De-Infantilizing STAR WARS (It Works) 

May the Fourth be with you! Thank you all for 2 million views! Also our new video is out!

Cassian getting arrested for something completely unrelated to any of his actual crimes was a great bit of storytelling as a way to show how pervasive and corrupt the Empire really is at a civilian level.

It’s a miracle that Andor exists, no idea how it got past those Disney executives

The corporate machinery of Disney sees Star Wars merely as an aesthetic, and does not understand that what people loved was the underlying spark of humanity.

The Andor compilation at the end was SOOOOO good 🥹

I JUST realised the sound Tie fighters make is maybe DELIBERATELY terrifying to enemies, just like the STUKA dive bomber's sirens in WW2

I miss when "child-friendly" didn't mean "children-only".

Man, you‘re excellent! Not only is this applicable to Disney Star Wars but to the mass of newer movies. The quote “…the need to always hold your hand” describes it really well. I’ve always been frustrated to explain to people what i mean by that and you just gave words to it. Thank you thank you thank you! A hundred times

What i really love about andor is that every action has a consequence, and that consequance is in small and in big picture. One of the big themes is that if you are to start a rebelion, innocent people will suffer. if you make a mistake, people will die. And if someone dies, it is real, people who die aren't just props, they aren't just part of nameless mass. And they just don't somehow return.

Me watching the bit about Dora: "well that's an odd angle, I guess..." Dora's map and the sith dagger juxtapose: "oooh daaaang!"

"Can you stand to see the Imperial flag reign across the galaxy?" "Its not a problem if you don't look up." I know its just star wars, but dang, that feels like something you'd hear people say during just about any oppressive regime or political thing. People just wanting to live their lives and be left alone. It's something we all feel. I haven't watched this show, but it really feels like the star wars that i've wanted them to make forever. I might just have to check it out.

The Mandalorian is a series of fetch quests that lead to other fetch quests.

25:22 *'The day will come when all these skirmishes and battles, these moments of defiance will have flooded the banks of the **_government's_** authority and then there will be one too many. One single thing will break the siege. Remember this.'*

"You put a number of options on the table; and they're so wrapped up in choosing, they don't even notice you didn't give them anything they actually wanted!" No truer words have ever been spoken.

Luthen's monologue about sacrifice was superb. Gives me chills and puts a lump in my throat. And Stellan Skarsgärd was the perfect person to deliver it.

Andor for me was the best tv show ever made, the most real portray of the Star Wars galaxy that has ever been, and the most intensely emotionnally charged I have ever been, i laughed i cried I yelled of every emotion like i ever have before with any show and i have seen hundreds of them and all star wars média, nothing ever came even close to this, I lack even words to describe it sometimes....the characters the world building the realness of it alll....and the dialogues....the best monologues I have ever heard my entire life...I really hope many more people give this a chance, dont just give up on the first 2 episodes...you will 100% not regret it

This was a terrific piece of analysis and beautifully edited to strengthen your point. I love Andor despite it being part of the Star Wars universe and not because of it, but I could never quite articulate it as well as you have done here. Thank you!

Andor to me was everything I wanted to see in Star Wars for a long time. A darker tone, much more adult than what we've gotten from The Mandalorian, Ahsoka, Boba Fett and the Sequel Trilogy. Andor to me is a thinking person's Star Wars, the writers treating us like adults and given us a show written for an adult audience. No gimmicks, gags, cute little humor, etc. Just good writing, dialog and presentation.

The "Show me, don't tell me." is such an important concept. It is a lesson so many people miss. I think that is what made the Han shot first controversy such a big deal. Greedo shooting first puts Han in a self defense position. Han shooting first confirms his scoundrel character. He is a survivor and isn't above underhanded tricks. It speaks of his moral character and makes his transformation from being out for himself into the guy that saves Luke's bacon and says "You're all clear kid, now let's blow this thing and go home." Seeing the special edition confused me so much. As a kid I clearly remember seeing A New Hope in the theater, not sure what year, I was born in '74. I definitely saw it before Empire came out.

