“A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away” may just be a fancy way of saying “once upon a time...” in the Star Wars universe, but there are times where the franchise truly feels like a relic of a bygone era. Star Wars is ostensibly set in a kind of far-flung future, but the saga is classical almost to a fault. It recycles familiar beats again and again, often saddling interesting characters with fates that couldn’t be less imaginative. It’s a frustrating cycle for a franchise that desperately needs to embrace braver, bolder storytelling. Even Andor, Star Wars’ gutsiest (and most acclaimed) series, has struggled to rise above the saga’s worst habits, and its most vulnerable characters continue to suffer for its missteps.
After breaking new ground with a trove of nuanced female characters in Season 1, Andor’s second season drops the ball in a major way. It all culminates with a blindsiding ending for its most promising character, and a predictable return to the most regressive tropes in the book.
