and she decides to take the matter to the Major. Just then, Luthen arrives in Coruscant’s orbit. Before landing, Luthen changes his clothes, his hair, and his persona.

After a long journey, Cassian ands Vel meet up with the rest of the Rebel Cell, the first being Karis Nemik (Alex Lawther) and Arvel Skeen (Ebon Moss-Bachrach). The group gives Cassian a less than warm welcome as she introduces the him to the rest, Taramyn Barcona(Gershwyn Eustache Jnr) and Cinta Kaz (Varada Sethu). Vel sends Cassian to get his would dressed so that the rest of the group can voice there concerns about his late arrival. After losing his position, Karn returns to his home on Coruscant here he is reunited with his mother. Luthen works his rare artifacts boutique on Coruscant when Senator Mon Mothma (Genevieve O'Reilly) arrives. They talk about buying a gift for her husband until they get out of view from her driver, then they drop the theatrics and discuss her true need, she is having trouble moving money around and wants to bring someone in to help. Reluctantly, Luthen trust her to do what is needed. At the rebel camp, their contact within the Garrison arrives, Lieutenant Gorn (Sule Rimi) who has more choice words concerning Cassian’s involvement. Vel introduces Cassian to Gorn who preps him against his will. Mon Mothma returns home to find that her husband is preparing for a dinner which she had no previous knowledge of. It is further complicated that the dinner would be attended by several political rivals. As the sun sets, Vel outlines the plan and Cassian’s role as pilot. Cassian outlines the futility of escape before informing of the rare celestial event that will mask their escape and will be taking place in three days. On Coruscant, Lt. Meero pleads her case with the Major but is denied again, which does not sit well with her. After sundown on Aldhani, the group eats together and Cassian realizes that the group, all of them, are ready to die for this mission.

If the stellar premiere was used to re-introduce the world to the rebellious Cassian Andor, then this episode was used to introduce the man and woman behind the rebellion, Luthen Rael and Senator Mon Mothma. In the first three episodes we learn very little about Luthen Rael and in this episode we learn why. Stellan Skarsgård’s character keeps everyone in the dark and for good reason. He is the invisible hand guiding the rebellion to his liking. He even changes his persona completely to run a front from Coruscant to stay close to his contact at the Galactic Senate. Skarsgård is able to flex his acting muscles in this roll, being able to flip persona’s on a dime and really emphasize the secrecy and danger surrounding him at every moment. His counterpoint in the rebellion is Genevieve O'Reilly’s Mon Mothma. The character has been a part of the Star Wars universe since the original series but never has she had more character development than this one episode. We learn that she is funding the rebellion while inside the Senate that they are trying to overthrow and by doing so, she is at risk of exposing herself at every turn. Adding to the feeling of gravitas is the Rebellion Cell that occupies Aldhani. Cassian is immediately scrutinized and feared by the group. They refuse to trust him on anyone’s word alone. It is an uphill battle for Cassian to prove himself to this group but that is exactly what this series is about, Cassian’s journey into the heart of the rebellion.

There is not an ounce of superfluous fun to be had in Andor. The series is through and through a drama with an understandable amount of skew towards an adult audience. Any angst-y force sensitive teens or wise cracking droids would feel extremely out of place and luckily they are nowhere to be found. The series is a no nonsense, life-or-death, espionage and spy drama. It is unique in the library of Star Wars content as even the movie that this series spun off from had a wise-cracking droid present for comic relief. There is no doubt now that Andor is one of the best Star Wars shows to exist but it is well on its way to become one of the best shows on television.

Grade: [A]