Outstanding editing and script!! The message was brought about beautifully, and felt so real. Thank you!

Star Wars in the form of Andor and Rogue 1 is just such great story telling! You feel for EVERYONE on screen, even the bad guys! Thats what makes it so good is how truely human everyone feels. their motivations and wants etc etc it all is relatable in some way and they did a master work of grounding everyone involved in the reality of the world they built Showing how scary an organised and serious group the Empire really needs to be in order to do what they've done, to show the good guys using any and all tactics in order to win because That's what is needed to beat a force like the Empire. For me, there's no better set of "Bad Guys" than the imperials in Rogue 1 and Andor. Denise Gough (Dedra) Crushed her role in the show as a ruthless and intelligent imperial, who I sure as shit wouldnt want coming after me.. Great video man, hit the nail on the head

These movies dont make me feel like a kid but like a child. Is such a damn good line

I was late to Andor, I'd already written off Disney shows after Obi-Wan and Mando, and Book of Bubba Feet. Finally went back and watched it and was gobsmacked. This is what I'd been wanting from a Starwars show for ages. Hope they keep it running...

The editing of this is absolutely stunning, hats of yo, incredible work

You're the editing at the end is so beautifully done, only outshone by the show itself. It really is so special and will certainly outlast the rest of disney's vapid offerings.

One of the things that solidified the realism for me was (and I've noted this on quite a few Andor review videos) the use of the Highlands of Scotland for the Aldhani was genius. Not only were the landscapes wonderful (the Cruachan Dam works so well as the imperial base), but the landscapes and ruined houses of a people pushed from their land during the Highland Clearances added a realism and gravitas to the story of the Aldhani people which mirrored the real landscapes and empty communities where they filmed this part of the show.

You just verbalized everything i loved about Andor and Rogue One perfectly. Brilliant video. Great editing as well. You have got a new subscriber.

Beautiful video, you have convinced me to watch Andor again.

the background character walking between Han and Leia @12:03 is just chef's kiss, it really grounds the world and reminds us just how much is going on around them, it just feels so real in a way that I feel most films would avoid if it wasn't specifically furthering the plot.

The fact that this show is still being talked about regularly and positively is a testament to the quality and true meaningfulness of the series

You just casually dropped one of the best Andor edits in the last 10 minutes and no one's commenting about it?!

9:26 I always loved the way Carrie Fischer (Princess Leia Organa) poses here in the control room - The Empire Strikes Back. So iconic and with style! 🥰🤗💖

I have to give credit where it's due. The montage at the end was well thought through, planned and edited! I bet it took much more work than it seems at first glance. Well done!

One thing that's very worth noting regarding how Star Wars simplifies the classic science fiction tropes like artificial and alien intelligent life forms comes down to that line a little later you had about how it's a story about humans. One of those humans, a crime lord, just so happens to be a slug person. One of the rebellion's admirals, another person, just happens to be a fish person. Two of the most prevalent people in the 6 Lucasfilm movies are metal, and one of them is a 3 foot tall cylinder that communicates with beeping. There's a certain beauty to that - fundamentally, intelligent life forms are people, and for Star Wars, the only reason it matters is that some of the actors have to show up 6 hours early to do makeup and prosthetics so they can shoot the scene. It's no wonder most of the main cast are humans, actors who play aliens and robots in these things have a hellish schedule, and since Star Wars isn't really focused on the possible difficulties of communication between different species (as opposed to shows like Star Trek and Babylon 5, both of which had several alien characters who show up in most episodes), they have less trouble with telling a story where most of the cast can wear normal costumes. (Also, I'm not sure the world of 1977 was ready for the love story between Han Solo the Fish Man and Leia the Slug Lady. Even today that's only gonna work for a pretty small subset of the audience.)

How is it possible that that compilation at the end was enough to get tears running through my eyes? Amazing what relatable characters and stories can do.

The video editing in this essay is absolutely amazing!

Andor is the greatest thing to happen to Star Wars. It truly made the rebellion real and understandable. It took away the whimsical nature and smacked us with the truth…and I absolutely love it.

