Spoiler Alert: This list contains spoilers for the entire series of ‘Andor.’Andor is a Star Wars political thriller that fleshes out the backstories of characters introduced in Rogue One. Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) is a reluctant rebel and finds himself at the center of the uprising against the Empire. The series focuses on the fact that rebellion against the Empire was more than an inevitability, but something that was always going to succeed, since so many were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for the cause.
While each episode of Andor has its place in establishing why these characters and their stories are so important to the franchise, there are some that stand out as bangers that can be revisited over and over again. Some episodes highlight a particular storyline that builds to a thrilling conclusion. Other episodes focus on the rebels as a group, and on how much they had to sacrifice to bring down the Empire.
10
“Kassa”
Season 1, Episode 1
It makes sense to go all the way back to where this series began. In Andor‘s premiere episode, Cassian is introduced as someone searching for his sister on an industrial planet called Morlana One. When he gets caught up in a fight with two security officers and kills one, he goes on the run. Syril Karn (Kyle Soller), an Imperial deputy, takes it upon himself to investigate the truth about what happened even though his superiors want to overlook it.
The premiere effectively expands on Cassian’s story and makes it clear that he’s always been a character worth investing in.
The series premiere is such a banger because it establishes Andor as one of Star Wars’ most important stories. The premiere effectively expands on Cassian’s story and makes it clear that he’s always been a character worth investing in. Knowing where he ultimately ends up, it’s intriguing to see him set up as a simple man who wants to do right by the family he has left. The series premiere is an important entry point for those who love Rogue One and for those looking for a unique Star Wars story.
9
“Jedha, Kyber, Erso”
Season 2, Episode 12
When looking at the series as a whole, it makes sense to also consider the series finale. The rebels come together to plan their next move and question whether they should act on the information Luthen (Stellan Skarsgård) obtained. This episode is a chance to reflect on the sacrifices made by the rebels to further the Rebellion. Andor‘s season finale is bittersweet, since it pays tribute to all the rebels have sacrificed, and gives them a chance to remember the hope that has sustained the Rebellion.
Andor‘s series finale is so memorable because it’s one last chance to appreciate how important this series has been to the franchise overall.
What makes the series finale such a banger is the fact that it captures the tragedy of each of these characters’ stories while maintaining a hopeful tone. This finale could have easily descended into a sentimental and overly dramatized melodrama. However, it manages to tap into the emotional core of this series and remind viewers what continues to make this entire franchise relevant. Andor‘s series finale is so memorable because it’s one last chance to appreciate how important this series has been to the franchise overall.
8
“The Eye”
Season 1, Episode 6
The halfway point of Andor‘s first season sees Cassian and the rebels pose as Imperial soldiers to infiltrate an Imperial garrison. While on Aldhani, the rebels target Commandant Beehaz (Stanley Townsend) and take his family hostage. They demand access to the payroll vault before having to escape from the planet with their lives. Skeen (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) suggests that he and Cassian betray Vel (Faye Marsay), which causes Cassian to kill him.
This episode is also important to revisit since it shows how universal the Rebellion always had to be to succeed.
This episode is a banger because it’s a heist story that’s heartstopping all the way through. It highlights the difficult choices the rebels have to face and the fact that disunity would have been fatal to their mission. This episode is also important to revisit since it shows how universal the Rebellion always had to be to succeed. Watching the Empire harass a planet inhabited by Indigenous people who just want to celebrate and preserve their culture is a reminder that this movement always had to be a universal one.
7
“Nobody’s Listening!”
Season 1, Episode 9
While Cassian is imprisoned on Narkina 5, he discovers the devastating truth about the prison. He witnesses an elderly prisoner who suffers a stroke and is killed by the prison doctor. This snaps Kino (Andy Serkis) out of the apathy and inaction and gets him to work with Cassian to come up with an escape plan. After seeing their fellow prisoner killed in such a careless manner, Kino decides he has no choice but to listen to Cassian.
After seeing their fellow prisoner killed in such a careless manner, Kino decides he has no choice but to listen to Cassian.
This episode is a banger because it’s another turning point for Cassian. Until this moment, Cassian has been able to deny what the prison really is. At this point in the series, although Cassian has had his realization of just how deeply corrupt the Empire has always been, this experience in the prison makes it real to him in a way nothing before has. The way that this episode is able to build tension as the prison is about to boil over makes it unforgettable.
6
“Who Else Knows?”
Season 2, Episode 11
Andor‘s penultimate episode sees Dedra (Denise Gough) being interrogated by Krennic (Ben Mendelsohn), who blames her for the fact that the Death Star plans have been stolen. Despite Dedra’s steadfast loyalty to the Empire, she is blamed for taking matters into her own hands by confronting Luthen without authorization. As the rebellion regroups, it’s clear that the Empire has been crumbling from within for some time.
