Andor Aldhani Review: The seeds of a rebellion are planted in a stellar setup episode

The three-episode premiere did a strong job of setting Cassian Andor’s story. While Cassian plays a role in Aldhani, he’s not the focus of the episode. Luthen Rael becomes the main character in this episode of Andor.

Stellan Skarsgård‘s Luthen Rael is funding a ragtag group that now includes Cassian. He’s also working on Coruscant to secure more funding for the planned rebellion. Skarsgård does a great job differentiating between the high falutin museum owner on Coruscant and the hardened operative willing to do whatever it takes to succeed.

Meanwhile, Rael hires Cassian to work with a group of rebels who have been plotting a mission for a while. They only have three days to prepare and aren’t thrilled with working alongside someone new. On the Empire side of things, the Imperial Security Bureau is tasked with tracking criminal activity in the respective districts. The ISB takes an analytical approach to crime in their districts. Anton Lesser is terrific as Major Partagaz and Denise Gough shines as Dedra Meero, an ISB supervisor with aspirations, but has more sense than Syril Karn.

There isn’t any action in this episode. However, mature storytelling continues to shine in Aldhani.

The three separate storylines are all intriguing for different reasons. Cassian fitting in with a distrustful group has the right amount of tension. Luthen’s secret rendezvous with Senator Mon Mothma has a clever, political bent that puts the politics in the prequels to shame. Finally, the divisions within the Empire are beginning to emerge. I can’t wait to see how these storylines ebb and flow as the series continues.

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

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Mission on Aldhani

Aldhani picks up moments after Luthen and Cassian depart Morlana One. Luthen wastes little time offering Cassian a job. Luthen reveals a few additional details about Cassian. Namely, Cassian fled a battle with the empire before he could be killed. Luthen gives Cassian a choice. Cassian can either accept the mission and pocket some credits or Luthen can drop Cassian off and Cassian will always be on the run. Cassian agrees to the terms and as a sign of good faith, Luthen gives Cassian a kyber crystal.

When they arrive on Aldhani, Luthen tells Cassian to wait on the ship while he talks to a mysterious woman. Luthen’s ruthless demeanor comes out during this conversation. Vel Sartha is the leader of the ragtag group. She’s not happy Luthen made the offer to the stranger. Luthen makes it clear Vel can either accept Cassian as a new member or he will call off the mission altogether.

He also explains why he chose Cassian. In Luthen’s eyes, Cassian is a disposable member of the team who has the skills necessary for the mission.

Cassian isn’t thrilled with the arrangement but agrees to do the job. Once Cassian agrees, he pretty much goes along for the ride until he hears the plan. The plan involves a nearly impossible, tight window. He offers a small protest but quickly resigns himself to the mission objective.

The ragtag group isn’t particularly fond of Cassian joining the cause late into planning the mission, which will take place in three days. Vel convinces the team to press on.

I enjoyed this group and I’m looking forward to seeing how this group rubs off on Cassian.

Luthen’s dangerous game

After Luthen drops off Cassian in Adlhani, he heads to Coruscant. As Luthen prepares to enter the planet, he puts on a wig and completely changes his demeanor. The ruthless underground leader of the resistance is gone. In his place, is a flamboyant, politician.

As a cover, Luthen owns a museum of sorts. Senator Mon Mothma enters the museum. After making sure her driver is preoccupied with Luthen’s assistant, they have a discussion about the mission. Mothma’s position isn’t an enviable one. The senate features an ever-rotating parade of faces. She can’t be sure who is friend or foe anymore.

These sequences aren’t long. However, in just a few minutes, Dan Gilroy‘s script does better establish the political stakes than the prequels ever did.

My only issue with the episode was Mothma’s issues with her husband at home. Her husband arranges a dinner with people who are all political opponents. The only positive aspect of the story was further establishing Mothma’s justified paranoia. However, her paranoia was perfectly encapsulated in the scene opposite Luthen. There just wasn’t a need for this scene in this particular episode.

Genevieve O’Reilly‘s chemistry with Skarsgård is quite remarkable. I assume at some point their two paths will diverge. I also wonder if Senator Bail Organa will factor into the political side of the rebellion.

The Imperial Security Bureau

If the Preox Morlana Security Forces are the police, then the Imperial Security Bureau is the Empire’s version of the FBI. Major Partagaz is holding a briefing with several ISB supervisors. These supervisors are tasked with monitoring crime in their jurisdictions.

Dedra Meero, a supervisor, notices a drive has been stolen from her district. The drive is the same one in Luthen’s possession. She’s connected the drive to three similar thefts. The only problem is the other thefts occurred in other jurisdictions. The other supervisor denies her request. Debra decides to escalate the matter to Major Partagaz. He sides with the other supervisor.

The meeting does a strong job of showing how a small ripple will eventually lead to a tidal wave, which will destroy the Empire. Partagaz is clearly competent in his role, but his arrogance could lead to his undoing.

Aldhani Final Thoughts

Aldhani is one of the best episodes of any Star Wars series. The scene between Mon Mathma and her husband is the only stumbling block. Otherwise, this is the kind of mature, gritty Star Wars series I’ve been looking for.

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