Andor rewatch, episodes 1.11-1.12

[rose_griffes]

Having (finally!) noticed the weird tension between Kino and Melshi, I went back and looked at what Melshi was actually saying. Here’s the first moment where Kino gets upset at him. Jemboc is introducing Cassian to the bunkroom and Melsi says this: “Don't ever look at the number. Double, triple, it doesn't matter. You're here 'til they don't want you. Understand? Getting out now is just a dream. Those days are over.”

Kino has to buy into the system he’s helping to enforce. Of course this is wildly upsetting - if no one is getting out, it doesn’t matter how well he’s doing his job… and everyone is doomed. Oof.

Episodes 11 & 12

• Others have pointed out that Cassian’s significant moments center around water - probably a theme they took from his final scene in Rogue One. We have:
• Niamos the first time, as he’s in denial
• Arriving at Narkina 5
• Leaving Narkina 5 (the water from the pipe, the water they swim through)
• Niamos again, learning of Maarva’s death
• The rainstorm as Cassian listens to Nemik’s manifesto
• And I’m sure there are other moments I missed
• Hah, Syril accused his mother of getting into his private box, and now he apparently steals from her private box?!
• Cinta really hates that Imperial officer who hangs out at her workplace. Love how that builds up and resolves during her time in Ferrix. She’s so subtle about it.
• 11 is an episode of unnecessary but interesting scenes. We didn’t need another scene of Mon Mothma revealing how much trouble she’s in. We don’t need Luthen’s amazing escape (“That’s one hell of a pilot!”) from the Imperial patrol over Segra Milo. Cassian and Melshi could have let us know how they got off Narkina 5 in one line of exposition. Even Bee emotionally blackmailing Brasso: unneeded. BUT. I enjoyed it. It’s the (mostly) calm before the storm.
• Episode 12 is hard to write about because it’s JUST AMAZING, and I love it so. Most of all the funeral band as they switch to a more militant tone and march toward the Imperial forces, unarmed* and brave.
• *Well. One of ‘em had a brick.
• Just thinking about the Bourne movie adaptations (written by Tony Gilroy), and how good spies are ‘made’ by their really messed-up childhoods. And how that matches Cassian, his time on planet orphan Kenari, and being uprooted from there.
• Fun bit of trivia: Gilroy’s first writing credit is for the sports rom-com The Cutting Edge.