Andor Escaped the Trap Every Other Star Wars Show Fell Into

Of the Star Wars shows released thus far, Andor remains the only one that has managed to avoid a common trap: relying on iconography over grounded, solid storytelling. Since the start of the Disney+ era in 2019, the streaming service has played host to several shows based on the Star Wars franchise. It all began with The Mandalorian, but subscribers have seen several others in the years since, exploring different periods, characters, and concepts.

Andor quickly set itself apart from the rest of the Star Wars shows. Acting as a prequel to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, the series followed Cassian Andor, played by actor Diego Luna. Andor‘s political intrigue is different from anything else in Star Wars, with a gripping narrative that focuses heavily on the impact of fascism. Revenge of the Sith showed how quickly democracy can slip away, but few Star Wars movies and shows have really shown the impact of fascism on the public.

Andor Fixes One Of Solo’s Biggest Problems

By chronicling the rise of disparate factions of the Rebellion, Andor retroactively improves upon a questionable choice in Solo: A Star Wars Story.

How Andor Avoids the Most Common Trap of Star Wars TV

Since A New Hope‘s release in 1977, there are many elements that fans have come to associate with Star Wars: Lightsabers, Jedi Knights, and the prominence of the Skywalker family. While all of those elements still exist in the background of Andor, the series strips away the fantasy elements and key Star Wars iconography, choosing to instead focus on the human impact. The original Star Wars trilogy often showed the cruelty of the Empire, but the films rarely stopped for a moment to show the consequences of its actions. Andor put the spotlight on those willing to die for freedom, and they didn’t have fancy Lightsabers or high Midi-chlorian counts. Because of that, the show manages to feel grounded, despite its science-fiction setting.

Who’s That Character?

Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.

Who’s That Character?

Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.

Easy (7.5s)Medium (5.0s)Hard (2.5s)

This grounded take has helped the series find an identity that sets it apart from anything else on Disney+. Andor builds on the established Star Wars universe, while also acting as a standalone series largely divorced from so many common tropes of the franchise. It’s a compelling tightrope the show’s producers managed to walk, and it’s one of the reasons Andor has become so well-regarded. In a franchise that has icons like Han Solo, Yoda, and Boba Fett, Andor managed to introduce deep and compelling characters like Maarva and Syril, who might not lend themselves as well to action figures but still manage to leave a memorable impact on viewers. Maarva’s posthumous speech might be one of the most incredible moments in any Star Wars project ever.

6 Lingering Questions We Have After The End Of Andor Season 2

While Andor ends on a strong note and sets the stage for Rogue One, there are a few questions that remain unanswered about the show’s story.

Andor’s Success Shows Star Wars Fans That Risks Are Worth Taking

Cassian in a test pilot uniform in Andor

None of this is to say that Andor is the only good Star Wars show. The iconic elements of the franchise are iconic for a reason: they’ve been entertaining fans for close to 50 years. Shows like The Mandalorian and Ahsoka have managed to entertain audiences while featuring the kind of action and fantasy elements that make Star Wars appealing to fans of all ages. The same can’t truly be said for Andor, which is a harder recommendation for fans under a certain age. Potential new fans looking to watch a Star Wars show after visiting Galaxy’s Edge at Disney Parks are going to find a lot more to enjoy from something like Skeleton Crew. Not everything should be like Andor, but more Star Wars shows should try taking risks and be less reliant on recognizable characters or key iconography.

What’s That Weapon?

Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.

What’s That Weapon?

Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.

Easy (7.5s)Medium (5.0s)Hard (2.5s)Permadeath (2.5s)

Thankfully, Andor has proven that there’s room to tell Star Wars stories that are a little darker, or different. If anything, Andor proved the versatility of the space opera franchise, and how it can work even without its most fantastical elements. Fans are certainly hoping to see projects that offer similar content, and games like Star Wars: Zero Company could fill Andor‘s void. There have also been Star Wars novels and comics that have featured grounded storytelling, such as Reign of the Empire: The Mask of Fear, which focuses on Mon Mothma and other Andor characters.

However, in terms of Disney+ shows, Andor stands in a league of its own for avoiding the same nostalgia trap as other Star Wars series. Hopefully, Disney and Lucasfilm will see that there’s interest in more Star Wars projects that take bigger swings with the overall franchise.