Warning: This article may contain spoilers from Andor Episode 10
With only two episodes left, Andor returned this week to conclude its Narkina 5 arc. An exciting prison break was on the horizon and this episode delivered on all cylinders. Episode 10, titled “One Way Out,” builds off of the momentum of the final line in Episode 9, “Never more than 12” sending shockwaves across the internet. While “One Way Out” does not land as highly for me as its predecessor, I was still glued to the edge of my seat throughout.
A majority of the episode is spent within the prison on Narkina 5, following Cassian (Diego Luna), Kino (Andy Serkis), and their crew planning their escape. The inmates know that with Ulaf’s untimely death, they have to strike now as there will never be another opportunity. The episode wastes no time getting us into the action, with a tense action sequence as Level 5-2-D starts the rally. While many of Cassian’s fellow workers die in the earliest encounter with the guards, they are successful with overpowering them and taking the facility.
Something that had not occurred to me and was a pleasant surprise during the episode was that Cassian and Kino helped the entire prison escape. I was under the impression that Cassian and his floor would need to make a quiet leave, but instead they overpowered the entire complex and helped everyone escape. Andy Serkis delivers another masterful performance as he makes a heroic speech to the entire prison, utilizing language that Cassian had said earlier in the episode. What really stuck out during this moment was that Cassian is beginning to see his influence on people, both as a leader and as a beacon of hope. Small, yet impactful moments like this are helping to form him into the man we know and love in Rogue One.
As the incarcerated men make their last move to escape, tragedy strikes. There is only one way out: over the rail and into the water. Only one problem – Kino cannot swim. In a moment that will stick with fans for some time to come, Cassian is pushed over the edge as he tries to help, and Kino is left, alone, still trapped in this prison. Very rarely does Star Wars leave fans with that type of hopeless hurt, but Andor has successfully done that on a few occasions now, and it goes to show the level of reality this series is looking to achieve in a galaxy far, far away.
Meanwhile, Mon Mothma (Genevieve O’Reilly) and Tay Kolma (Ben Miles) meet with the thug Davo Sculdun (Richard Dillane). While Davo offers to help Mon with her financial transfer issues, he asks for his son to meet her daughter in exchange. Mon swiftly declines and asks Tay to escort their “guest” out, but one thing is reinforced when Sculdun leaves: Mon is considering it. The series continues to push what this future Rebel leader is willing to do for her cause, and while I don’t think her big moment is coming in Season 1, this push towards sacrificing her own family and happiness for this cause will come to a head in the finale.
Finally, Luthen Rael (Stellan Skarsgård) returns this week and meets with Supervisor Lonni Jung (Robert Emms), who is an undercover Rebel within the ISB. In another stellar monologue, Luthen grills into Lonni about everything he’s sacrificed and exactly who he is and what he stands for when the secret agent wants out of the fight. “There’s no pleasure in saying it but you’re not going anywhere.” seethes Luthen, cementing the same sentiment in his own mind. They’re both trapped in this war, and they will both likely not live to see it through.
Andor continues to excel at every step. For the first time this week, the longer episode count really reminded me how much stronger these series can be with a proper story constructed for twelve episodes. By now, The Mandalorian would be done with its season, series like Obi-Wan Kenobi would nearly be done with Season 2. But Andor has a plotted out season, full of powerful stories with distinct perspectives and objectives, and with two episodes left in Season One, I cannot wait to see how it all plays out.
What did you think of Episode 10 of Andor? What’re you most anticipating? Let us know in the comments below or on our social media pages.
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