Jedha, Kyber, Erso
"Jedha, Kyber, Erso" | |
---|---|
Andor episode | |
Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) makes eye contact with the Yavin Force healer (Josie Walker) on his way to the Ring of Kafrene, directly leading to the events of Rogue One. | |
Episode no. | Season 2 Episode 12 |
Directed by | Alonso Ruizpalacios |
Written by | Tom Bissell |
Featured music | Brandon Roberts |
Cinematography by | Damián García |
Editing by | Matthew Cannings |
Original release date | May 13, 2025 |
Running time | 46 minutes |
Guest appearances | |
| |
"Jedha, Kyber, Erso" is the series finale of the American science fiction political spy thriller drama television series Andor. It is the twelfth episode of the second season and the twenty-fourth episode of the series overall; it was written by Tom Bissell and directed by Alonso Ruizpalacios.
"Jedha, Kyber, Erso" was released on Disney+ on May 13, 2025 as part of a three-episode block also including "Make It Stop" and "Who Else Knows?", and received universal acclaim from critics and audiences alike.
Plot
After locating the source of Kleya's transmission[a], Heert and his team approach the safehouse, where Cassian and Melshi convince Kleya to return to Yavin with them and convey Luthen's information about the Death Star[b] to the Alliance council. On their way out, they are intercepted by Heert's team, and a shootout ensues. K-2SO soon arrives and dispatches the troops, killing Heert by using him as a human shield; however, Kleya is seriously wounded. The four return to the U-wing and begin the journey back to Yavin.
On Yavin, Mon, Bail and Draven argue with Saw Gerrera over the latter's attacking kyber shipments on Jedha[c]. Saw denies he is even on Jedha to begin with, which Mon and Draven both dispute. After Saw angrily ends their call, the group is informed that Cassian's U-wing has returned to the base. Bail is upset at Cassian's leaving the base without authorisation[d]; Draven and Admiral Raddus arrange for a hostile interception of the returning ship, and Cassian is brought before the Alliance council to explain himself.
Cassian informs the council of Luthen's death[e], and relays what Kleya has told him. The information is met with skepticism from the council, primarily due to their strained relationship with its source, Luthen. Cassian angrily defends Luthen, saying that the council has given "a fraction of his sacrifice" to the Rebellion. Bail dismisses and grounds Cassian, who receives permission from Mon to visit Kleya in the infirmary. Cassian tells Kleya that the council was skeptical, but assures her that he is doing everything he can.
Mon, remaining faithful in Cassian and Luthen, visits Vel and asks her to confirm Cassian's story. Cassian informs Wilmon that Luthen is dead and returns home, where he is visited by Vel. The two toast their fallen comrades and victims of the Empire. Vel tells Cassian that she was sent to authenticate his story, and Cassian convinces her it is true. As she leaves, she suggests that Cassian reconnect with Bix.
On Coruscant, Partagaz listens to Nemik's manifesto[f], and Lagret informs him that he is to be arrested for his failure to apprehend Kleya. He asks that Lagret leave the room and allow him to "collect his thoughts", and kills himself moments later.
Kleya leaves the infirmary and wanders out into the Yavin jungle in the rain. She is spotted by Vel, who brings her home. They discuss Luthen, and Kleya laments her position as an outsider in Yavin. Vel responds by quoting the rebel code phrase "I have friends everywhere", telling Kleya that she is safe among friends.
Draven is informed that Tivik[g], Cassian's contact with Saw Gerrera, has sent several urgent messages from Kafrene, and is only willing to speak to Cassian. He brings K-2SO and Melshi home and gives Cassian orders to meet Tivik on Kafrene.
Mon and Draven, both convinced of the need to act on Cassian's story, demand that Bail hear them out. K-2SO wakes Cassian from a dream of his sister, telling him that Bail is there to speak to him. Bail authorises Cassian to proceed to Kafrene; when asked what changed his mind, Bail tells Cassian "if I die fighting the Empire, I want to go down swinging".
Cassian makes his way to his ship. Along the way, he passes by the Force healer[h], and they share a somber look. Cassian and K-2SO depart the base to the Ring of Kafrene[i].
Dedra is seen in a prison resembling the Narkina 5 facility in season 1[j]. Kleya observes the day-to-day work on Yavin. Mon and Vel have breakfast together with fellow rebels in the base. On Jedha, Saw Gerrera watches an Imperial Star Destroyer hovering above Jedha City. Krennic looks out on the Death Star, which is in its final stages of construction. On Mina-Rau, Bix is seen cradling a baby, implied to be Cassian's child.
