Warning: This article may contain spoilers from Andor Episode 12
After ten weeks, Andor concluded its first season today with “Rix Road.” The episode, which picks up immediately after its predecessor, focuses primarily on the funeral of Maarva Andor (Fiona Shaw), and converges nearly all of our central characters on Ferrix, culminating in a long-awaited revolution against the Empire. Andor’s finale, much like its series, is simply flawless in its execution. Not only does Episode 12 leave audiences satisfied, it also opens the door to what comes next for this band of characters.
After learning that his mother has passed away, Cassian (Diego Luna) returns to Ferrix, which is becoming increasingly under Imperial siege. Awaiting him is the aforementioned Empire, as well as Luthen (Stellan Skarsgård), Vel (Faye Marsay), and Cinta (Varada Sethu). Cassian is able to avoid capture by reconnecting with fellow Ferrix natives including Brasso (Joplin Sibtain), but there are other locals who would much rather make a payday with the Empire than help Andor.
Much of the episode is spent building up to the funeral itself, which is pushed up by the locals and ultimately catches the Empire off-guard. To add a rogue piece into play. Syril (Kyle Soller) returns to the scene of his greatest failure to find Cassian, only to find Dedra Meero (Denise Gough) instead.
Meanwhile, on Coruscant, Mon Mothma (Genevieve O’Reilly) has begun to play the Empire as well. In a “private” conversation with her husband Perrin (Alastair Mackenzie) of gambling, despite his pleading that he is not. This information makes its way back to the ISB, to Lieutenant Supervisor Blevin (Ben Bailey Smith). Mon is looking to keep the ISB distracted, or at least suspecting, why mysterious funds are moving throughout their accounts. She is going to frame Perrin for it.
The episode also concludes the Anto Kreegyr storyline and subplot, confirming that yes, he and all of his men were killed in an ambush during their attack. While the Empire doesn’t want to take prisoners, what they don’t know is this was a much larger win for the rebellion.
Once the funeral commences, B2EMO relays a hologram message from Maarva, in which she encourages her fellow sons and daughters of Ferrix to rise up and fight the tyranny that has overcome them while they sleep. This spark lights a massive fire, culminating in a bomb being thrown into the Imperial ranks, sending a chain reaction that takes out nearly all the garrison.
In the chaos, our heroes all make their escape, with Cassian sneaking into the Imperial stronghold and rescuing Bix (Adria Arjona). Dedra is nearly killed in the stampede and chaos, but is rescued by Syril, whose heroics may have won the respect, and the heart of the ISB supervisor.
Mon Mothma’s arc for this season concludes with what felt like the inevitable, as she offers her daughter up for betrothal to the son of Davo Sculdun (Richard Dillane). In a sacrifice of this magnitude, it becomes clear that Mon knows she must do whatever it takes to preserve the future of a rebellion.
Back on Ferrix, Cassian is able to get Bix to safety alongside Brasso, B2EMO, and a few other locals. He sends them off, promising to find and return them soon. In the final scene, Andor returns to Luthen’s ship, offering himself up to join the Rebellion, which has truly just begun.
In a post-credit scene, as Andy Serkis teased in his interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the mechanical pieces the prisoners were constructing on Narkina-5 are, in fact, pieces of the Death Star just as many had suspected. Whether this information is ever revealed to Cassian remains to be seen, but audiences now understand exactly what Cassian and co. were a part of during their time in incarceration.
Andor‘s finale ties a very satisfying bow on the season, just in time for the holidays. While the first twelve episodes covered so much, the story was largely self-contained, and it made for an excellent season of television. Ultimately, Andor is some of the best television content of 2022, and has made a lasting impact on the Star Wars universe and its fans.
Looking ahead to season two, there is still much to be followed up on, including Cassian’s hunt for his sister, more information about what happened to his homeworld of Kenari, his time with K-2SO, the early stages of the Rebellion, and so much more. There is still much to be discovered when Andor returns in 2024 to Disney+.
What did you think of the first season of Andor? What’re you most anticipating in Season 2? Let us know in the comments below or on our social media pages!
You must be logged in to post a comment.