*Spoilers Ahead*
Episode 11 of Andor sets up the chaos that awaits Cassian on Ferrix, and it seems almost certain that he will indeed return to the planet in the finale of Season 1. Every episode is jam packed with plenty of details, so one needs to watch them several times to truly grasp everything. Mon Mothma is facing a huge crisis, as the life of her daughter as well as her plans for the rebellion both seem to be in peril. Leida, Mon's daughter, is following a path that goes completely against her mother's beliefs, and one which probably means that she will agree to a child marriage. Mon is heartbroken and helpless, and there's no progress for her on the fundraising front.
Luthen (Stellan Skarsgard) is on the move, and we get to witness another masterful confrontation between him and Saw Gerrera (Forest Whitaker). It's a unique scenario in which we see Saw finally left speechless because of the radical tactical planning of another apart from himself. Throughout Star Wars canon, Saw has been the one who ruffles feathers with his controversial ways, but this time, as Luthen admits that he's aware of the ISB's plans and that 31 Rebel lives will have to be sacrificed in the process, it's Saw who seems completely astonished. The tension between these two powerhouse actors is what makes this scene so outstanding. Luthen and Saw ultimately reach an agreement, and decide to sacrifice the mysterious Anto Kreegyr for their larger purpose. The clash of ideologies is temporarily resolved, however the scene highlights the overriding theme of the series. Even the Rebels have to do terrible things to achieve their goals. Even if their goals are noble, the means to attain them are not always morally acceptable.
Luthen eventually runs into ISB which leads to quite a visually stunning dogfight. Luthen's ship which unleashes twin laser beams, similar to Mauls double bladed lightsaber, is probably going to go up there in the list of best Star Wars ships. It's a fun scene, and is up there with Cassian's escape from Aldhani in the midst of "The Eye" as one of the most visually pleasing and Star Wars like sequences from the show.
But personally for me this episode is most satisfying when it delivers emotions and heartbreak. It began with the passing of Maarva Andor, followed by B2EMO's heartbreaking reaction to it. The droid has already become one of the most endearing characters on the show and one of the best droids in a franchise full of adorable robot friends. B2EMO is completely devastated and refuses to leave Maarva's house, compelling Brasso to stay the night with the heartbroken little guy. Someone needs to give the poor thing a hug, and I desperately hope that it's Cassian who gets to do it.
Speaking of Cassian, he escapes Narkina with help of local Narkinans, who are an interesting addition to the variety of Star Wars species. Cassian and Melshi end up on Niamos, where Cassian is able to secure his briefcase full of credits and Nemik's manifesto. Melshi and Cassian agree to separate, but not before Melshi tells Cassian that word needs to get out about Narkina. The best part of this scene and of the entire episode, in my opinion, is Diego Luna's devastating performance.
Cassian calls his friend on Ferrix to tell him to pass his message for Maarva on to her, only to be told of Maarva's death. The news leaves Cassian visibly shell-shocked, and his silence screams of an internal death. Diego's body language and anguished facial expressions are haunting, as Cassian keeps the pain to himself. The last shot of him is even more evocative and powerful, as it's yet another callback to Rogue One. Cassian stands, completely frozen by grief, and silently watches the sunset on the horizon. The setting on Niamos beach is an exact parallel to his final moments with Jyn in Rogue One. We can say that Jyn takes his place in Rogue One. In his own final moments on Scarif, he offers Jyn the reassurance that her father would have been proud of her, which is likely to be what he desperately wished to hear from Maarva's mouth for himself, while standing on Niamos beach. The ending of this episode is powerful, and Diego Luna deserves to be in conversation for the awards season because he just keeps getting better and better as Cassian Andor.
My rating for the episode is an 8.5/10, but a 10/10 for Diego's acting.
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