I was really in awe of the tragic irony here. It took him so long to be convinced, and after he finally fully bought in, even using Andor’s own words in his speech, he’s still left trapped in the end.
@@AlfredEiji And i think its important how the finale straw that convinced him was everyone's panic when they got back to the beds. Hearing the voices of all those he's responsible for, and realizing he could save them. Thats what i think
The real voice of the person over the prison’s PA system being kind of high pitched and snotty and is deepened and distorted only for intimidation is a brilliant touch in a show FILLED with brilliant touches
Kino had such a terrific character arc and he easily became one of my favorite Star Wars characters of all time in such a short amount of screen time. His speech has to be one of Andy Serkis’ best performances. His face and tone everything was next level. But then the tragic reveal he can’t swim… he knew he was never gonna escape anyway. A true hero till the end, I hope we see him again somehow.
@@Dimethyltripping yeah, specially when Kino said in his speech to help those who confused and cannot move, no man leave behind sort of thing. In my head canon, the manager from the night shift help Kino get to shores and escaped together.
crazy to think back when Cassian first met Kino, he was obsessed with the fact that his time was short so playing by the rules meant he would've been outta there long BEFORE any in his group. all his authority with the inmates used to keep them working, ride the system and ensure his release date remained unchanged. then after finding out the system was a lie, to see him use that same authority to inspire the entire complex to take their one chance at freedom realizing the entire time he couldn't take it himself - this episode is how kino unknowingly joined luthen and became an unsung hero of the rebellion
@@joeg6478 None of the characters in this show, outside of Mon Mothma, will ever be remembered by history. That's actually one of the key messages of the show. Even Cassian Andor's heroism to get the Death Star plans, he won't be celebrated for it in the New Republic. It'll be Leia who gets the public credit in the official history books, and only a handful of Rebel leaders will even remember what he did and half of them will resent him for it because of how he went about it. There's billions of small acts of rebellion against the Empire that ultimately bring it down.
So many great quotes from this episode. The writing was masterful, a true masterclass. "One way out" "Power doesn't panic" "I burn my life, to make a sunrise I know I'll never see"
That whole speech from Luthen! It was perfectly paced after the excitement of the escape dissipated, this guy who's motives haven't been clear but he's always smiling and ahead of the game, and in a few dozen words you realize how much this dude is a tentpole to the rebellion, more than Leah or Mon Mothma or any of the generals we meet in the movies. He has no delusions that he's going to live to see the world he's fighting for. Right after he closed the door it occurred to me that the show isn't shy about showing people we've seen in the movies and Luthen is distinctly not one of the rebels we've met, that that speech was the foretelling of how he's dying in the show.
If you would’ve told me after watching Rogue One for the first time that Cassian Andor would get his own series and it would be some of the greatest, most captivating storytelling in all of Star Wars, I would’ve asked for a hit of whatever you were smoking. This episode cemented this as a special, special show.
@@jeremyalexander135 agreed. Empire and Rogue One are my two favorite SW movies. Hopefully the show runner of Andor gets a crack at a new SW movie. Such high quality!
@@timothybrown5999 it just goes to show you that with the right people writing good stories the possabilities are endless for good SW content. We just need good writing with more intelligent adult oriented stories.
@@armand531 I always believed that and The Mandalorian proved that there were so many other stories out there to tell. But after BoBF and Kenobi I just kinda figured that would be the kind of shows we were going to keep getting. I actually didn’t plan on watching Andor, but binged the first 4 episodes and realized this was one to watch.
One Way Out was written on the back of our t-shirts at the end of our time on Andor as a gift from the production team. I'm in the background looking at the floor before Kino says attact! After 6 weeks going barefoot we were ready for the prison break. The parts we were building are from deathstar, that's what one of production team told me anyway. Just waiting to see if I survived the drop for season 2? What a show, and I was privileged to be a part of it.
All your hard work paid off. It was fantastic. People will talk about this episode, in particular, for decades. This is the best Star Wars has ever been.
Excellent job. You and everyone involved with this production has put their heart and soul into this and it shows. Thank you and I also hope you get to show up next season as well 👍
It’s the second time Kino says he can’t swim that got me because he was halfway laughing, almost as if to say he didn’t even think he’d make it that far
I don't know if he realized before that the only way out was to swim as many are saying, because that laugh for me meant a nervousness, a "Yes, I can't believe that I can't swim, there is no escape for me and the only thing that's left is to laugh about it, because I don't know how to react". Or maybe he knew all the time and he forgot while they were escaping and now that he's facing that, he has that reaction.
@@rorocio93 pretty sure he knee all along. Thats why he hesitated so much. When every prisoner first comes to the prison they stand at the edge by the water so he knew if he would escape he neede to jump into the water
I was surprised at the lengths Luthen was willing to go to start the Rebellion. He needs the Empire cracking down on people to sow discontent among the masses. He needs to sacrifice other cells to protect his wider mission. Perhaps he'll even betray Saw, creating the jaded, paranoid old man he becomes in Rogue One.
@@LordBloodraven - we've seen that Luthen will legit do anything to ensure the rebellion succeeds. on the other hand, Saw's extreme tactics might imply he'd do anything but there's clearly lines he won't cross - those lines being to change, to trust or to make alliances
@@joeg6478 He was willing to work with the other cell at the last minute, but on the condition that they get whatever thr spoils are on one side of the Imperial base. It would have been interesting to see what would have happened if Saw and his Partisans gave air support anyway. Maybe they could have turned the tide of the raid.
@@LordBloodraven - if Saw made different choices to give his full support and taken a commanding role in Luthen's cause from the start, it's possible his name could've rang out in future legends of the rebellion as loud as Han, Ackbar or Lando
As someone who also can't swim and found out first hand by nearly drowning, the fear you feel looking at a large body of water is very hard to describe, and I absolutely felt what Kino was feeling at the edge. For as confident and strong you can be to lead others, there are just some things your own mind will fight tooth and nail against you.
I can't swim either and the 2 friends I lost to the ocean were both strong swimmers. I'm also under 5' tall so when someone says the water's only chest high, I'm like your chest or mine? This episode gave me all sorts of feels.
I've been swimming since I was like one or two so I can't conceive of somebody not being able to swim. It's like second nature and kind of weirds me out when people say they can't swim. I did it so early in my life that it just feels like an innate ability that everybody should have.Weird how that works.
