Andor (TV Series) Narkina 5 (2022) User Reviews

Why is the production value of this show so much better than Kenobi??

[poseyfan · 9/10 · 27 October 2022]

"Can one ever be too aggressive in preserving order?" ^My favorite line from this last episode. Man, I'm hooked on this show. The script is phenomenal, the atmosphere foreboding, and the actors!

Andy Serkis! I was excited to see him. Man, the band of actors on this show are fantastic!

I loved the scene where they are manufacturing the hardware. We have never seen anything like it in Star Wars.

Also, did anyone notice Melshi? He's one of the rebel soldiers on Scarif in Rogue One! I thought that was a cool tie in.

This show continues to surprise and I love even the slow burn aspect of it. And we still have 4 episodes!

Strong episode with some familiar faces

[snoozejonc · 9/10 · 26 October 2022]

Cassian starts his sentence, Dedra continues to investigate rebel activity.

This is a strong episode that gradually increases the tension and introduces some recognisable actors.

The plot continues to slow burn the development of the rebellion and does it in a plausible way. The different factions, ideologies and individuals are portrayed realistically in the face of an empire with colossal totalitarian grip on the galaxy. I love the scene involving Luthen and Saw Gerrera which gives Forrest Whitaker some strong dialogue to deliver brilliantly.

For atmosphere, the Narkina 5 factory scenes are the best of the episode for me. They are tense, very dystopian and involve some strong cameos. One very well known actor is introduced through a nice reveal that involves a number shots edited in a way that obscures his face until the right moment. The Bladerunner style music is used in numerous scenes and it adds to the bleak tone of everything.

It's difficult to feel too much tension in what's happening to Cassian, plus the fact that so many other characters are urgently searching for him, because we ultimately know where his future lies.

It's an 8.5/10 for me but I round upwards.

Andor Meets and Exceeds the Empire's Prison Quota

[xztqbawi · 9/10 · 28 October 2022]

We now come to a key moment in Cassian Andor's life, which is extremely effective in showing us what it takes to radicalize a man into a rebel. That process of radicalization is adorned with frighteningly convincing performances and subtle details, all of which are cautiously presented to us.

Between radicalization, back door politics, and subtle clues to family strife, it is clear that Andor is again building a massive tower of cards, and preparing us for its climatic and eventual toppling. Yet even as it builds this tower, it manages to demonstrate predicaments in the literal and figurative prisons of the show's characters. Deedra is imprisoned by her ambitions. Syril is imprisoned by the monotony of a corporate job and a need for vengeance. Vel and Cinta, are imprisoned by their rebellion, unable to pursue their love for each other. Luthen is imprisoned by his anxiety, counting the number of days he has left. Yet all of them are tied to the ultimate prison, the Empire. And all of their fates are tied to Cassian Andor.

It is Cassian who is the ultimate prisoner, as we are introduced to a brutal new way of life. This new way of life clearly borrows from several inspirations both real and fictional, but most notably the Shawshank Redemption. There is something sadistically fascinating about watching someone such as Cassian navigate this new way of life, as hopeless, blasé, and vicious as it is. We are jarringly introduced to it by Paul McEwan's playing of an Intake Warden, whose glaring eyes and smile is about as good as Satan's. And then, I could not help but geek-out at Andy Serkis appearing as a brutally efficient manager of his fellow inmates. He incentivizes with a gleaming smile, then goes from 60 to 0 in a split second and turns it into the glare of the grim reaper of an insane asylum. After dealing with Serkis, we meet other characters and soon suspect that Andor and many others may simply have been forced into slavery. This place we see is definitely not fun and games, no matter what galaxy you're from.

As is the case with all the previous episodes, the show continues to follow the detailed interpersonal story of several characters, which is what allows us to recognize the subtle suspicions of Mon Mothma's family, or the cold, precise, brutal efficiency behind the persons of the ISB. It is perhaps this incredible detail that tends to detract from the usual things that we obsess about with Star Wars. Other than a quick shot of shore troopers at the beginning of the episode, the quirky droids that spout funky noises, the strange locales, strange aliens, the unusual Star Wars vernacular. All of it takes far less stage. But whether this episode could have achieved what it did with or without those things is a matter of debate, with some advantage to the persons who constructed this episode and series.

