Movies - TV
Tony Gilroy Broke The Rules Of TV Writing To Bring Andor Into A New Frontier
By DEBOPRIYAA DUTTA
Creator Tony Gilroy refreshingly defied the conventions of TV writing with “Andor.” While the criticism of the first three episodes being too sprawling to stand on their own was a burden Gilroy had to contend with while bringing the episodes in, the overarching narrative impact of “Andor” proves that his structurally subversive approach to the early episodes was effective.
The initial slow-burn trio of episodes steadily worked on meaningful world-building and provided Cassian with a contextualized, comprehensive backstory. Although “Andor” picks up momentum around its 5th episode and displays its true potential with each successive entry, the initial episodes are crucial as they enrich viewers’ overall understanding of what drives Cassian.
The shift in Cassian from being a guy who quietly makes swipes at the Empire for survival to a dedicated rebel with an unflinching commitment to the cause is gradual, and the seeds of this transformation are sewn in the first three episodes. This required Gilroy to break traditional TV writing rules by crafting dramatic events without closure, which ultimately paid off.