ANDOR's Point of View

Hyperspace Theories

For our third episode of Hyperspace Theories podcast discussing the second season of Andor, Tricia Barr and B.J. Priester examine how the series portrays characterization through the use of point of view in its writing and visual imagery. Although prose fiction Star Wars usually relies upon third-person limited storytelling, only revealing to the reader what the characters themselves know or understand, cinematic Star Wars sometimes gives the impression of a third-person omniscient perspective, with the audience as an external observer watching a "true" version of events unfold. In Andor, however, much of the storytelling follows the limited point of view of the respective characters, and deploys effective camera angles and shot framing to convey their emotions as well as to build dramatic tension for the audience.

We begin by revisiting the Ghorman Massacre from our previous episode, considering the ways its portrays the points of view from Cassian, Syril, and Dedra during those crucial events. When then examine Mon Mothma, whose POV scenes begin with her very first appearance in the second season's opening episode, when the camera follows her through a single extended shot in which she must constantly switch her persona and demeanor as she encounters the next person she greets. Other dynamic uses of point of view in these Andor episodes include Vel's perspective during the Ghorman Front's attack on the Imperial character, scenes with Cassian and Bix and with Luthen and Kleya, and Kleya's dramatic mission into the Imperial hospital on Coruscant.