'Andor' is Shakespearean 'Star Wars'
This latest series elevated the saga into truly historical greatness through one specific narrative device: the monologue.
*Severe spoilers for both seasons of Andor ahead.
“So what do I sacrifice? EVERYTHING!”
After watching the finale of Andor, Luthen’s monologue in season one hits even harder than when I first watched it three years ago. I did not think that was possible.
Tony Gilroy and his fellow writers designed Luthen as the connective tissue between the rebellion, working the spies, the militants, the politicians, and the soldiers to build one consolidated effort against the Empire.
Luthen is, of course, played by Stellan Skarsgård, a Golden Globe-winning actor, with hundreds of credits over the last 50 years. To say he’s skilled would be a dramatic (pun-intended) understatement. In his oration to Lonnie, he manages to capture the essence of Luthen’s relentless efforts into just under 90 seconds of uninterrupted dialogue.
The first time I watched it, I was speechless.
The third time (because I rewatched season one just before season two started), after seeing the end, I was destroyed. Luthen did sacrifice everything, including his life.
Throughout hundreds of years of the dramatic arts, no narrative device has been more valued than the monologue. Dating back to when Hamlet said, “To be or not to be,” or to when Marc Antony said, “Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears,” or to when Macbeth said “Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,” audiences have been stopped in their tracks by the raw power of words delivered by a single human being.
The three examples above are all from Shakespeare. Prospective actors still practice these in their classes at the Stella Adler Academy, and legendary thespians like Sir Ian McKellan still perform them on the West End in London. At this point, hundreds, maybe thousands of people who have said them have now concluded their hour on the stage and passed into dusty death.
With its global influence, it is prescient to say that Star Wars will live on for just as long as Shakespeare, and while cinematography allows the original cast to remain in their roles (at least until Disney decides to start producing remakes), not one of the core nine films includes a monologue.
There are similar moments. When Yoda pulls the X-Wing from the swamp. When Vader reveals he is Luke’s father. Both are legendary and impactful. But they rely on the journey of the protagonist, Luke. Yoda needs Luke’s capitulation, so when he sees Yoda remove the ship with ease, he is inspired to believe in himself and the Force. With Vader, Luke’s dread of the truth maximizes the shock.
A monologue isn’t dependent on another character’s reaction. It’s about one character totally and unequivocally capturing the moment, which happened so many times in Andor.
“There is one way out,” - Kino Loy, played by Andy Serkis.
“If I could do it again, I’d wake up early and be fighting these bastards from the start,” - Maarva Carassi Andor, played by Fiona Shaw.
“I can’t be the reason you leave here,” - Bix Caleen, played by Adria Arjona.
And last but nowhere close to least…
“The distance between what is said and what is known to be true has become an abyss,” Mon Mothma, played by Genevieve O'Reilly.
I remember when the characters were discussing Mon’s plan to make a speech to the Senate. I was more excited than the seconds before the Ghorman massacre. Because I knew, beyond a reasonable doubt, that this was yet another moment when Nicholas Britell’s seething strings would support a moment when I was floored by words rather than action.
For the last 48 years, we’ve been trained to believe that Star Wars was not the place for such powerful words. It was a forum for laser swords, floating rocks, furry aliens, and stars stretching out as spaceships hit light speed.
Granted, all of those elements are awesome, and episodes IV-VI are outstanding movies. But they also created a blueprint for what Star Wars “should” be to the point that The Force Awakens was just a remake of A New Hope with a more diverse cast.
That blueprint certainly did not include Shakespearan monologues, but Andor tossed the blueprint in the trash. Star Wars is now fertile ground for the most dramatic and emotional storytelling. Actors, writers, and directors will be chomping at the bit to make their mark in a universe that will outlive them tenfold.
Furthermore, that vitality will be due to more than Star Wars' ubiquity. Andor’s monologues didn’t resonate just because of the quality of the artists involved. Each individual speech tapped into the spirit of why the world fell in love with Star Wars in the first place. They all come in moments of integrity. Standing up for what’s right. Even when it’s difficult. Even when it requires the ultimate sacrifice.
The original trilogy inspired us to believe that we all have the power to change the world, against the most harrowing odds, if we only have the courage to fight for it. Now I only hope those in the Disney camp have the courage to fight for Star Wars.
For the first time since I have been alive, Star Wars fandom is united. There is no ambiguity. Andor is the way forward.