The 96% RT Sci-Fi Show George RR Martin Declared Was ‘Doing Science Fiction Right’

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It’s been a year since the series concluded its groundbreaking second season. The show stands out for many reasons – its target audience, its huge production costs, and the way it reignited excitement for Star Wars. Even acclaimed author George R.R. Martin praised it, calling it a perfect example of science fiction.

After seven years, The Mandalorian and Grogu brought Star Wars back to the big screen, and that’s led many fans to revisit Andor. Unlike most Star Wars projects released since Disney acquired Lucasfilm, Andor stood out with its realistic and mature storytelling. Even author George R.R. Martin considers it the best Star Wars series from this period.

What George R.R. Martin Had to Say About Andor, and What He Meant

Although The Mandalorian started the trend of Star Wars shows, Andor initially left many viewers wondering what the point was. It wasn’t obvious why this character from Rogue One needed his own series. However, by the end of its first season, it became clear why Lucasfilm decided to create it.

This is easily the strongest of the Star Wars spin-off shows. It looked fantastic, Diego Luna gave an excellent performance, and the story felt genuinely realistic and suspenseful – something the other spin-offs often missed. It’s refreshing to see well-made science fiction.

The show moved away from the usual fantastical elements and action of Star Wars to focus on the grim realities of life under the Empire’s rule. Characters like Mon Mothma and Saw Gerrera helped paint a stark and honest picture of the Empire’s oppressive control.

As a huge movie fan, one of the things I really love about sci-fi is how it can cleverly reflect what’s happening in the world today. Take Andor, for example – it tackles issues like limiting protests and the treatment of immigrants, and honestly, it feels a bit too close to home. It’s not just entertainment; it feels important, and that’s something I hadn’t quite gotten from Star Wars before. It really made me think, and that’s a powerful thing for a show to do.

This series finally shows what the prequel trilogy was really about. While people were focused on characters like Jar Jar Binks or Anakin Skywalker’s behavior, the prequels actually told a story about how a democracy can turn into a dictatorship. It wasn’t until events in the real world mirrored the films that many fans began to understand that deeper message.

By the time Andor aired, George Lucas’s earlier concerns were already being ignored. However, the show delivered on his message, acting as a story about how to inspire people to overcome apathy or fear and take action for their freedom.

Andor Is Science Fiction Done Right, Because It’s the First Star Wars for Adults

Most Star Wars movies and shows are made for children. Some fans feel Andor is superior because it’s the first Star Wars story geared towards adults. These viewers likely hoped the franchise would mature alongside them, and were let down when newer films and series focused on younger audiences.

Unlike some other shows, Andor handled complex, grown-up themes while remaining firmly rooted in the Star Wars galaxy. It also focused on the human side of the story, featuring fewer alien characters and highlighting the journeys of Cassian Andor, Mon Mothma, and the beginnings of the Rebellion.

One of the main things that made Andor stand out was its avoidance of the traditional “good versus evil” theme. Star Wars often relies on the Light Side and Dark Side to make characters’ motivations clear, especially for younger audiences. However, the characters in Andor aren’t concerned with those concepts – or if they are, they don’t have a clear sense of where they fit into that framework.

The show featured complex characters, especially Luthen Rael, a Rebel spy who wasn’t simply good or evil. This moral complexity gave the series a more sophisticated feel.

However, Andor doesn’t explore issues or themes that are completely new to Star Wars. In many ways, its episodes offer a different perspective on stories also found in the animated series Star Wars: Rebels, which is beloved by fans of all ages. Just because those other series are aimed at a broader audience doesn’t mean they’re lacking in substance or importance.

While shows designed for adults can connect with viewers, capturing the excitement, wonder, and adventurous spirit of Star Wars in a show or film can be surprisingly difficult.

Andor Remains a Standout Piece of the Larger Star Wars Saga, and That’s Why It’s Special

Although Andor is unique in many ways, it’s still connected to the broader Star Wars universe, especially stories that share direct connections. For instance, the relationship between Cassian and Mon Mothma is deepened by the events of the Ghorman Massacre storyline.

After the Senator publicly condemns the Empire’s horrific actions against the Ghorman people, he helps her flee. The Empire is relentlessly pursuing her, and this experience ultimately inspires her to lead the growing rebellion against them.

I’m so excited for Martin’s new show coming later in 2025 – everyone’s saying it’s going to be a standout! And after Andor, I totally agree that Star Wars can be really mature and meaningful for adults, not just kids. It’s great that this new show will have 24 episodes, giving it more time to really develop its story compared to shows like The Mandalorian.

Despite its short run of only two seasons, Andor feels like a unique and valuable offering from Lucasfilm, especially for longtime Star Wars fans. The show demonstrates that mature storytelling in this galaxy isn’t about graphic violence, but about thoughtfully exploring themes of oppression, freedom, and the sacrifices made to protect those beliefs.

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2026-06-01 18:01