The Empire's diabolical methodology of torture is presented to us in its most chilling fashion in "Nobody's Listening". Episode 9 continues to show us how one show can skillfully weave together several storylines and make them all worth our time. Not a single actor or character is wasted, and all get their due. This is perhaps where the show excels the most. Everyone who has screen time in this show is provided with a plot that makes audiences curious to know where they're headed.
At Narkina 5, Cassian and the other prisoners discover that something has gone wrong on Level 2. Initially, Kino (Andy Serkis) tries to hang onto the belief that these could only be rumors. It's obvious that if proven true, this could perhaps prove to be the last straw for him and force him to take action. The wheels in Cassian's head have already begun turning and he is planning an escape, and hoping others, including Kino will join him. He wants to know how many guards there are on each level, something Kino refuses to reveal.
On Ferrix, Bix is forced into revealing details about Cassian and "Axis" through torturous interrogation techniques that leave her nearly unable to function. This scene is dark and difficult to watch and borders on psychological horror. The acting by Denise Gough (Deedra) and Adria Adjona (Bix) is Emmy Award worthy and surely this show will be making waves during the awards season. But the scene highlights the bleakness of life under the Empire's rule. They can do anything to further their goals, and people's lives mean nothing to them, something Cassian also tries to make Kino realize back on Narkina 5.
Vel Sartha is revealed to be Mon Mothma's cousin. Mon meets her after a tough session at the Galactic Senate, where her pleas for action against Palpatine's policies fall on deaf ears. Mon Mothma shows a more vulnerable side and we see someone who wonders what she's gotten herself into. Andor is a stealthy spy thriller with tension filled sequences and crisp dialogues, but it is the moments that showcase these characters' vulnerabilities and humanity that truly make this show shine. Vel tells Mon Mothma that they have chosen a path against darkness and have chosen to make something of themselves, but the shot of Mon Mothma alone after Vel departs is poignant and relatable for many of us who have found ourselves alone in various circumstances throughout our lives. The fight against injustice is often isolating, and Andor shows this perfectly.
Meanwhile, Syril Karn stalks Deedra Meero and the later warns him, letting him know that he's hanging by a thread. But the highlight of the episode for me came near the end, when Ulaf, one of the older prisoners who works at the same table as Cassian, is seen falling ill. His obvious concern for him as well as his compassion and care for him when he can barely stand shows us the humanity of Cassian Andor, and it's a reminder to us that this is the same Cassian who will sacrifice everything for the death star plans in Rogue One. Cassian has always been a good person deep down, but the hopelessness of life under the Empire is probably what pushes him to act in his own self interests. Cassian tells Kino that "Nobody's listening" and that to the Empire they're all as expendable as droids, and even more replaceable. This line is a touching callback to the ending of Rogue One when Cassian asks Jyn if she thinks anybody is listening.
As the Episode nears its conclusion, Ulaf dies, and Kino and Cassian find out that the rumors of trouble on Level 2 were true, and that the Imperial Officers "fried" 100 prisoners because one was re-imprisoned accidentally. Ulaf's death is especially painful considering he had only a few shifts left before he could've been freed and gone back home. It's a turning point for Kino, who has also been counting down how many shifts he has left before he attains his freedom. He finally comes to the realization that there's no freedom to attain, and that they're all going to die someway or another on Narkina 5. The confirmation that he has indeed accepted this bleak truth comes when Cassian asks him how many guards there are at a given moment on any level, and Kino finally answers that there are no more than 12 guards at a time on any given level, signaling that he is all in on the idea of escaping Narkina 5. What these 9 episodes have shown us, is that everyone who suffers at the hands of the Empire can turn against them at any given moment. It's only a matter of time before people like Bix, Kino, and Cassian decide to take matters into their own hands. Even if their actions seem insignificant, they'll be noticed in the long run.
All in all, another outstanding episode. My rating is 8.5/10.
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