Andor’s story and characters are incredibly different from regularStar Warsproperties, and one subtle detail from season 2, episode 1 proves this above all else.Andor’s differences fromStar Warsare often attributed to its writing. Not only does this writing allow for a fantastic story that seesAndordescribed as thebestStar WarsTV show, but it also includes a level of maturity that sets it apart from most other projects in the franchise. Even thebest-rankedStar Warsmoviesare more family-friendly thanAndor, proving just how singular the latter is.
Andorseason 2 took this to an even deeper level than season 1 did. Moments likeAndor’s Ghorman Massacreor the attempted sexual assault of Bix Caleen prove that Tony Gilroy and his writing team wished to continue pushing the boundaries of the darkness that could be explored inStar Wars. By the time ofAndorseason 2’s ending, the show was solidified as a different entry to theStar Warsmythos. One moment fromAndorseason 2, episode 1 proves this and, while not as inherently dark as the aforementioned moments, proves how the show’s story and characters stand apart fromStar Warsas a whole.
Krennic’s Introduction In Andor Season 2 Is Massively Understated
Especially In Comparison To Other Big Star Wars Cameos
The moment fromAndorseason 2, episode 1 involves the introduction of Director Orson Krennic, a returning character fromRogue One. Although I will admit that Krennic’s overall screentime inAndorseason 2 counts him as a supporting character rather than a cameo, his scenes in the first episode mark his only appearance until episode 6. Therefore, it can be viewed as a cameo, yet it is handled much differently than others of this ilk fromStar Wars’past.
The scene begins with an establishing shot of the Imperial meeting place high in the mountains of a place called The Maltheen Divide. Krennic’s voice can be heard as the camera pushes in on this building before he is immediately shown in a wide shot inside the meeting. The scene then plays out from there, with Krennic explaining the situation on Ghorman, outlining how the Emperor needs to mine kalkite from its core, and enlists those at the meeting to figure out how best the Empire can conquer the planet. Overall, this introduction to such a big character is incredibly understated.
Star Wars Cameos Usually Operate Very Differently
Star Wars' Surprise Appearances Tend To Have Bigger Build-Ups
What makes the understated nature of Krennic’s first appearance inAndorseason 2 so different from regularStar Warsis how other properties in the franchise tend to introduce cameo characters.Rogue One, the movie in which Krennic debuted, has many examples of cameos that are built up to to provide the maximum level of hype and garner big reactions from the audience. Darth Vader’s cameos, for example, see him either coming out of a smoking room or standing in a dark hallway with only his iconic breathing sounds being heard before he ignites his lightsaber.
Rogue Onealso features cameos from Tarkin and Leia, both of whom are shown from behind first as the camera slowly pans around to them for maximum effect.
Star Wars’most popular TV shows tend to do the same. One of the most memorable cameos inStar WarsTV history was Luke Skywalker’s involvement inThe Mandalorianseason 2, episode 8. This scene takes the build-up to another level;the time between Luke’s X-Wing flying past Moff Gideon’s Imperial ship and him removing the hood of his cloak is almost five minutes.The meantime includes shots of Luke with his lightsaber cutting down Dark Troopers, building the necessary level of hypeStar Warsusually requires from cameos.
All of these scenes are vastly different in execution from Krennic’s cameo inAndorseason 2’s first act…
Another similar moment came inThe Book of Boba Fettwith the inclusion of Cad Bane. This scene saw Cad walking towards a Tatooine village from the desert, taking his time to reach the main characters so that audiences could get excited over seeing the familiar silhouette. All of these scenes are vastly different in execution from Krennic’s cameo inAndorseason 2’s first act.
Andor Season 2’s Biggest Successes Link To Its Differences From Star Wars
The Show Succeeds As A Singular Entry
Krennic’s understated appearance inAndorseason 2 proves a big difference in the show’s characters and storytelling style, with these differences allowing it to be so successful. This is not to say that typicalStar Warsstories have no place in the franchise, as they can be just as effective for what they are. However, there is no denying thatAndorworks on another level completely.
Andoris not just the bestStar WarsTV show, but it stands tall alongside some of the best TV shows in history in any genre. A big factor in this is its differences in tone, maturity, and plot. The intense intricacies of galactic politics, the horrors of the Empire being shown firsthand, and the treatment ofStar Warsas a serious realm in which thought-provoking stories can be told allow it to stand apart. As typified byAndorseason 2’s Krennic introduction, the show’s success lies in its sheer singularity.