"And what do you sacrifice?" "Calm. Kindness, kinship. Love. I've given up all chance at inner peace. I've made my mind a sunless place. I share my dreams with ghosts. I wake up every day to an equation I wrote 15 years ago from which there's only one conclusion; I'm damned for what I do. My anger, my ego, my unwillingness to yield, my...my eagerness to fight, they've set me on a path from which there is no escape. I yearned to be a savior against injustice without contemplating the cost and by the time I looked down, there was no longer any ground beneath my feet. What is my...what is my sacrifice? 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. So what do I sacrifice? Everything!"
Yes. This is one of my fav scenes. So after this, I can hardly watch "Ahsoka" or "Kenobi" much. Instead, I'll watch RotS, because unlike some online fans I've seen, I think "Revenge of the Sith" is a fine movie. Maybe because it was my adoloscence.
@@thisblows2724 yup, all the other shows that were lazily thrown together scared a lot of people away. And frankly, the first couple episodes weren’t too captivating. But these last few episodes are top notch Star Wars.
@@timothybrown5999 The first two episodes were a necessary foundation. To get us into the daily lives on ferrix. While something like kenobi just shows in like 4 scenes then just tries to create action out of nowhere
@@KenSahaja I agree they were necessary, I just wasn’t hooked right away. It’s more of a slow build with great character development and has delivered some great payoffs already. Episode 10 may be the best single episode of any SW show I’ve seen.
My theory is that with characters everyone knows they don't have to try as hard, with unknowns then they have to try harder, as seen with mandolrian and andor
Also Luthen's speech - "I burn my decency for someone else's future.." My god. That monologue. I could not imagine it in the hands of lesser actor. Just pure perfection and one that will stay with me for life.
Noticed visual depth during Luthen and Lani's meeting. Lani is standing in the elevator, a tight, claustrophobic space. He is "trapped" with Luthen blocking his exit. He doesn't even control the elevator. Look behind Luthen. A long hallway shaped like a coffin follows a striped pattern of dark and light. The farthest end of the hallway starts with light.
With Andy Serkis performance today, he brought chills to my body with "NO ONE IS GETTING OUT!" And brought tears to my eyes with "I can't swim" If that isn't award winning, I don't know what is.
Everyone is rightfully praising Andy Serkis’s amazing performance, but Stellan Skarsgård gave an equally great performance. That monologue at the end was fantastic
Two iconic monologues in one episode. Powerful episode of television. Better than most season finales, and it's not even the finale. The Gilroys and their entire team deserve endless praise for what they have created.
I got the feeling Kino always knew. He knew the place was surrounded by water. It was one more reason to stick to the program. He knew last week he was a dead man but was decided to be a rebel whose only remaining purpose in life was to free others. This show is so damned good. The music, the acting, the set design, everything. I'm not the type for praise but this show should be showered with Emmy noms.
I loved when Kino gave a half smile when he said I can't swim. He knew what he was doing. He knew he wouldn't live. He said it, I'm already dead. But seeing everyone jump and dive into the water, he gave a half smile knowing someone will live. Kino might be my favorite non Jedi/sith star wars character. Only 3 episode, and he had so much development. To think I had zero care, or hype for this show. And it ends up one of the best shoes I've ever seen is ridiculous..well played disney, well played
the "one way out" line applies to multiple things in this episode (as other titles have done in previous episodes). the prison escape, obviously. but also to mon mothma - marrying her daughter to the banker's son might be the only way out for her. lonni only has one way out, in that he has to stay as a mole at the ISB, working for luthen. luthen also only has one way out - staying cold and ruthless in order to secure the rebellion. i was literally shaking throughout the entire episode, and that monologue by stellan at the end... chills. what a show.
100% agree but I think the ISB mole’s one way out is slightly darker. His present situation is working for Luthen so I think what’s been made clear to him is that his one way out is to die.
Andy Serkis playing Kino easily became one of my favorite Star Wars characters in such a short time. He fought for a sunrise he’ll never get to see. Phenomenal episode
I think Eric's right, even before this episode I think Kino knew any plan for escape was going to mean swimming away from that place, which may be part of why he never even seriously considered trying. I think that's why from the moment he commits to the idea of escape his whole angle is "we're already dead". Because for him, even successful escape means he's dead anyway. Which really retcons his motives to being more altruistic, about facilitating everybody's escape even though he is never getting out. Which, of course, is paralleled in Luthen's monologue about the sunrise he'll never see, etc.
I think Kinos realization that he won't be getting out happens even before the console (before his speech). When he and Andor return to the cells and the camera is on Kinos face you can see the fear. The hope he had all the time - only a little over 200 days left - to get out shattered in this moment. His words "I am already dead" - he meant them. He knew in that moment he will die there. Never be free again. The acting is a masterpiece in this show. To feel this connection to the characters, even so we barely know them. It is thanks to this good acting and the writing. It is so good.
KIno not being able to swim. Same with Vel with her fear of heights. You see the hesitation in these individuals, but the cause is so much more greater than that. They don't care about there own shortcomings and do what must be done for their Rebellion. What great, inspiring moments this show has given us.
The quality of acting and writing in this show is phenomenal. For pure quality, this is the best Star Wars content we have ever had. Screw the haters who think this isn't Star Wars.
People aren’t understanding that Kino’s hesitancy to organize an escape was cause by his inability to swim the entire time. He believed they could do it, however he knew he couldn’t join them. He sacrificed his life for the chance of all the other prisoners to have theirs.
I don't think that's the ONLY interpretation. He genuinely believes he and his men will get out alive until the doctor tells them about level 2. We see multiple prisoners killed during the revolt, so why would he risk their lives for half a chance of some of them escaping?
I do wonder if he decides to stick around and hang out in the control room with any other non swimmers. Then they can wait for the next transport ship to arrive and fly away.
@@Monkey-wn3iz theres also the parallel of Luthen letting 50 rebels die to keep a secret, just like the empire killed 100 to keep their mistake a secret. he's condemned to use the tools of his enemy
Every episode has a theme tying together the many parallel storylines - it's one of my favorite things about the show. And this one was at the top, with the theme of sacrifice. I love how you point out that there's also a progression of that portrayed here, starting with Mon Mothma who is still explicitly resistant, to Kino who comes to terms within the episode, to finally Luthen who is far gone in sacrificing his soul long ago. I can't believe how this show keeps topping itself. It's my favorite show in a very, very long time.
For me the moment that brought tears to my eyes was the moment after Andor fell into the water. Serkis manages to convey without a word the bitter irony, the elation of freedom running into reality of the water and finally a moment of acceptance because as he said there was only way out for him and death was preferable to captivity. I mean we all knew that Serkis was an amazing actor but seriously bravo. And Skarsgard "What have i sacrificed, EVERYTHING"... just chills. I'm calling it now, this is the best Star Wars has ever been.
