Mon Mothma's significant dance sequence in Andor, explained by Tony Gilroy and Genevieve O'Reilly, highlighting the character's crucial role.
Dive headfirst into the thrilling first three episodes of Andor's second season, now gracing our screens on Disney+. This high-octane return to the early days of the Star Wars rebellion promises a jam-packed plunge back into the uprising's tumultuous beginnings.
In an exclusive chat with io9, showrunner Tony Gilroy and lead actress Genevieve O'Reilly, who portrays Mon Mothma, delved deep into the climactic moments of the third episode. Gilroy also discussed the inspiration behind the three-episode mini-arcs that structure this season.
Sabina Graves, io9: Originally, the plan was for Andor to consist of five seasons, with each season representing a year. However, that evolved into these three-episode "movie" arcs. How much of the backstory was provided and developed as you went along?
Tony Gilroy: Frankly, I initially wondered if this concept would work or if it would be filled with excessive exposition. I didn't want everything to feel like a disjointed narrative where characters are constantly reminding each other of past events. But as we began experimenting with the structure, we realized there was little need for extensive exposition in most cases. Those baseline scenes, clarifying characters' positions and conversations before the episodes, seemed to naturally develop without requiring a huge effort.
io9: Genevieve, having played Mon Mothma since the prequels, was it liberating to have this negative space to explore Mon in these critical years of the rebellion? I found her explosion of emotions in episode three particularly captivating. Can you walk me through the thought process behind crafting this moment for her character?
Genevieve O'Reilly: Absolutely! The first three episodes span a mere three days, set within Mon's ancestral home and family culture. This intense environment lends itself to a richer understanding of Mon's history and her rigid familial dynamics. As we reach the climax of these three days, Mon's internal turmoil becomes palpable as she wrestles with her own conflicts, her connections to her family, and her growing involvement in the rebellion.
Luthen's arrival acts as a catalyst, forcing Mon to confront the reality of the rebellion and its consequences, including the tendency for idealists to lose sight of the bigger picture and engage in dangerous alliances. Luthen's brutal honesty resonates with Mon, compelling her to reevaluate her romanticized views of resistance and agree to accept the physical and emotional weight that rebellion demands. This catharsis, expertly choreographed with dancing and revelry, serves to both bond the audience with Mon and illustrate the chaos lurking beneath the surface of the celebration.
io9: Gilroy, the interplay between the celebration and the sobering moments provides a unique tension that feels both beautiful and unsettling. What was your vision for using electronic dance music to build this crescendo, and how does it serve to tie the audience to the characters?
Gilroy: My brother, who is a master builder of post-production, and I have learned how to construct dramatic escalations through our previous work. Here, we were aiming to create a complex crescendo by juxtaposing the various storylines and characters at their crossroads.
Furthermore, using electronic dance music for this sequence adds a unique layer to the narrative, as it allows us to juxtapose the liberating actions of Cassian and Mon with the ominous undertones hinting at the challenges that await them. In addition, the dance scene serves to bind the audience to the characters, as the audience becomes privy to Mon's internal struggle, while everyone else around her is partying and celebrating.
Andor is now streaming on Disney+.
For more io9 updates, stay tuned for the latest on Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek, DC Universe, and all things Doctor Who.
- Showrunner Tony Gilroy, in an exclusive interview with io9, admitted that he initially had doubts about the concept of three-episode mini-arcs for Andor, fearing excessive exposition.
- Genevieve O'Reilly, who plays Mon Mothma in Andor, discussed her experience delving into the character in the early days of the Star Wars rebellion, finding it liberating to explore Mon's emotional turmoil during this critical period.
- In episode three, Mon's emotional catharsis is expertly choreographed with dance and revelry, serving to bond the audience with her character and illustrate the darkness hidden beneath the celebration's surface.
- Gilroy and his brother used electronic dance music in the crescendo sequence to create a complex escalation by juxtaposing various storylines and characters at their crossroads.
- Apart from Andor, io9 covers the latest news on Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek, DC Universe, and Doctor Who, among other televisions shows and movies.
- Andor's second season is currently streaming on Disney+ for viewers to enjoy.