Regardless, Narkina 5 is an excellent investment of your time if you have followed the show up to this point. And it seems to be setting up its audience for a future episode of toppling its intricately constructed fortress of cards. I have a hope and feeling that it's going to be pretty breathtaking to behold. 9 out of 10 stars.

Faultless.

[W011y4m5 · 10/10 · 26 October 2022]

"Andor" is utterly outstanding this week. Easily the most macabre, fiercely mature & intelligent, topical & genuinely disturbing story being told within the "Star Wars" universe, by far - & in the history of the franchise. Here, it consequently takes an unflinching look at the brutality of fascist imperialism (what "The Empire" is an embodiment of) & doesn't shy away from depicting the horrors of it in a quite unsettling manner, lensing events through the perspectives of the working classes to truly ground the events in a feeling that's authentic & tangible.

I cannot believe Disney+ actually allowed something so risky to be made for a show that's set in the reality of one of their biggest brands. Feels more akin to "Squid Game" on Netflix than anything else; a grim, cynical refutation of a broken political system (which draws direct comparisons against our own), masterfully captured by the indomitable director Toby Haynes - who truly depicts even the darkest moments that could potentially be quite triggering, respectfully - whilst skilfully juxtaposing the growing sense of hopelessness with the hopefulness of the flourishing rebellion & thus, clearly conveying to the audience just how important it is to the survival of civilization; the oppressive establishment isn't just corrupt & tyrannical, but inhuman, so the narrative is far deeper than that because it becomes a poignant reflection of the endurance of the human spirit, in spite of insurmountable odds.

I say this as a casual "Star Wars" fan but the utter genius & creator Tony Gilroy has used the iconic sci-fi Disney property to explore real-life issues, making a beautifully nuanced commentary which feels startlingly relevant. Truly profound.

How Is Show So Good?

[MamadNobari97 · 10/10 · 26 October 2022]

I don't think I've been this invested in a piece of Star Wars since Episode III. In my opinion, even Mandalorian can't compete with this level of near-perfectness this show has reached.

We're only 8 episodes in and Andor has become not only the best original show on D+, but one of the most engaging and well-written shows I've personally seen, and it's shaping up to be one of my favorite shows ever.

After the spectacular and total failure and disappointment Obi-Wan Kenobi was and just about everything from MCU's D+ being mediocre or just completely unwatchable, I kinda lost my hope and interest in the future of Star Wars at the hands of Disney, but this show made me excited about and interested in this universe again.

Just about everything in this episode and the show as a whole is perfect, the acting and the great writing and dialogues just complement each other in the best way possible. The production value and the set designs, the great writing and the acting and everything just work so well together and make this show feel so real and believable and makes every character in this show, even the side characters, and smaller ones feel like real characters that have a life outside of this part of the story we're seeing.

One thing that took me by surprise in this episode was the prison Andor went into. I totally expected a little cell like the one in Rogue One and him getting free this episode easily... but oh my god what a great new subplot or should I say the development in the primary plot of Cassian Andor's galaxy adventures. The prison design is just simply amazing. They spared no expenses, the sets are just too perfect and make this show even better. They're showing the inner workings of the empire we haven't seen before and it's just all really great.

We're getting more from each plotline in this episode and every major character gets to shine, but even though there are like 4 or 5 plotlines happening it's not incoherent and hard to follow, so the pacing and the editing are great here too.

Dedra Meero is slowly shaping up to be one of the most terrifying and well-written Star Wars villains in the whole franchise and the actress is doing a really good job at playing her.

Tony Gilroy was right when he said he was making a show for adults.

There is just something about this show that makes it so interesting and engaging to watch and makes you actually care about the story and these characters:

• There is actual tension and stakes
• The writing is actually great
• The characters feel real and act like normal people who are actually living in this world,
• The characters don't act like buffoons or children throwing quips and jokes every two lines of dialogue so they can keep the children watching the show entertained
• The characters act like actual mature adults and their decisions make sense
• The design of the sets really sells the believability of these places
• The show doesn't rely on nostalgia, cameos, and in-your-face easter eggs to delude us into thinking we're watching something good, they do that with the writing
• They don't rely on rehashing the same story Lucas told 40 years ago and selling it to us as a "new and original" story

Show this show to anyone who thinks adult, mature, and dark means R-rated blood and guts flying everywhere and fk word being thrown in every sentence. This is what a real dark and mature show look like; complex characters and storylines.

