NS: ANDOR (Star Wars)

[Marizard]

NEW TEASER TRAILER FOR ANDOR!




Upcoming Disney+ series starring Diego Luna, reprising his role as Cassian Andor from Rogue One (arguably one of the best Star Wars films). New series is set 5 years before the events of Rogue One, so roughly 5 years before A New Hope.

Should cover the beginnings / development of the Rebel Alliance, with Saw Gerrera (Forest Whitaker) also taking part in the series. Cast as a whole looks great. And Tony Gilroy — who helped write Rogue One and handles the reshoots that turned it into the phenomenal film it is — is running the show.

Twelve episodes already filmed for the first season, with at least a second season coming. Original plan was for 5 seasons, but the most recent report had it reduced to three.

But regardless, I highly expect this to be one of the best pieces of the entire Star Wars universe. Kind of happy with how under the radar it’s been, though. I’d much rather it blow people’s minds than suffer from high expectations.

Anyone else stoked for this?!

 

[Marizard]

Mandalorian Season 3 in February 2023.




Ahsoka also confirmed for 2023:

 

[Marizard]

Star Wars: Skeleton Crew — New original series starring JUDE LAW also slated for 2023!

 

[Marizard]

Not technically Star Wars, but part of Lucasfilm:

 

[CowboyPhil]

 

[BiloxiPoke]

I’m badly behind. Need to watch Mandalorian season 2 and go from there. Hopefully the Boba Fett show is worth my time.

 

[SamuraiFred]

I’m badly behind. Need to watch Mandalorian season 2 and go from there. Hopefully the Boba Fett show is worth my time.

It is all worth your time. Mandalorian is great . Boba Fett is just okay , but still worth watching

I will watch all of this new stuff

 

[Marizard]

I’m badly behind. Need to watch Mandalorian season 2 and go from there. Hopefully the Boba Fett show is worth my time.

Boba Fett show is great, IMO. But the first few episodes struggle a bit because they have SO MUCH story to tell.

They have to work with the current stories while also telling his story from Return of the Jedi until the current show, so it bounces back and forth a bunch early on.

Might have benefited from dedicating specific episodes to each (old & new) and alternating that way, rather than both in each episode… but that’s getting super nitpicky & overly critical of a great show.

The stories are great and add a ton of depth to the character, but the show doesn’t FULLY pick up until they get through all of the backstory.

 

[panhndlpoke]

Anyone watching Andor? It’s really good.

 

[Been Jammin]

Anyone watching Andor? It’s really good.

Best series so far. By a mile.

 

[tlwwake]

Best series so far. By a mile.

Star Wars only? or both Marvel and SW? I need to watch it.

 

[The Duke]

Anyone watching Andor? It’s really good.

Also agree.

Andor is the best Star Wars show by a wide margin. And I really like the Mandalorian.

This is a different level. The Rogue One team just…gets it.

Andor deserves it’s own thread on the board as well. Anyone not watching is missing a good one.

 

[Been Jammin]

Star Wars only? or both Marvel and SW? I need to watch it.

Best SW TV series is what I meant. Hard to compare the SW series with the MCU series.

 

[panhndlpoke]

I thought it was the best so far by a wide margin but never finished the Mandalorian or watch Boba Fet. Since no one was talking about it, I thought maybe it was just me.

 

[Marizard]

Also agree.

Andor is the best Star Wars show by a wide margin. And I really like the Mandalorian.

This is a different level. The Rogue One team just…gets it.

Andor deserves it’s own thread on the board as well. Anyone not watching is missing a good one.

Edited the title to reflect Andor since that’s the most relevant part of this discussion thread.

But I wholeheartedly agree with everyone above that has praised this series. Everything about it is phenomenal.

The storytelling & character development is perfect, and I honestly love the episodic structure that leaves you wanting more every week.

And with the series based on 3-episode arcs, you never have to wait more than two weeks for a big moment / conclusion. It’s almost like the 24 episodes will be 8 films broken into 3 weekly installments.

People can complain all they want about the “lack of action” but if you need a big battle every week in a 30-45 minute show to feel invested in a story, that’s sad.

And goes to show how much the instant gratification of streaming platforms like Netflix have completely ruined some people’s attention spans & ability to focus on an actual story.

 

[The Duke]

Bumping this up because somehow it’s not being discussed.

Let me be clear - if you’re not watching Andor, you’re missing out on outstanding television. Well beyond what’s previously been done by Disney+.

