This entire season has been surprisingly easy to write about. It was almost as if the words were already formed and my fingers were just following along with this unseen guidance; call it the Force. Yet, for some reason I found myself struggling with this finale. I think I finally figured out why. I don't want to say goodbye.
After the first season I couldn't imagine the second could further recontextualize the Empire into a greater evil. We saw true horrors in season one, from what they were doing to the Dhanis to how prisoners were treated. We saw the Empire's hubris and arrogance, their willingness to destroy without hesitation or reason because it was more convenient or perhaps easier than doing the right thing.
Season two has upped the game, not only did we see first hand the layers of their lies and corruption shown by Krennic and the ISB. We were witness to how far they would go to achieve their monsterous goals. The Ghorman massacre was like a flare shot up into the darkness that brightened up the Empire's unspeakable ugliness. It exposed countless lies and cover ups, it showed those who could see through the glossy fake news the truth. The Empire is being reckless, they care nothing for their people, they are arrogantly pursuing goals that will subvert and control the galaxy, and they're utterly evil in the application of their power.
I think this is exemplified by how Partagaz went out. At first I wasn't sure what was happening, as he listened to Nemik's manifesto. You could see on his face that he was moved, perhaps realizing the depth of his own cowardice and cruelty. Maybe the extent of what happened to Ghorman got to him. Or he just realized that the Empire's days were numbered. Either way, he couldn't live with his choices, and wasn't about to take the fall for Lonni's betrayal.
The actual action at the beginning of the episode was fun and tense, with K-2SO saving the day and Kleya only getting hurt instead of killed (thank god). It was satisfying and well done, but felt final. This was the final action sequence in the entire series, and it had a note of finality to it. I did love how Kleya kept arguing, convinced Cassian was going to deliver her to the Rebellion where she would be put in chains.
I love that it was Vel that approached Kleya and told her she had friends everywhere. It turned Luthen's slightly ominous counter phrase into a statement of purpose. Kleya only just started to recover as the episode ended, but I could feel hope for Kleya's future. In fact I got a very small hint that Kleya and Vel would not only stay friends but perhaps they were each other's answer to the hole in their lives created by the deaths of the ones closest to them. Whether that would be romantic, or just friendship, doesn't really matter. It felt like a new beginning.
Of course this wasn't Vel's only scene. She had two more that were equally as powerful. My favorite was with Cassian, as they toasted all those lost in the fight. Even if she had no real affection or connection with Luthen anymore, she did drink to his sacrifice. I also loved that she finally talked about Cinta. It feels like she hasn't really come to grips with losing her love even after two years. I also enjoyed the scene with Mon. It felt easy and domestic, as if they had become sisters instead of just cousins.
As for the rest of the episode, it hinged around the Rebel Council fighting about whether Luthen and Kleya were relaying real information, an imperial lie or just bad intelligence. Most came down on the side of it being fake, except for Cassian and perhaps Mon who clearly wanted to believe but couldn't quite accept the absolutely terrifying consequences if true. Honestly, I kind of get it, because it seems not only outlandish but honestly overwhelming.
You could see on Mon's face that she was getting more and more concerned as the Council disparaged Luthen, calling him about every horrible name they could. Yet even Mon admitted that Luthen stayed on Coruscant too long and could have been influenced by the Empire. That is until Cassian lost it, and it was amazing to watch him fight for the fallen spymaster. Luthen died for the information about the Death Star, in the hope it might stop the Empire from destroying the galaxy.
I think that is why this episode worked. Because while it did tie in directly to Rogue One, it also felt like an end for most of the characters. Of course we had to see Bix one last time, and it turns out she settled on Mina Rau with her new baby. It makes entirely too much sense for her to have left because she was pregnant. What's sad is Vel even tried to get Cassian to go to Bix. He has already given so much for the cause. He deserves to go to the woman he loves and raise their child together. What a bittersweet note on which to end the series.
Bits:
During the final montage we got to see what happened to Dedra, and it was perfect. She has a new home on Narkina 5. How poetic.
The opening music was both very Star Warsy, but was also the full Andor theme.
Melshi had some nice moments too, but felt somewhat secondary to the story.
Cassian investing in K2 felt like a genius move. It has already paid off big time.
Saw is confirmed to be on Jedha and is attacking Imperial transports.
Wil was still limping after a year. Looks like he is no longer a combatant. At least he still has Dreena.
Bail Organa is wearing the same outfit as he does in Rogue One. So is Mon Mothma.
K-2SO attacking the Storm Troopers in the hallway was almost out of a horror movie, complete with a Heert Shield.
Cassian's next mission is to meet Tivik on the Ring of Kafrene. That thread will pick up in the first moments of Rogue One.
We are reminded briefly about Cassian's lost sister. We never did get any closure on that point. Which means she probably did die as a child.
We get a small glimpse of Perrin on Coruscant with Davo's wife asleep in his lap. He doesn't look happy. Apparently in a deleted scene he admitted to Mon that he knew what she was doing and would have supported her. I wish that had made it to the episode.
I thought Krennic would feature a bit more in this series, but he had some memorable scenes. Here we see him overseeing the final days of the Death Star's construction.
Quotes:
K-2SO: "Disobeying orders is so refreshing."
Cassian: "He's dead, Wil. He made it worth it."
K-2SO: "Waking up humans is always confusing."
Cassian: "Will you drink to Luthen?"
Vel: "Just this once."
Cassian: "Can't drink to them all, can we? Can't toast them all, can we?"
Vel: "Gorn, Nemik, Taramyn…"
Cassian: "Cinta."
Vel: "The Ghormans, Ferrix. Your mother. The Dhanis."
Cassian: "Aldhani."
K-2SO: "I plan to tell them I was kidnapped."
K-2SO: "I assume any doubts about my value have been erased."
I have no complaints about this finale. It did exactly what it needed to do in a satisfying way.
4 out of 4 Stories Completed.
Samantha M. Quinn spends most of her time in front of a computer typing away at one thing or another; when she has free time, she enjoys pretty much anything science fiction or fantasy-related.
Thank you!
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