Both Luthen and Kino are the key people who set Andor on the path to become a true rebell. And in the end, he will share their fate - sacrificing himself for a sunrise he will never see.
The writing of the dialogue in this episode was 24 carat gold (not sure if it was Beau Willimon, Tony Gilroy or both, but props to those who wrote the words) and the acting from Diego Luna, Andy Serkis, Stellan Skarsgård, Richard Dillane (Davo Sculdun) and Genevieve O’Reilly was absolutely worldclass. Loved every nanosecond of this episode!
I think the defecting ISB agent that spoke to Luthen is in Rogue One. He looks like one of the radio operators on Yavin 4. The one that runs out to Mon Mothma and we see Chopper in the background.. He wouldn't be the first to leave the Empire and join the Rebellion.. of course, I could be wrong!
One of my only criticisms of Andor has been that it's slow progression leaves me with few episodes I would go back and watch again, but it's exactly BECAUSE of that slow build-up that huge episodes like this or 6 deliver such powerful impact. The slow buildup leaves you with genuine care and interest in Kino, Andor, Luthen, and the IBS officer and their incredible moments in this episode. Amazing.
Compare Luthen's speech to every single bit of dialogue from the Clone Wars, the Sequels, Book of Boba Fett, Mandalorian, Rebels, with the pure and unfettered emotion Stellan Skarsgard brought to it. Andor is *peak* Star Wars. Period.
@@Dendricklystable That's fine. But I'm honestly getting sick of properties not taking themselves seriously because writers don't know how to write real dialogue.
Viví los primeros 17 años de mi vida bajo una dictadura militar. Parte de mi familia política estaba involucrada en la resistencia. Conozco las actitudes, los argumentos, las pesadillas. Esto es lo más subversivo que he visto en Star Wars.
The show was meant to be 5 seasons, but just creating the first season was EXTREMELY exhausting, for both the actors and Gilroy himself, so they condensed it down to 2 seasons Season 1 is completely untouched, but Season 2 will contain everything that was originally planned for Season 2-5
I thought the same as Erik. I believe Serkis' character knew he was not going to make it out alive one way or another and that's why he was expressing so much fear in this episode, but he cares for the men he works with and knew this was an injustice and with Andor's motivation was able to put his life aside to ensure others escaped. A true hero when you think about it. S/o to Andy Serkis for portraying yet another fantastic character
I couldn't believe it, every minute of the episode, I couldn't believe it... It's been a long time since I've seen something audiovisual that makes me feel like this, something so well done. What a thrill! It broke my heart the "I can't swim". I feel lucky to be able to enjoy this incredible show. Luthen's monologue... how many people in real life have died giving their all, fighting for something that later it wasn't even known that they fought for it, but still, as many things in life, we feel that we must give ourselves to that because we see it as the only way, our personal way, I understand that feeling. Many times leaders need a push, a second leader to guide them, as Cassian was, he never gave up. Just amazing!
I didn't think last episode could be topped, but I was wrong. Damn, this show is SO great! What in the world do they have in store for us on the last two episodes since we've escaped from prison? I can't wait! *We need more people to be watching this show! TELL YOUR FRIENDS!*
As much as I love Serkis and Skarsgard's performance, I would love to also give credit to Tony Gilroy and his writers. Excellent writing. How I wish the writing of Kenobi series was like this. Hope Disney Star Wars people would learn from Tony Gilroy. Very good writing will always win an audience.
After episode six i honestly feared the show could not possibly get any better than that, that it could not go anywhere but down from there. I am so freaking pleased to see how wrong i was.
Andy Serkis was great and deserves every bit of praise but Stellan Skarsgård also did great in his one scene. Ngl I’m kinda worried for Luthen he may very well die by the end of this season. “I burned my life for a sunrise I know I’ll never see.” So quotable and not in the prequel meme kinda of way(to be fair their are some great lines)
The Rebellion was not created by a single person/group (which would be unnatural). We learn that Luthen has worked with Mothma (and one other person which I think could very well be Organa) to create a network and we know of Fulkrum and their communications. Rebels Season 1 has shown us how there are small groups that all communicate through a single contact-person while the other once are left in the dark and on Aldhani we saw the exact same thing. THAT is the network Luthen has helped create so in a way we do know what he has contributed to the Rebellion and we saw it way before this show was even thought of. What we don't know is what exact operations he lead besides Aldhani (I think we can be pretty sure that he was the person who thought of Aldhani and then recruited the team).
Andor is turning out to be one of the best offerings of good writing we have seen in forever. Its a shame it's not getting more attention. I'm definitely feeling the "too little, too late" vibe in the fandom, or what is left of it. I hope this show gets more eyes on it down the road.
Never more than twelve, One way out, I can't swim...how does one character get so many great lines! It was really a privilege to see Serkis be part of this show, what a talent.
dude when Kino said “I can’t swin” my heart just shattered I literally dropped tears literally if we don’t see what happened to Kino if he came or stayed back after that episode am literally going to talk to a therapist about why I am depressed, but all jokes aside this episode, this episode WAS A CHEFS KISS THIS SERIES JUST KEEPS GETTING FREAKING GOOD
That monologue that Luthen gave at the end of Episode 10 was truly incredible and the best I ever heard in Star Wars history. It reminded me of the "All those moments will be lost in time......like tears in rain" scene in Blade Runner!!
Who knew that what Star Wars needed more of--more than cameos, references, lore, lightsaber or Force duels, cool space battles--was just pointing a camera at a great actor and letting them *act?* Toby Haynes, apparently.
This is not just the best episode of Andor, This one of the best Television episodes ever made and shows why Andor is next level Television. The Speeches from Luthen And Kino are some of the best speeches in Television history. Mon was great in this too. Stellan, Andy, Genevieve deserve Emmy Nominations. This And Mando are in a league of their own and hope Kino is in Season 2 Because Andy is too good to kill off (Looking at you ST).
This was my favourite episode so far. Personal theory: Andor is going to be ID again, either by the two he didn't kill or just security footage. Deidra will come across this and bring in Cyril. Maybe not but I also don't care if I'm right, I just can't wait to find out. This show is phenomenal. (Ashamed I put this on another video first, since BW is my go to SW hangout!)
