Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Andor season 2, episodes 1-3Andorseason 2’s premiere was an incredible opening for the newStar Warsshow, and multiple moments absolutely blew my mind. Releasing its first three episodes on the same night, each week of newAndorseason 2 episodes is basically like getting a fullStar Warsmovie each week. As such, there’s plenty of ground to cover across each of these new chapters.
Andorseason 2, episodes 1-3 are all set during the same year on theStar Warstimeline: 4 BBY. Likewise, each new 3-episode block of episodes will jump forward a year until the end of the season leads right up to the events ofRogue OneandA New Hopein 0 BBY.With that in mind, here are the top ten biggest moments fromAndorseason 2, episodes 1-3.
10Andor Steals The Empire’s Coolest TIE Fighter
The Prototype TIE Avenger
Opening with a major undercover mission,Cassian Andor’s theft of a prototype TIE Avengeris an amazing sequence to kick off the new season.Not only is the TIE Avenger itself a great nod to the classic TIE Fighter video game from the early 90s, but the mission itself is a visual, blockbuster-worthy roller coasteras Cassian struggles to pilot the brand-new ship with all of its advancements and features not common to the average TIE. Likewise, Cassian reassuring the fears of the Sienar testing facility worker/Rebel sympathizer helping him is incredibly well-written: “You’re coming home to yourself.”
9Director Krennic’s Search For Unlimited Power in Andor Season 2
All Part of Project Stardust (The Death Star)
Holding a top-secret Imperial summit at the Maltheen Divide, the return ofRogue One’sDirector Krennic (Ben Mendelsohn) is very exciting, especially given the dark nature of this classified meeting. Having brought various Imperial minds together, Krennic wants to plan and prepare for the mining of a rare energy source for the Death Star. Notably, this will all be at the cost of 800,000 citizens living on the planet Ghorman, whose planet will be destroyed by the invasive strip mining operations, destabilizing the planet’s core in the name of achieving “unlimited power” for the Emperor.
A canonical event in theStar Warstimeline,the events of the Ghorman Massacre have never been fully specified…until now. As has already been teased, the dark event will indeed be shown in future episodes ofAndorseason 2, which will in turn motivate Mon Mothma to flee the Imperial Senate after she speaks out against the atrocities. As a result, the reveal that Krennic and the Death Star project are secretly involved in the brutal event comes as a major surprise, and a brilliant creative decision.
8Andor Season 2, Episode 1’s Epic Final Shot
Blasterfire Over Cassian’s Shoulder
Getting caught up with stranded fighters of the Maya Pei Brigade, Cassian becomes their prisoner when they mistake him for a genuine Imperial pilot. This leads the starving and desperate soldiers to fight among themselves over how to fly the TIE and who should leave the planet first once they figure it out. Sure enough, blasterfire is eventually exchanged as the group divides at the end ofAndorseason 2, episode 1.The episode ends with an incredibly chaotic sequence, one that brilliantly culminates with a blaster bolt fired directly at the camera over Cassian’s shoulder right before the credits roll.
7An Imperial Sitcom With Dedra Meero and Syril Karn
Andor Season 2, Episodes 2-3
Andorseason 2 also brings back Dedra Meero and Syril Karn with the reveal that the two of them are now living together on Coruscant since the events of Ferrix. Humorously, the pair nervously prepare to have dinner with Syril’s overbearing mother, and it’s like theStar Warsshow briefly becomes a galactic Imperial sitcom. This is by no means a bad thing, and the exchanges are brilliant, especially Dedra laying down the law in no uncertain terms with Syril’s mother while Syril himself comedically lies on the bed in the next room.
6Andor Season 2’s Epic Yavin IV Reveal
Revealing Its Origins With The Rebellion
When Cassian finally manages to escape the Maya Pei Brigade in the TIE Avenger, it’s revealed that the group had been stranded on none other thanA New Hope’sYavin 4, the jungle moon that eventually becomes one of the first bases for the Rebel Alliance once it becomes fully unified.In 4 BBY, it seems Yavin 4 began as a remote rendezvous point for Rebel cells to exchange intel, supplies, and more (at least when Rebels weren’t fighting among themselves).
