Andor Nobody’s Listening review: Empire’s reign of terror casts shadow in terrific episode

The watchful gaze of Tony Gilroy delivers another brilliantly written, directed, edited and acted hour of television in Nobody’s Listening. Gilroy continues to wallow in the darkest corners of a galaxy far, far away and Andor shines as a result.

Beau Willimon‘s screenplay continues this series’ wonderfully written dialogue. Toby Haynes‘s direction combined with fantastic editing keeps the tension up in every scene. Even transitions have a tension-filled touch that never falters. Finally, the performances even without the presence of Stellan Skarsgård‘s Luthen Rael are sublime.

In the last episode, Cassian’s new prison environment left him in processing mode. In Nobody’s Listening, Cassian is more active. Not willing to stay in one place for too long, Cassian is looking for means of escape. Andy Serkis‘s Prison Unit Manager Kino Loy is apprehensive about helping Cassian gain any information. Kino just wants to do his time and leave. Kino believes leading an efficient unit will allow for his release.

Denise Gough continues to rise into perfect villainy as Dedra Meero. The interrogation of Bix is one of the most disturbing scenes in Star Wars. Every person in the Empire gets more evil, but not in a cartoonish way.

Meanwhile, Vel’s background is fleshed out more and Mon Mothma’s financial situation is worsening. The only weakness in the episode is Mothma’s inability to understand the accepted risks of the rebellion. She talked big when speaking with her friend a few episodes ago. Now, she nearly slips up and has to be cautioned by Vel not to mention Luthen, even in passing.

However, even with the slight blemish, Andor is easily the best iteration of Star Wars since the original trilogy.

With the overview out of the way, let’s dive deeper into the elements that stood in Nobody’s Listening. There may be some minor spoilers. Andor is available to stream on Disney Plus.

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Nobody’s Listening on Narkina 5

Cassian has taken on a more leadership role at the prison. He still tips his cap to Kino, but works to make his part of the unit successful. When the oldest prisoner is at risk of collapsing, Cassian offers to take his job, which makes the team succeed. Cassian’s move also earns him a nod of approval from Kino.

Cassian is trying to formulate a plan. He and some of the other prisoners are casing the prison. They note the surfaces that aren’t electrified, exit routes, etc. The one issue is they don’t know how many guards are on their level of the prison.

Kino as the unit manager knows this information. However, Kino just wants to keep his head down and wait out his sentence. Cassian’s a reluctant leader, but his ability to persuade works on Kino over time. The Empire’s security is so airtight they don’t bother locking the prisoners in a cell or even listen into their conversations, which Cassian points out in loud fashion.

As the episode goes along, Kino becomes more rattled. The prisoners have to wait longer than normal in an airport terminal of sorts. Kino loses his cool wondering about what’s happening on the other level and it’s Cassian who reminds Kino to keep a cool head.

Near the end of the episode, the old prisoner whose about to be released suffers a massive stroke. The medtech is unable to save him. Kino is visibly affected by his death. Cassian wants to know what the medtech knows about the situation on the other level. The medtech tells Kino he should remind Cassian of his place. Kino backs up Cassian. He asks what happened. Turns out, the whole unit was executed. There was a prisoner in another unit who was supposedly released. Turns out he was just sent to another level. The unit found out and so did The Empire and the whole unit was wiped out.

All of the prisoners will work on their projects. When they’re no longer useful, the prisoners will be disposed of like trash. The episode ends with Kino telling Cassian there are 12 guards, which sets up the prison break episode coming up.

Luna and Serkis are terrific together. Serkis is at another level when it comes to showing facial reactions. His inner struggle and the character’s journey in one episode is extraordinary.

Nobody’s Listening also does a brilliant job of using the question of how many guards as foreshadowing. Cassian asks that question three different times. Finally, Kino relents when all hope of being released is extinguished.

The evil Empire rages on

Meero tortures Bix for information. Meero’s initial tactic doesn’t work so she takes a different tact. She brings in a torturer who is overjoyed to use his skills for The Empire. He fastens a headset on Bix’s head which features screaming children. We don’t hear the children just Bix’s bloodcurdling screams. Adria Ajoma is sensational and Gough shines at being absolutely terrifying.

Later, Meero reveals the information she gained at an ISB meeting. Meero believes Cassian is the leader of the rebel faction. She wants to hang the pilot who gives up Cassian’s identity. After talking it over, the group decides the pilot’s death should look like an accident. If the pilot is hanged, the rebels may believe The Empire is on their tail.

Meanwhile, Syril is stalking Meero. He’s in love with this fascist monster. She calls him out on it and threatens to arrest him if she sees him again.

Gough is mesmerizing. Meero’s smile transitions into a sneer with ease. Her voice turns from syrupy to venomous within an instant. She’s a terrific villain and poor, poor Bix.

Mon Mothma’s panic

Mothma makes an emotional plea to the senate, which falls on deaf ears. Mothma’s driver informs her she has a visitor.

Vel returns to Coruscant. She’s Mothma’s cousin. Mothma thinks the cause is becoming too dangerous and wants Vel to stay safe. Mothma also tries to make a reference to Luthen. Vel regurgitates Cinta’s words from the last episode. “The cause comes first.”

Meanwhile, Mothma’s friend Tay returns. Accessing her family funds is becoming a difficult endeavor. Her funds are under the control of a criminal leader. Tay arranges a meeting between the two.

Mothma’s reluctance is a bit surprising following the dinner party where she talks up her subterfuge. Not to mention, she’s a brilliant politician. Yet, she has to be reminded about not referencing Luthen. Genevieve O’Reilly is wonderful at Mothma. However, backtracking is an odd choice when there’s simply no way to put the cork back on the bottle. The confirmation of who Vel is in relation to the major players of the rebellions is a nice cherry on top of the Star Wars sundae.

Nobody’s Listening Final Thoughts

The Empire has never been more terrifying than in Andor. As the series continues to delve deeper into The Empire’s bag of horrors, the need for a rebellion is beginning to sprout from the ground as a result.

Andor isn’t far behind House of the Dragon and Severance as the best new shows of the year. The writing, directing and performances are leagues above every Star Wars series.