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Television

Andor – Make It Stop review S2 E10

Jeffrey Lyles , , , , , , , , ,

Make It Stop was another thrilling episode of Andor. One that if absolutely nothing else, made a strong case for another prequel series to the prequel to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story focusing on the early days of Luthen and Kleya.

Going into Andor, Rogue One fans knew certain truths were unavoidable. The titular character, Cassian Andor, was going to make it through only to get killed on Jedha passing along the plans that would lead to the Death Star’s destruction. And there was a high likelihood that any supporting characters introduced during these two seasons probably wouldn’t make it past the season finale or even Make It Stop.

The body count wasn’t high, but the losses certainly were impactful. Make It Stop picks up BBYU 1, one year later from Welcome to the Rebellion.

Lonni has some incredible, planet-shattering news for Luthen and sounds the big emergency beacon. So big that Luthen can’t meet him in the shadowy elevator shaft. This meeting is out in public requiring Luthen to put on his mask (hairpiece). Lonni has had access to Dedra Meero’s files over the last year. She’s putting together a group to bring Luthen in, but Lonni wants assurances of safety for himself and family before sharing the even bigger news — The Emperor’s big energy project is a lie. It’s a weapon.

andor - make it stop - luthen and lonni

Star Wars fans of course know what this weapon is so there’s no need to break down the revelation. Luthen’s reaction is terrifying as he’s always been one step ahead of the Empire and kept his composure. This news obviously rattled him as even Luthen didn’t envision the Empire being this sadistic. Speaking of cruel… Luthen promised to take Lonni to Yavin. That was a lie.

All Lonni got for all of his years of being a Rebellion mole was a blaster wound through the heart. It’s why Cassian could so easily blast his ally at the start of Rogue One. He learned it from watching Luthen.

Luthen frantically relayed all the important information to Kleya including Jedha and Galen Erso. The said thing about Andor is all of these heroes do all these incredibly brave “risk it all” actions never to see the Empire they fought so hard to overthrow finally get toppled.

Just as Lonni predicted, Luthen is greeted at his shop by Dedra Meero. After some polite back and forth, they both the pretenses. Dedra says she’s disgusted by Luthen for trying to spread this chaos. He responds that the Rebellion has left Coruscant. Now there’s a whole galaxy to disgust her.

Dedra isn’t bothered. Soon, she’s going to get all the information she needs to know from Luthen. Clearly, Dedra has no idea who she’s dealing with as Luthen proves he’s willing to do to himself exactly what he’d done to so many others. Dedra notices the smoldering comms area in the back and turns to see Luthen has stabbed himself just to really screw over her day.

He wasn’t as successful with the suicide attempt and Dedra has a med team take him to the local hospital. Kleya spots the aftermath with Luthen being transported and springs into action. Dedra dismissively treats the hospital staff only to get surprised by Perrin, who’s arrived to arrest her on Partagaz’s orders. The whole ISB is rocked with Dedra’s secretive mission and the news of Lonni’s murder.

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Kleya pulls her hair back in Princess Leia and Padme style, so you know she means business. As she sneaks into the hospital, she recalls her past with Luthen as a young girl (played by April V Woods). Their initial encounter isn’t fully clear, but Luthen was apparently part of some raid that claimed the lives of many of Kleya’s family and friends. She was hiding in a ship when Luthen discovered her after going through some shellshocked moment and rocking back and forth saying “Make it Stop.”

Later on, we’re shown the duo working out their roles in trying to sell antique goods for credits. Also, of significant note in Make It Stop — Luthen and Kleya aren’t their names. That’s just what Luthen decided they’d call themselves from then on and Kleya will also be his daughter, when it’s convenient. That feels very much on brand for Luthen.

Kleya is cool navigating through the hospital, planting an explosive for when she needs a distraction and calmly blasting away Stormtroopers as she gets closer to her objective. If you think this is a rescue mission you’ve been watching a totally different series.

andor - make it stop - kleya

In one flashback, Kleya watches a group of people, including a child her age, get executed by Stormtroopers. This prompts her to ask Luthen when do they fight back. “We fight to win which means we lose. And lose and lose and lose until we’re ready.”  Stellan Skarsgard delivers these lines with such precision that Luthen rarely seems unsure of his actions. Except when it comes to Kleya. Luthen is afraid of what he’s doing to her. They’re sitting in a cafe with a gorgeous view with Stormtroopers on a bridge in the distance. Is this Naboo? Sure looks like it.

Kleya finally reaches Luthen’s room where he’s being kept alive by a device. She shuts it off and kisses him on the forehead, shedding a single tear — which feels so much more heartfelt for Kleya than outright sobbing. There’s an irony in the sense that some of the first words Kleya heard from Luthen were Make It Stop, which echoed what he would have told her if he could communicate the threat to everything they’ve done if the life support device remained operational.

Make It Stop was a fine farewell to one of Andor’s MVPs as the deck continues to get cleared of pivotal characters in the build to Rogue One.

Rating: 9.5 out of 10

Photo Credit: Disney

Enjoyed Make It Stop? Check out the Andor: The Complete First Season on 4k now on Amazon.

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