Luthen's background is a mystery and I hope they keep it that way forever. I don't actually want to know the real answer. Based on his skills and knowledge, he could easily be some Republic spy who retired and became an archaeologist because he always had an interest in the subject of history, at a time before the Empire. But in terms of tradecraft, he could have read about all that from a book, even a fictional book. He could really just be exactly what he seems when he's in his shop. Obviously he had a deep understanding of the rise and fall of all sorts of empires throughout history in the galaxy. He knows how revolutions happen. That's what he brings to the table while everyone else seems so focused on the present. It's interesting the connections he has, though. How would a shopkeeper on Coruscant know somebody like Saw? It's plausible he became acquainted with Mon Mothma through that, but Saw? Or the other Rebel cells he seems to be interacting with? And then there's his assistant. She seems trained, professional, but she takes her orders from him. That lends more credibility to the idea that he's an old spymaster and she's his protege or something, from the pre-Empire days. His ship is also very advanced, custom, like he was part of some big corporation working with the Separatists back in the Clone Wars days. He has financial resources of his own that's been put into that. It's like some James Bond type of thing with Q giving him spy gadgets. But advanced technology was always around in Star Wars, if you had the money and connections, he might have both. They just outfitted the troopers with mass produced lowest bidder type stuff. Luthen could be an arms dealer from back in the day, maybe even an arms smuggler. Maybe he is just Bruce Wayne, if Bruce Wayne was a history professor who recruited some special students to be his Robins. And somebody else is making introductions for him to people like Saw. I guess Disney expects us to think the answer is Ahsoka, which is the lamest thing imaginable to me, but that would make Dave Filoni very happy. I'd be happier with Bail Organa.
"I can't swim" broke me. What an episode. More than lived up to the buildup
So heartbraking, top notch tv right here
I only wish Andor would have told him, "you can't swim? Are you crazy, the fall will probably kill you".
Imo the best Disney+ show so far 🫡
I was really in awe of the tragic irony here. It took him so long to be convinced, and after he finally fully bought in, even using Andor’s own words in his speech, he’s still left trapped in the end.
@@AlfredEiji And i think its important how the finale straw that convinced him was everyone's panic when they got back to the beds. Hearing the voices of all those he's responsible for, and realizing he could save them. Thats what i think
The real voice of the person over the prison’s PA system being kind of high pitched and snotty and is deepened and distorted only for intimidation is a brilliant touch in a show FILLED with brilliant touches
Yes, so very the Wizard of Oz...don't mind the man behind the curtain...loved that touch as well!!
Darth Vader had that too. With the helmet on, James Earl Jones. With it off, frail old white guy.
I honestly expected it, but I still like it
@@darkphoenix2 I was cynically enough to think that the Empire just used a playbook of prerecorded command messages haha
Fascism is all about the projection of power, so yeah.
Kino had such a terrific character arc and he easily became one of my favorite Star Wars characters of all time in such a short amount of screen time. His speech has to be one of Andy Serkis’ best performances. His face and tone everything was next level. But then the tragic reveal he can’t swim… he knew he was never gonna escape anyway. A true hero till the end, I hope we see him again somehow.
Truly
we never saw a body… theres always hope
i feel like a good percent of people would still jump in hopes of help from the other prisoners
his character deserves to close the page on that place
My heart broke when Cassian reached for him then got taken over the edge
@@Dimethyltripping yeah, specially when Kino said in his speech to help those who confused and cannot move, no man leave behind sort of thing.
In my head canon, the manager from the night shift help Kino get to shores and escaped together.
Luthen and Kino's speeches are some of the best acting not only in Star Wars but in science fiction. They were incredible.
Indeed. And I think the reason I'm most disappointed for Kino to not make it, is I was REALLY hoping to get the both of them in a scene together!
"I burned my life to make a sunrise that I know I'll never see" man what a deep line, the writing of this show is pure gold🔥
@@DB-sx7on Exactly what I was thinking!
crazy to think back when Cassian first met Kino, he was obsessed with the fact that his time was short so playing by the rules meant he would've been outta there long BEFORE any in his group. all his authority with the inmates used to keep them working, ride the system and ensure his release date remained unchanged. then after finding out the system was a lie, to see him use that same authority to inspire the entire complex to take their one chance at freedom realizing the entire time he couldn't take it himself - this episode is how kino unknowingly joined luthen and became an unsung hero of the rebellion
@@joeg6478 None of the characters in this show, outside of Mon Mothma, will ever be remembered by history. That's actually one of the key messages of the show. Even Cassian Andor's heroism to get the Death Star plans, he won't be celebrated for it in the New Republic. It'll be Leia who gets the public credit in the official history books, and only a handful of Rebel leaders will even remember what he did and half of them will resent him for it because of how he went about it. There's billions of small acts of rebellion against the Empire that ultimately bring it down.
This show has the best writing in all of Star Wars. It’s crazy how good it is
Only KOTOR2 has a similar level of writing. Both are fucken phenomenal!
Hands down. I wish the prequels were half as good as this.
I mean. I kinda wish that the rich aristocrats would talk like normal people.
Do you really want dumbed down dialogue though? It’s much more engaging this way
@@theawesomeman9821 why would the elite speak like normal people?
So many great quotes from this episode. The writing was masterful, a true masterclass.
"One way out"
"Power doesn't panic"
"I burn my life, to make a sunrise I know I'll never see"
"Run! Climb! Kill!"
"I share my dreams with ghosts"
"I would rather die trying to take them down than die giving them what they want"
"I need all the heroes I can get". Cuts to Cassian and Melshi. I am eating glass because of this fucking episode.
That whole speech from Luthen! It was perfectly paced after the excitement of the escape dissipated, this guy who's motives haven't been clear but he's always smiling and ahead of the game, and in a few dozen words you realize how much this dude is a tentpole to the rebellion, more than Leah or Mon Mothma or any of the generals we meet in the movies. He has no delusions that he's going to live to see the world he's fighting for. Right after he closed the door it occurred to me that the show isn't shy about showing people we've seen in the movies and Luthen is distinctly not one of the rebels we've met, that that speech was the foretelling of how he's dying in the show.
Well Vader doesnt panic so there is that.
If you would’ve told me after watching Rogue One for the first time that Cassian Andor would get his own series and it would be some of the greatest, most captivating storytelling in all of Star Wars, I would’ve asked for a hit of whatever you were smoking. This episode cemented this as a special, special show.
@@jeremyalexander135 yeah rogue one was pretty good
@@jeremyalexander135 agreed. Empire and Rogue One are my two favorite SW movies. Hopefully the show runner of Andor gets a crack at a new SW movie. Such high quality!
Same, I liked him in Rogue One, but didn’t think they could build a whole story around him. This is so much better than I ever could have imagined.
@@timothybrown5999 it just goes to show you that with the right people writing good stories the possabilities are endless for good SW content. We just need good writing with more intelligent adult oriented stories.