Damn man that last 19:51 extra bit actually brought a little tear to my eye, masterfully done, I'm about ready to start a revolution myself!

I watched Andor the first time out of boredom, then I realized this story could be about any time or place where humans, real people, have had enough. There were scenes that reminded me of histories of those "breaking points", where "the risk of doing nothing was far greater than that of doing anything," where doing something meant there would be blood. The scenes where the storm troopers prepare to fire on strikers, it reminded me of a movie about Northern Ireland and the "Bloody Sunday" massacre, but it could be anywhere, any time. The ISB I relabbled "STASI". The utterly chilling idea of a secret police agancy regarding their role as "health care" for their society made me wonder how often that is being thought, and even openly stated, in the ever growing panopticon of the global security state.

Star Wars break downs...seen a ton - this is the best by far I've seen...and that was before the final scene of this vid began. Feels like I've seen a double feature, each one of the best I've seen, but also each one, when understood, also speaks directly to the other's credibility subcutaneously...and together...dude...they finish each others' sentences you can't tell aren't finished until they are... the first is the pre-amble to the next, and the next, is the sequel to the first...and round they go... ...telling you a story, by and while telling you another story - and telling a story about how a story should be told, told in the way that made this story, The Story. Proving it's never pointed-out point, by making and how it made another, about how another was made... My damn whole day is different. And rarely been so confident saying - I get it, I get it the way it was meant to be gotten, and those that don't - well good luck to those background characters. Absolute genius production imo. Thanks for your time @Beghast-tv...it is much appreciated.

This is a great video essay. Grounded, not hateful of kids or fans, not in denial about the original films. Love to see it.

Very well done - You've described in a 30 minute video what I've spent hours trying to argue to friends and family every time Star Wars debates come up.

wanted tp highlight the edit of this video. Especially the sequence you ended part 3 with is a very nice choice of scenerey and matching cuts. Nicely done!

This was excellent ! Great clips from many movies , great explanations, and the scenes with speeches were inspiring. Kudos ! Again, this was so enjoyable , excellent

That edit at the end had me crying. There are few pieces of media that have left such an impact on me, very few that I lie awake thinking about, very few that expose vulnerability and feel like they leave an open wound that never really closes.

As an aspiring author, I know how tempting it can be to sit down and explain everything. But this video essay serves as an excellent reminder of how much more satisfying it is show without telling. Both for the creator and the one enjoying the work.

This is an amazing video. I've been trying to cover this topic for the last two years! Thank you for taking the time to edit, explain and put something brilliant out there that covers why this method of storytelling works. You are awesome!

2:35 “constant stimulation and explanation to keep you hooked.” That explains to me why I don’t like popular movies anymore. It makes me a crazy that they force you to understand a story in the way they want it understood. I prefer for things to be more abstract where I can have my own experience instead of being forced to feel a certain way.

Yesterday, it was confirmed that Andor Season 2 has officially completed filming! I genuinely hope it will be as good, if not better, than the first season. Thank you for all the comments; I've read them all. It truly shows how passionate the fanbase is and how frustrating the direction Disney has taken is for most of us. However, Andor is proof that when the marketing department does not force artistic choices onto the director, a fantastic piece of media can still be produced.

I wish they let Tony Gilroy handle Thrawn.

for anyone wondering, the music at 18:07 is 'A Sophisticated Affair' by Gavin Luke; loved it so much I just _had_ to go and find it and I'm sure I'm not the only one~

FABULOUS WORK HERE.I haven’t been this moved by any single Star Wars related piece of work as I am with this.Everything about this video rings so true,so passionate,that’s its beyond inspiring to me.I could never imagine this would be as profoundly unique and special as it is when I pressed on it.I am not the same person now as I was before watching this.

This summary is why when I found that games like KOTOR and SWTOR existed, I played them to experience a personalized story that really felt like I was injected into this gritty world. Diving deep into a world where I could be more than just a good Jedi or comically evil Sith. The world building and storyline kept me coming back. This video essay was wonderful and throughly enjoyed it.

