Andor Episode 6 “The Eye” Spoilers Ahead
There’s something beautiful about the rhythm of Andor. For two episodes, it takes its time to develop, deepen, and build to an action-packed climax. Such has been the case for Episodes 1-3 and now for this new set of Episodes 4-6. For the ends of Episode 3, “The Reckoning,” and Episode 6, “The Eye,” to work, the setup and the stakes needed to be present in their previous episodes. Tony Gilroy and co. have found a formula for Andor that not only works but takes Star Wars to new heights.
Before I get into the narrative of “The Eye,” I have to take a moment to give a special highlight to the technical achievements of this episode. For one, the cinematography is absolutely unreal in Andor Episode 6. It’s been a while since I’ve seen Star Wars this distinctly beautiful; certain shots will stay with me for a while — Vel and Cinta underwater as The Eye begins over them, the TIE fighters dropping down to leave the Aldhani base, the Dhani people looking at The Eye in its full glory (I could gush about this forever). Paired with the score from Nicholas Britell, the cinematography captures the awe and wonder of these moments.
This symphony of sight, sound, and spectacle doesn’t come together without the direction of Susanna White. She joins the ranks of Deborah Chow and Bryce Dallas Howard as a club of female directors who are elevating what’s possible in the Star Wars franchise. Please, Kathleen Kennedy and Lucasfilm, give Susanna White more Star Wars to work with in the same way you gave Deborah Chow the Obi-Wan Kenobi series!
In Andor Episode 6, Commandant Jayhold, as an extension of the Empire, exposes his arrogance and disrespect for other cultures. He mocks the traditions of the native Dhani people (speaking with the visiting colonel, he reveals how he and his men have made the numbers of the Dhani people dwindle over the years). Time again and time again, the Empire has looked down on the less technically advanced and underestimated their resolve. Earlier this season, we see Kassa and other Kenari teenagers take down Imperial forces with blow darts. Later in Return of the Jedi, Ewoks fight back against Stormtroopers, crushing AT-STs with logs.
Though the Dhani don’t fight back, their strength lies in their perseverance, and they aren’t to be sneered at. In their pride lies the Empire’s downfall, unable to see the doom under their noses.
Without further adieu, let’s get to the heist. After episodes of building, the planned Rebel heist is here. Tamaryn, Nemik, Skeen, and Cassian are able to slip into the Imperial forces without a hitch. Under Gorn’s command, they’re able to infiltrate the base and successfully steal millions of credits. Because of them, Mon Mothma and Luthen will be able to bankroll future Rebel missions and supplies for the different factions. That’s why the episode ends with Luthen retreating in the back room to express his relief and excitement that the plan worked (just maybe not the way he thinks it did).
Even though the robbery was a success by all accounts, it came at the cost of three team members (technically four, but we’ll address the last one in a minute). Lieutenant Gorn, the Rebels’ man on the inside who fell in love with a Dhani woman, was killed by a corporal as forces began to attack the crew. Tamaryn, the former Stormtrooper and one of the team’s best fighters, was blasted while he was making his way to the ship for escape.
Nemik, the youngest member of the team who had the most belief in what they were doing, is crushed by a stack of stolen credits. What hurts the most about Nemik’s death is that his last words to Cassian will later be K-2SO’s last words to Cassian in Rogue One. Side note: we’re due for Cassian and K-2SO’s first meeting in Andor, so be prepared for more emotions over those two.
Of the seven who started, only Cassian, Vel, and Cinta remain. In fact, Cinta is the only member of the crew still on Aldhani while the rest escaped. Vel’s goodbye to her suggests that there’s more than companionship between these women. Here’s hoping we see Cinta and Vel reunite in a future episode.
In a series with covert affairs at the forefront, it’s hard to trust a character at face value. Andor excels at keeping the audience on their toes, not sure who to trust. Just when you think you have a handle on a character, something happens to shift perspective. Such is the case with Skeen. He reveals at the end of the episode that he only did this heist in order to take the credits for himself; the trust gained in the previous episode between Skeen and Cassian with a somber backstory was built on a lie. He, too, was in it to win and walk away.
When Skeen gives Cassian an enticing offer to abandon Vel and take the credits for themselves, Cassian once again makes a decision based on survival — he kills Skeen with his blaster. Skeen broke his trust, not because it went against the mission, but because he has another reason to always look over his shoulder. Though Skeen promised that by splitting the loot, he would forget about him, Skeen lost Cassian’s trust, and his word can’t be taken to heart by anyone. He’s proven he’s just as duplicitous as the Empire.
Not wanting to take any more chances of being double-crossed, Cassian demands Vel his share of the credits promised to him. As a sign of good faith, he doesn’t take the stolen freighter but reluctantly takes Nemik’s datapad with the manifesto of his musings about Imperial oppression; Vel tells Cassian it was Nemik’s last request.
In a way, Cassian is back where he started. He’s on the run once again and trusts no one; only this time, he’s a few thousand credits richer. Skeen’s proposed betrayal reaffirms his nihilism, but he’s taken Nemik’s manifesto with him. Nemik saved Cassian’s life when a corporal tried choking him to death, thus becoming the last person Cassian connected with before the heist. Against his survival mentality, Cassian urged Vel to take them to the doctor to try and save Nemik’s life. Nemik wasn’t jaded but had a passion that Cassian wanted to keep alive, even if he didn’t believe it for himself (yet). After this experience with Vel and the team, will reading Nemik’s manifesto be what draws him closer to taking up the Rebel cause for himself? Only time will tell, and thankfully, the Andor series has made audiences invested in seeing Cassian’s story through to the beaches of Scarif.
Now streaming on Disney Plus: What are your thoughts on Andor Episode 6 “The Eye?” Let us know in the comments below.