Andor (1×09) Nobody’s Listening Review

For our review of the last episode of Andor, click here.

It may be no surprise to fans but Nobody’s Listening is yet another well-written, infectiously tense, and superbly-acted episode in this exceptionally complex Star Wars series. Though the episode once again doesn’t offer much in terms of set pieces, its engaging writing still makes for another exciting and impeccable episode.

Back on Narkina 5, Andor plots his escape from the hellish prison along with his fellow inmates. Soon, word from Level 2 led Andor to search for answers. In the meantime, Andor tries to convince Kino to help them escape. Reluctant at first, loosing someone close to him and their new circumstances convinced him to help Andor. The prison is nothing short of hellish. Seemingly impossible to escape from, this fact undoubtedly creates tension as the fate of the inmates that viewers have spent so much time connecting with wasn’t necessarily a sure thing. 

Meanwhile, Mon Mothra’s political power continues to crumble with many Senators choosing not to side with her as her speeches in the Senate Building fell on deaf ears. Likewise, the funds Mothra needs continues to become impossibly hard to come by resulting in her having to begrudgingly turn to the very rich criminal known as Davo Sculdun. 

Over on Ferrix, Meero interrogates Bix about Andor and about all the missing Imperial tech. Failing to answer the questions, she is forced to listen to the torturous screams of young Dizonites. This scene is perfectly-executed from the dialogue, the lack of music, the lighting, and the haunting screams from Bix. Meero has proved to be fearless and will stop at nothing to prove herself to the Empire and get to the bottom of Rebel activity. But this week’s episode sees Meero in her most malicious position yet. 

Unfortunately, fans don’t get to see Saw Gerrera this week but hopefully he will make an appearance soon. Although he wasn’t in this episode, the episode still briefly references a subplot set up at the end of last week’s episode that may be picked up for what looks to be an exciting episode next week. 

It goes without saying that Andor is one of the best written series currently airing and is definitely a contender for the best TV series of the year. That being said, with 3 episodes to go, let’s hope that it can continue to keep up the great work.

At the end of the day, Nobody’s Listening is a fantastic episode that brilliantly builds upon so many threads not only for next week but also for the remainder of the season and beyond. The tension is sky high here, delivering what was perhaps the most tense and suspenseful episode yet. Star Wars fans truly have something special.

*still courtesy of Disney*

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Olly Dyche

Journalist, Writer, Film Critic and Professional Nerd. You will probably find Olly at the cinema chomping down on some popcorn and taking in the glorious visuals of the latest theatrical release.