The Saddest Droid in Star Wars - Andor Season 1
In this episode of “The Middle of Culture”, Eden and Peter dive deep into the first three episodes of Andor, exploring how the Star Wars series breaks away from franchise expectations with grounded storytelling, sharp performances, and a grimy, lived-in world. Eden makes the case for Andor as the best piece of Star Wars media ever created, while Peter--coming in with a healthy dose of franchise fatigue--finds himself unexpectedly pulled in by the third episode's emotional payoff and political subtext. The two discuss everything from the show's anti-cop undercurrents to its brilliantly realized industrial world, while also sharing personal stories about their week, retro gaming regrets, and comic book industry absurdities.
Catching Up:
• Peter shares a laid-back spring break filled with Avowed, a vasectomy, and home recovery. He praises the game's gray morality and engaging writing.
• Eden talks about buying a Boox Palma (a minimalist e-reader) to curb phone addiction, reading five books in a week, and recommends the Practice Perfect romance series by Carson Tate.
Tech Dalliances:
• Both hosts talk about recent tech indulgences.
• Eden raves about the Boox Palma as a life-improving gadget for focused reading.
• Peter details his journey with the Ayn Odin 2 Portal, a handheld Android gaming device. His dream of retro emulation quickly becomes a nightmare of BIOS files and sideloading drama.
• The takeaway? Sometimes it's better to just play your modern Steam backlog.
Comics Corner:
• Eden shares thoughts on DC's new Absolute line and its reimaginings of classic characters:
• Absolute Wonder Woman is a standout.
• Absolute Batman explores a working-class Bruce Wayne.
• Absolute Martian Manhunter earns high praise for reinventing a character Eden never cared about.
• A rant about Hush 2 and a Harley Quinn scratch-and-sniff fart fetish comic provides comic book industry absurdity.
Main Topic -- Andor Episodes 1-3:
Peter's First Watch:
• Came in skeptical due to Star Wars burnout.
• Found episode one a bit slow, episode two better, and episode three "hooked" him.
• Admits it's the most he's enjoyed Star Wars since Return of the Jedi--possibly ever.
Themes and Analysis:
• Andor is a serious, adult take on Star Wars, unafraid to depict the empire as a metaphor for real-world fascism and police brutality.
• The show avoids nostalgic gimmicks and "wink-wink" references in favor of grounded storytelling and rich characterization.
Setting Praise:
• Ferix, Cassian's home, is a fully realized working-class world with its own culture, social code, and resistance instincts.
• The show's commitment to practical sets over digital environments makes it visually compelling.
Character Deep Dives:
• Cassian Andor's backstory reveals a lifetime of loss and injustice, priming him for future rebellion.
• Marva's complex relationship with Cassian is explored through strong performances and layered writing.
• Syril Karn is identified as a perfect example of authoritarian overreach--ambitious, small-minded, and terrifyingly familiar.
Visual & Directorial Highlights:
• Directed by Toby Haynes, the series is praised for its cinematography, lighting, and gripping action sequences.
• The bell ringer, glove wall, and "droid that is stairs" moments are noted as the kind of world-building Star Wars does best.
Looking Ahead:
• Eden hints that the upcoming arcs in Andor get even better.
• Season 2 will follow a similar structure: four arcs of three episodes, each set a year apart leading up to Rogue One.
Closing Thoughts:
• Peter is intrigued and excited to continue.
• The hosts tease more Andor discussions ahead and wrap up with their usual mix of sarcasm, cultural critique, and sincere enthusiasm.