Production
Writing
The episode was written by Tom Bissell, in his third writing credit for the show, and directed by Alonso Ruizpalacios, after directing the previous two episodes of the series.[1][2][3] The episodes of Andor's second season, like those of its first, are split up into blocks, or story arcs, of three episodes; however, unlike in season one, each arc begins with a time skip of one year from the previous episode.[4] Series showrunner Tony Gilroy decided to structure the season this way after concluding that the original five-season plan for the show was unfeasible, and needing some way to bridge the four years between season 1 and Rogue One (2016) in a single season. As proof of concept, he wrote the first and last episodes of each would-be arc, and eventually decided on this structure for the season.[5] The final three episodes of the season cover the three days prior to the start of Rogue One, with Gilroy saying "it'll be, like, four or five days, and then we'll jump a year, and then there'll be another four or five days, and then we jump a year", with the final scene of Cassian heading to the Ring of Kafrene leading into Rogue One.[6] Of Cassian's dream of his sister right before being dispatched to meet Tivik, Bissell stated that it was not written in any script, instead being added in the edit by editor and executive producer John Gilroy and his team.[7]
Casting
By March 2023, Benjamin Bratt had been cast for the episode in an undisclosed role, later revealed to be Bail Organa, replacing Jimmy Smits in the role.[8][9] In "Jedha, Kyber, Erso", marking his last appearance on Andor, Ben Mendelsohn reprises his role as Orson Krennic from previous Star Wars media, including Rogue One, in which he served as the main antagonist.[10]
Music
The original score for "Jedha, Kyber, Erso", as with nine other episodes of the season's twelve[k], was composed by Brandon Roberts, replacing Nicholas Britell, the composer for the show's first season, due to scheduling conflicts.[11] Like the season premiere "One Year Later", this episode reuses the opening title theme for the series premiere "Kassa", composed by Britell.
The soundtrack for the episode was released alongside that of the other two episodes in its block on May 16, 2025 via Walt Disney Records as part of the last of four volumes of the second season's original score.[12]
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Safe House Showdown" | 1:58 |
2. | "Hard Right Coming" | 0:49 |
3. | "Escort to Yavin" | 2:37 |
4. | "He Made It Worth It" | 0:55 |
5. | "Past/Present/Future" | 5:57 |
6. | "The Throne Room and End Title" | 1:42 |
Total length: | 13:58 |
Release
"Jedha, Kyber, Erso" was released on Disney+ on May 13, 2025 as part of a three-episode block, alongside "Make It Stop" and "Who Else Knows?".[13]
Reception
Critical response
The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reports a 100% approval rating, based on 8 reviews.[14]
William Hughes of The A.V. Club gave a positive review, writing "It is, on the whole, a fine finale, a satisfying conclusion to the story that Tony Gilroy and his comrades have been telling with the second season of this show."[13]
Notes
- ^ As depicted in "Who Else Knows?"
- ^ Luthen receives this information from Lonni Jung in "Make It Stop"
- ^ This is further expanded upon in Rogue One
- ^ As depicted in "Who Else Knows?"
- ^ As depicted in "Make It Stop"
- ^ First heard in "Rix Road"
- ^ Portrayed by Daniel Mays in Rogue One
- ^ Last seen in "Messenger"
- ^ This leads directly into the events of Rogue One
- ^ Depicted in the episodes "Narkina 5", "Nobody's Listening!" and "One Way Out"
- ^ All episodes of season 2 but "Ever Been to Ghorman?" and "I Have Friends Everywhere" credit Roberts as the main composer
References
- ^ Lovitt, Maggie (April 8, 2023). "Tony Gilroy on the Race to Finish His Final 'Andor' Season 2 Script". Collider. Archived from the original on April 8, 2023. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
- ^ "Andor (2021–2024)". Writers Guild of America West. Archived from the original on June 9, 2024. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
- ^ Lovitt, Maggie (November 3, 2022). "'Andor's Season 2 Directors Revealed by Series Creator Tony Gilroy [Exclusive]". Collider. Archived from the original on November 14, 2022. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
- ^ Travis, Ben (May 4, 2023). "Andor Season 2's Final Three Episodes Cover The Three Days Before Rogue One – Exclusive". Empire. Archived from the original on May 6, 2023. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
- ^ Hadadi, Roxana (May 16, 2025). ""Before Anyone Else Defines It, I'm Going to Define It": Tony Gilroy on 'Andor', 'Rogue One', the Star Wars Universe". Vulture. Vox Media, LLC. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
- ^ Travis, Ben (May 4, 2023). "Andor Season 2's Final Three Episodes Cover The Three Days Before Rogue One – Exclusive". Empire. Archived from the original on May 6, 2023. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
- ^ "Andor S2 Q&A - Tom Bissell - Episodes 10-12" (video). YouTube. Backstory Magazine. May 14, 2025. Event occurs at 52:52. Retrieved July 7, 2025.
- ^ "Los actores y técnicos de 'Andor' ya están en Valencia a la espera de Diego Luna". March 17, 2023. Archived from the original on March 17, 2023. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
- ^ "THE STAR WARS FILM CREW VISITS EL MERCADO DE LA IMPRENTA". HOSTELERIA EN VALENCIA. March 18, 2023. Archived from the original on March 22, 2023. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
- ^ Perez, Rodrigo (June 24, 2024). "'Andor': Ben Mendehlson Will Reprise His Orson Krennic Role In Season Two [Exclusive]". The Playlist. Archived from the original on June 25, 2024. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
- ^ "Brandon Roberts Scoring Disney+'s 'Andor' Season 2". Film Music Reporter. April 11, 2025. Archived from the original on April 16, 2025. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
- ^ "'Andor' Season 2 – Vol. 4 (Episodes 10-12) Soundtrack Album Details". Film Music Reporter. May 15, 2025. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
- ^ a b Hughes, William (May 15, 2025). "'Star Wars' best TV show ends on a surprisingly sweet note". The A.V. Club. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
- ^ "Jedha, Kyber, Erso". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
External links
- "Jedha, Kyber, Erso" at IMDb
- "Jedha, Kyber, Erso" at StarWars.com
- "Jedha, Kyber, Erso" on Wookieepedia, a Star Wars wiki