Just tremendous storytelling, pacing, cinematography. It’s rich, layered, and far more complex than most of the Star Wars collection.

 

[Marizard]

Bumping this up because somehow it’s not being discussed.

Let me be clear - if you’re not watching Andor, you’re missing out on outstanding television. Well beyond what’s previously been done by Disney+.

Just tremendous storytelling, pacing, cinematography. It’s rich, layered, and far more complex than most of the Star Wars collection.

I wholeheartedly agree.

It’s one of the best things on TV right now & one of the best installments in the entire Star Wars universe.

But considering Rogue One was one of the best SW films, I’m not surprised. And I love the 3-episode arcs that essentially form their own films, just broken into 3 acts.

I was bummed that we’re only getting two seasons (24 episodes total) because I love it so much… But when I look at that as basically 8 movies, it’s a lot easier to accept.

 

[Utooopi]

Good Lord. What is this post doing on a sports board?

 

[panhndlpoke]

Good Lord. What is this post doing on a sports board?

When you see "NS" beginning a thread title, you know it is "Non-Sports" and you can choose to skip.

 

[panhndlpoke]

I like this series because its less whitewashed. If you're a part of a rebel faction living on the edges of society, you're likely living in poverty in dirty clothing. I know most of the shows/movies are targeted to be less gritty or whatever, but I like how this one has a little more of that element. I felt like the series about Obi-One was the same.

 

[Been Jammin]

Bumping this up because somehow it’s not being discussed.

Let me be clear - if you’re not watching Andor, you’re missing out on outstanding television. Well beyond what’s previously been done by Disney+.

Just tremendous storytelling, pacing, cinematography. It’s rich, layered, and far more complex than most of the Star Wars collection.

Finally got caught up on this series last night. You are so right. I liked a lot of the prior made-for-TV Star Wars shows, because they were fun and interesting. But, now that I have been watching Andor, those shows all feel like significantly inferior products. This show (so far) has no Jedis, no The Force, few non-human appearing characters, Storm Troopers, etc. Yet it still fills closely tied to the SW universe (there are a lot of drones, and discussion of the rebellion/empire).

As you said, the storytelling, pacing, complexity (I will throw in the acting), etc is just exceptional. I think it would be enjoyable for many non SW fans.

 

[Marizard]

Finally got caught up on this series last night. You are so right. I liked a lot of the prior made-for-TV Star Wars shows, because they were fun and interesting. But, now that I have been watching Andor, those shows all feel like significantly inferior products. This show (so far) has no Jedis, no The Force, few non-human appearing characters, Storm Troopers, etc. Yet it still fills closely tied to the SW universe (there are a lot of drones, and discussion of the rebellion/empire).

As you said, the storytelling, pacing, complexity (I will throw in the acting), etc is just exceptional. I think it would be enjoyable for many non SW fans.

Can’t wait to see where the arc that started with today’s episode goes!

Also: I love how long the last few episodes have been, even though it’s a 12-episode season.

I’m in the process of editing each 3-episode arc into one movie per arc & they’re going to be well over 2 hours each.

 

[Marizard]

I just remembered an interview with Tony Gilroy that talked about the structure of the show & forgot that Episode 7 is kind of a transitional episode rather than a whole new arc.

According to Gilroy:

Ep 1-3 — First Arc (Ferrix)
Ep 4-6 — Second Arc (Aldhani)
Ep 7 — Transtional
Ep 8-10 — Third Arc
Ep 11-12 — Fourth/Final Arc of S1

Still stoked to see where things go! Just need to prepare myself to wait for Episode 10 for the main resolution to the next few episodes instead of episode 9.

 

[The Duke]

Bumping again because episode 10 was phenomenal.

Incredible show. I’m blown away. Luthen’s speech at the end was iconic.

 

[Cowboys3431]

I was kind of done with Star Wars after Mandalorian Season 2 and Rise of Skywalker. But I had a coworker recommend this show to me and I’m very happy he did. I’m typically leery of franchises opting for the “dark and gritty” tone when they haven’t been otherwise. However, this is an example of a franchise shaking things up a bit for the better. Good writing, great acting, and feature film level cinematography/production values. I don’t know what the budget was for this, but they’re squeezing the max value out of every penny. It has some shades of early seasons Game of Thrones (back before there were 4-5 huge battles every season).The vast majority of screen time consists of people standing around and talking, but it manages to be gripping. This might be my favorite piece of media from the Star Wars franchise since The Empire Strikes Back.

