‘Andor’: A lesson in politics and hope

Unexpectedly familiar: Andor’s story stands out against the franchise’s other projects because it does not follow a story of ‘chosen ones’ but tells how oppression operates. — Disney

I AM no die hard Star Wars fan, and it is no secret that the franchise has struggled to find its footing in recent years. The sequel trilogy ended on a whimper (and that is me being generous), while its television offerings on Disney+ have seen more misses than hits.

This is why Andor came as such a surprise. While I have always admired 2016’s Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, the idea of building a series around one of its secondary characters initially seemed like an odd creative choice. What emerged, however, is a gripping and quietly profound piece of television.