All in all, this episode ranks next to episode 6 "The Eye" as the best episode of this show in my 'eye' and I might have even enjoyed this one more than episode 6. I seriously can't think of any complaints about this episode in particular, I might've had some nitpicks with the first two episodes because I thought they were just perfectly mediocre and nothing amazing, but this show really picked up the pace and it just keep getting better and better. Here's hoping the quality stays the same or gets better and they don't fumble the ending of this season and the whole of season 2.

What a great star wars series

[billsalichos · 10/10 · 28 October 2022]

For the first time in a Star wars movie or series we get to see the diabolical mechanisms of the empire in such detail....this episode in particular felt like orwell's 1984 in some parts of it...the empire is the ultimate regime and this is reflected perfect here...the character building is fantastic and the climax at the end of the season i imagine will be spectacular.,.........i believe that this series is the best star wars series ever.. and i know we have The mandalorian which is spectacular show also ..but this series has a special heart like nothing before..we are gone see for the first time how the revolution begins.

Who are YOU?

[and_mikkelsen · 9/10 · 17 November 2022]

Damn this show keeps impressing me! I like it more and more with each episode! This episode offers some great character development! Despite the slow progress we get some great monologues that leaves you thinking and makes this show feel so real!

The actors are ALL doing an amazing job! Something that we dont usually expect from Star Wars! Some shows or movie usually have a performance or characters that are not convincing or believable! But here.. every character feels natural and you connect with all of them!

The Cinematogrophy and direction is also amazing! It looks a lot better than Kenobi and you can feel how much work they put into this!

This is Star Wars doing something new and different and i LOVE it!

Superb episode in a spectacular series

[sgolz · 9/10 · 26 October 2022]

Wow first to review this incredible episode.

Andor is almost picture perfect in story telling ability. The pace is deliberate, strong attention to character development but what was really obvious here was the use of colour and uniformity to create scenes of pure terror.

From the dull administrative submissive Greys of Karns workplace to the rag tag multi colours of Ferrix that highlights their free will to wear what they like.

But the most visually terrifying was the sterile white of the prison. White of course chosen to tie in with the ISB.

I am putting this at the top of the Star Wars TV stories to hit our screens so far!

This is almost getting a bit too good

[per-abenius · 9/10 · 27 October 2022]

First of all I have to say that the rating system for episodes have become broken. Nowadays it seems like episodes have to have a big, big event in order to get a rating of 8.7 or higher. This is a shame because even though this episode is "calm", there's so much going on!

There are so many storylines brewing and becoming more interesting by the minute. Cyril growing into the main villain, Cassian in prison, Luthen out in the galaxy looking for anyone who can help the rebellion.

Acting-wise this episode was top class. I mean, we're getting Andy Serkis as this disturbing prison inmate desperately clinging on to the hope that he will one day be released, in contrast to the cynicism of the other prisoners. That scene, when the floor was about to become red, was so intense. Cassian learning that it's all a dream, that his sentence is probably double or even triple that of what he was told (six years).

We also, for real, got a scene where Stellan Skarsgård and Forest Whitaker (!) discuss politics, revolution, the Republic and the Separatists. These two fantastic actors having a grand existential debate within the Star Wars-universe! You understand where Saw is coming from, but as Luthen brilliantly put it: "It's easy to promote anarchy when your hiding in a cold cave, looking for spare parts".

That scene particurarly got me thinking about the Rebellion in a new light. As Saw Gerrera states, the Rebellion contains not only people from the old Republic, but also former Separatists who also hold a grudge against the Empire after the events of ROTS.

I think we just always looked at the Rebellion as the "former Republic good guys", but it's really so much more complex than that. And this episode made me understand that.

I really feel for this show. People are probably so tired of Star Wars after the disasters that were "Obi-Wan Kenobi" and "The Book of Boba...". We are getting this original, highly entertaining Star Wars-content, and no one seems to notice it!

I am genuinely worried that season 2 might be cancelled, because this is shaping up to becoming the most interesting story within SW since... 1980?

As for now, this show feels sort of like an underground movement. We who watch must convince others to give it a chance, because it is getting virtually no media attention compared to HOTD or Rings of Power...

9 stars out of 10!

