In Review: Star Wars: Andor (S1 – EP10) One Way Out

Synopsis: In One Way Out, A rare opportunity opens and the time for Cassian and his fellow inmates to act is now. Meanwhile, Mon Mothma has a meeting with regard to her charity work.

The Story

Following on from events seen in last week’s show. Cassian and Kino Loy decide that enough is enough and set plans into motion for a mass escape from Narkina 5. The first part of the plan sees Cassian sabotaging a hydropower relay that allows the Imperial prison staff to electrify the floors.

On Coruscant Mon Mothma has a meeting with a rogue capitalist who has a bit of a reputation. She is seeking funding to fill a black hole in her Charity account, which she has been using to fund her part in the rebellion. The meeting goes wrong when Mothma is unwilling to set up an introduction to her daughter for the guys’ 14-year-old son.

Elsewhere on Coruscant. Luthan has to talk a rebel spy out of dropping out of the rebellion. The spy tells Luthan about Dedra Meero’s investigation into Aldhani and the events that took place before it on Ferix.

The Acting

Andy Serkis puts in a great performance as Kino Loy who is reluctant to go along with Cassian’s plan but does so anyway as he realizes it is their one chance to get out. The scene where Cassian pushes Kino into addressing all the prisoners over the intercom is brilliantly done. Serkis does a brilliant job of conveying Kino’s very real fear about what the alternative is. Diego Luna does a great job of the action stuff and does a great job of portraying the desperation that Cassian is feeling when smashing up the hydropower relay.

The best however is saved for last. Stellan Skarsgård absolutely nails Luthan’s speech at the end of the episode when his Rebel Spy asks Luthen what he has given up for the rebellion. This is a brilliant moment.

Overall

One Way Out is probably one of the best episodes to date. The escape from the prison is full of tension and is a bit of a thrill ride, but I can’t help but feel a bit bad for Kino Loy’s fate. I also liked the fact that Luthan got to say his piece about the sacrifices that he had to make in order to organize the rebellion.