Andor One Way Out Review: Staging a prison break brings out the best in Andor

The latest episode of Andor, One Way Out is a prison break-centric episode that cleverly deals with sacrifice.

Diego Luna, Andy Serkis and Stellan Skarsgård thrive in One Way Out. Luna and Serkis are sensational together as Cassian finally succeeds in convincing Kino Loy to lead the prison break. Cassian knows the entire prison listens to Kino, so he encourages Kino to rally the prisoners are every level to escape. Throughout the episode, Cassian and Kino use the phrase “one way out.” Watching Serkis’s face every time Kino utters that phrase is a masterclass in foreshadowing.

Skarsgård only has two scenes in One Way Out, but he makes each of them land. His final speech to a rebel spy who is working for the ISB on the inside should secure an Emmy nomination for Skarsgård. It’s Luthen Rael who brings the theme of sacrifice home. In order for the rebellion to succeed, he has had to sacrifice his humanity. He must be willing to do what others won’t in order for the rebellion to succeed.

On the other hand, Mon Mothma is unwilling to make the sacrifices requested of her. In a very Game of Thrones manner, her smarmy guest from Chandrila wants Mothma’s daughter to marry her son. In exchange, he will give Mothma her funds. Unlike Kino, Cassian and Luthen, this is a more personal sacrifice.

Toby Haynes does a brilliant job of staging the prison break itself. Nicholas Britell‘s foreboding score builds tension throughout the scene. Beau Willimon‘s script continues Andor‘s trend of being the best-written Star Wars property since Empire Strikes Back.

Andor is firing on all cylinders. Here’s hoping Tony Gilroy can bring this series to a stirring conclusion.

With the overview out of the way, let’s dive deeper into the elements that stood in One Way Out. There may be some minor spoilers. Andor is available to stream on Disney Plus.

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Finding the One Way Out

Worry, dread and determination are present across Kino’s creep across Serkis’s face throughout the episode. I’ve said it before, but it’s worth repeating. What Serkis is able to accomplish with his face and voice is nothing less than a marvel. The way he says “one way out” each time has a grim, certain quality to it. Kino doesn’t believe he will live, but he’s not going to stay on his knees waiting.

The death of the old prisoner means that a new prisoner is joining Kino and Cassian’s unit. They need the guards to lower a platform to their level. Adding a new prisoner is the only time this can happen. The plan is enacted quickly.

Cassian returns to his cell during the shift. He cuts the water line creating a flood that inhibits the electrocuted floor. Once the platform lowers, Cassian and other prisoners charge forward. There are simply too many prisoners for the imperial guards to hold off.

Cassian and Kino reach the command deck. After some prodding, Kino delivers an epic speech. He starts slowly by giving a status update. The prisoners are in control of the command center. Cassian asks if that’s the best he’s got. My spine tingled with the way Serkis utters the line “all floors are cold” and the speech only gets more enthralling from there.

Cassian and Kino lead most of the prisoners to the top of the prison which is surrounded by water. Kino can’t swim. Before Cassian can process this, he’s forced to jump into the ocean. For Kino, there was only one way out.

If this is the end of Serkis’s portrayal of Kino, he will be missed. Serkis and Luna together were magic in each of these three episodes. One Way Out is probably the best of the trio. Serkis’s monologue is the best I’ve heard in Star Wars until Luthen’s 10 minutes later.

Hopeful Sacrifice

Lonni is a spy for the rebellion. He’s undercover working as a member of the ISB. He has a newborn at home and the risk of being caught is starting to get to him. Lonni wants to resign.

Luthen tells Lonni he’s stuck. He can’t leave the ISB. Lonni questions whether the sacrifices he’s making mean anything to Luthen. Luthen says it does, but Lonni pushes further.

Luthen is sacrificing his humanity. He’s given up on inner peace. His mind is a sunless place. His dreams are shared with ghosts. In short, he’s using the tools of the Empire to defeat them. His reward for doing so is damnation.

Skarsgård is spellbinding in this scene. Luthen knows Lonni wants more than to provide a status update. He starts by buttering Lonni up. Luthen congratulates Lonni on being a father. A fact Lonni didn’t share, which establishes Luthen’s knowledge and power over Lonni. Then Lonni questions what sacrifices Luthen’s made. Luthen’s answer is as sincere as it can possibly be.

To reveal anything more about this monologue would only cheapen Willimon’s dialogue and Skarsgård’s performance. However, I will say this is the best monologue in all of Star Wars.

The unwilling

Kino, Cassian and Luthen certainly show what they’re willing to sacrifice. However, One Way Out shines is show the areas in which the rebels aren’t willing to sacrifice.

Even in the Lonni conversation, there’s reluctance. Lonni doesn’t want to risk his family. He also wants to do right by the rebellion. During an ISB meeting, Lonni hears about the upcoming rebel attack. The Empire is prepared. Lonni reports this information to Luthen. In spite of this upsetting information, Luthen decides to not call off the mission, which means he’s signing off on the death of 50 rebels.

In one sense, Luthen is showing his ability to sacrifice. The rebel deaths will make the Empire think they know what is going on. If Luthen calls off the attack, the Empire will know somebody is feeding information to the Rebels. In addition to being willing to sacrifice those troops, Luthen is also unwilling to sacrifice Lonni and more specifically risk the information he provides.

Meanwhile, Mothma meets with Davo. He can help Mothma access her family’s money. Davo doesn’t want payment. He wants his teenage son to marry Mothma’s teenage daughter when they come of age. Arranged marriages are a Chandrilan custom. However, Mothma refuses this offer and asks her friend Tay to escort Davo out. At this junction, Mothma is unwilling to sacrifice her daughter’s autonomy for the rebellion.

Genevieve O’Reilly does a great job of showing how uneasy Mothma is with the lack of control in this situation. Davo’s in control of the conversation throughout. She’s completely thrown by the arranged marriage offer and can’t recover. I’m interested in seeing how Mothma revisits the situation. Mothma’s attachment to her morals is an interesting counter to Luthen’s take-no-prisoners approach.

One Way Out final thoughts

Andor continues to show what Star Wars on television is capable of producing on a week-to-week basis. Complicated protagonists who have to come to grips with the lines they will and won’t cross give Andor substance lacking in other Star Wars properties.

Andor is the best-written Star Wars since Empire Strike back. In addition, it also may be the best-written series of the year including House of the Dragon.