Andor Season 1 Episode 12 Review: Rix Road
Andor has now wrapped its freshman run, and it’s been such a wild ride.
On Andor Season 1 Episode 12, “Rix Road,” many of the stories and characters from throughout the season converge on Ferrix, as they expect Cassian Andor to return for his mother’s funeral.
If there’s anything Andor does well (obviously there are lots of things) its create a tense, exciting hour of television. “Rix Road” serves as a pivotal moment for the titular character, and it doesn’t take much dialogue or heavy-handedness to get there.
Maarva’s late-in-life turn to full-on rebellion makes it pretty obvious that her funeral will turn into some sort of call to action for the residents of Ferrix. But the execution is top notch, and the scene really gives Fiona Shaw one last chance to shine in that pivotal role.
Maarva’s call to action is really the catalyst for all of the chaos. The likes of Syril, Luthen, and Dedra Meero all converge on Ferrix in an attempt to capture and/or eliminate Cassian at his mother’s funeral, but her rebellion and call to action catches them a bit by surprise.
The funeral is the catalyst, but the point of course is to cement Cassian’s transformation from selfish mercenary to someone who can become a future Captain in the Rebel Alliance.
Brasso: Tell him none of this is his fault. It was already burning, he’s just the first spark of the fire. Tell him he knows everything he needs to know and feels everything he needs to feel. And when the day comes that those two pull together, he’ll be an unstoppable force for good. Tell him I love him more than anything he could ever do wrong.
Diego Luna masterfully portrays this transformation over the course of the season. You can see the transformations in his face – it doesn’t require heavy dialogue to illustrate a change. Simple lines, like “…or take me in” are far more powerful.
Andor seems to have mastered tense build ups, tension boiling over into fast-paced action sequences, and subtle changes that detail just how far characters will go. The cast and creators have clearly built something special, and the finale is truly reflective of the masterful series Andor has quickly evolved into.
A few stray thoughts:
- Mon Mothma’s story shouldn’t go overlooked. When she finds out that her husband is gambling, she feels like she has to be open to marrying her daughter off. It’s terribly sad, and it’s a shame that her plot couldn’t converge better with the others.
- It’s hard to know how to feel about Syril and Dedra. Clearly he is infatuated with her, but I’m not sure intervening in her moment of vulnerability is the best approach. He seems like kind of a creepy incel to me.
- This season has been a wild ride. I’m sad it’s over, glad it happened, and so excited for Season 2 all at once. Thanks for coming along on this ride with me!
What did you think of this episode of Andor? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Andor Season 1 is now streaming on Disney+
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Nick Hogan
Nick Hogan is an experienced podcaster and writer (particularly on media topics), who loves discussion and analysis of TV and is always looking for new shows to watch. He is also a parent who loves buffalo wings, blowing raspberries, and his beloved Cincinnati Reds.