Incredible detail and very political

[juliusfriesen · 26 October 2022]

This episode shows the security policy and penal system of the empire in such an incredible detail.

Every aspect of this episode and the brilliant execution of it provides the viewer with a lot of insights into the situation in which the common people are situated.

It shows their fear but also the burgeoning of rebellion and on the opposing side the attempt to prohibit suchlike while simultaneously also reminding of the cruelty of former and current dictatorships. Something everybody should keep in mind and never forget. Especially during current situations we have in some countries.

This is truly the peak of Star Wars and I hope the show continues with this quality.

Enforcing the Dystopia

[gdwilding · 6/10 · 28 October 2022]

This will be an episode that I suspect many viewers will either enjoy or not enjoy. This is due to the heavy and desperate themes of the episode surrounding the dystopian jail Cassian finds himself in and growing plight on Ferrix.

While the episode is well executed, I found there wasn't much to cheer about. Our characters are near their lowest, things are starting to fall apart, how can Cassian possibly escape from the galaxy's most overly engineered prison.

I feel my opinion on the episode will change once we see signs of hope again and watch the inevitable escape but by itself it is an episode that, while tense and nerve wrecking, left me feeling a little unsatisfied.

Still better than anything from BoBF though.

Such a well put together episode.

[robin-55689 · 10/10 · 27 October 2022]

I watched this episode, engaged and was on the edge of my seat for the whole time. When it was finished I realised that not much had happened and everything was moving at a slow place, and that was fantastic. The acting, the script, the sets, the music (the score is truly amazing) and the direction are all of the highest quality. I didn't want to take my eyes off the screen in anticipation because of the amount I cared about the characters, established and new.

The produces should be proud of what they have managed to put together, and it has helped greatly in my rehabilitation from the last Star Wars film that came out.

"Narkina 5"

[allmoviesfan · 7/10 · 15 December 2023]

The Empire - headed by the Imperial Security Board - is after Cassian Andor without knowing that he is already languishing in one of their factory-prisons, Narkina 5, which is a pretty horrible place to be. Actually, the inside of the prison, white and sterile, isn't that different to ISB headquarters.

Mon Mothma continues to play her particular brand of political games on Coruscant and Rael has a meeting with a familiar face from Rogue One: Forrest Whittaker's Saw Gerrera, the fearsome extremist who made a big impact on the Rogue One movie. I was wondering how long it would take for him to be included in what is essentially a prequel.

Another strong episode. There hasn't been a weak one, yet. This is Star Wars storytelling at it's very best.

Next episode is the third of this mini arc. Will we see another all-out actioner?

Narkina 5

[Prismark10 · 4/10 · 24 December 2022]

Nobody told me that when Cassian Andor serves his six year prison sentence on Narkina 5. I will be in prison with him!

There are a whole slew of documentaries and reality television shows about life behind bars. I not want the Star Wars universe to send me there. The episode felt like a long stretch.

Andor is still protesting that he is a tourist. Give it up man.

The prison is basically a slave factory, you would have thought they would have droids doing these tasks by now.

I became more interested in Syril Karn's obsession in trying to locate Andor. At least he has now got the Empire's attention in the shape of Dedra Meero.

So Andor is now on the Empire's radar and no one has cross checked all new prisoners on the database.

I know some people are enjoying the slow burn pacing. To me this is filler.

New high

[suvechhabose · 9/10 · 27 October 2022]

Diego Luna 's Acting is a masterpiece.

This episode was severely Anxiety inducing with its tone & views . Great job , great episode again.

Half of the scenes in which he's silent , his eyes are talking. Most of the Cast members are doing a fantastic job , every episode is grimm at its best & the Stress under Empire's brutal regime has been depicted like never before.

I never did thought of this many details while watching A new hope or Empire strikes back many years ago . The show is soaring to a new high , closely ending the gap between itself and The Mandalorian.

The empire tracking out karn has happened, i can see my Thrawn senses tingling. If they care enough to surprise us , this show will break past Mando & Baby yoda s intro back in mandalorian season 1. So please God Show us Thrawn already, i can see these two Imperial agents can be directly serve to Thrawn . So . Why . Not ,?

Finally meeting Saw gave us fans a good fun .

Back with a strong yet unpredictable actions! Cant wait to see how everything is going to move forward from now.

