Andor Season 1 Episode 4 Review: Aldhani

Andor is starting to feel like a director’s cut of a movie…and that isn’t necessarily a good thing.

Andor Season 1 Episode 4, “Aldhani,” feels like a short segment of a much longer film. The episode itself doesn’t contain a lot of action – it’s mostly expository in nature. 

Don’t get me wrong — the production value and the acting are top-notch. Diego Luna can say a lot with few words, and the expanding group of folks around him is phenomenal. 

It’s also WONDERFUL to see Mon Mothma, and to begin to connect Andor to the work of the rebellion (and let’s not forget the Saw Gerrera name drop!)

But as an episode, on its own, “Aldhani” overwhelmingly feels like the setting up of chess pieces on a board. It’s a little like watching the first or second act of a movie, but saving the rest for later. There’s a dissatisfying restlessness that accompanies it. 

The three-episode premiere works well because a lot more of the story was unveiled at one time, likely in one sitting by the audience. But since “Aldhani” is only one such episode, there’s less satisfaction to be had. 

While watching “Aldhani” questions from the previous episodes get answered. For example — why does Luthen Rael collect rare artifacts? He has a shop on Coruscant where he sells them!

But as questions are answered, even more are posed. Many about who these characters are, what their motivation is, and why should viewers care? 

Andor has somewhat forcefully moved Cassian across the galaxy and begun his integration with the rebellion, but the journey throughout “Ahldani” is a little more jarring than anything.

And of course, the rebels that Andor joins up with are (perhaps rightfully) cautious and skeptical about his arrival. This is more predictable than anything — what good rebel leader welcomes strangers without question?

So as cool, different, unique, and exciting as Andor is as a whole, “Aldhani” leaves a bit to be desired as episodes go. Perhaps when the entire series is out, the plot-driven episode will be less noticeable. 

After all, Cassian has a long way to go before he becomes the character we see in Rogue One, does he not?

A few stray thoughts:

• One of the best moments from “Aldhani” comes at the very beginning. Luthen is telling Cassian that if he’s going to die fighting the Empire anyway, why not make it count? This is some obvious Rogue One foreshadowing and I LOVE IT.
• Is it just me, or did Luthen’s Corsucant disguise give off some prequel-era Sheev Palpatine vibes?
• Another story that continues or updates during “Aldhani” — the security guards who come after Cassian get in *big* trouble, and the one leading the charge has to go home to his mommy! I have a feeling we haven’t seen the last of that overachiever.
• Mon Mothma is great, but I would love to get a random shot of Han Solo peering around a corner or something. Maybe R2-D2 whizzing by without a beep? I’ll keep brainstorming. 

What did you think of this episode of Andor? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Andor airs Wednesdays on Disney+

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