Seeing Dedra in particular get what was always coming to her is both heartbreaking and thrilling.
What makes this chapter of Andor a banger is the fact that it could have served as the series finale. In many ways, this is the beginning of the end of the Empire’s power. Seeing Dedra in particular get what was always coming to her is both heartbreaking and thrilling. In addition to this episode being cathartic, it’s a reminder of the fact that the rebels were always destined to succeed against a soulless and tyrannical regime.
5
“Welcome to the Rebellion”
Season 2, Episode 9
After the Ghorman Massacre, everyone is forced to choose a side as they live in the aftermath. Mon Mothma (Genevieve O’Reilly) chooses to use her platform in the Senate to condemn the Empire’s actions and the inaction of her colleagues. Cassian ultimately convinces Mothma to leave with him, and join the rebels in-person rather than supporting them from her position of privilege. When Cassian Yavin IV, he finds that Bix (Adria Arjona) has left him so he can completely devote himself to the rebels’ cause.
This episode is a brilliant character study of Mothma and everything that makes her one of Star Wars’ most compelling characters.
Mothma’s speech alone makes this episode a standout. Her passionate plea is a call to action and a true distillation of everything the rebels are fighting for. This episode is another example of a turning point, since no one can stay neutral any longer. This episode is a brilliant character study of Mothma and everything that makes her one of Star Wars’ most compelling characters. The fact that she is finally able to use her voice to affect real change makes this episode worth rewatching.
4
“What a Festive Evening”
Season 2, Episode 6
Halfway through Andor‘s second season, Luthen and Cassian come to blows over the fact that Luthen thinks Cassian has lost his vision. Cassian and Bix recommit themselves to the visions the rebels have of overthrowing the Empire and creating a better world. This involves Bix getting the chance to get the revenge she’s been looking for. Vel and Cinta (Varada Sethu) also reunite before Cinta is accidentally killed.
It’s thrilling to watch Bix seek justice for the torture she endured at the hands of Imperial forces.
The fact that this episode features emotional highs and lows is what makes it a banger. It’s thrilling to watch Bix seek justice for the torture she endured at the hands of Imperial forces. It’s also devastating to watch Vel grieve her partner’s death, and this is a reminder of the human cost many rebels paid in service of their ultimate vision of a world free of the Empire. Ultimately, this episode captures the fact that the rebels had to take their wins when they could, and use their tragedies to move them forward.
3
“Rix Road”
Season 1, Episode 12
The end of Andor‘s first season is a tipping point for the rebellion. The people of Ferrix are galvanized by the final message from Cassian’s mother, Maarva (Fiona Shaw). Cassian rescues Bix during the confusion, and Syril saves Dedra from being caught up in the chaos of the demonstration. Luthen is inspired by the demonstration on Ferrix, and the season ends with Cassian officially joining the Rebellion.
…The season ends with Cassian officially joining the Rebellion.
This season finale is such a banger because it brings the Empire’s atrocities to light, and gives ordinary people a chance to have their voices heard. This episode is a testament to the fact that people living under the Empire’s oppression only ever needed their voices to bring about change. There is a heartwarming tone to this story that makes it easy to appreciate, and it serves as a reminder that rebellions truly are built on hope.
2
“Who Are You?”
Season 2, Episode 8
This episode is one of the most devastating Andor episodes, and one of Star Wars’ most heartbreaking stories. The episode’s portrayal of the Ghorman massacre is horrifying. After intentionally instigating a riot, the Empire deploys inexperienced forces to violently subdue the Ghorman people in an effort to take control of their resources. Syril, a man who had considered it his life’s mission to further the mission of the Empire, is killed in the crossfire.
This episode is a banger because it brings into focus what Andor is really about. This episode serves as a stark yet important reminder of the Empire’s violent nature. While this is a difficult episode to rewatch, it’s an essential one to truly comprehend the depths of depravity that always existed at the Empire’s core. With this episode, Andor shows exactly what the rebels were fighting for and why resistance to the Empire was always a moral necessity.
1
“One Way Out”
Season 1, Episode 10
One of the final episodes of Andor‘s first season stands out as one of the most notable Star Wars stories ever. After spending so much time planning for the prison escape, Kino leads the prisoners out of the jail by guiding them with his voice. He tells them there is one way out. The prisoners have to take a leap of faith and throw themselves into the sea that surrounds the prison before swimming to freedom.
…Kino leads the prisoners out of the jail by guiding them with his voice.
While the performances in this episode alone make it a banger, it’s also important to note that this story highlights an important truth that Star Wars has always made an effort to show. The fact that Kino would not be able to experience freedom himself makes his mission to free others that much more poignant. This episode is a reminder of how many people fought for freedom they themselves would never experience, which makes it an important one to revisit.