I could watch an entire series based in the prison

[antabal-24835 · 10/10 · 2 November 2022]

I mean, this is magnificent sci-fi on every level. I said it in the title, I could watch an entire series set in this prison but I know eventually it will have to end. Its so good!!

Episode 9 continues in the same vein and I'm all for it. The acting, sets, tense nature of it all is just perfect.

This is proper adult sci-fi and I applaud the writers and Disney for allowing the darkness in because it should be dark, it should show everything people have to go for in order to rebel against the empire.

I've just watched episode 9 and it's up there with this episode.... Darker at times. I'm just so glad this isn't going to end anytime soon.

Another Excellent Episode in a Carefully Building Series

[jonhansen1-1 · 8/10 · 26 October 2022]

No spoilers.....This is a very character driven episode, as we find out more about Andor's path to his eventual place in the rebellion, but it is rich with character development in that more than a few that we've already been introduced to in Rogue One show up, as well as some new additions that look to be driving this series in interesting directions. Action packed this series so far hasn't been. Revealing of the main and supporting characters as those with more than one dimension? Highly successful. It is rich with characterisation. Perhaps overly so (has that ever been said about anything Star Wars?!), but it seems to this reviewer that Gilroy and company are building a layered foundation that they are going to hopefully deploy as skillfully as they've built it in having them execute for a common purpose, and for those who've stuck with this series, this detail has built trust. A kid's show it is not, but good. Let those of us who were kids in the original trilogy nerd out for once and the rest can feast on Obi-Wan Kenobi and the prequels.

The protagonists are great so far and especially Luna, Skarsgård, and O'Reilly as Andor, Luthen, and Mon Mothma. The imperial characters, almost as good, but they are revealing that even in the middle ranks of the Empire, they are devious, cunning, and up to no damn good, and I suspect we have definitely not seen all of them yet.

A deeply rewarding detailed show so far.

Cassian may be right where he belongs.

[ThaumielX-LXXII · 8/10 · 26 October 2022]

I liked the new "Star Wars for grown ups." I kinda like SW for people who think too much.

Episodes that slow down to flesh out new characters or just to add some more to the story tend to catch some heat. Surely a burst of violence or a riveting chase or cash grab are more interesting when we know who these people are. That has been said about Andor before and will be again.

It hasn't disappointed yet so maybe we can give it a chance before we write it off. We got a couple of big new names to hear about, one of them a complete surprise.

The Empire is a very well known entity but we have never been given more inside looks into how the uniforms think and feel about their status (and how to better it).

I'm sure the special effects will be back. Knowing more about these people is not a distraction.

Narkina 5; the true colors of the Empire

[Trey_Trebuchet · 8/10 · 19 November 2022]

I mean, I'm not sure what more there is to really say. But I will say that it's nice seeing a show that most Star Wars watchers agree on. I'm not one to let any of toxicity of this fanbase get me down, but I will admit that I rarely feel comfortable expressing my opinions of anything star wars related. It's just not fun anymore.

Anyway, that's a conversation for a different day. I'm just glad to be somewhere where most people watching something Star Wars aren't being total jerks.

Like others have pointed out, what the Empire does to people behind the scenes isn't something that's seen very much in this universe, and it's brutal. This episode was deeply disturbing, from the behavior of some of the inmates to the nature of some of the (non-rebel) scum working inside some of the the most tyrannical baddies Erin cinematic history.

Andy Serkis! What a surprise! I love that man. The rest of the acting is very solid too.

This is a very consistently done show. I don't blame anyone for favoring as much as they do.

It keeps getting better and better

[claudioardf · 9/10 · 28 October 2022]

It has become a valuable family moment to sit and watch another episode of this amazing work each and every week.

I can't say how easy it is to become ensnared by each character - the script is just tops, even if their role is small it makes such a profound impact on my viewing experience that I can't even begin to describe it. They just feel realistic and fictional at the same time, y'know...?

I've enjoyed how they built the prison/factory planet for this episode. Physically, mentally and emotionally. The white oppressive ambiance, Andor's apathy/disorientation, the different inmates (felt just like classic prison movie), the urgency of the production environment, the cell/sleeping bunk configuration... Mon Mothma's trying to make things come together and feeling the Empire closing in... Luthen trying to reach out to Saw Gerrera... I don't know where this is going, but I sure feel the Privilege of being a Star Wars fan while watching this! Keep up the Amazing Quality!

filler episode

[nerrdrage · 6/10 · 18 November 2023]

Weakest episode yet. Really, nothing happened that couldn't have been edited down and added to a different episode, which tend to be overly padded anyway.

