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"Aldhani"
Andor episode
Episode no.Season 1
Episode 4
Directed bySusanna White
Written byDan Gilroy
Featured musicNicholas Britell
Cinematography byFrank Lamm
Editing byHazel Baillie
Original release dateSeptember 28, 2022 (2022-09-28)
Running time47 minutes
Cast
Episode chronology
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"The Axe Forgets"

"Aldhani" is the fourth episode of the American streaming television series Andor, based on Star Wars created by George Lucas. It was written by Dan Gilroy and directed by Susanna White.[1]

The episode stars Diego Luna as Cassian Andor, who reprises his role from the Star Wars spinoff film, Rogue One (2016). Toby Haynes was hired in September 2020 after a production delay due the COVID-19 pandemic, and Tony Gilroy joined the series as showrunner in early 2019, replacing Stephen Schiff. Both executive produce alongside Luna and Kathleen Kennedy.

"Aldhani" was released on Disney+ on September 28, 2022.

Plot

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Luthen Rael takes Cassian to the planet Aldhani, asking him to join a robbery mission. Cassian is reluctant but eventually agrees, choosing the pseudonym of 'Clem' after his deceased adoptive father. Clem and Rael meet rebel leader Vel Sartha who disapproves of Clem's involvement, but eventually relents under the condition he doesn't tell anyone he was hired. Rael leaves whilst Clem and Sartha embark on a long trek to where the rebels are disguised as farmers.

Clem meets the rebels, consisting of Sartha's stoic medic Cinta Kaz, ex-stormtooper Taramyn Barcona, unfriendly Arvel Skeen and young idealist Karis Nemik. They meet their Empire contact Lieutenant Gorn, who is immediately distrusting of Clem. Sartha briefs the team on the Eye of Aldhani, a large meteor shower which will provide them cover for an attack on the Empire dam. Nemik is extremely optimistic, whilst Clem is skeptical that her plan will work.

Meanwhile, at the Empire's capital, the planet Coruscant, Supervisor Dedra Meero attends a meeting discussing their widening surveillance abilities. Meero attempts to question her co-worker Blevin about Ferrix, but he only discloses that they retrieved the stolen Starpath unit. Meero attempts to convince their superior, Major Partagaz, that there is a rebel alliance, but she does not have enough evidence.

Blevin fires Karn and Mosk, as well as their boss, Chief Inspector Hyne, for the Ferrix incident and reveals Pre-Mor are being removed with the Empire being placed in full control of the planet. Karn, jobless, reunites with his disapproving mother.

Meanwhile, Rael takes his disguise as a wealthy Empire-supporting antiques dealer alongside his associate Kleya Marki. Senator Mon Mothma meets with them under the guise of buying an antique, in reality she is struggling to hide the money she has spent funding his operations. Mothma's husband, Fertha, does not support her ideals and invites two people she is campaigning against to dinner.

Production

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Development

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Disney CEO Bob Iger announced in February 2018 that there were several Star Wars series in development,[2] and that November one was revealed as a prequel to the film Rogue One (2016). The series was described as a spy thriller show focused on the character Cassian Andor, with Diego Luna reprising his role from the film.[3] Jared Bush originally developed the series, writing a pilot script and series bible for the project.[4] By the end of November, Stephen Schiff was serving as showrunner and executive producer of the series.[4] Tony Gilroy, who was credited as a co-writer on Rogue One and oversaw extensive reshoots for the film,[5] joined the series by early 2019 when he discussed the first story details with Luna.[6] Gilroy's involvement was revealed that October, when he was set to write the first episode, direct multiple episodes, and work alongside Schiff;[5] Gilroy had officially replaced Schiff as showrunner by April 2020.[7] Six weeks of pre-production for the series had taken place in the United Kingdom by then, but this was halted and production on the series delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[8][9] Pre-production had begun again by September ahead of a planned filming start the next month. At that time, Gilroy, who is based in New York, chose not to travel to the UK for production on the series due to the pandemic, and was therefore unable to direct the series' first episode. Instead, the UK-based Toby Haynes, who was already "high on the list" of potential directors for the series, was hired to direct the first three episodes. Gilroy would remain executive producer and showrunner.[10] In December 2020, Luna was revealed to be executive producing the series.[11]

The fourth episode, titled "Aldhani", was written by Dan Gilroy.[12]

