Star Wars, besides coining the term 'droid', has become famous for its robotic lead characters. From the remote controlled dustbin of Artoo, to the prissy golden Oscar of Threepio, the franchise has given us some of the most iconic designs - and performances - by artificial characters in the history of cinema. Recent Disney series such as 'The Mandalorian' and 'Ahsoka' have given us memorable new droids such as the Jedi Knight Trainer, 'Huyang' (voiced by the great David Tennant) who helped every knight with building their personal lightsaber, IG-11, the assassin droid sent to hunt bounty and the cute and personable B2EMO from the latest incarnation of Disney spinoffs, 'Andor'.
Andor is a two season series detailing in minute detail, the events leading up to the cinematic feature film 'Rogue One'. Rogue One takes place just prior to the very first Star Wars film and shows the mission to steal the plans for the superweapon; the Death Star and introduces the eponymous character Cassian Andor. Rogue One was a gritty and action packed film directed by Gareth Edwards, who also brought out 'The Creator' recently. Given that the plot of Rogue One has a quite tragic end, specifically for Andor, Disney commissioned the series of the same name, which developed his backstory and recorded the development of the character prior to the film.
The series has just released the finale, the last episode of a two season, 24 episode run, which dovetails precisely with the opening of the feauture film. It is a rare departure for Star Wars, in that it is a solemn, politically driven plot, heavy with tense human drama and characterisation. Whereas previous series have been airy space operas with lots of flamboyant quipping heroics and extravagant action, Andor is gripping and methodically scripted, with some wonderful performances by the cast.
Besides the lead protagonists, played by Diego Luna and Stellan Starsgard, with support from Genevieve O'Reilly, Andy Serkis and Forrest Whittaker, the show features another standout perfomance, but from an entirely non-human persona. Rogue One introduces Andor's sidekick and pilot - a re-programmed Imperial Enforcer Droid, designated K-2SO or 'K' for short. The later episodes of the second season show how K-2SO comes to be working with Andor and again, fleshes out - or builds out - the background of the droid.
The eight foot high, skeletal form of the Enforcer droid is mechanically and digitally realised and is voiced by Alan Tudyk , who also voiced the artificial being in 'I, Robot'. Tudyk is best know for his comedic performances and his interpretation of K2SO, is naturally drily funny and sarcastic. However in Andor, we see a different side to the droid, as originally being part of imperial military forces, it is seen in action. Without giving any spoilers, the Enforcer droid is initially seen as part of a group of droids, deployed as crowd control, Watching the towering, menacing form striding along and picking up people like rag dolls and tossing them aside, is truly frightening. Not unlike Gigers Alien, with its faceless menace, K2SOs visage lacks expression, aside from the unblinking, staring white photoreceptors, which give it a predatory, carious air. The finale depicts K cutting a swathe through an imperial strike team, using the body of a trooper as a shield and is reminiscent of the 1880 Punch cartoon image of a stylised Jack the Ripper.
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