Andor – Nobody’s Listening review S1 E9
A weird thing is playing out as we near the home stretch of Andor. There’s two exceptionally strong storylines occurring but too much time is being spent on a pair of characters that aren’t nearly as interesting or good people. When it focuses on the two key characters, Nobody’s Listening, is one of the stronger slow episodes this season and drags when it focuses on the Imperials.
Cassian has been in the prison long enough now to get the lay of the land. And gain the trust of fellow inmates who are sharing their observations of the inner workings of the system. Like none of the moving parts can be electrified. Good to know.
While he’s not a Rebel yet, Cassian’s rebellious nature is quickly being established. He’s not going to stay caged and he has developed a deep hatred for the Empire’s way of keeping order in the galaxy.
He’s not stopping at his prison peers though. Cassian wants the scoop from Kino on the amount of guards on each floor. The guards have a few advantages, but sheer numbers is not one of them especially if the electrified floors aren’t an option.
Kino is a short-timer and definitely doesn’t want to get caught up in Cassian’s escape plan mess.
Mon Mothma’s subplot continues to be fascinating. We’re seeing through her eyes the impossible effort of making headway in the corrupted and easily influenced Senate who are mostly just fine with the status quo. After another fruitless day pleading for systems that need aid, Mon gets news her cousin is at her house. It’s Vel. Thankfully there’s no pretense here as both know they’re working for the greater good of the Rebellion.
It was nice to see Mon have another ally and someone who loathes Mon’s awful husband even before he asks if she’s found a man yet. To keep up appearances a la Bruce Wayne, Mon encourages Vel to play the spoiled rich girl for a bit so no one gets suspicious. Sound advice.
Tay has some ideas how Mon can safely launder the money without raising eyebrows, but Mon isn’t keen on his idea of getting entangled with a gangster. Maybe the most fascinating aspect of Andor is how often Mon Mothma is forced to make these major compromises to her values while avoiding becoming just as corrupt as the Empire she wants to see overthrown.
Onto the other subplots. Dedra interrogates Bix and has her torturer make Bix listen to a loop of children dying, which seems excessive even for the Empire.
The main issue with Dedra is the same one that continually plagued Reva on Obi-Wan Kenobi — the writers have to make her unassailable until a specific point. She can’t mess up and has to be basically flawless. It makes her a boring character as she’s three steps ahead of everyone connecting dots that don’t even seem to be on the same page in order to get an advantage.
Now Dedra has linked Cassian to the raid on Aldhani and is keeping his mother on surveillance in case he returns to her. It still seems odd that Empire can pinpoint all these links to Cassian without knowing he’s already in their prison system.
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Syril pouts with his mother before deciding to put on his Stalker Syril gear and profess his unyielding love/loyalty(?) to Dedra. In all the various spin-offs, Syril might be the worst character getting far too much screen time. This dude is a creeper and the less time spent on him the better.
The Imperial Squad caught a Rebel pilot that could lead them to Kriger, the same leader Luthen was trying to get Saw to partner up with last episode. It seems like Kriger is destined to be the stand together or die alone example.
Dedra’s subplot is probably important, but it feels like it gets more time than needed each episode. She’s not a good person and wasn’t traumatized by Darth Vader and plotting a long-game revenge plot. She’s just trying to move up the Imperial ranks and isn’t the kind of character that needs sympathy or support.
Back at the prison. Word in the sign language tube streets, all of Level 2 was fried. Kino doesn’t want anyone getting focused on rumors and getting off schedule, but this news has clearly rattled him. Cassian convinces Kino to keep up appearances since he knows the Empire isn’t watching or listening to them.
Ulaf (Christopher Fairbank, Guardians of the Galaxy) isn’t doing well, which is rough since he’s got such a short stint left on his sentence. The medic already knows he’s a lost cause and drops the bombshell to Cassian and Kino about Level 2.
A prisoner on Level 4 was released and returned to Level 2. When the prisoners realized it, everyone was killed. So, while the Empire is dangling these sentences in front of the prisoners, the truth is no one leaves alive.
That’s enough for Cassian and Kino, who tells him there’s never more than 12 guards on a floor. Looks like it’s time for a great escape.
Nobody’s Listening could have just focused on Cassian and Mon’s subplots and been excellent. Spending time on Dedra and Syril is a drag, but not enough to fully weigh the episode down.
Rating: 7.5 out of 10
Photo Credit: Disney
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