Andor Season 1 Episode 9 Review : The fight against tyranny ramps up

Andor Season 1 Episode 9

THIS RECAP & REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS!

Bix (Adria Arjona) is interrogated by Dedra (Denise Gough), who warns the prisoner about the consequences of not revealing information about Cassian Andor (Diego Luna). Bix resists but is subjected to the Imperial Security Bureau’s (ISB) horrific torture device and left incapacitated. Syril Karn (Kyle Soller) continues to get badgered by his mother, Eedy (Kathryn Hunter), and she only lets off when he tells her about getting a promotion. Syril also stalks Dedra to tell her she inspires him. The ISB officer sternly warns the over-eager Syril to stop following her.

On Narkina 5, the inmates continue to slog through their work but catch a harrowing rumour that another level was obliterated. Mon Mothma (Genevieve O’Reilly) is visited by her cousin, who turns out to be Vel (Faye Marsay). Mon wonders about their choices as Vel reminds her they’re part of a more significant cause in the Rebellion.

Episode 9 is much slower than previous entries, but that’s not to say there’s a lack of momentum. Most key developments occur in prison, especially as Cassian manages to get through to the obstinate Kino Loy (Andy Serkis). The floor manager finally seems to realise there’s no getting out alive, irrespective of the end of their sentence. Cassian has been plotting an escape plan while slowly putting together the pieces. With Kino on his side, it finally seems like they can make a break for it in the next episode. The psychological trauma of the threat looming overhead, or instead, underfoot, is quite nerve-racking as the tension is constantly amped up with every prison scene.

The other plots don’t seem to progress much on the surface, but a lot is going on. Other than the surprise of discovering Vel is related to Mon Mothma, their conversations are relegated mainly to the Rebellion cause and the path they’re headed down. Mon’s frustrations continue to increase as she doesn’t have much of an audience at the senate, and she’s looking for ways to justify constantly sticking her neck out. The relationship, for lack of a better term, between Syril and Dedra is also intriguing. As we can tell, their ideologies are aligned, but they still aren’t on the same page. We’re also unclear about Syril’s uncle and what his mentions will eventually lead to, but there’s undoubtedly some significance to his role in the Empire.

‘Andor’ continues to be methodical in its plotting, which comes at the cost of pacing in this episode. That still doesn’t take away from the compelling performances that are captivating in how they draw us into this more realistic and grounded rendition of the sci-fi fantasy and mystical world of ‘Star Wars. The dilemmas, especially on the side of the Rebellion, are often unsavoury but serve as a grim reminder of the price to be paid in the fight against tyranny.