Why does everyone think that Andor is good?
That question was in my head since I've finished watching Andor. It was the first Disney series from the Star Wars universe that I watched (before I knew only the movies and Clone Wars). I heard so much about how great it is but in the end it became one of the greatest disappointments for me this year. That's why I am genuinely interested for what reasons it became so popular. It bothered me that much that I decided to make a post in the place I really stored just for myself.
First let me explain myself.
I don't think Andor is bad. It's just not good enough for me. The best word I can find: mediocre. Like a beautifully looking dish with no specific taste or smell. Now I will summarise what I consider good and why it didn't make the weather for me.
The cast. I'm in love with the work of Genevieve O'Reilly and Stellan Skarsgard. Every second they are on the screen it's a march of emotions. Every turn of characters' thoughts can be seen on their faces and that's amazing. I also would like to mention Kyle Soller (Syril) and Denise Gough (Dedra) who were unique and also fun to follow. Overall the actors works are really great and that part I really enjoyed l.
Mon Mothma story. Simple yet very clear and understandable.
Luthen. But not entirely (see below). It was quite refreshing to see somebody so manipulative and tactical on the side of the rebellion and not the empire. Also Skarsgard put a lot to the performance that you can feel everything that Luthen feels.
Style. The costumes, decorations, droids, the overall picture is very consistent and indeed stylish.
Several ideas (electrical prison, brix on Ferrix, some devices).
Little droid. No explanation needed.
Why for me it isn't enough and what I didn't like:
Missing personality. Of course, characters here have some basic motivations and basic traits. They have basic colours but lack depth and shades. Let's take Luthen. I really liked the archetype, however what was his motivation? Does he just want to throw the Emperor and then decide? Maybe it's some kind of revenge specifically to the Empire or maybe it's his better judgement of how the state should work? That can be true based on those scenes we saw, however is that really it? Just a color with no hues? What if after years he is starting to lose his goal and became just like Saw Gerrera? Or maybe he started like Saw, just wanting to shatter the system and only then realised the consequences but continued? Same with Dedra. We have some details that are trying to show her as a human being with complex emotions, however they never truly showed what the Empire is for her. I assumed that she is just a usual a bit sadistic employee who just wants to be loved. So I just don't like her as a person. But even here I am not sure: what if she really thinks that she does a good thing? She was raised by the Empire basically so it would be logical for her to assume that this system is good no matter what. And I would consider that fact except that she never addresses any civilians unless they are suspects or witnesses. So should I really care for her?
The culmination is the moment when Dedra and Luthen arguing. Dedra is saying that Luthen just want a chaos for himself, and Luthen replies that Dedra is afraid of freedom. But... why? Have we seen any comments from Dedra about how system is better than chaos? Why building an Empire even on systems that don't what it is necessary? Why than she is afraid of freedom and not just a selfish jerk who wants attention? Same goes for Luthen. He induce chaos, exactly, but... why exactly? This moment feels like it wasn't deserved there.
Main character. But these two are not the worst. I at least have some ideas how they could behave and why. What really bothers me is Andor himself. I kinda get the archetype but can't help the feeling that he is just a blank. Just smth to be a classical main character. He started pretty well and I knew what he should be in the end, however... Even I knew how it would go and it went exactly to the same point... I don't really understand why? Again, I can search for some ideas but am I watching a series which builds a strong story or am I building a construct from the cubes that I was given? In the second season Andor is just very boring and not really necessary. If they would just put him to different places, pair him with different rebels it would be much more interesting. Still don't really understand why they tried to build a leader out of him if in most cases he behaved exactly as a thief. A cunny accounting guy who knows how to stealth.
Basically I didn't feel most of characters' for the same reason: they say things but nothing concrete. Just basic stuff that can be said by mostly anybody. In the hole of not really well written characters also go Vel and Cinta. Very basic. The road from "Im just a mirror" to let's kiss was a fucking rollercoaster. I get that Cinta was in trouble but... which trouble and why should I even care? Vel just not my type of character. Too cocky for no apparent reason. I wish they would put more context. Similarly to Bix but she is just boring and I can't help low-key hating most of the moments with her in season 2 despite all my empathy for her situation.
Lack of context. Goes to the backstory of Luthen and Kleya, the Empire itself, the propaganda, influence of the Republic (it fell 15-18 years ago, why there is NOTHING about it? It could be Imperial propaganda but that wasn't addressed so I consider that as a "-".). The thing with the Empire looks like it was purposely made to increase the audience. For me it's just ruined the tone, I couldn't believe many things. Also it would be so great of an opportunity for Dedra development to show her opinions of the more flexible Republic and more strict Empire (also when and for what her parents were arrested? Were they really some murderers or pirates or was that political?)
Details don't really matter. The scene that really bothers me is the scene from Aldhani. Remeber how Andor said to switch the positions to be able to shoot? Also, do you remember that when they were standing with other troopers only their squad's guns were pointed in different directions? It is a good proof of the Andor's point that troopers doesn't give a fuck about anything. However, everything else about that fact didn't really matter. For example, they tried to show that Andor is the guy who can do such stuff and no other believes that it can work (as in prison). Everybody else is too cautious. But even during their training before Cas's suggestion the guns were pointing in different directions. And they had a stormtrooper in the squad. It could be such a great possibility if this dude was trying to say that the guns always must be in the same direction and then Andor said: nobody cares (because except piloting Cas's hasn't done anything significant. The conflict would be most probably resolved without him. He was a great pilot but Luthen has never seen his skills so... for what he took Andor to Aldhani?). And nobody would care. It also was a good possibility to say that this guy is a stormtrooper and not just putting these words to another character. Unless this character lied, of course. Again: both lines can be developed, either good stormtrooper or unreliable informant, however I am forced to write my own story and not to follow what's actually happening. Also mostly bored with the prison arc.
In total, Andor is trying to be a good series, it's trying to open serious topics but never develops it even when it has chances. That's why I'm talking about mediocrity. It's really great that Disney decided to explore normal humans in the SW universe but the inability to be cautious about the storyline and characters.
Why do you specifically like Andor? Is there any cool detail I missed? Is there any story from the backstages? I am really curious about it because even if it doesn't change my mind about the series I still want to hear anything new. At least maybe I learn some new facts, who knows.
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