5Niamos! In Andor Season 2
A New Remix (With A Disco Droid!)
During the wedding reception for Mon Mothma’s daughter on Chandrila, a brand-new droid model never seen before inStar Warshovers over the middle and above of the dance floor, playing music and looking exactly like a galactic disco ball.However, what’s even better is that the disco droid is playing a brand-new remix of “Niamos!”. First heard with multiple renditions throughoutAndorseason 1, “Niamos!” originates from that planet of the same name, and is meant to be a popular song all over the galaxy. As such, it’s a very fun callback to the first season (the track also just sounds really cool, especially this new wedding remix).
4Mon Mothma’s Dance of Desperation
A Truly Powerful For The Major Star Wars Leader
As “Niamos!” begins to play,Mon Mothma finishes her dark conversation with Luthenabout how her financial contact, Tay Kolma, has become a liability. Fearing for the future and struggling as her relationships with her husband and daughter are breaking down, the senator feels helpless, motivating her to do the only thing she apparentlycando in that moment: drink and dance.It’s a powerfully tragic sequence, while also being brilliantly captured as Mothma becomes the nucleus for the entire crowd of dancers, as if she’s at the center of a violent storm.
An Incredibly Dark First For Star Wars
Image via Disney+
Without a doubt,Bix Caleen’s horrible encounter inAndorseason 2with an Imperial officer who attempts to rape her is a dark first for theStar Warsfranchise. Shades of sexual abuse have been touched on inStar Warsbefore (ex: Jabba the Hutt and Leia Organa), though it’s never been depicted with such bold clarity as it has inAndorseason 2, episode 3.While the scene has naturally become a major point of controversy in online discourse, the scene embodies the brutal truth and real-world ramifications that come with oppressive and fascistic regimes and their widespread abuses of power.
Rape has long been a real-world tool weaponized against vulnerable populations, especially during war throughout history and particularly under oppressive regimes. As such, this is an incredibly poignant moment as Bix defends herself and kills the Imperial officer who tried to take advantage of her. It’s a dark and harsh reality, one that sadly makes sense for this period in theStar Warstimeline as the Empire rules unchecked, free to commit whatever atrocities they please. It further highlights the galaxy’s true need for rebellion.
2Brasso’s Death
The True Cost of Rebellion
In a similar vein,Andorseason 2’s premiere also shows that acts of rebellion against oppressive systems like the Empire will always come with a heavy cost. The loss of life is inevitable as the struggle for freedom is something that is never won easily and more often than not, requires violence.Nevertheless, it’s still quite tragic to see Brasso lose his life after being shot by Imperial stormtroopers, especially with Cassian, Bix, and Wilmon not even having enough time to bury their friend and fellow Rebel.
Luthen Taking Care of Tay Kolma
As seen inAndorseason 2, Tay Kolma’s business and marital struggles have made him a liability to Mon Mothma and by extension, Luthen Rael and his rebel network. InAndorseason 1, Tay helped Mon Mothma start her “foundation”, which has been used to secretly fund resistance efforts. Now, Kolma is shown feeling disenfranchised and is potentially at risk of exposing the truth about Mothma’s activities.
This is something Luthen can’t afford, resulting in the major surprise cliffhanger where Tay leaves the wedding celebrations in a speeder being piloted by Cinta Kaz. Cinta is one of Luthen’s agents, who has presumably been ordered to kill Tay, thereby removing him as a potential threat to the network.As such, it would be a true shock if Tay Kolma were seen again inAndorseason 2.
Andorseason 2 drops three new episodes every Tuesday at 9 PM ET/6 PM PT on Disney+.Ahsokaseason 2 is set to release in 2026.
Andorseason 2, episodes 1-3
Andorseason 2, episodes 4-6
Andorseason 2, episodes 7-9
Andorseason 2, episodes 10-12
