Tony Gilroy and Genevieve O'Reilly Discuss Mon Mothma's Significant Dance Scene in Andor
Rewritten Article:
Andor season two's first three action-packed episodes are now live on Disney+, plunging viewers back into the heart of the early Star Wars rebellion. During a chat with showrunner Tony Gilroy and star Genevieve O'Reilly, they broke down the climactic moments of the third episode.
In an interview with io9, Gilroy discussed the origin of the three-episode "movie" arcs and the evolution of the initial five-season plan. He admitted initially being skeptical about the format, fearing excessive exposition and long winded explanations. However, as they explored this structure, he realized that the need for such elaborate backstories was minimal.
Sabina Graves, io9: In the beginning, it was planned for Andor to span five seasons, with each season covering a year. But that morphed into these three-episode "movie" arcs. How much of the backstory was developed as you went along?
Tony Gilroy: Originally, I thought there'd be loads of exposition needed to catch up if we took a break. I wanted to avoid that, and if you'd asked me at the start, I would have thought I'd have to write a massive bible outlining every tiny detail. But as we progressed, I found there were very few questions about what happened between episodes. It seemed like the pickups and the beginnings of each episode were readily available, so I didn't have to go back and do all the heavy lifting I initially thought I'd need to do.
io9: Genevieve, the freedom to have those broad strokes allowed for a rich character development for Mon Mothma in these formative years of the rebellion. The emotional release depicted in episode three was particularly powerful. Can you tell us more about how that scene came to be?
Genevieve O'Reilly: Yes, these first three episodes cover a three-day period in Mon Mothma's ancestral home, steeped in her history and family culture. There's very little exposition, just an understanding of the practices and rituals. As we move through these three days, with the wedding and the family complications, we can feel the weight of the implications as the story progresses. Luthen's arrival brings a clear-eyed perspective, challenging Mon to face the reality of rebellion.
He calls her out on her romanticism and encourages her to confront the harsh truths, culminating in that emotional release you saw on the dance floor. It's a woman wrestling with her own internal chaos amidst the celebration and partying.
io9: It's a stunning scene, combining the dancing, the drinking, and the tension in a powerful way. Tony, what was your vision for intercutting these elements to create that sense of intensity?
Gilroy: I've always enjoyed building crescendos in our projects, and we accomplished that skillfully in season one with the funeral. This scene offered a unique challenge, involving a piece of electronic dance music, which is different from our usual score. I was able to juxtapose Cassian's predicament with Mon Mothma's blood-soaked reality, while also showcasing Eedy's arrival for lunch.
I'm really satisfied with the ending of episode three. But one more thing about Mon on the dance floor: it doesn't just create tension and suspense. It also binds the audience more closely to her character because only she and the viewer know the truth of her predicament amidst the festivities.
Catch Andor on Disney+ now. Stay tuned for the latest updates on Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek, the evolving DC Universe, and everything happening in the world of Doctor Who.
- In the midst of discussing the evolution of the initial five-season plan for 'Andor', Tony Gilroy mentioned that he was initially skeptical about the format, fearing excessive exposition and long winded explanations, as reported by Gizmodo.
- Io9 highlighted the rich character development for Mon Mothma in these formative years of the rebellion, thanks to the broad strokes and minimal backstory, a decision inspired by technology and the three-episode "movie" arcs of the show.
- In an interview with io9, Genevieve O'Reilly explained that the emotional release depicted in episode three of 'Andor' was set in Mon Mothma's ancestral home, a three-day period steeped in her history and family culture, showcasing the struggle between celebration and the harsh realities of rebellion, akin to a cinematic blend of entertainment and movies-and-tv.
