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Four years ago, a unique three-part Star Warsstory arc changed the franchise forever. Star Wars has been influenced by different genres for years, from fantasy, hard science fiction, Westerns, war epics, romance, and everything in between. However, it's only recently that it has begun to explore the possibility of positioning Star Wars projects as genuine thrillers, with Rogue One: A Star Wars Story paving the way for a more intense, heightened, and suspenseful narrative experience.
Of the (now) many live-action Star Wars stories told on the small screen since the creation of Disney+, one stands out the most, not only for its stellar production value and scripts but for the way it pushed the limits of what the franchise could be. Tony Gilroy's Andor is not only an incredible Star Wars show, but it's an incredible show, period, a true testament to Star Wars' worldbuilding and the power of political storytelling, as it chronicles the evolution of the all-important Rebel Alliance and the sacrifices necessary to defeat the tyrannical might of the Empire.
Though both seasons of Andor feature incredible storylines, from the tragically beautiful heist on Aldhani in Andor season 1 to the harrowing Ghorman massacre in season 2, the arc that first changed what Star Wars could be was season 1's three-episode Narkina 5 story. In episode 8, "Narkina 5," after being (wrongfully) arrested by the Empire, Diego Luna's Cassian Andor is transported to an Imperial prison. What unfolds in that stark white complex is a tale about the cruelty of fascism and its weakness in the face of humanity's never-ending resilience, as Cassian and his fellow inmates hatch the ultimate escape plan.
Andor Season 1's Narkina 5 Arc Is One Of Star Wars' Best Stories
The beauty of Andor's Narkina 5 arc is in its build-up. Because it unfolds over three episodes, the show takes its time to let the story develop naturally. Each scene, each piece of dialogue, each character introduction is an important part of the larger whole. Audiences need to see Andy Serkis' Kino Loy as the floor leader because it speaks to his reluctance to leave and his devastation when he finally realizes that they'll never let him go. The episodes need to show the dullness of Cassian's daily routine to understand the Empire's physical and psychological abuse.
The final episode is a masterclass in building tension. Cassian and his allies have one shot at their escape plan, and every second, every move, every decision counts. Cassian's sawing away at a refresher pipe with a tiny piece of salvaged metal to neutralize the prison's weaponized floor is nerve-wracking. Stopping the Imperial officers' lift transport in time is torturous, and hearing Kino Loy's rallying cry as they take over the control room is euphoric. These episodes play with the viewers' emotions like nothing else Star Wars has ever produced, moving from dread to glee to stress to heartbreak, and all those feelings are undeniably earned.
Andor's Unusual Structure Allowed Stories Like Narkina 5 To Thrive
Andor is an unusual cross between episodic and serialized storytelling. Both seasons are made up of multiple story arcs; while most last three episodes, the writers weren't afraid to use the show's 12-episode season lengths to their advantage. Season 1 is set in 5BBY (five years "Before the Battle of Yavin" as seen in A New Hope), while each three-episode chapter in season 2 is set in 4BBY, 3BBY, 2BBY, and 1BBY, respectively.
Not only is this a clever way to showcase the growth of the Rebel Alliance over time, but it also allows smaller stories to become part of the galaxy's wider history without making them feel rushed or easily dismissed. Andor depicts the breadth of the Empire's cruelty and the depth of people's everyday bravery, even those who aren't part of the Rebellion. What the prisoners go through on Narkina 5 is part of that. It proves that Star Wars storytelling can thrive even without connections to legacy characters and major factions.
Andor's Narkina 5 storyline wouldn't have been enough for a show or even a miniseries on its own. Aside from Cassian and Rogue One's Melshi, the characters introduced in the episodes aren't meant to have a historical impact on the galaxy. Not everyone has a destiny to fulfill. And yet, the prisoners' story undoubtedly enriches Star Wars as a whole, giving audiences a chance to learn more about the galaxy, the Empire's far-reaching power, and the consequences of fighting for freedom, no matter the cost.
All episodes of Andor are streaming now, exclusively on Disney+.