Andor feels so much like that one deleted scene from A New Hope where Luke talks to Biggs Darklighter. I love the language used in A New Hope. The style, swagger, and lingo are very 70s. Very memorable. Andor does a great job building on this style in an authentic way. It is a sincere show. Sincerity is what is often lacking when old properties are used to make new films and TV shows today.

Genuinely one of the best video essays I’ve seen. Brilliantly said, and well done.

This was so good. I wish the Acolyte was made with this caliber. 180 mill. The theme was the Dark Side and it had a Dora the Explorer script quality.

Great video. Anytime we can remind ourselves of the greatness of Andor I'm all for it. I wasn't shocked when he killed the cop but the scene from Rogue One immediately came to mind. I thought to myself, "This is going to tell how serious they are." BAM! "Yes!" Andor was a complete breathe of fresh air. It is easily my favorite bit of Star Wars since The Empire Strikes back. Just as Rogue One is my favorite Star Wars movie since the original trilogy.

Yesir! Totally agree. I was just trying to get this point across to my friends the other day. Thanks for the vid for me to show them.

this was an epic video, thank you so much for explaining what I've been intuitively feeling for so long

I am so with you on this. The andor example of the tie fighter is EXACTLY what real war footage of Stukas is like. I want more of that. Jurassic Park needs this mentality badly too i think.

Something weird hit me rewatching: The animated series "Star Wars The Clone Wars" feels more mature than the new series and movies. In tone and themes.

Wow, I don't know if it's Andor or your editing, but I have goosebumps all over

"Show, don't tell" - the unending chorus in any good writer's head. It's story writing 101.

This one of the best comments on Andor and it’s quality. Your style and narration are absolutely great. Kudos for achieving such great hight and amazing video. On point, subtle, straightforward, absolute highest quality.

I very seldom write comments, but dude, what a great video. The time and care that must have gone into doing all the clips is incredible. Thank you.

Thank you for making this video!

Where did Luke get his cybernetic hand? The second hand store.

11:36 You know, I had never quite managed to put this thought into words, but I think you perfectly captured what made A New Hope and Empire so special here - that they took their time to allow us to live in their world for a while. Seeing Vader without his helmet, or Luke eating rations... These aren't strictly necessary. A screenwriter who knows enough to earn a job on, say, Disney's writing team would probably be very tempted to cut these scenes, because they don't serve mechanical purpose to the plot. ...But they would be absolutely wrong to do so. Because while they may not advance the plot, they pull such heavy weight in humanizing the characters on screen, and allowing us to breathe in the atmosphere of the setting. This is really the core of my affection for the first two movies, now that I think about it. That understanding of when best to take their time and slow down... That's also where Return of the Jedi went wrong in trying to do this *too* much, but I digress.

What an incredibly well made video, the intro had me hooked.

Wow - very nicely put together argument. A real pleasure to watch, and I appreciate Andor (which I already loved) even more now.

Andor and Rogue One are the best things to come out of Disney Star Wars. Giving us a more grounded sci fi show than space fantasy is what I look for in the property now. Great video. Thanks for making it.

This is a great analysis of the state of the franchise and how Andor is the show that chose to grow with its audience

I needed to rewatch this after watching Acolyte. Such a great video essay! Excited for Andor Part II

I like your editing. Not only in the extra part, but also in the others.

I appreciate Andor so much as it finally grew up along with it's audience. I saw Star Wars when it first came out in 1977. All those thousands, millions, if people who also saw it that summer have grown up into now old adults. It is so refreshing to see the story finally catch up to its initial audience. Thank you for your excellent analysis.

You just summed up everything I’ve felt since finishing Andor. It was so good and so dramatically DIFFERENT. The way you tied it back to the empire strikes back was really eye opening. Well done! Thank you

Great job. Great video. Spot-on with your conclusion, and the production in the video is excellent. Very enjoyable. 👍

Man, I'd forgotten how good Andor was. Time to do that re-watch! (all the drek served up so quickly erases the memory of the few really good shows) Great job on the music and the montages in this video sir!