Writing

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The writing was structured so that a story arc is contained in every three episodes.[13] The second set of three episodes features Luthen Rael recruiting Andor for a heist on an Imperial payroll vault in the planet of Aldhani.[14] The episode also expands its scope as it gradually introduces its full ensemble cast, particularly by introducing a new storyline featuring Mon Mothma. However, Mothma and Andor do not initially meet, with Gilroy saying that "They do have intersection—but they do not meet."[15] Gilroy had further went on to compare her to Nancy Pelosi, noting that she had been attempting to use her political influence in the Galactic Senate to prevent the Empire from gaining power. He had also commented that "in many ways her story is the most tense story in the whole show, because she has to do everything in the open".[1] Actress Genevieve O'Reilly had discussed elements of Mothma's backstory with Gilroy, noting that she had been a Senator since she was 16 years old, while Gilroy was interested in contemplating how her political career and marriage influenced her life. In the episode, Mothma's husband, Perrin Fertha, responds with "Must everything be boring and sad?" when Mothma protests his requests to host parties for Imperial figures whom she argues with in the Senate. She felt the line was representative of "how much of Empire is also within the marriage" and the Empire's prevalent influence on her life, which had made her attempts to covertly aid the Rebellion difficult. Additionally, O'Reilly felt that the episode had overall depicted more of Mothma's life and revealed her to be a "deeply complicated woman" who would eventually "lean in to the seed of her own rebellion".[16]

Actor Kyle Soller had collaborated with actress Kathryn Hunter, who portrays Syril Karn's mother, Eedy Karn, in developing elements of a potential backstory. Soller said they decided that Karn's father had "left really early on, in a real acrimonious, horrible way", which had served as a "launchpad for how Eedy then parents Syril, which is by being wronged and her anger and grief and disappointment and frustration of him leaving just got filtered into Syril".[17] Hunter had also noted that Eedy had difficulty in reaching the position she had been in, and set high expectations Syril as she had wanted him to succeed. She also commented that Eedy was "probably a thwarted woman herself, and she's overcompensating with her son".[18]

Casting

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The episode stars Diego Luna as Cassian Andor,[3][19] Kyle Soller as Syril Karn, Adria Arjona as Bix Caleen, Joplin Sibtain as Brasso, James McArdle as Timm Karlo, and Rupert Vansittart as Chief Hyne.[19]

Filming

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Filming began in London, England, at the end of November 2020,[20][21] with the production based at Pinewood Studios.[22][23] The series was filmed under the working title Pilgrim,[22] and was the first live-action Star Wars series to not make use of the StageCraft digital background technology.[24] Filming locations included Black Park in Buckinghamshire, England for the flashback scenes, as well as at Middle Peak Quarry in Derbyshire, England. Scenes for Aldhani were filmed on-location in Glen Tilt, Perthshire, Scotland and the Scottish Highlands.[25] The Imperial stronghold depicted in the episode was a model of the Cruachan Power Station.[26]

Music

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Nicholas Britell composed the musical score for the episode.[27][28] The episode's soundtrack was released in October 2022 as part of the first volume for the series.[29]

Andor: Episode 4 (Original Soundtrack)
No.TitleLength
1."Andor (Main Title Theme) – Episode 4"0:47
2."I Came for You"2:40
3."ISB"0:41
4."Blue Kyber"1:27
5."Where's My Starpath Unit?"1:08
6."Luthen of Coruscant"1:23
7."Syril Suite"1:50
8."Mon Mothma"2:17
9."END OF DAY (Time Grappler)"0:36
Total length:13:29

Release

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"Aldhani" was released on Disney+ on September 28, 2022.[30]

Reception

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Critical response

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The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reports a 89% approval rating with an average rating of 7.70/10, based on 95 reviews. The site's critical consensus reads, "With its setup firmly established, Andor goes from strength to strength as a refreshingly grounded Star Wars adventure."[31]

