Andor 1x5 | Watch Along

This show is too good this is my third rewatch and the bars are gooooood.

Cruachan Dam in Scotland, just east of Oban, is where they filmed the garrison. You can go on a guided tour inside the powerplant in the dam, or take one of two hikes up to the dam itself. The size and scale are incredible in-person, and the views are breathtaking. Waking up pre-dawn to hike up to the dam and being the only person up there with miles of solitude was one of my favorite memories from my trip.

Waiting for these episodes one week at a time is torturous; cruel and unusual! But I'm locked in for the journey nonetheless.

the writing is just soooo good!!!!

If Maple thinks these episodes are packed and everybody's dropping bars, wait until they get to Season 2!

I feel like the implication with Mon Mothma's homelife is pretty clear. Mon has been constantly devoted to and absorbed by her work. Her senatorial duties combined with her involvement with the nascent rebellion. Inevitably, she will have missed a large number of social engagements and commitments to advance her career, which is likely the core of the resentment both Leda (her daugher) and Perrin (her husband) seem to hold toward her. Both of them likely always came second to committee meetings, etc. Her relationship with her family is one of the sacrifices she has made.

The Aldhani scenes were filmed in the Scottish Highlands. Skeen undervalued the Kyber crystal. Luthen told Cassian not to take less than 50,000 for it. Skeen thought it was only worth 30,000. Mon Mothma’s husband Perrin is a total dick. Turning your child against your spouse is reprehensible (unless it’s a matter of protecting them).

The actress for Syril’s mother played Mrs. Arabella Figg in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (I just did a rewatch binge lol). That could be where y’all recognize her.

A good heist is always full of people who have barely contained hatred for one another. You should watch Heat.

Love this show. When is the non watch along versions dropping?

Dedra taking a pill - "Is she taking drugs?" Yes. She's likely taking focus drugs of some kind. Kind of a nod to fascists and the rampant use and abuse of drugs/stimulants. If you'll remember during the first Trump administration, it came to light how the White House basically ran the in-house pharmacy like a pill-mill for all sorts of amphetamine and stimulant prescriptions and the like. Everyone working in that administration were gacked to the gills on prescription drugs. Notice the dark circles under all of the eyes of the ISB officers. They're all pulling all-nighters, all of them obsessing over inventory lists, looking for patterns in stolen property where no obvious pattern exists. They're wired, tired, paranoid, and drugged on focus drugs. Now give these people total control over law enforcement and security decisions.

It's so funny seeing Maple take Syril's mom's side in their scenes considering how much of a role she had shaping Syril into being the man that he is. On rewatch, it's so interesting watching how often Syril sighs or exhales out of his nose, especially when he's home with his mother. It's like everything he does, he has to prepare himself for what's to come and to steady his anxiety. He's simply having breakfast and she just hacks and hacks and hacks away at him, over everything. Everything, down to his clothing choices is subject to examination and critic, and it leaves you with the impression that no matter what the choice is, it's the wrong one. Then after she's succeeded at thoroughly deflating him, she's always quick to push that fruit plate in front of him, or some other bit of nourishing food in front of him, just so that he'll be that much more dependant on him. That scene during the first morning back where he's looking like he's about to off himself... it's a wonderful bit of world building too. It's extra bleak because he's back on the lower levels of Coruscant, which is a planet so populated, it holds a Trillion people. The entire planet is one big mega city. That sliver of sunlight that shines on his face is the only bit of sunlight people on his level get for the whole day because he's that far down. Not to criticize Maple's take though because it IS a valid take and I agree with it. He's got nothing and she's gotta lift him up AGAIN. But damned if that isn't exactly how she wants things to be. (IMO)

Kathryn Hunter who plays Syrils mom also play Mrs. Figg in The Harry Potter movies (i haven't finished watching yet dunno if you looked it up after the episode)

I think when you're living in a fascist, surveillance state there is always gonna be nervous side eye in rag tag opposition groups

You guys! Iove your post-ep discussions!

Great reaction!! Really enjoy your discussions after. Looking forward to next episode.