It’s an exceedingly rare thing for theStar Warsfandom to agree on anything, especially in this day and age. However, that just makes it all the more impressive that last year’sAndorhas received such overwhelming praise — not just fromStar Warsdevotees, but from critics as well.
However, the success ofAndormay not be without its consequences. Any show with such universal acclaim is sure to be a hard act to follow, but with the decidedly mixed reception ofThe MandalorianSeason 3, the contrast between the two shows is especially pronounced. If this trend continues, it’s all too likely thatAndorwill cast a long shadow over theStar Warsfranchise.
RELATED:The Mandalorian Season 3 Finale Was Changed Because Of The Last Of Us
Why Did Andor Succeed?
Andoris a unique caseamong its fellow entries in the Disney era ofStar Wars. It takes place in the familiar era of the Empire’s reign over the galaxy, but is unconcerned with appealing to fan nostalgia. And while pastStar Warsshows on Disney Plus have been criticized for relying too heavily on returning characters,Andorfocuses on brand-new faces. The few familiar characters who do appear, mainly Mon Mothma and Cassian Andor himself, were largely unexplored in their previous appearances. As such, their return here serves to further flesh them out — quite the opposite of a cheap cameo appearance.
Most striking, however, is the series’ tone. Unlike the vast majority ofStar Warsstories, there’s nary a lightsaber to be found inAndor.There are no Jedi,Sith, Mandalorians, bounty hunters, or any of the other larger-than-life figures fans have come to expect fromStar Wars. Rather, the series is focused on ordinary people without any special abilities. It’s a story of the common folk struggling to live under the boot of the Empire, who end up forming the backbone of the emerging Rebellion.Andoris a far cry from the heroic fantasy adventure typically associated with the franchise. It’s a gritty, grounded thriller, rooted in heavy political themes.
And of course, that story is brought to life by an incredibly talented team of creators. Showrunner Tony Gilroy and his fellow writers provide the show with a moving storyand clever, impactful dialogue— which is delivered masterfully by the series’ cast. The show’s breakout star is Stellan Skarsgård as the cunning, mysterious Rebel mastermind Luthen Rael. But from Diego Luna and Genevieve O’Reilly to Fiona Shaw and Andy Serkis, the series’ entire cast play their roles to perfection.
All in all,Andorsucceeds not just because it’s a good story well told, but because it’s something fresh forStar Wars. It’s unlike anything the franchise has seen before, and it explores bold new possibilities. It’s a show that pushes the boundaries for what kind of stories can be told in a galaxy far, far away. It’s a show that takesan incredible amount of risks,but those risks paid off in the eyes of countless fans. However, not everyStar Warsshow has those same lofty ambitions.
Has Andor Raised the Bar Too High?
UnlikeAndor, Season 3 ofThe Mandalorianhas received anything but universal acclaim. It’s nowhere near as controversial asThe Last Jedior as widely reviled asThe Rise of Skywalker, but it has nevertheless been met with mixed reviews. Compared to the massive popularity of the show’s earlier days, the lukewarm reception of the series’ newest season feels quite jarring. And while it’s highly unlikely thatAndoris the main cause of this sudden drop in popularity, it may be a contributing factor.
When comparing one seriesto the other, the difference between them is like night and day.Andoris a mature, multilayered story of tyranny and revolution that breaks new ground for theStar Warsfranchise. By contrast,The MandalorianSeason 3feels as if it’s content to play the hits. It’s an over-the-top adventure filled with monsters, jetpacks, and laser swords — about what one would expect from aStar Warsshow, in other words.
Of course, one could easily argue thatThe Mandalorianshouldn’t be judged by the standards ofAndor. They’re very different shows trying to accomplish very different things. And indeed,The Mandalorianwouldn’t be better off trying to copy the grittier tone ofAndor. Darker stories are not inherently better than art that’s more lighthearted in nature. A swashbucklingadventure story can be justas nuanced, well-crafted, and compelling as an intense political thriller. But even so, that doesn’t mean thatThe Mandalorianis as good asAndor. Despite some fun action sequences and the best efforts of actors like Pedro Pascal, Katee Sackhoff, and Giancarlo Esposito, the show’s story just isn’t on the same level as that ofAndor.
In the end, what separatesAndorfrom other recentStar Warsmedia isn’t just the tone of its story, but the level of talent, passion, ambition, and ingenuity that went into bringing that story to life.Andorhas raised the bar for all ofStar Warshigher than ever. To meet the standard it’s set, future shows and movies in the franchise will have to provide something trulyfresh and new forStar Warsfans,not just more of the same. Otherwise, they’re likely doomed to fall short.
MORE:Star Wars: Why The Rey Movie Shouldn’t Bring Back The Jedi Order
