I've seen the first two episodes of S2 (twice, in fact), and I really, really tried to make myself like them, but I'm not sure I've succeeded. And then, I proceeded to thoroughly spoil myself for the other episodes that have been released, and I can't say they're filling me with much more confidence than I had to begin with.
Part of it for me, I think, is that I never really *wanted* there to be a season 2. I remember my first reaction when my wife told me being 'oh... 😬' because I just felt that s1 was such a beautifully crafted narrative arc from start to finish, and left Cassian in such a good place for Rogue One, and our collective imaginations could fill in the gaps.
All that being said, I don't think season 1 was perfect. The unceremonious killing of Black characters and general sidelining of darker-skinned POC being chief among the first season's flaws. And clearly, this season has been no exception, if not arguably doing an even worse job. (Cinta 😭 Tony Gilroy when I get my hands on you...)
(Putting the rest below the cut for length and spoilers, + tw/cw for rape/sexual assault mention)
I guess I'm left wondering if this season is even worth watching. Another major thing that gives me pause is the treatment of Bix. I've seen mixed opinions on the attempted rape scene, and while I'll admit hearing about it's inclusion immediately made me hesitant to watch episode 3, I've read that some people found it to be well-handled and worth having in the show. My own hesitancy was predicated mainly on feeling like 'give Bix a fucking break 😭' and worrying that the scene would objectify her suffering and make it into a spectacle. But, as I said, some folks on here whose judgement I trust seem to feel it was handled well, and I'm glad to hear that (even if it doesn't particularly make me want to watch it any more than I already did).
However, I've also seen a lot of anger towards the way Bix's storyline has played out over the course of the next three episodes, and, from what people have said, I can understand why and I feel similarly disheartened. The whole Gorst revenge thing seems like an ill-conceived shit show that gives her very little agency or identity as a character beyond her trauma, and needing Cassian and Luthen to push her towards this act (?). Also, I'm mad about Bix and Cassian being randomly back together?? As I read someone else say on here, didn't we establish that they weren't good for each other/Bix was done with Cass' shit last season??
I really love both their characters and I enjoy imagining them in a relationship in their past, as young, chaotic teenagers/young adults who are figuring out who they are and what they want and doing things messily and breaking each other's hearts a little in the process. All that being said, I like them so much better as friends as they mature. I liked how in s1 it felt like Bix knew who she was and what she wanted (okay, maybe she was still figuring out what she wanted in relationships re: Timm, but I digress), and while she may still be attracted to Cassian (who wouldn't be, lol) she recognizes that he's not what she needs in a partner, but obviously still cares about him as a friend. Another thing I really appreciated about their dynamic being a platonic one is that it didn't feel like the care that they expressed for each other (particularly Cass' towards Bix in the aftermath of her torture) was predicated upon hoping for a return to their romantic relationship. In that context, Cassian's care for and protectiveness of Bix didn't feel transactional, or paternalistic, just genuine and heartfelt and full of solidarity towards her as an equal suffering under the boot of the Empire just like Cassian himself.
Reading other people's reactions to their relationship in S2, I've gotten the sense that their dynamic feels toxic due to Cassian being over-protective and controlling of Bix, and Bix's character being reduced to little more than Cassian's stay-at-home (drug addicted??) love interest.
I've also seen people criticizing the frequent time skips in this season, including the one at the beginning, and even just having watched the first two episodes, I think I agree. This first came to my mind when I was thinking about Syril and Dedra. At first, when their relationship came on-screen, I was just so deeply amused and surprised that they actually just went there, and I didn't give it much more thought. But after sitting with it for a little while, I couldn't help but feel like they skipped over the most important part of their relationship, namely, how TF did they get there?? The last time we see them is when Syril saves Dedra's life on Ferrix, and in the most uncharitable reading of their S2 relationship, I think the audience could be forgiven for thinking that this progression feels a little weird and transactional. Like Syril just 'got the girl' for saving her life. I don't think this is what they were going for, nor can I imagine Dedra putting up with that shit, but I think they leave themselves open to that interpretation by jumping from point A to point C in this way.