@@armand531 I always believed that and The Mandalorian proved that there were so many other stories out there to tell. But after BoBF and Kenobi I just kinda figured that would be the kind of shows we were going to keep getting. I actually didn’t plan on watching Andor, but binged the first 4 episodes and realized this was one to watch.
slightly overshadowed but Mon's acting during the 'daughter' discussion was amazing also.
Does Davo live at the end of the yellow brick road? His attire suggests.
One Way Out was written on the back of our t-shirts at the end of our time on Andor as a gift from the production team. I'm in the background looking at the floor before Kino says attact! After 6 weeks going barefoot we were ready for the prison break. The parts we were building are from deathstar, that's what one of production team told me anyway. Just waiting to see if I survived the drop for season 2?
What a show, and I was privileged to be a part of it.
All your hard work paid off. It was fantastic. People will talk about this episode, in particular, for decades. This is the best Star Wars has ever been.
I whole heartedly agree with that, it is the best thing star wars has done since the original 3 movies.
Excellent job. You and everyone involved with this production has put their heart and soul into this and it shows.
Thank you and I also hope you get to show up next season as well 👍
Shows been amazing. Stand tall mate
I know I'm late to the party, but I'd like to congratulate you on a job well done.
It’s the second time Kino says he can’t swim that got me because he was halfway laughing, almost as if to say he didn’t even think he’d make it that far
I don't know if he realized before that the only way out was to swim as many are saying, because that laugh for me meant a nervousness, a "Yes, I can't believe that I can't swim, there is no escape for me and the only thing that's left is to laugh about it, because I don't know how to react". Or maybe he knew all the time and he forgot while they were escaping and now that he's facing that, he has that reaction.
@@rorocio93 pretty sure he knee all along. Thats why he hesitated so much. When every prisoner first comes to the prison they stand at the edge by the water so he knew if he would escape he neede to jump into the water
He laughed because he was this close to being free and the universe spat in his face by putting in the one obstacle he couldn't hope to surmount.
he was laughing at the irony that "One way out" was actually "Ki-no way out"
Loved Kino's and Luthen's monologues in this Episode! Such strong characters, in the way they act and in they both do things to survive.
I was surprised at the lengths Luthen was willing to go to start the Rebellion.
He needs the Empire cracking down on people to sow discontent among the masses.
He needs to sacrifice other cells to protect his wider mission.
Perhaps he'll even betray Saw, creating the jaded, paranoid old man he becomes in Rogue One.
@@LordBloodraven - we've seen that Luthen will legit do anything to ensure the rebellion succeeds. on the other hand, Saw's extreme tactics might imply he'd do anything but there's clearly lines he won't cross - those lines being to change, to trust or to make alliances
@@joeg6478 He was willing to work with the other cell at the last minute, but on the condition that they get whatever thr spoils are on one side of the Imperial base. It would have been interesting to see what would have happened if Saw and his Partisans gave air support anyway. Maybe they could have turned the tide of the raid.
@@LordBloodraven - if Saw made different choices to give his full support and taken a commanding role in Luthen's cause from the start, it's possible his name could've rang out in future legends of the rebellion as loud as Han, Ackbar or Lando
As someone who also can't swim and found out first hand by nearly drowning, the fear you feel looking at a large body of water is very hard to describe, and I absolutely felt what Kino was feeling at the edge. For as confident and strong you can be to lead others, there are just some things your own mind will fight tooth and nail against you.
Yes! I can't swim either and I imagined myself in that situation, so I can feel what Kino might be thinking and feeling.
YES. Some assume you would figure it out once you jump into the water "by instinct", but that's not the case at all.
Same here. I barely learned how to stay above water two years ago. I can't even imagine jumping into the pool yet
I can't swim either and the 2 friends I lost to the ocean were both strong swimmers. I'm also under 5' tall so when someone says the water's only chest high, I'm like your chest or mine? This episode gave me all sorts of feels.
I've been swimming since I was like one or two so I can't conceive of somebody not being able to swim. It's like second nature and kind of weirds me out when people say they can't swim. I did it so early in my life that it just feels like an innate ability that everybody should have.Weird how that works.
"And what do you sacrifice?"
"Calm.
Kindness, kinship.
Love.
I've given up all chance at inner peace.
I've made my mind a sunless place.
I share my dreams with ghosts.
I wake up every day to an equation I wrote 15 years ago from which there's only one conclusion; I'm damned for what I do.
My anger, my ego, my unwillingness to yield, my...my eagerness to fight, they've set me on a path from which there is no escape.
I yearned to be a savior against injustice without contemplating the cost and by the time I looked down, there was no longer any ground beneath my feet.
What is my...what is my sacrifice?
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.
So what do I sacrifice?
Everything!"
god damn yes, such a good episode
Yes. This is one of my fav scenes. So after this, I can hardly watch "Ahsoka" or "Kenobi" much. Instead, I'll watch RotS, because unlike some online fans I've seen, I think "Revenge of the Sith" is a fine movie. Maybe because it was my adoloscence.
This show is so incredibly well written it’s almost frustrating that other projects weren’t given this much love. Especially kenobi.
What is more frustrating is that this is probably the least watched star wars show.
@@thisblows2724 yup, all the other shows that were lazily thrown together scared a lot of people away. And frankly, the first couple episodes weren’t too captivating. But these last few episodes are top notch Star Wars.
@@timothybrown5999 The first two episodes were a necessary foundation. To get us into the daily lives on ferrix. While something like kenobi just shows in like 4 scenes then just tries to create action out of nowhere
@@KenSahaja I agree they were necessary, I just wasn’t hooked right away. It’s more of a slow build with great character development and has delivered some great payoffs already. Episode 10 may be the best single episode of any SW show I’ve seen.
My theory is that with characters everyone knows they don't have to try as hard, with unknowns then they have to try harder, as seen with mandolrian and andor
Also Luthen's speech - "I burn my decency for someone else's future.." My god. That monologue. I could not imagine it in the hands of lesser actor. Just pure perfection and one that will stay with me for life.
He's the Lenin of the Rebel Alliance; brilliant but cold at the core.
I condemn my soul, for someone else's future.
@@theawesomeman9821 Rebels are lucky they didn't get Stalin after him.
@@jdksdj11 the Rebels will get their female Chamberlain as their prime minister down the line
@@theawesomeman9821 Lenin's socialism was a front for his authoritarianism. Lenin was more of a Palpatine.
Noticed visual depth during Luthen and Lani's meeting. Lani is standing in the elevator, a tight, claustrophobic space. He is "trapped" with Luthen blocking his exit. He doesn't even control the elevator. Look behind Luthen. A long hallway shaped like a coffin follows a striped pattern of dark and light. The farthest end of the hallway starts with light.
