Cassian returns home to Ferrix, a tinderbox that is experiencing a spark of rebellion.

The season finale of Andor has a number of challenges to tackle – the greatest one being that we already know the hero will survive. That’s a given, and when most of the setup in this episode is about how the forces of the Empire are converging on one location in an attempt to capture the titular rebel, it’s inevitable that there’s only so many ways that this can play out.

Over the preceding 11 episodes we’ve witnessed Ferrix progressing from being a backwater with little Imperial interest to the sole focus of the Empire as they try to nip the rebellion in the bud. When things do eventually kick off, it’s a dirty revolution, and most importantly it’s just the beginning. People scramble in the mud, innocents are shot dead, and villains are stabbed in alleyways. While Cassian is our focus, it’s those around him who are starting to rise, making sacrifices through the giving of their own lives or family members.

The success of this series has been in showing both sides of the coin. We know as much about the Imperial ladder climbers as the fledgling rebels, and while it’s been a Jedi-free zone, there’s been just the right amount of TIE Fighters and Stormtroopers to reassure us we’re still in the Star Wars universe.

Oh, and be sure to stick around to the very end of the credits for a significant short scene.

Verdict: The most adult of the Star Wars series concludes its first year with another blow to the Empire, but a grim reminder that there’s still much to be achieved. 8/10

Nick Joy