Andor’s prison break finds more power than the Jedi in Star Wars

The tenth episode of Andor is the best episode of the best Star Wars series so far. One of the more action-packed episodes of the series, paying off tiny moments of setup from previous episodes and brimming with catharsis.

The episode, the culmination of the three-episode arc on Narkina 5, is representative of one of the driving factors that power Andor such a compelling Star Wars story: by breaking free from the constraints of the Force and the Jedi Order, there is more scope for action and more stories to tell.

[Ed. note: Spoilers follow for episode 10 of Andor.]

Image: Lucasfilm

There is no Darth Vader on Narkina 5 and there are no Sith Lords. But that doesn’t make the prison there any less terrifying – if anything, the lack of magic-bordering Star Wars stuff helps the prison feel more real and frightening.

Ever since we met Narkina 5, I’ve been looking forward to the potential prison break. First of all, the events of Villain One Tell us Cassian and Melshi will make it together. But more importantly, Tony Gilroy won’t introduce us to a space prison without an amazing prison break sequence.

The sequence absolutely delivers, not only through tense excitement and pure adrenaline, but also with a sense of catharsis as Cassian, Melshi and their fellow prisoners use the tools of their oppression to break free. They, of course, manipulate the electrified tungsten ground, allowing them to roam freely. And crucial are the weapons they use in their fight for freedom, the tools they built in prison – wrenches, pipes and even their own bodies. As the guards call out to the prisoners “on schedule” for the final, fateful time, director Toby Haynes shows us how many of the prisoners hide these tools behind their backs while holding their hands behind their heads.

Crucially, none of the captives are Jedi or have any other supernatural abilities that set them apart from the rest. It’s a team effort because it has to be, and the prisoners of Narkina 5 must use every single tool at their disposal – including people they may not have previously viewed as allies. When they take control of the tools they have used, they also take back control of their own bodies and their relationships with each other. Andor Production designer Luke Hull told Polygon that the Empire views prisoners simply as “disposable parts of the machine.” In the climatic prison break, they reclaim their humanity as well as their freedom.

Image: Lucasfilm

Andy Serkis’ Kino Loy character is key here, especially for the how Andor thinks about oppression and rebellion. Over the course of these three episodes, he goes from being a supporter of the Empire’s agenda for his own benefit, to a stubborn defiance of fact, to leader of the prison rebellion. As Cassian tries to convince Kino of the horrific truth of their situation, Andor

reminiscent of John Carpenter’s Masterful you live, as Roddy Piper tries to convince Keith David of the terrifying truth of this story. Like Keith David’s character in this film, Kino obstinately and violently resists the truth because it’s so horrific before finally and wholeheartedly yielding to it. There is only one way out.

When Cassian and Kino Loy make it to the prison’s control room, it’s their turn to shout orders to the guards. Kino, previously responsible for keeping the prisoners on his floor productive and engaged, is now tasked with issuing a different order: break free. It’s one he struggles with, and Serki’s remarkable feat reaches another peak at this moment as he seems physically unable to utter the words he needs. Only after Cassian encourages Kino and tells him how important he is can the words come out. in the Andorthere are no single heroes – everyone has to do their part.

Image: Lucasfilm

This leads to one of the more cathartic moments in an extremely cathartic episode. Two guards stay in the control room, nervous about what’s coming next. Cassian barks “RIGHT NOW!” at them as they startled. Diego Luna enjoys this moment as he turns the tables and submits to the command with his whole body and the guards quickly obey. Shortly after, we see another group of guards silently hiding in fear behind a door while the prisoners happily run to their freedom.

Using the Empire against itself is a running theme throughout the show – in Andors Excellent heist arc, the caper crew disguising themselves as shepherds to subordinate themselves and taking advantage of how little the Empire cares about the common people to pull off the daring Aldhani job. And it’s Luthen’s entire deal on the show to intentionally incite the Empire to overreact in order to foment an organized rebellion (and in this episode, Luthen even gets to deliver an eerie monologue at an ominous meeting in the dark on a bridge, dressed like a dang Sith Lord in a flowing black cloak).

Image: Lucasfilm

On Narkina 5, the prisoners outnumber the guards. It’s something Cassian suspected from the start and we’re sure to learn in Episode 9’s explosive closing line from Kino. But in the tenth episode, we finally see it in action. The few can only rule over the many when the many are too frightened or too disorganized to fight. in the Andor, which means using all the tools and resources necessary to survive. Especially the tools used to keep you down.

Now imagine a version of this escape where the main character is a Jedi. How stakeless and weightless would this prison break feel? How could a rebellion ever work when it depends so much on the skills of a few? Instead of this, Andor shows us the simple truth: there is only one way out, and together.