‘The Americans’ Meets ‘The Expanse’ in Disney’s 2-Part Thrilling War Series

The greatest failing of the expansion of the Star Wars franchise onto Disney+ has been its attempt to recapture the magic of the Skywalker saga. There are only so many ways that the Jedi Order, the Sith Lords, and the Force itself can be depicted without feeling oversaturated, especially considering that this aspect of the series is only a portion of what makes Star Wars the most iconic saga ever. Andor utilizes the strength of the serialized medium to tell an epic, yet gritty origin story for the people who exist on both sides of the Galactic Civil War established in the original trilogy. By serving as a reminder that Star Wars has always been a radical political narrative about the arduous path of resisting tyranny, Andor is the closest that the series has gotten to George Lucas’ version in years because it retains his philosophies. The series exists on a scale that is greater than any other Star Wars project on streaming, as it has the nuanced worldbuilding and immersive storytelling of hard science fiction epics like The Expanse, which emphasize legitimate politics over Easter Eggs.

While Rogue One: A Star Wars Story promised to be a darker, more mature exploration of the years leading up to the original trilogy, the film struggled with a complex narrative and an overdose of fan service. Oscar-nominated screenwriter and filmmaker Tony Gilroy stepped in to save the production during reshoots, and Andor offers a look at what Gilroy’s version of Star Wars looks like when he has control from the very beginning. Andor also improves Rogue One: A Star Wars Story by adding more substance to Cassian Andor, played wonderfully by Diego Luna. Yet, Andor suggests that there is not just one person who shapes the fate of the universe, and does a great job of creating an ensemble. Despite what some detractors might say, Star Wars has always had deep political roots, as it emerged during the Cold War where covert bodies waged a secret battle of information; in this sense, Andor draws from the spy thriller The Americans because both shows explore how “good and evil” are only relative terms in the scope of conflict.

‘Andor’ Is a Grounded Look at the Rebellion and Empire

Andor may be set between the prequel and sequel trilogies, an era that has been covered in other Star Wars projects, but it fleshes out the minutia of the way that both the Rebel Alliance and Galactic Empire work because it is grounded within historical precedent. If The Americans shows that both democratic and communist ideologies can be hijacked by opportunists, then Andor continues this theme by exploring how war makes barbarity commonplace. In Andor, Senator Mon Mothma (Genevieve O’Reilly) has to mask her connection to resistance groups by maintaining a public face in the Imperial Senate, in which she is limited in how much she can speak out without raising attention. Her involvement with the Rebellion is complicated by the fact that not all who want to fight against fascism are interested in the system that might replace it, as figures like Saw Gerrera (Forest Whitaker) only want to satisfy their bloodlust. Even Luthen Rael (Stellan Skarsgård), the enigmatic spymaster who recruits Cassian, admits in a stirring monologue that he represents a necessary evil needed in this critical moment. The revelation that not all the Rebel Alliance was of the utmost sincerity isn’t a cynical reading of the franchise, as it only makes the victories of the original trilogy feel more earned.

Andor adds a substantial amount to the depiction of the Empire because the series unpacks the indifference and bureaucracy that allow fascism to linger. Similar to the canon of The Expanse, Andor examines a fragile peace that is threatened by a conspiracy that has been so secured that knowledge of its existence is a death sentence. Not every member of the Empire is a ruthless, calculating supervillain, as the system allows ambitious officers like Syril Karn (Kyle Soller) to pursue their personal vendettas using Imperial resources. Much of the devastation caused by the Empire is the result of people giving in to their cruelty, and Andor pulls no punches in conveying the severity of Imperial barbarity. This takes the form of literal torture, such as what Bix (Adria Arjona) experiences at the hands of Dedra Meero (Denise Gough), as well as the propaganda utilized by Orson Krennic (Ben Mendelsohn) to justify the genocide of the Ghorman massacre.

‘Andor’ Is a Necessary Maturation for the ‘Star Wars’ Franchise

Andor is the darkest and most mature Star Wars project ever produced, but the intensity is justified because of the stakes, as the show asks its viewers to consider the larger picture. It was a bold move to create an entire show based upon a character who the audience knows will not live to see the results of his sacrifice, but Andor effectively conveys what exactly Cassian is fighting for and why it is important. The gravity of the themes does not mean that the series isn’t entertaining, as the fact that Gilroy employed practical sets, tons of extras, and real stunt work makes for the type of engaging worldbuilding aimed at the hard sci-fi fans who loved the detailed world of The Expanse. The series also delivers the sweeping emotion that the franchise needs, as there are few Star Wars romances more compelling than Cassian and Bix. As was the case in The Americans, the love story in Andor is complicated by the fact that the characters share the same sentiments, but recognize that personal sacrifices in their relationship might be necessary for the greater good.

Andor is a novelty within modern franchise television because it is a show which appeals to both Star Wars obsessives and those with only a casual awareness of the mythology. Those without a background in the galaxy far, far away can enjoy an incisive and relevant political drama about the birth of a revolution, and Star Wars superfans get to see a wealth of new planets, expanded technology, and answers to questions within the timeline, such as the Battle of Mimban and the creation of K-2SO. Every property has the opportunity to “elevate” when gifted with the involvement of a unique creator; if The Americans offered a more grounded look at spy fiction than most espionage thrillers and The Expanse reflected the political subtext of a technological revolution, then Andor made the Star Wars universe feel like a tangible place with legitimate stakes. It’s not “good for a sci-fi series” or “interesting for a spy show,” but simply a masterful work of television, period.