Andor S01E06: The Eye (Full Reaction)

The Eye- Thank you so much, Reds! This is an incredible episode!! First... The Eye itself is absolutely beautiful. What an amazing scene it is as we see Cassian and the others on the team of rebels flying through the Eye to get to freedom after they rob the Imperial garrison! Way to go, Cassian!! And Nemik too, of course. Seeing as Cassian never would have been able to fly his way through the Eye without his guidance. Rest in peace to poor Nemik, as well as Taramyn, and Lieutenant Gorn. Sadly, three members of this team died during their fight. I expected that some of our team would die. I especially expected Nemik to die, given that he is the youngest, and because he is the one of them who appeared the most devoted to their cause. The one with the most belief that their world could one day be free from the evil Empire. Sadly, he died in a horrible way too, which makes his death that much more sad. As for Skeen... I can't believe that I actually fell for his lie about his brother having died because of the Empire! I actually felt sorry for Skeen at the end of the previous episode upon him confessing to Cassian about why he supposedly hates the Empire. And he even appeared genuine in his words, even when he somewhat apologized to Cassian for threatening him earlier with the knife to his throat. And Skeen even made me feel even more sympathetic towards him, when he fights with Vel over whether or not they should fly off to the doctor so they could get Nemik treatment he needs in the hope of saving his life. And all just so he could create the perfect opportunity needed for him to be able to steal the money from them all. Skeen made me believe he genuinely cared about Nemik. And perhaps he did... a little. But in all honestly... I can't really believe anything good about him now. Shame on Skeen for conjuring up a hell of a lie, all so he could con Cassian and the rest of the team in order to make them feel sorry for him. And all so that he can rob them of the credits they had all just stolen. I did not see Skeen's death coming at all. Certainly not in the way he is actually killed... at Cassian's hands. I was absolutely shocked, and yet... I think it's absolutely phenomenal how Cassian shoots Skeen so suddenly. Not out of spite or cruelty, not to murder him, and not so he can rob Vel in the way that Skeen tried to encourage him to. I fully believe that Cassian shoots and kills Skeen merely in self defense, and in the defense of the others. To protect Nemik and Vel, not knowing in this moment that Nemik has died from his injuries. I fully believe that had Cassian refused Skeen and turned his back on him, Skeen undoubtedly would have killed Cassian and would have told Vel that it was Cassian plotting to rob them in order to make himself still appear on their side. And I've no doubt that Skeen would have later killed Vel too so that he would be able to take all the money for himself. And Cassian knows he would have killed Vel and Nemik. Cassian is incredibly observant. We can see that he is watching Skeen very closely as they are talking outside of the medical center, and I believe that Cassian could see the threat to them in Skeen's eyes. So, Cassian suddenly shoots him, before Skeen even has the chance to blink. Cassian has killed before. And he is not afraid to kill when his life, or the lives of the other innocent people with him are in danger. He does not, and will not hesitate. We see this quite often. However, you can also see how much him killing does truly affect him, as we can see the pain of losing little pieces of his soul in his eyes, every time he makes a kill. And while this is so heartbreaking, it's so beautiful to see such in Cassian's character. Many other characters throughout Andor, as well as in Rogue One: A Star Wars story, see Cassian Andor as a killer and murderer. People both in the Empire and within the Rebellion as well. And that's only because they don't... or rather they can't see what Andor is phenomenal at showing us. That Cassian isn't a murderer, but a man who is forced to kill in order to survive, and to help the innocent and good people around him to survive an incredibly evil, very real, and powerful threat. And for this... Cassian is seen as a murderer by everyone around him, who don't truly know him. And I love this show so much for showing us who Cassian Andor truly is. He isn't a hero yet in this time because he has a lot of selfish qualities too. But he's also not the monster that Skeen paints him as when they're talking, as Skeen claims to know the kind of man Cassian is. Not a monster at all. Cassian is still a good man, who cares about the people around him in spite of the mask he hides behind to protect himself. He is a man who is pained by the actions he is forced to take, because he just wants so desperately to survive this world that has been nothing but pain for him. And in a world where the evil Empire exists... This isn't a bad thing. How fantastic Diego Luna is as an actor! I absolutely love, love, love him as Cassian Andor! :) As for your comments regarding Mon Mothma, as well as her husband and her daughter... There's more to be shown that will help you to understand just who Mon Mothma is as a woman, as a Senator, and as a wife and mother. I can't really say much about them yet, aside from saying that she really is a good woman who loves her daughter, and who is trying so hard to fight against the Empire in her own way, without getting herself or her family killed. And yes... Both her husband and her daughter are rotten and deplorable for sure. But I will share more of my thoughts about Mon Mothma in the episodes to come for sure. Thank you so very much for all four of your amazing reactions to these marvelous episodes of Andor so far, Reds!! I hope that you continue to be excited to watch more!! I'm excited for you to continue as well! You're amazing, dear friend! :) Sincerely, Heidi

Heidi Elizabeth Marcum