“Evil begins when you begin to treat people as things” – Terry Pratchett.

Episodes 4-6 – or the second arc- of Andor Season 2 takes place a year following the conclusion of Episode 3. The year was BBY 3 and we follow Andor in a more unconventional assignment. No longer consigned to just heists or sabotage runs as seen in the previous arcs, Andor has grown into a position high enough within Luthen’s ranks that he’s entrusted to represent him.

But at what cost?

Under the surface, things aren’t as calm as it appears to be. Despite this ‘promotion’, distrust and second guessing of the cause creeps in especially concerning Bix who is still traumatised and recovering from her torture at the hands of the Empire in Season 1. Introducing another layer to an already complex character, Luthen’s human side was surprisingly exposed for a brief moment, showing underneath the facade lies a man who deeply care for the ones fighting for and on his side.

Themes of PTSD and paranoia are explored as everyone’s resolve were put to test. Relationships either grow stronger, plateau or even sever as sacrifices which will never be acknowledged were made. We appreciate how the showrunners were able to maintain tension and action without the need of blasters but instead, using cleverly written and delivered dialogue. Long may this continue.

While the first arc (Episodes 1-3) was meant as a sample platter on what’s to come for the remainder of the season, this second arc plays like a spy-cum-heist thriller paving way for a watershed moment. And like in thrillers, the lingering fear of being caught supersedes that of staring down the barrel of a blaster. Believe it or not, only one blaster fire was recorded throughout this arc; a very significant one, that.

In Andor Season 1, Luthen Rael, in one of the most spine-tingling deliveries ever uttered in Star Wars media said “I’m condemned to use the tools of my enemy to defeat them. I burn my decency for someone else’s future. I burn my life to make a sunrise that I know I’ll never see. And the ego that started this fight will never have a mirror or an audience or the light of gratitude.” Luthen’s ruthlessness in doing whatever he can to outmanoeuvre the Galactic Empire tethers him to the brink of becoming the very force he oppose.

This sentiment is further fleshed out throughout this second arc as subterfuge and counter-subterfuge takes center stage. Opposing sides trade blows while lives are treated as collateral. Dedra and Syril’s relationship also develops in unexpected ways which presents a dichotomy to Andor and Bix’s relationship as a whole. Vel and Cinta, whose relationship were put on pause after the Aldhani heist arc in Season 1 were put in focus, showing how much everyone involved stands to lose in this rebellion.

How rebel cells germinate are explored as the Ghorman front takes form. Unassuming civilians – both innocent and not-so – become pieces of an elaborate Dejarik game played by opposing sides. The introduction of the Ghorman presents both the difference and similarities between the Galactic Empire and the ones trying to overthrow them. When does ‘The ends justify the means’ excuse go too far? We just can’t get enough of how the writers very cleverly show not just the inner workings of the Galactic Empire’s Internal Security Bureau (ISB), but how brazenly these space fascists treat those who are not part of them as mere commodities. A scary reflection of real life, this.

On the other side of the fence, those who watched Rogue One and completed Season 1 of Andor surely always wondered the cause of frosty relationship between the ‘established’ Rebels and Saw Gerrera’s cell. While Luthen is nowhere near what Saw Gerrera has gotten himself to be, it makes you wonder what does it take to tip someone like him over the edge. Thankfully, all of these questions we were left to figure out ourselves are expertly addressed. Mon Mothma’s politicking at the Galactic Senate also receive a ton of additional screentime in Season 2 to remind everyone that, Star Wars have always been political.

If you are to exemplify to a neutral that Star Wars is more than just lightsabers and blasters, then this portion of Andor is the perfect case study. It shows that underneath all the lightsaber swings, acrobatics, blaster fire and space wizardry lies a closer-to-reality, yet equally sinister threat. Politics.

The second arc (Episodes 4-6) of Andor Season 2 continues the momentum laid out by the first. Although the tonal changes are stark when compared to the action-laden sequences of the first act, it manages to preserve the enthralling, gripping and strong narrative which is synonymous with Andor. The most ‘subdued’ arc of all four in Season 2, make no mistake about it; the second arc of Andor Season 2 would still put a majority of modern Star Wars trailing in its wake.

Final Score: 90/100