 

[Been Jammin]

This might be my favorite piece of media from the Star Wars franchise since The Empire Strikes Back.

Told a buddy the exact same thing yesterday. So effing good!

 

[Kenny Orange Powers]

Bumping again because episode 10 was phenomenal.

Incredible show. I’m blown away. Luthen’s speech at the end was iconic.

It was absolutely incredible. All the base building this season for a phenomenal payoff.

 

[NeedO2]

I haven’t finished the last episode but I’m blown away by this show. Incredible writing, acting, the whole deal. Feels like a 9 part major motion picture. Like Oscar material. Has a little Squid Game in it.

 

[The Duke]

Anyone watching Andor?

I just watched episodes 8 and 9

Just spectacular. Phenomenal. Stunning. IMO as good or better than anything in SW that came before it.

 

[gipraw]

I am going to start watching it this weekend. I haven't seen any of it.

 

[Cowboys3431]

Anyone watching Andor?

I just watched episodes 8 and 9

Just spectacular. Phenomenal. Stunning. IMO as good or better than anything in SW that came before it.

I haven’t had a chance to watch the 7-9 arc yet, but I can’t wait to do so. I still can not believe how great this show has turned out to be. It isn’t just great for a Star Wars show, it’s great television, period.

 

[bwel9339]

Episode 8 in particular was outstanding, episode 9 as well. Really hate there are only 3 episodes left.

 

[BluegrassPoke]

All I have ever been able to see is Narcos

 

[Marizard]

Episode 8 in particular was outstanding, episode 9 as well. Really hate there are only 3 episodes left.

I wish the original plan of 5 seasons (1 year per season from 5 BBY to the beginning of Rogue One) had stayed true to plan.

Or at least 3 seasons with seasons 2 & 3 covering two years each… but I have zero actual complaints about the show.

And I do love that we’re essentially getting four 2 hour films every week for 4 weeks this season… just broken into three acts.

It’s not only my favorite Star Wars show (and I’ve seen all of them — including the animated series — multiple times over) but it’s arguably my favorite show of all time.

I can’t wait for the final three episodes next week & more importantly, can’t wait to watch Rouge One immediately after. Tony Gilroy has stated that it will change the way you view that movie, even if you’ve seen it 100 times.

 

[Been Jammin]

It's fantastic. The best SW show and none of the others come close.

 

[Cowboys3431]

Finally got to watch 7-9 last night. I think I’ve decided that Star Wars for me now is Andor - Rogue One - Original Trilogy, and I can just jettison all the rest. Everyone else is free to enjoy all the other SW shows/movies, but that lineup is now my personal head canon. It makes for an exciting story of rebellion in the face of growing oppression, and ditches most of the bloat/baggage that has soured me to the majority of the franchise.

I wish we had another season to go, but I understand the reality that the amount of time it takes to write/film/edit/release a season of this show, Diego Luna is going to be pushing 50. In the end, with its 3-episode story arc structure, this show is basically going to give me 8 two-hour long Star Wars movies … with 3 of those being possible contenders for my favorite film in the franchise. Hoping the show goes out on a bang and makes it 4 possible contenders.

 

[Been Jammin]

Finally got to watch 7-9 last night. I think I’ve decided that Star Wars for me now is Andor - Rogue One - Original Trilogy, and I can just jettison all the rest. Everyone else is free to enjoy all the other SW shows/movies, but that lineup is now my personal head canon. It makes for an exciting story of rebellion in the face of growing oppression, and ditches most of the bloat/baggage that has soured me to the majority of the franchise.

Agree 100%. None of the rest of it has been especially compelling to me.

 

[bwel9339]

These last three episodes were really good. Episode 10 was outstanding. I kept thinking Kleya was going to be Andor’s sister? He even had a dream about her at the end. Made me want to turn on Rogue One immediately. Sad to see this series end. It was the best SW series by far and I believe Rogue One was the only good movie after Episode III. It’s a shame the same team didn’t do the Obi Wan Kenobi series, that was such a missed opportunity of a series.

 

[Cowboys3431]

I want to avoid spoilers, but long story short, the show sticks the landing at the end. What a great 2 season run.

BTW, for anyone who didn’t watch the end credits of the last episode, there’s no end credit scene but there is an Easter egg that’s a nice nod. And don’t worry about scouring for it, just watch and you’ll know it when it happens.