It should be noted that the mature tone of Andor is commendable. It's not a series that is meant to appeal to kids, such as Mandalorian or Boba Fett.
It cuts through the tin can self contained episode format that Star Wars television seems to be ruled by. And, much like Obi Wan, it tells a continuous narrative that builds.
The main problem with Andor is its allusions to Blade Runner. It seems to borrow a lot from it, including the more minimalist tones and slow beats of the drama. So some scenes feel tenuous and strained as the dialogue and conversations seem overly teased and indulgent in parts. I understand that this is by design to provide exposition but due to the restricted character writing, it offers little love for the characters.
This appears to be a Rebel act which is likely setting larger Rebel acts in motion, however, we are now halfway through the season and little in terms of moving the plot has happened.
This too seems to be a construct of serialised shows with a long narrative in recent times. A slow and repetitive arc where all of the story telling is left for the third act and often, not entirely requiring the initial filler episodes.
The writing is solid, the pacing is slow and repetitive, the scenery and landscapes are beautiful. The world building is beautiful. It's not a bad show, hence the critique might sound harsh but it is missing something. It doesn't give you the Star Wars atmosphere and while this might be because they want to show us something new, there should be equal investment in characterising the new elements as there as in world building something that's closer to Blade Runner than it is to Star Wars.
At the halfway point during the first season, I am entertained but it is missing some of the Star Wars elements the other Lucasfilm offerings were careful to include.
It cuts through the tin can self contained episode format that Star Wars television seems to be ruled by. And, much like Obi Wan, it tells a continuous narrative that builds.
The main problem with Andor is its allusions to Blade Runner. It seems to borrow a lot from it, including the more minimalist tones and slow beats of the drama. So some scenes feel tenuous and strained as the dialogue and conversations seem overly teased and indulgent in parts. I understand that this is by design to provide exposition but due to the restricted character writing, it offers little love for the characters.
This appears to be a Rebel act which is likely setting larger Rebel acts in motion, however, we are now halfway through the season and little in terms of moving the plot has happened.
This too seems to be a construct of serialised shows with a long narrative in recent times. A slow and repetitive arc where all of the story telling is left for the third act and often, not entirely requiring the initial filler episodes.
The writing is solid, the pacing is slow and repetitive, the scenery and landscapes are beautiful. The world building is beautiful. It's not a bad show, hence the critique might sound harsh but it is missing something. It doesn't give you the Star Wars atmosphere and while this might be because they want to show us something new, there should be equal investment in characterising the new elements as there as in world building something that's closer to Blade Runner than it is to Star Wars.
At the halfway point during the first season, I am entertained but it is missing some of the Star Wars elements the other Lucasfilm offerings were careful to include.