The prison scenes are emblematic of this whole series. They look great but if you think about the scenario, it makes little sense. Here's a society with incredibly advanced droids at their disposal, yet they use human labor, with all its inefficiencies, to do factory work that even on 21st C Earth would be done by robots.

However, I did like the scene with the "shore trooper" and the scary Klaatu type killer droid. And the music is nice. It's not really Star Wars music - the music on Ahsoka is better in that regard - but it's cool.

GIVE ME MORE!!

[vandykeu · 10/10 · 27 October 2022]

This production continues to be absolutely stellar for anyone who enjoys spy or political thrillers, or very detailed world (galaxy?) building. I have heard a growing number of people say they don't like the pacing, or it's "not Star Wars". To those people I just want to say- open your minds.

It is true that the show is not action-packed, doesn't have jedi, or the force, or focus on characters with cool helmets, like so much of Star Wars has done. But what it is doing, and VERY consistenly, every week, is building a galaxy of characters whose actions make sense. We are seeing how and why the Rebellion exists. We are seeing how and why some people choose to be Imperials. We are seeing how good and evil are relative, inconstant perspectives.

This episode ratcheted up the tension even further, by showing the consequences of the imperial crackdown after Aldhani. The prison sequence really is dystopian. There is little hope here. Likewise, Ferrix has a crackdown, and in both cases it is becoming abundantly clear that the empire can, and will, do what it needs to do to protect itself. This is not the empire of the 1970s-80s. This is a very scary, fascistic, totalitarian state.

The show continues to be the best-written, best-directed, and best-acted Star Wars has ever been. Alongside, it has an incredible attention to detail, and the cinematography is stellar. Disney+ needs to invest more in this sort of storytelling.

I would quite happily rank Andor up there with the big names of drama TV. The Wire, Breaking Bad, the early seasons of Game of Thrones, etc. Andor is as good as they are. To me, it is even showing some similar shades of tackiling similar issues that The Wire did- certainly in terms of policing, class conflicts, and the like. This is a deep show. It's not for kids, but it most certainly is Star Wars, and a view of it that we have needed for a long, long time.

Narkina 5, Squid game vibes?

[thetrickshotguy · 10/10 · 27 October 2022]

Another episode that is just smack on perfect and has me waiting eagerly for another one to release.

Cassian now finds himself in a prison or labor camp were he has to compete with his fellow inmates to be able to get rewards such as taste for his food. An excellent design for a prison that just screams Imperial to me, it will be interesting how Cassian's supposed 6 years will go inside there.

Disney+ definitely made the right choice to take the risk on this show it truly is another side of Star Wars we have not really seen before. Cassian is an amazing character with a lot of depth and is not really good nor bad as of yet. To be honest all characters of the show have delivered so far, all of them are amazingly played and makes you want to find out more about them. Thanks Disney.

The best StarWars series it's even better then the movies!

[AndersSTHLM · 10/10 · 27 October 2022]

Wow I really like this series but hope Putin doesn't watch this episode. Then we will have a new prison system in Europe soon 😂 The characters and fx are just as good as the movie with the same cast. It's even better following the start of the rebellion. This is probably the best tv show of this year! It's the first of the series that doesn't have to be made as a comedy because of the storyline and the cast. The directors get the actors to step up.

Let's hope they can keep up this story line and keep getting me guessing what's coming next.

Please let this directors make everything around StarWars in the future. It's just another level.

The plot thickens

[islcowyank · 9/10 · 26 October 2022]

It took some time but this show has found its way. The music is incredible. And the imperial uniforms are eye catching. Sure everybody wants non stop. Action. And I think it's coming. It's just taking it's time really telling a cool. Story that will make you go back and watch rouge one again and again. I do think this will go strait into it like we be watching the last episode. And all of a sudden it's rouge one the end. As for this episode. I think it was the best one yet till the next one So we'll dine makes you wish it would have kept going even longer no. Quick ep here so much story to digest. A second watching must be done.