Mon Mothma's significant dance scene analyzed by Tony Gilroy and Genevieve O'Reilly, offering insights into the character's crucial role.
Let's Talk Andor Season Two:
The initial three episodes of Andor season two, available on Disney+, dive straight back into the early days of the Star Wars rebellion. In a riveting interview with io9, Tony Gilroy, the showrunner, and Genevieve O'Reilly, who plays Mon Mothma, delved into the making of the third episode's thrilling climax and the genesis of the three-episode "movie" arcs.
Sabina Graves, io9: The initial plan for Andor was for it to run five seasons, each season covering a year, but that evolved into these three-episode movie arcs. How much of the backstory was provided and developed as you went along?
Tony Gilroy: I initially thought, "Oh my god, it's going to work? It's going to have lots of exposition when we come back?" But I didn't want to do that, so I never had to write a huge bible of negative space or memos about it. I had some conversations, but I never had to go back in and do the heavy lifting I thought I'd have to.
io9: Genevieve, was it liberating to have that negative space and those broad strokes to find Mon in those formative years building the rebellion?
Genevieve O'Reilly: Yeah, I mean, the first three episodes span three days, set in her ancestral home, steeped in her history. There's little exposition; we understand it implicitly. As we move through these days, you feel the implications of where she is at that moment, this woman wrestling with her internal chaos.
io9: Tony, what did you see as the strength and beauty of intercutting dancing and drinking with where everyone else is at this moment of crossroads?
Gilroy: I'm really pleased with the end of episode three. It binds the audience to Mon because the only people in that room who know what's going on are you and her. Everybody else is partying, dancing, but you know what she’s into.
With its unique structure of three-episode arcs, Andor offers a gripping take on the Star Wars rebellion, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats. Keep an eye out for the rest of the season to see where Cassian Andor's story takes him next.
Sabina Graves, from io9, inquired about the evolution of the initial plans for Andor* from five seasons to three-episode movie arcs, asking Tony Gilroy about the amount of backstory provided and developed as they progressed.
Tony Gilroy revealed his initial concern about providing excessive expository information and having to create a detailed bible, but he found that the conversations with the team allowed him to avoid heavy lifting he thought would be required.
Genevieve O'Reilly, speaking to io9, discussed how the first three episodes, set over three days, allowed for a liberating approach to finding Mon Mothma in her formative years, with the audience understanding her history implicitly through subtle cues.
Io9 also questioned Tony Gilroy about the intercutting of dancing and drinking scenes with the ongoing events, expressing his satisfaction with the ending of episode three, as the audience becomes invested in Mon Mothma's situation, being the only ones in the room privy to her true circumstances.
With its innovative structure of three-episode arcs, Andor presents a compelling portrayal of the early days of the Star Wars rebellion, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats as they await the rest of the season.