References

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  1. ^ a b Khosla, Proma (September 28, 2022). "Tony Gilroy Unpacks 'Andor' Ep. 4: Mon Mothma Is 'a Nancy Pelosi Character'". IndieWire. Archived from the original on May 7, 2023. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  2. ^ Goldberg, Lesley; Couch, Aaron (February 6, 2018). "'Star Wars' TV Series: Disney Developing "a Few" for Its Streaming Service". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on June 11, 2019. Retrieved August 1, 2018.
  3. ^ a b Lang, Brent (November 8, 2018). "'Star Wars': Diego Luna to Lead Spinoff Series". Variety. Archived from the original on November 15, 2018. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
  4. ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie (November 30, 2018). "Disney+ 'Star Wars' Series Starring Diego Luna Taps Stephen Schiff As Showrunner". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 9, 2019. Retrieved June 9, 2019.
  5. ^ a b Otterson, Joe (October 15, 2019). "'Rogue One' Writer Tony Gilroy Joins Cassian Andor 'Star Wars' Series at Disney Plus (Exclusive)". Variety. Archived from the original on April 3, 2020. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  6. ^ Breznican, Anthony (May 17, 2022). "Star Wars: The Rebellion Will Be Televised". Vanity Fair. Archived from the original on May 17, 2022. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  7. ^ Kit, Boris (April 24, 2020). "'Star Wars': Cassian Andor Disney+ Series Adds Two Actors (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  8. ^ KingPatel (April 10, 2020). "Exclusive: Cassian Andor Disney+ Series Had Completed About Six Weeks Of Pre-Production Prior To Shut Down". Comic Book Movie. Archived from the original on April 14, 2020. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
  9. ^ Otterson, Joe (April 24, 2020). "Cassian Andor Disney Plus Series Adds Genevieve O'Reilly, Denise Gough". Variety. Archived from the original on April 24, 2020. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
  10. ^ Kroll, Justin (September 22, 2020). "'Black Mirror's Toby Haynes To Direct 'Rogue One' Spin-Off Series At Disney+ As Tony Gilroy Steps Aside As Director". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 23, 2020. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
  11. ^ Star Wars (December 10, 2020). Sizzle Reel | Andor | Disney+ – via YouTube.
  12. ^ "Andor (2021–2022)". Writers Guild of America West. Archived from the original on June 11, 2022. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
  13. ^ Vary, Adam B. "How 'Andor' Became the First 'Star Wars' TV Series for Grown-Ups: 'I Wanted to Do It About Real People'". Variety. Archived from the original on August 24, 2022. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  14. ^ Vary, Adam B. (November 10, 2022). "Sex and Revolution: 'Andor' Showrunner Tony Gilroy on Challenging the Limits of the 'Star Wars' Universe". Variety. Archived from the original on November 10, 2022. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  15. ^ Breznican, Anthony (May 23, 2022). "'Andor' Star Wars Series: "What You Know Is Really All Wrong"". Vanity Fair. Archived from the original on May 23, 2022. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  16. ^ Ross, Dalton (September 29, 2022). "Genevieve O'Reilly reacts to Mon Mothma's crappy marriage on Andor". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on September 29, 2022. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  17. ^ Tinnin, Drew (November 3, 2022). "Andor's Kyle Soller Explains What Happened To Syril Karn's Dad [Exclusive]". /Film. Archived from the original on November 3, 2022. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  18. ^ Josephine Riesman, Abraham (November 29, 2022). "Andor's Kathryn Hunter Saw Eedy Karn's Comedic Potential Immediately". Vulture. Archived from the original on November 29, 2022. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  19. ^ a b Gilroy, Dan (September 28, 2022). "Aldhani". Andor. Season 1. Episode 4. Disney+. End credits begin at 42:06.
  20. ^ Paz, Maggie Dela (December 4, 2020). "Cassian Andor: Diego Luna Confirms Disney+ Series Has Begun Filming". ComingSoon.net. Archived from the original on December 5, 2020. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
  21. ^ Peters, Jay (December 10, 2020). "Star Wars: Andor starring Rogue One's Diego Luna is coming to Disney Plus in 2022". The Verge. Archived from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
  22. ^ a b "Last Traces of Star Wars Filming in Cleveleys". Visit Cleveleys. May 11, 2021. Archived from the original on May 17, 2021. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  23. ^ "Star Wars: Andor filming at Pinewood Studios until summer 2021". KFTV. December 8, 2020. Archived from the original on December 9, 2020. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  24. ^ Kim, Matt (May 27, 2022). "Andor Is the First Star Wars Show for Disney That 'Doesn't Lean' on StageCraft". IGN. Archived from the original on May 27, 2022. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  25. ^ Guimarães, Elisa (December 3, 2022). "'Andor' Filming Locations: Where Was the 'Star Wars' Show Shot?". Collider. Archived from the original on December 7, 2022. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  26. ^ Baker-Whitelaw, Gavia (September 28, 2022). "'Star Wars' comes to Scotland in 'Andor' episode 4". The Daily Dot. Archived from the original on September 28, 2022. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  27. ^ "Nicholas Britell to Score Disney+'s 'Rogue One' Prequel Series 'Andor'". Film Music Reporter. February 16, 2022. Archived from the original on February 16, 2022. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  28. ^ Burlingame, Jon (May 27, 2022). "'Succession' Composer Nicholas Britell Enters the 'Star Wars' Universe With Music for 'Andor' (Exclusive)". Variety. Archived from the original on May 28, 2022. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  29. ^ Leishman, Rachel (October 21, 2022). "'Andor' Soundtrack for First Four Episodes Released". Collider. Archived from the original on October 21, 2022. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
  30. ^ "New Andor Trailer Goes Big On Rebel Action, And Updated Premiere Details Revealed". StarWars.com. August 1, 2022. Archived from the original on August 1, 2022. Retrieved August 1, 2022.
  31. ^ "Aldhani". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
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