It’s the end of an era. And so many lives.

This week, we trace the ways that Andor knits itself together into the wider tapestry of Star Wars, specifically by tying itself to Rogue One. We question whether the Rebels’ sacrifices are cheapened by Luke Skywalker’s heroism in Episode IV, define heroism through two key characters—Bix and Nemik—and investigate the reasons why Rebel High Command…is like that.

We also name our favorite aspects of Andor, and crown it the ultimate Star Wars show.

New to Growing Up Skywalker? Come join us for non-toxic Star Wars recaps from a veteran and a new fan. New episodes every Tuesday.

Want more Growing Up Skywalker? This is a great time to sign up for our Patreon for bonus audio content! We’ve got a Rogue One recap and a book club (Claudia Gray’s Star Wars: The Lost Stars) coming your way.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Who Are We?

00:02:07 Plot Summary

00:11:13 Initial Reactions

00:24:02 Luke and the Next Generation of Rebels

00:31:09 Heroism and Anti-Heroism

00:45:14 Alliance High Command

00:55:44 Favorite Parts of Andor

01:01:32 Bae Watch

01:09:23 Closing Thoughts

We feel pretty confident that most sane Andor viewers skipped right from “Who Else Knows?” (S2, E11) into the finale. Turns out, there’s still a LOT to discuss in the penultimate episode of Andor ever.

We spent significant time this week digging into ISB hierarchies, and how the rise and fall of ambitious Imperials has hollowed out the Empire’s institutions. We dissect ISB politics and competency through lenses of race and gender. We also paint parallels between Luthen Rael and French revolutionary Charles de Gaulle, and delight in Rebel downtime.

New to Growing Up Skywalker? Come join us for non-toxic Star Wars recaps from a veteran and a new fan. New episodes every Tuesday.

Want more Growing Up Skywalker? This is a great time to sign up for our Patreon for bonus audio content!

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Who Are We?

00:03:23 Plot Summary

00:11:27 Ambition, Competency, And Is The ISB Crumbling From Within?

00:43:44 Luthen as Charles de Gaulle?

00:59:51 Bae Watch

01:08:28 Closing Thoughts

And the death count grows.

This week, in “Make It Stop” (Andor S2 E10), everyone is either leveling up, going rogue—or shuffling off this mortal coil. As we get booted another year forward in time, we talk through Lonni’s growth into a true spymaster and Dedra’s grief curdling even deeper into fanaticism. Then, looking deeper into the past, we examine Luthen and Kleya’s father/daughter relationship and parse why Luthen felt compelled to begin the Rebellion.

In a fun turn, we also get to theorycraft about medical tech in Star Wars. (Spoiler alert: It exists!)

New to Growing Up Skywalker? Come join us for non-toxic Star Wars recaps from a veteran and a new fan. New episodes every Tuesday.

Want more Growing Up Skywalker? This is a great time to sign up for our Patreon for bonus audio content!

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Who Are We?

00:02:31 Plot Summary

00:12:01 Lonni and Dedra, Another Year Later

00:23:06 Kleya and Luthen

00:45:06 Medical Tech in Star Wars

00:55:23 Bae Watch

01:05:40 Closing Thoughts