Andor – The Eye review S1 E6

Aside from the timeline of some casualties, The Eye was another amazing piece of Rogue One-era Star Wars business. Not every episode of Andor has been incredible, but two excellent episodes in the span of six is a good ratio.

Most of the episode centered on the final prep for the grand heist. Vel and her crew knew the odds weren’t great at successfully pulling off this plan especially with a wild card like Clem/Cassian joining the cause late.

This was another episode that reveled in the pompous mindset of the Empire. Imperial officers, including Commandant Jayhold Beehaz (Stanley Townsend), placated the Dhanis or in Imperial speak, “the townies,” as they arrived for The Eye, a luminous display that proves worth the hype. More on that later. 

There’s an easy dismissive nature to the Imperial officers for Dhani culture or customs. This is the galactic scourge essentially pillaging from various planets and stripping their resources bare before heading off to the next system.

The Empire has always been the dreaded, tyrannical force in the Star Wars saga, but Andor is providing more depth as to why they’re so insidious. Beehaz chuckles at Empire’s efforts to passively convince Dhanis from coming to see The Eye with relief centers stationed along the route. It’s unnecessary and a punk move.

What really stands out this episode is not that Vel, Cassian and crew are coming to liberate the Dhani, but show up the proud and mighty Empire. Saving one planet is one thing, but embarrassing the Empire has weight that spreads throughout the galaxy.

The crew kidnap Beehaz’s family ensuring his cooperation. Beehaz is flummoxed at the thought that anyone would have the audacity to rob from the Empire, but he tells his men to help load the payday onto the cargo freight. Naturally, an alarm is triggered prompting an Imperial security team to respond kicking off a solid firefight.

Normally in big battle scenes, Star Wars switches from one battle to another typically a shootout and then a lightsaber duel and a space dogfight. Here, the shift is with the Dhanis preparing for The Eye with singing and dancing that seems more like the finale of The Phantom Menace or Return of the Jedi.

MORE:

• Black Adam review
• She-Hulk: Attorney at Law – Ribbit and Rip It review S1 E8
• IDW reviews 10-19-22: GI Joe A Real American Hero #299
• Marvel Legends Jigsaw review – Walgreens exclusive

Admittedly, it takes a moment to get used to, but the presentation and arrangement of the chaotic battle and this gorgeous skyline meteor shower is mesmerizing. Director Susanna White pulls off one of the most visually impressive sequences in the history of the franchise.

In the firefight, Taramyn and Lt. Gorn get killed. It wasn’t a great look to have both black guys killed off first. Beehaz isn’t far behind. Not from a blaster wound, but a heart attack. There’s something so common in that death that seems ironically fitting for him.

The flight escape doesn’t go that smoothly either as Nemik gets crushed by one of the money crates. Vel gives him a med shot that helps him navigate Cassian through The Eye with a fleet of TIE Fighters trailing after them. This was another spectacular sequence and felt like something that’s never been done before in Star Wars.

Poor Cinta being left behind didn’t seem like part of the plan, but she’s adapted by staying undercover as an Imperial officer.

Skeen convinces Cassian to travel to a doctor who could possibly save Nemik while Vel is already considering him a lost cause. Turns out Skeen’s motives weren’t entirely pure. He’s not here for the Rebellion, but the payday. And Skeen didn’t even have a brother that the Empire’s hostile takeover led to his suicide. Ouch. Skeen’s a scummy guy.

Not that it matters as there’s no debate if Cassian shot first. Skeen didn’t even see the blast the killed him coming. This doesn’t help Cassian’s commitment to the Rebellion at all. He goes into the doctor’s tent where Vel thanks him for trying to save Nemik. Cassian doesn’t want Luthen’s gem — he just wants his cut of the share. With Cinta gone is that 50% now?

Meanwhile, back on Coruscant word is spreading on the Empire’s big loss and the heist that cost them a fortune.

The Eye was fantastic TV and one of the best episodes in the Disney+ run of Star Wars shows and was worth every episode of build-up.

Rating: 10 out of 10

Photo Credit: Disney

Check out the Star Wars The Black Series Cassian Andor figure from Amazon.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.