Nice catch! Makes the scene even better!
It could be argued that the visual metaphor is the idea that sacrifice can spark a light at the end of the tunnel.
@@Daniel_Huffman for sure
With Andy Serkis performance today, he brought chills to my body with "NO ONE IS GETTING OUT!" And brought tears to my eyes with "I can't swim" If that isn't award winning, I don't know what is.
Who would have thought three simple words "I can't swim" would be so moving.
Everyone is rightfully praising Andy Serkis’s amazing performance, but Stellan Skarsgård gave an equally great performance. That monologue at the end was fantastic
"I burn my life to make a sunrise I will never see." That's a superb line and delivery.
@@user-dz6fy6qv2l I had literal chills. It was really well written and expertly delivered
Partially because it's Stellan Skarsgard. "I burn my life to make a sunrise..." is the sort of thing he says while making toast in the morning.
@@Mauther "I burn my toast to make a sandwich I will never eat." 🤣
As amazing as the prison break is, that Luthen monologue is my favorite part of the episode, possibly of the whole first season.
Two iconic monologues in one episode. Powerful episode of television. Better than most season finales, and it's not even the finale.
The Gilroys and their entire team deserve endless praise for what they have created.
It's amazing how this show gets better and better each week. Luthen's speech at the end was so captivating.
Lol and i was over here thinking episode 6 was its peak😹. I mean at this point the whole show is just peak
I got the feeling Kino always knew. He knew the place was surrounded by water. It was one more reason to stick to the program. He knew last week he was a dead man but was decided to be a rebel whose only remaining purpose in life was to free others. This show is so damned good. The music, the acting, the set design, everything. I'm not the type for praise but this show should be showered with Emmy noms.
I agree, they never had to explain “one way out” to anyone. They all know that the only way to leave is to swim.
Kino had to know that getting out would involve swimming. Adds a whole new weight to the earlier line about already being dead.
hate it that the show has to kill off a cool character
@@theawesomeman9821 I personally love it, no one safe because no one has plot armor
@@Majorblack except that Mon Mothma, Saw, Yularen, Cassian and the dude he escaped on the beach with have plot armor
@@theawesomeman9821 that guy's name is Malshi (Melshi, idk) he appears in the battle of skariff and dies with the other rebels.
@@clevergirl4457 thanks
One of the best episodes of television ever. Period.
The line in Luthen's speech i liked most is: "i have to make my mind a sunless room."
During Kino’s speech I audibly yelled “let’s fucking go!” Hats off to those writers, 2 amazing speeches in this episode
I did that roughly 40 times during the episode lol
I did that when the new guy started fighting and cassian killed the 2 guards
The power of Andy!
I loved when Kino gave a half smile when he said I can't swim.
He knew what he was doing.
He knew he wouldn't live. He said it, I'm already dead.
But seeing everyone jump and dive into the water, he gave a half smile knowing someone will live.
Kino might be my favorite non Jedi/sith star wars character. Only 3 episode, and he had so much development.
To think I had zero care, or hype for this show. And it ends up one of the best shoes I've ever seen is ridiculous..well played disney, well played
Dont credit the souless corporation, credit the writers.
@@bobafett9348 very true
@@bobafett9348 they did you dirty Boba
the "one way out" line applies to multiple things in this episode (as other titles have done in previous episodes). the prison escape, obviously. but also to mon mothma - marrying her daughter to the banker's son might be the only way out for her. lonni only has one way out, in that he has to stay as a mole at the ISB, working for luthen. luthen also only has one way out - staying cold and ruthless in order to secure the rebellion.
i was literally shaking throughout the entire episode, and that monologue by stellan at the end... chills. what a show.
100% agree but I think the ISB mole’s one way out is slightly darker. His present situation is working for Luthen so I think what’s been made clear to him is that his one way out is to die.
Andy Serkis playing Kino easily became one of my favorite Star Wars characters in such a short time. He fought for a sunrise he’ll never get to see. Phenomenal episode
I think Eric's right, even before this episode I think Kino knew any plan for escape was going to mean swimming away from that place, which may be part of why he never even seriously considered trying. I think that's why from the moment he commits to the idea of escape his whole angle is "we're already dead". Because for him, even successful escape means he's dead anyway. Which really retcons his motives to being more altruistic, about facilitating everybody's escape even though he is never getting out. Which, of course, is paralleled in Luthen's monologue about the sunrise he'll never see, etc.
I think Kinos realization that he won't be getting out happens even before the console (before his speech). When he and Andor return to the cells and the camera is on Kinos face you can see the fear. The hope he had all the time - only a little over 200 days left - to get out shattered in this moment. His words "I am already dead" - he meant them. He knew in that moment he will die there. Never be free again.
The acting is a masterpiece in this show. To feel this connection to the characters, even so we barely know them. It is thanks to this good acting and the writing. It is so good.
KIno not being able to swim. Same with Vel with her fear of heights. You see the hesitation in these individuals, but the cause is so much more greater than that. They don't care about there own shortcomings and do what must be done for their Rebellion. What great, inspiring moments this show has given us.
2 of the greatest monologues from Luthen and Kino
The quality of acting and writing in this show is phenomenal. For pure quality, this is the best Star Wars content we have ever had. Screw the haters who think this isn't Star Wars.
People aren’t understanding that Kino’s hesitancy to organize an escape was cause by his inability to swim the entire time. He believed they could do it, however he knew he couldn’t join them. He sacrificed his life for the chance of all the other prisoners to have theirs.
A direct parallel to Luthens monologue where he speaks of a sunrise he’ll never see. In this case it’s freedom he’ll never see.
I don't think that's the ONLY interpretation. He genuinely believes he and his men will get out alive until the doctor tells them about level 2. We see multiple prisoners killed during the revolt, so why would he risk their lives for half a chance of some of them escaping?
I do wonder if he decides to stick around and hang out in the control room with any other non swimmers. Then they can wait for the next transport ship to arrive and fly away.
@@Monkey-wn3iz wow what a cool connection.
@@Monkey-wn3iz theres also the parallel of Luthen letting 50 rebels die to keep a secret, just like the empire killed 100 to keep their mistake a secret. he's condemned to use the tools of his enemy
This is the BEST written piece of SW ever created, i really like The Mandalorian show but i LOVE Andor.
Every episode has a theme tying together the many parallel storylines - it's one of my favorite things about the show. And this one was at the top, with the theme of sacrifice. I love how you point out that there's also a progression of that portrayed here, starting with Mon Mothma who is still explicitly resistant, to Kino who comes to terms within the episode, to finally Luthen who is far gone in sacrificing his soul long ago.
