I Have Friends Everywhere

There was one line in this episode that stuck out to me... a line spoken by Luthen:

"We will bring them down... or die trying!"

I was reminded of one of the core strengths of this show, besides its writing and production! While we do know where things are going from the grand perspective, we don't know the fate of many of the characters or how we reach status quo in Rogue One! Andor not only has a lot of original characters, but some very well written ones!

This episode slowly but surely builds tension! As it progresses, more and more is set up, for a potential thrilling, unpredictable episode 6! We are starting to realize that sense of danger lurking everywhere!

The final scene was incredible! Amazing acting and monologue that gave me chills!

The amount of attention to detail in this show is light years above other space opera.

The writing has become very sophisticated. We have an insurgency, within an insurgency, within an insurgency here which I have never seen before in fiction. There are multiple factions, each with its own agenda, goals and motivations. I just hope the fate of the galaxy doesn't depend on some last minute hand to hand fight between Andor and Deedra or some old greasy kid stuff from Marvel Comics.

There are all sorts of little details happening in each scene that give is authenticity. Most of the characters are deep and robust, each intensely interesting, to the point they could each support a series on their own. Andor himself is perhaps the least interesting of them all yet he binds the story together.

This is a thinking persons show. Lots of characters maneuvering using their minds to out think their opponents. Brute force doesn't work here. No time wasted on fight scenes we've seen thousands of times before (boooooooring) or long spaceship battles (yaaaaaaawn) that are the sludge of most Sci Fi these days.

I especially like the Deedra actress (Denise Gough). She has these big eyes, and makes several of the scenes pop just by messaging with those eyes. Forest Whitaker's character spews spellbinding stories and philosophy and had me rolling on the floor with the absurd timing he chooses to tell them. Syril, the petulant, dedicated Momma's boy is entertaining too and his mother Eedy's scenes are completely superfluous to the story but the actress is so spot-on-Coruscant-stereotype-Jewish mother they have to throw her in here for pure entertainment value.

I applaud the director for bringing all the best out of the actors. Some of them play very eccentric personalities and highly entertaining. Mostly the evil ones of course because evil characters just by virtue of being evil have a lot more latitude to show off extremely wild demeanor. Chaotic Neutral characters too like Saw played by Forest Whitaker get even more free reign to cross the line. There are some scenes where I feel like the the show has become an actors study where the actors are actually putting the practice of acting-stealing-the-scene is the primary purpose of the show.

I don't know if this show would impress everyone but it's blowing me away and I'm going to have to watch it again because I'm sure there are details I missed.

À very slow but well crafted and nuanced picture of life under oppressive government with excessive over reach and unattractive lives of rebels who give up everything for a cause.

On Cassian's mission to Ghorman, we gain a deeper look at the city. Its culture, dress style, and street design evoke World War II Europe, particularly occupied France, and the large, realistic crowds in these scenes are truly impressive.

Furthermore, we witness firsthand how the rebels are inadvertently playing into the Imperials' hands, with Syril playing a significant role in this dynamic. However, the narrative reveals layers of plans, sometimes overwhelming those in charge and at other times, traps are carefully crafted. This complexity effectively builds out the intricate network of rebels and the counterinsurgency agencies operating within the Empire's vast bureaucracy.

Spycraft is on full display here, and we continue to see the fallout as individuals grapple with their multiple lives and the sheer volume of information they must manage. The acting remains strong; Forrest Whitaker delivers a chilling and unpredictable portrayal of Saw Gerrera, the eccentric revolutionary, and his interaction with Wilmon is particularly compelling.

The attention to detail is noteworthy, from the growing number of protesters in Palmo's city center to the ambiance of the coffee shop and the fashionable outfits. Even the hotel employee in Ghorman provides crucial exposition, highlighting how the planet's people have been stripped of their dignity and forced to overlook injustices for the sake of trade and economic stability.

I'm not huge on Forest Whitaker, I think he's a talented actor. I only started to like him when I saw Rogue One. I should say I'm not versed in Forest Whitaker because I haven't experienced his performances outside of star wars except for a wonderful performance in Hughie on Broadway. However, this monologue was truly ... PERFECTION. The delivery. The build up. The writing and Mr. Whitaker IS brilliant as Saw. He is, and his performances throughout the series have been awesome. I don't know what other reviewers are saying, but this performance and the first time on film in Rogue One I thought were truly immense and lasting. I guarantee you this monologue, will be a thing. Because this whole episode was perfect. I removed a star because honestly, I thought Luna's story dragged... if not for these subplots or side stories with Saw I wouldn't have bothered with a review at all. But I was moved. It was a great performance by all.

This one is interesting. It further develops characters and relationships. It's got a more business like feel overall. With Cassian in what passes for a suit in that part of the Galaxy.

I'm still on the fence with Forest Whitaker's character. I can't tell what he is going for really. But then that kind of fits in with this series. Sometimes it hops around so much, and there is often not a pay off for so long, that I lose track of people and threads of intrigue.

Nevertheless he is kind of coming off like an intoxicated Nick Cage cameo. Which. Isn't. Always. A. Bad. Thing.

But here does feel too camp.

The part at the end did not make sense to me with the huffing fumes. I don't do spoilers so I won't dissect it. Just putting it out there that the stuff at the end was nonsense. Enough that it kind of kicked me out of suspension of disbelief and I'm no longer watching, I'm looking at it saying what the?

Other than that it's par for course. The cinematography is spot on. I love the production design. The retro-futurism aspects remind me a lot of Loki. Everything is streamlined into little consoles with lots of clackety bits. But it also doesn't have much of that beat on for decades look like other Star Wars. Well not all of it.

It does drag a bit here and there during this series overall. However this episode maintains a consistent forward momentum.

I like that we are seeing threads connecting and things getting closer. Like I said this show is all delayed reward. They make you wait a long time for a punch line. Or rather an action sequence.

I do think I'm going to have to watch the whole series over again. I'm often not remembering character's names or why they are suddenly shooting.