Thinking about the decline of modern Star Wars

Star Wars has been going through some changes lately, and it seems like many millennials who grew up with the franchise aren’t connecting with it the same way they used to. Even with all the new content coming out, something feels different.

Recent shows have been a bit of a mixed bag. “The Book of Boba Fett” and “Obi-Wan Kenobi,” while entertaining, didn’t quite deliver the depth of character development some fans were hoping for. The stories were fine, but they played it pretty safe.

Then there’s “Andor,” which has been a pleasant surprise. As FilmObsessed points out in his review (see youtube link), it’s probably the strongest Star Wars show we’ve had since The Clone Wars. The writing takes its time to develop the story and characters, and it works well.

What makes “Andor” stand out is its straightforward approach. Instead of trying to pack every episode with action sequences, it focuses on telling a solid story. The characters feel more grounded, and their motivations make sense within the context of the show.

It’s also nice to see a Star Wars show that skews a bit more mature. While still accessible, it tackles its themes with a bit more complexity than we’ve seen in other recent Star Wars content.

Overall, while Star Wars might be in a transition period, “Andor” shows that good storytelling still has a place in the franchise. It’s a reminder that sometimes keeping things simple and focused can work better than trying to please everyone.

I might actually resubscribe to Disney+ when Season 2 comes out. The new series like Acolyte have really turned off the fan base (and myself – basically unsubscribed when it came out), but Andor’s second season seems worth checking out. It may their last chance to redeem themselves.