I can't believe how this show keeps topping itself. It's my favorite show in a very, very long time.
For me the moment that brought tears to my eyes was the moment after Andor fell into the water. Serkis manages to convey without a word the bitter irony, the elation of freedom running into reality of the water and finally a moment of acceptance because as he said there was only way out for him and death was preferable to captivity. I mean we all knew that Serkis was an amazing actor but seriously bravo. And Skarsgard "What have i sacrificed, EVERYTHING"... just chills. I'm calling it now, this is the best Star Wars has ever been.
Both Luthen and Kino are the key people who set Andor on the path to become a true rebell. And in the end, he will share their fate - sacrificing himself for a sunrise he will never see.
The writing of the dialogue in this episode was 24 carat gold (not sure if it was Beau Willimon, Tony Gilroy or both, but props to those who wrote the words) and the acting from Diego Luna, Andy Serkis, Stellan Skarsgård, Richard Dillane (Davo Sculdun) and Genevieve O’Reilly was absolutely worldclass. Loved every nanosecond of this episode!
I think the defecting ISB agent that spoke to Luthen is in Rogue One. He looks like one of the radio operators on Yavin 4. The one that runs out to Mon Mothma and we see Chopper in the background..
He wouldn't be the first to leave the Empire and join the Rebellion.. of course, I could be wrong!
I knew I recognized him from Yavin, just couldn't remember which scene! Thank you
@@marleykirton yeah I'm pretty sure it's him!
I took it that he was always on the side of the rebellion and he infiltrated the ISB to rise in their ranks? But we don't really know, I guess.
The verbal dance between Mon Mothma and Davo Skuldun was well done. Especially the “I’ve got a 14 year old son, I’d like to bring him.”
If it were other show, he would have said, "I want you daughter to marry my son."
As someone who lives in a society where arranged marriage is common, I immediately got what he was going for.
This episode was an 11/10. That breakout itself was incredible, but THAT Luthen speech to end the episode made it a masterpiece
"That's my favourite episode"
"We can't keep saying that!"
Literally just described the show
One of my only criticisms of Andor has been that it's slow progression leaves me with few episodes I would go back and watch again, but it's exactly BECAUSE of that slow build-up that huge episodes like this or 6 deliver such powerful impact. The slow buildup leaves you with genuine care and interest in Kino, Andor, Luthen, and the IBS officer and their incredible moments in this episode. Amazing.
I kept refreshing my screen every so often looking for this video
Absolutely amazing episode! It explains so much why Kino's character was so hesitant in the plan in the first place. He was holding on.
This was, by far, the best episode of the season. The adrenaline rush during the riot was spot-on. God Speed to Kino, if he ever made it out alive.
Compare Luthen's speech to every single bit of dialogue from the Clone Wars, the Sequels, Book of Boba Fett, Mandalorian, Rebels, with the pure and unfettered emotion Stellan Skarsgard brought to it. Andor is *peak* Star Wars. Period.
Personally I prefer the goofy tone of the main films that are able to be serious when they need to be, andor Is still good though
@@Dendricklystable That's fine. But I'm honestly getting sick of properties not taking themselves seriously because writers don't know how to write real dialogue.
This show really does feel like a novel brought to life.
When Kini said ”the building is OURS”, all I could think of was Gollum with ”it’s ours” ”my precious”
the writing in this episodes was fantastic. the two monologues were awesome and the actors were amazing performing them.
God damn did I forget that "One way out" and the Luthen monologue were in the same episode, what a show...
I’m predicting some Emmy nominations next year. What a show
For best male actor:
Skellan Skatsgarrd-Andor
Paddy Considine-HOTD
"I share my dreams with ghosts" and "I burn my life to make a sunrise that I know I'll never see" are now 2 SW quotes that I cherish.
That "sacrifice" monologue by Luthen at the end of the episode was some AMAZING acting!!!
This is by far one of the best episodes in all of Star Wars. It's tough to compare it to anything else. But in its own it is master class
Viví los primeros 17 años de mi vida bajo una dictadura militar. Parte de mi familia política estaba involucrada en la resistencia. Conozco las actitudes, los argumentos, las pesadillas. Esto es lo más subversivo que he visto en Star Wars.
We need another 5 seasons at least! This show is so good!
Only 2 seasons but Tony gillroy is doing more star wars stuff
The show was meant to be 5 seasons, but just creating the first season was EXTREMELY exhausting, for both the actors and Gilroy himself, so they condensed it down to 2 seasons
Season 1 is completely untouched, but Season 2 will contain everything that was originally planned for Season 2-5
@@Steamlazer its a shame but if it was so taxing, I get it. Still, I would love to see the full unfiltered vision.
Andy Serkis: I will deliver the greatest monologue you've ever heard
Stellan Skarsgård: hold my beer
both were AMAZING
Hold my sunrise
Kino in that moment was the embodiment of “I sacrifice my life for a sunrise I’ll never see”.
I love that Eric and Calvin are 110% in-sync with each other and invested this reaction.
I was so emotional during this whole episode 😭😭 I definitely did not expect for Andor to become my favorite Disney+ SW show.
a sunrise he'll never see...sort of like "when old man plant trees whose shade they shall never sit in..."
I thought the same as Erik. I believe Serkis' character knew he was not going to make it out alive one way or another and that's why he was expressing so much fear in this episode, but he cares for the men he works with and knew this was an injustice and with Andor's motivation was able to put his life aside to ensure others escaped. A true hero when you think about it. S/o to Andy Serkis for portraying yet another fantastic character
I couldn't believe it, every minute of the episode, I couldn't believe it... It's been a long time since I've seen something audiovisual that makes me feel like this, something so well done. What a thrill! It broke my heart the "I can't swim". I feel lucky to be able to enjoy this incredible show. Luthen's monologue... how many people in real life have died giving their all, fighting for something that later it wasn't even known that they fought for it, but still, as many things in life, we feel that we must give ourselves to that because we see it as the only way, our personal way, I understand that feeling. Many times leaders need a push, a second leader to guide them, as Cassian was, he never gave up. Just amazing!
A masterpiece! What a performance from Kino and Luthen. Best of the best.
The look on Kino's face when he realizes the workroom floor is shorted out ..... priceless! What an actor!
I didn't think last episode could be topped, but I was wrong. Damn, this show is SO great! What in the world do they have in store for us on the last two episodes since we've escaped from prison? I can't wait! *We need more people to be watching this show! TELL YOUR FRIENDS!*
“I’m gonna assume I’m already dead”
“I can’t swim”
Oh… he knew there was no way out for him but was willing to lead the others to freedom
This might be one of my favourite Andy Serkis performances.