And I'm truly not anti-Syril/Dedra!! I just think it would have been so much more interesting to see *how* they got together. I wanted to see stupid fascist will they/won't they cringefail hate romance, goddamnit!! That being said, I also would have been okay with their relationship remaining platonic, with Syril becoming Dedra's right hand, and maybe that develops into something else, maybe it doesn't. I wanted more ambiguity and tension and suspense, is I guess what I'm saying!! That first scene with the two of them in episode 2 just felt a bit like fan-service to me, and not in a good way. I've read that some people feel like Dedra's character isn't really developing/doesn't have much agency as the narrative has been progressing, and that we still haven't got any meaningful exploration of her and Syril's dynamic and why they're even a couple, which disappoints me to hear.
ANYWAY
My point is, I guess I'm asking, for those of you who (unlike me) have kept up and actually watched past the first two episodes, do you feel it's worth watching? Have I misrepresenting/misinterpreted people's reactions to the events of this season so far? How are we feeling about s2, people?? I'm inviting you all to my virtual couch and making you virtual tea so we can sus this out. I loved s1 so, so much... and I love these characters, and part of me wants to just run off with my own headcanons for the post-s1, pre-Rogue One period, untarnished by this season's failings and contradictions with my own canon built up over the course of a year waiting for a season that I never really felt the need for in the first place.
Really curious to hear other thoughts on anything and everything I've brought up here. Much love to the artists and fic-writers of this fandom that truly made s1 come alive for me in the first place. 💓
Whatever happens, friendly reminder that this story ultimately belongs to all of US, not Disney, and not Tony Gilroy. We get to decide what this story means, and who these characters are for ourselves. We can pick and choose aspects and elements from both seasons, retcon, headcanon, write and draw and imagine our way into a more expansive, diverse, queer, and liberatory version of this story, just as we can do all these things in the real world to take down real empires and systems of oppression, and create a better world out of the ashes of the old.
the thing about andor is that it isn’t prophecy, it’s the oldest story we have.
fascism rises, again and again. the empire is only one mask it wears. it speaks different languages, waves different flags, but it’s always the same fear, the same cruelty. and every time, people who fight it –not jedi, not chosen ones– are farmers, students, workers, lovers.
a manifesto written in hiding, a prison break echoing “one way out”, a funeral that turns into a riot; the fire always starts small. a single act. a handful of people willing to stand up. it grows, and so does the cost. the prisons fill, the streets choke with fear, and still someone shouts. someone resists.
andor gets it: there’s no clean victory, no hero to save us. only people, scared and stubborn, who refuse to let the dark be the only thing that survives.
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Hey gang, so I haven't had luck in the job market, save for an interview coming up for a fair gig, but I've got a few days left to make enough to afford my Testosterone for the month and would really appreciate any help and sharing of my comms. I know that it continues to be a bad time for this but I appreciate even just boosting this post.
[Image description: A close-up of Melshi in Rogue One, looking up with a sombre expression and wet eyes, with a tumblr post reading "sergeant sad eyes reporting for misery" edited in underneath. End ID]
I know there's a lot of talk about misogyny in Andor and it's mostly turned towards the treatment of characters like Bix and Cinta, but I've been thinking if Dedra, specifically her fate at the end of the season, couldn't also be counted in that.
Syril ended up dead, after attacking Cassian and finding out he didn't know his name, Heert died as well, while trying to catch Kleya, and Partagaz had been given the option of suicide by another Imperial. Dedra was put in a prison we KNOW tortures the inmates every single day, that we KNOW is absolutely inhumane and uses people as slaves. And she'll stay there for at least a few years until the Empire falls unless she dies in there. So it's three imperial men who get to die quickly vs. one imperial woman who will be made a slave and tortured for years.
I'm not saying that misogyny is for sure what's behind this or if they wanted Dedra alive at the end for some reason, I'm really just wondering at the difference.
NOTICE: As more and more fanfic writers are using generative AI for their works (you uncreative dweebs), I hereby swear on everything I hold dear that I have not and will NEVER use generative AI in ANY of my written work. Everything I post will be organically and creatively my own.
