A popular franchise adds a new installment to its growing series. Many fans create a huge buzz about the new installment, no matter how poor or good it is. When Stranger Things or The Crown releases a new season, or Marvel announces a spinoff of their characters, fans flood the internet. Considering today’s saturated TV and movie environment, people are looking out for fresh content, anything that isn’t too cliche, repetitive, or boring. A fair request.
READ ALSO Chris Hemsworth reveals that ‘Avengers’ cast teased Chris Evans on being the Sexiest Man Alive
I had hoped #AndorThis would make Rogue One more powerful. Turns out it’s made all of Star Wars better.
— Matthew “Movies” Thomason (@ResDolph) November 10, 2022
Of the many new TV series that is making history in its own right is Tony Gilroy’s Andor. It has not received the attention it deserves, despite it being the most exciting Star Wars adaptation. Talking to VarietyGilroys agrees with him. “I think I was surprised. “I thought the show was amazing. […]I would have a huge, instantaneous audience that would be everywhere. However, it would take forever for non Star Wars fans or critics to get involved in the show. The reverse happened. We ended up with all this critical praise, all this deep appreciation and understanding from a really surprising number of sources, and we’re chasing the audience.”
It’s crazy to me #AndorThis is a TV series that has been rated high in prestige and set in the Star Wars universe. It is easily the most successful SW show Disney has ever made and will continue to be at this level. I hope this show will continue to grow in popularity.
— alessandro fillari (@afillari) October 19, 2022
Gracias Angela !! #Andor https://t.co/AB15haTixx pic.twitter.com/OGNjI8JAOY
— diego luna (@diegoluna_) November 11, 2022
“Tony wrote the first scenes for us to cheer for Dedra, but in the end you don’t do it anymore. She is not just a woman in a men’s world, but a fascist in a world of fascists. It was important to see that power corrodes women as much as men” – Denise Gough at Lucca #Andor pic.twitter.com/CZcJjAYKzK
— Andor News (@newsandor) October 31, 2022
#AndorBe like eps
1-3 4-6 7-10 11-12 pic.twitter.com/6BC3PuGNsX— Ana (@asgd1998) November 9, 2022
There are many reasons why this is so. Some people want to emulate the success of Star Wars’ original characters; others want to chase other blockbuster series, such as House of the Dragon, or The Rings of Power. Others may be motivated by the show’s departure from the central Jedi Force storyline and the fact that it isn’t designed for children. While the list is endless, one can’t deny the most critical point: the show’s tarnished legacy.
Tony Gilroy accidentally creating the first on screen main character gays in Star Wars history just because he’s cool and not realizing its a historic thing….king shit #Andor pic.twitter.com/VqwJLRtrXJ
— RuPalp’s Podrace (@RuPalpsPodrace) November 10, 2022
Star Wars was such a beloved story that it had to be resurrected. Moviemaking is a business. It’s often easier to save a well-known franchise than to start a new one. So, the next set of installations in this franchise was a bunch of prequels, from following Darth Vadar’s rise to power to seeing the Empire in all its glory before the rise of Jedis. These stories may be thrilling for fans who aren’t too hardcore, but the excitement faded when Disney took over.
#andorSpoilers
Maarva won’t know that cassian was among the rebels on aldhani. Nor will she know that he inspired more than 5000 men into escaping prison. She will never learn that he was a rebel hero who changed galaxy’s course.— (kay)tuesso (@jeronandor) November 16, 2022
Disney began to produce Star Wars instalments such as The Rise of Skywalker. This was all about fan services and entertainment. The Book of Boba Fett, Solo: A Star Wars StoryObi-Wan, and. Fans were furious because so many of the iconic characters whose stories could have been explored turned out to just be fillers. Star Wars’ drama has made fans unhappy about the possibility of another installation.
One. Way. Out.
Andy Serkis has just arrived halfway into #AndorAs a surprise appearance, he ended up giving one the greatest performances in Star Wars Again. Legend shit. This episode is a masterpiece in storytelling and direction. pic.twitter.com/1wdt2YEQc2
— Josh (@joshdwoodbury) November 9, 2022
Andor, however, is quite different. It’s a love letter to Star Wars lovers that Gilroy and his crew created with the greatest care and precision. They probed deep into the minds of the characters, as they were forced to confront the Empire and its inhumane control over their lives. Andor’s character arc is beautiful, and Gilroy allows one to feel the pain and suffering his characters go through. When Cassian says, “I’d rather die trying to take them down than die giving them what they want,” his frustration is so visible that not only those with him on the screen will respond, but also those outside of it.
Luthen’s words still ring in my ears. #Andor #andorspoilers pic.twitter.com/4P4z9Xmy5s
— Denzio • Andor best Star Wars (@ggdensho) November 9, 2022
Another great example is Andor’s adaptation of the old TV series style, where every three episodes are a movie. Because it moves the story from one event to the next, it allows the viewer to dissect the scene by scene. It is said that sometimes the characters drive a story and other times it moves. Andor is a prime example of the former. Andor is not able to persuade the audience despite all of the positive things.
Andor’s “every 3 episodes a movie” storytelling is a smart adaptation of an old TV storytelling format that has fallen out of favour: the mini-arc. This is where a story unravels over 3-4 episodes and then leads to another. Hill Street Blues and ER are also available.
— Emily St. James (@emilyvdw) November 10, 2022
Tired: They should’ve aired 3 episodes. The three episodes are of a piece, and two will feel incomplete.
wired: Andor fever is set when the nation hears Nicholas Britell’s drums near the end of episode 2. https://t.co/65GRRwa9Oh
— Prank Oberhauser (@_iamtiredplease) November 14, 2022
It feels like Andor was meant to be edited into one piece.
— Will Ross (@SadHillWill) November 13, 2022
Andor only has two more episodes left to go. It doesn’t have much time to turn the tables on its fans. Star Wars fans were very happy with the 10th episode. Many felt that Star Wars is back in its true form. It remains to be seen whether the hype on Twitter because of Andy Serkis’ memes during his brief appearance will bring more audience or whether word of mouth and branding will help to change its rating. One thing is certain: Andor’s passion for righting the Star Wars series is very evident. We are still waiting to see the outcome of this reckoning.
READ ALSO An interview with Khaby Lame, TikTok’s most-followed creator