How does this show do it week after week? A phenomenal episode! Andy Serkis and Stellan Skaarsgard were at the top of their game.
As much as I love Serkis and Skarsgard's performance, I would love to also give credit to Tony Gilroy and his writers. Excellent writing. How I wish the writing of Kenobi series was like this. Hope Disney Star Wars people would learn from Tony Gilroy. Very good writing will always win an audience.
This had some of the best written dialogue I've ever seen on film
After episode six i honestly feared the show could not possibly get any better than that, that it could not go anywhere but down from there. I am so freaking pleased to see how wrong i was.
And know i fear that the last episodes can't be better than this one.
I love watching episodes and then coming here to listen to you guys!
Andy Serkis was great and deserves every bit of praise but Stellan Skarsgård also did great in his one scene. Ngl I’m kinda worried for Luthen he may very well die by the end of this season. “I burned my life for a sunrise I know I’ll never see.” So quotable and not in the prequel meme kinda of way(to be fair their are some great lines)
Luthen's speech describes exactly what Kino did.
The Rebellion was not created by a single person/group (which would be unnatural).
We learn that Luthen has worked with Mothma (and one other person which I think could very well be Organa) to create a network and we know of Fulkrum and their communications.
Rebels Season 1 has shown us how there are small groups that all communicate through a single contact-person while the other once are left in the dark and on Aldhani we saw the exact same thing. THAT is the network Luthen has helped create so in a way we do know what he has contributed to the Rebellion and we saw it way before this show was even thought of.
What we don't know is what exact operations he lead besides Aldhani (I think we can be pretty sure that he was the person who thought of Aldhani and then recruited the team).
Andor is turning out to be one of the best offerings of good writing we have seen in forever. Its a shame it's not getting more attention. I'm definitely feeling the "too little, too late" vibe in the fandom, or what is left of it. I hope this show gets more eyes on it down the road.
"I can't swim" is almost same reaction as "hold the door!" Famous last words.
This episode was phenomenal, the “I can’t swim” got me so bad he helped everyone knowing they’re gonna have to swim and sacrificed him self.
That moment was beautiful because you realize Kino just came to the landing pad so that he can see the others get away.
15:20 When Leonid Toptunov and Boris Shcherbina both meet as rebelion agents in starwars and still have the same personality
Never more than twelve, One way out, I can't swim...how does one character get so many great lines! It was really a privilege to see Serkis be part of this show, what a talent.
dude when Kino said “I can’t swin” my heart just shattered I literally dropped tears literally if we don’t see what happened to Kino if he came or stayed back after that episode am literally going to talk to a therapist about why I am depressed, but all jokes aside this episode, this episode WAS A CHEFS KISS THIS SERIES JUST KEEPS GETTING FREAKING GOOD
That monologue that Luthen gave at the end of Episode 10 was truly incredible and the best I ever heard in Star Wars history. It reminded me of the "All those moments will be lost in time......like tears in rain" scene in Blade Runner!!
Who knew that what Star Wars needed more of--more than cameos, references, lore, lightsaber or Force duels, cool space battles--was just pointing a camera at a great actor and letting them *act?*
Toby Haynes, apparently.
All writing of this ep is sooo good. So many quotes memorialized.
Whilst it being my ‘favourite’ Star Wars show is up for debate, I do genuinely think this is the best Star Wars show from an objective perspective
The writing and the characters awe me the more I see. Incredible.
This is not just the best episode of Andor, This one of the best Television episodes ever made and shows why Andor is next level Television. The Speeches from Luthen And Kino are some of the best speeches in Television history. Mon was great in this too. Stellan, Andy, Genevieve deserve Emmy Nominations. This And Mando are in a league of their own and hope Kino is in Season 2 Because Andy is too good to kill off (Looking at you ST).
They really had the best monologue in all of Star Wars, then followed it up with the best monologue in all of Star Wars.
Lol I just finished writing a similar comment and then sorted the comments by 'new' and saw yours.
Andor has the BEST writing in the whole franchise.
Thank you for being with Andor since day 1. this show is amazing
Sam Witwer played the shore trooper who had Cassian arrested.
Cassian finally escaped Space Guantamino Bay!
This was my favourite episode so far. Personal theory: Andor is going to be ID again, either by the two he didn't kill or just security footage. Deidra will come across this and bring in Cyril. Maybe not but I also don't care if I'm right, I just can't wait to find out. This show is phenomenal. (Ashamed I put this on another video first, since BW is my go to SW hangout!)
"Help each other. If you see someone who's confused, someone who's lost, you get them moving and keep them moving until we put this place behind us."
Luthen's background is a mystery and I hope they keep it that way forever. I don't actually want to know the real answer. Based on his skills and knowledge, he could easily be some Republic spy who retired and became an archaeologist because he always had an interest in the subject of history, at a time before the Empire. But in terms of tradecraft, he could have read about all that from a book, even a fictional book. He could really just be exactly what he seems when he's in his shop. Obviously he had a deep understanding of the rise and fall of all sorts of empires throughout history in the galaxy. He knows how revolutions happen. That's what he brings to the table while everyone else seems so focused on the present.
It's interesting the connections he has, though. How would a shopkeeper on Coruscant know somebody like Saw? It's plausible he became acquainted with Mon Mothma through that, but Saw? Or the other Rebel cells he seems to be interacting with?
And then there's his assistant. She seems trained, professional, but she takes her orders from him. That lends more credibility to the idea that he's an old spymaster and she's his protege or something, from the pre-Empire days.
His ship is also very advanced, custom, like he was part of some big corporation working with the Separatists back in the Clone Wars days. He has financial resources of his own that's been put into that. It's like some James Bond type of thing with Q giving him spy gadgets. But advanced technology was always around in Star Wars, if you had the money and connections, he might have both. They just outfitted the troopers with mass produced lowest bidder type stuff. Luthen could be an arms dealer from back in the day, maybe even an arms smuggler.
Maybe he is just Bruce Wayne, if Bruce Wayne was a history professor who recruited some special students to be his Robins. And somebody else is making introductions for him to people like Saw. I guess Disney expects us to think the answer is Ahsoka, which is the lamest thing imaginable to me, but that would make Dave Filoni very happy. I'd be happier with Bail Organa.
I've been waiting for this all day!! I loved this episode and I'm loving this show!
I love looking forward to the beginning of these videos "We're back with ANDOR" and the epic music from the title card