Your editing at the end is so good. I’m reliving all my goosebumps from watching the show originally. Andor and Rogue One will forever be my favorite pieces of Star Wars. They’re grounded and show the Star Wars universe beyond the fantasy.

That montage at the end is brilliant. When you really see what's being built through great dialogue writing.

Yes. Ever since the teddy bears, I've been longing for an adult version. Like, when you crap your pants when a platoon of white armored well-armed stormtroopers comes after YOU... because you'ld know your final hour has come...

"Calm. Kindness. Kinship. Love. I've given up all chance at inner peace. I've made my mind a sunless space. I share my dreams with ghosts. I wake up every day to an equation I wrote 15 years ago from which there's only one conclusion, I'm damned for what I do. My anger, my ego, my unwillingness to yield, my eagerness to fight, they've set me on a path from which there is no escape. I yearned to be a saviour against injustice without contemplating the cost and by the time I looked down there was no longer any ground beneath my feet." - Luthen Rael, Andor "We’re going to win this war not by fighting what we hate, but by saving what we love." - Rose, The Last Jedi

"The pace of oppression outstrips our ability to understand it" is a really good quote, god. For me, an Eastern European, that is a feeling I get every time I read the news from my country.

If I were in charge I would back up a truck full of money onto Tony Gilroy’s driveway and get down on hands and knees begging him to become the custodian of this entire franchise.

omg 2:18 is some great editing. strap in boys and girls. we're in good hands here 🙂

well done-really enjoyed that must watch ANDOR now-again

Your montage editing show more storytelling capability than anything else. The preservation of motion, the correlation of scenes, how everything meshes together. Ough, so good.

Making the analogy between children's shows and the new Star Wars is brilliant. They share a very similar feeling for me too.

the way each clip transitions into the next one seamlessly HELLO??? come through editing

What a superb analysis. You articulated what has been bugging me but couldn't put my finger on it.

Thank you. Star Wars is deeply personal to me. My father gave it to me, first as a novelization of an upcoming movie, then standing in lines for hours every weekend in the Summer of 1977, to asking me to put the Star Wars DVD in to watch 2 days before he passed. What Disney has mostly done to Star Warts offends me. I am only glad my Pops isn't here now to see it. Andor, however, feels true. Feels right. Feels like it honors what came before it. Pops would really love it.

Well done! I grew up in the 80s on military bases. I always sort of viewed them as them empire in a way. Andor is my FAVORITE bit of Star Wars. I love it so much. The soul crushing despair is exactly what I imagine it would be for everyone.

awesome video the montage cut at the end was the best conclusion.

This is so well articulated. I've tried to explain this same thing to other people and why I'm unable to watch Star wars anymore. Now I can just send them this! Great video!

I did not expect realism from Star Wars so Andor was a joy to watch. We need more of this level of storytelling in a Star Wars setting.

100% agree. Andor, way more than even Rogue One, felt like someone had snuck in under Disney's radar and flipped the reset switch on the entire franchise.

I enjoyed this tremendously. Great job.

This is great analysis. I have zero interest in Disney Channel, but I did pass my housemate watching Andor on a couple of occasions - and the experience was memorable. For some reason, I remember that prison escape scene (by no means, I expect, their best - but there was something interesting going on). Back in the days of 16mm, BVU, Betacam and D9 it was easy to tell in a matter of seconds, when you came in on a story, whether it was a feature or TV movie/episode. Since the noughties, that is slightly trickier, since all broadcast quality DV matches (or surpasses - though Nolan would disagree) celluloid quality. But you'll still have a pretty good idea within minutes - largely by the quality of the shots and dialogue. Beghast has effectively explained what that is which makes cinema stand out from TV.

I got a star wars ad before watching this video. Thought I'd share for no reason at all.

Those last 7 minutes. I got goosebumps watching that part. That was such a great honor to one of (if not the) best Starwars spinoff shows, Masterfully done