Andor S01E04: Aldhani (Full Reaction)

Aldhani- Another fantastic episode of Andor! Thank you once more for another fun reaction for Andor, Reds! First... I love the introduction, or rather... the reintroduction to Mon Mothma, whom we meet sparsely throughout Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, when she appears on Yavin 4 with the rest of the Rebellion, as its leader. We actually meet Mon Mothma very briefly in Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, when she steps forward to brief the council and rebels for their final mission against the Empire. Although back then... Mon Mothma is played by actress, Caroline Blakiston. Here in Andor, and in Rogue One, Mon Mothma comes to be played by actress, Genevieve O'Reilly. An actress whom I am growing to love more and more, the more she continues to play this beautiful and amazing character that Andor has also helped me come to love as well. And I have seen Genevieve O'Reilly in a few other movies as well. She's fantastic!! :) Mon Mothma is absolutely beautiful, and her clothes throughout this show are incredibly gorgeous! But most importantly... Mon Mothma is a strong character, with strong convictions, a strong will for freedom against the Empire, and high morals. And she's not afraid to fight for what's right. Sadly, she is slowly paying the price for her convictions, as we see here in Andor that she has lost all love and respect of her husband. Although, I'm not so sure that her husband ever truly respected or even really loved her, from the way we see him treat her within this episode. And you will come to see just how much Mon Mothma struggles with her family, as you continue to watch the rest of this first season. Now... This episode also introduces us to a group of new characters. A small group of rebels led by Vel, as well as Luthen, but from a distance. The other members are Cinta, Nemik, Taramyn, Skeen, and Lieutenant Gorn. Characters whom we slowly get to know within these next few episodes. And of course, none of them are too accepting of Cassian coming in to join their band of rebels, who have been together working on their plans for about five months now. However, Luthen encourages Vel to take him nonetheless, knowing full well that they really do need him. And as we come to see, he was absolutely right. As for what's happening among the Imperial Council... It's the duties of this group of investigators to investigate any possible uprisings, or crimes committed against the Empire, that include anyone just speaking out against them. While it's cruel and vile how these Imperials speak about the everyday people who seek to fight against the Empire, I love how they refer to these everyday people and Rebels as a disease and sickness that need to be squashed. That they don't outright call them rebels, even though we know who they're talking about. As for what we learn from these scenes within this episode... One of these investigators, named... Dedra Meero (the blonde investigator), has slowly noticed a surge of uprisings which are causing her to believe that a band of rebels have begun to rise up against the Empire. And she's absolutely right. But for now, the uprisings are small enough that no one else is believing Dedra. In hearing about this attack on Ferrix that started with Cassian and Luthen (Stellan Skarsgard) against Syril Karn (the officer seeking Cassian out for the deaths of the two other officers), and upon learning that the Imperial box Cassian was trying to sell to Luthen was found in the wreckage after the battle, she tries to make herself lead investigator of the whole attack in the hope that it will lead to her being able to prove to her higher ups that she's right about the rising Alliance. And in regards to why Luthen has set up this plan for Cassian and this new group of rebels to steal the Imperial payroll from one of their garrisons... These answers will come soon. Yes... They are trying to cause devastation within the Empire, but there is definitely more reasons for this attack that's about to occur. Just you wait! :) And lastly... I absolutely love, love, love the whole conversation between Cassian and Luthen within the opening scene of this episode, as Cassian finally has the chance to get a few answers from Luthen as to why he's really come so far to find him, and how he appears to already know so much about him. And Luthen never really answers Cassian as to how he knows so much about him, but I love how he continues to read Cassian, then finally ends with telling him that he understands Cassian will ultimately die fighting against the Empire upon really seeing just how much hate Cassian has for them. Whether Cassian can even admit this for himself, or to others. And as we know from the events throughout the battle of Scariff in Rogue One, Luthen's line about how Cassian will ultimately die fighting the Empire, is the perfect foreshadowing as to what comes of Cassian. Because in the end, Cassian does tragically ultimately die fighting the Empire. And this entire conversation within this opening scene really helps us get to know even more about Cassian as a character too. As we learn that he had been forced to fight on Mimban, as a prisoner of the Empire, and forced to fight others like him as well when he was only sixteen years old, and for two years. What a great episode, and what a way to continue showing us Cassian's fight for survival!! I love it! :) Thank you so much, Reds! :) Sincerely, Heidi

Heidi Elizabeth Marcum