proved to be one of Star Wars' best TV shows, and these 10 scenes from season 2 are the standouts even within an overall brilliant season. It's no secret that Star Wars has struggled with reception in recent years, be it movies like Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker or shows like The Acolyte. Although other shows, like Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, were ultimately much better received, there really hasn't been a show as highly praised as Andor since The Mandalorian (and, even then, that's primarily seasons 1 and 2, not season 3).

There are myriad reasons Andor was so much more popular than several Star Wars movies and TV shows released over the last decade. Among those is the ability of the show to chart truly new territory without making audiences feel as though the franchise was being changed or 'ruined'—a sentiment which at times feels valid and at others feels like an easy way to hate on a show or movie. Regardless, .

Andor season 2 began with an action-packed sequence right away, revealing that Cassian Andor had gone undercover within the Imperial ranks. With this ploy, Cassian was able to steal a TIE Avenger, which marked that ship's first on-screen appearance. In addition to how cool it was to see that TIE, this scene was also thrilling to watch and revealed just how far Cassian had come since the beginning of Andor season 1.

This was also a delightful callback to the sequel trilogy, as Finn and Poe Dameron stole a TIE together at the beginning of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Again, many consider the sequels to be among Star Wars' worst movies, so perhaps not everyone was delighted by this connection, but for those who love Finn, Poe, or The Force Awakens, this was a nice 'rhyme' between the two. Particularly .

From the beginning of Andor season 1, Syril Karn was dedicated to hunting down Cassian Andor, whom he knew to be responsible for the death of two officers (shown in the very first episode of Andor). In fact, Syril had even risked his job because he was so driven to bring the truth to light despite his superior officer wanting to cover it up and avoid any further attention. Even as Syril rose through the ranks of the Empire throughout Andor seasons 1 and 2, Cassian remained a focus for Syril.

Yet, in one of the best scenes in Andor season 2, when Syril and Cassian finally came face-to-face, . While this was a major and meaningful moment for Syril, to Cassian, he was just another Imperial, and the awareness that he had meant so little visibly crushed Syril. After seeing the Empire, Syril included, do so much harm, it was so satisfying to see Syril knocked down several pegs.

Bix Caleen's Star Wars story is arguably one of the saddest, as she experienced so much trauma and heartbreak throughout Andor. Although there was plenty added to that painful history in Andor season 2, such as the rape attempt by an Imperial officer, in season 1, Bix had already suffered a massive trauma when she was tortured by the Empire. Towards the end of Andor season 1, it was clear that Bix was going to be traumatized long term because of what happened to her.

Andor season 2 revealed the damage that horrific event caused her in even greater detail, as she was exhibiting signs of PTSD years later. Yet, . In fact, she first got to subject him to the very same torture he'd inflicted upon her. This felt akin to Princess Leia choking Jabba the Hutt to death with her own chains, but this was arguably even more satisfying because her revenge mirrored the exact way she had suffered.

Syril Karn and Dedra Meero are unquestionably villains in Andor, and even with Syril beginning to see the error of his ways before his death in Andor season 2, neither one really deserves any sympathy. However, one hilarious Andor season 2 scene did show that, underneath it all, they were just as human as anyone else. Specifically, Dedra and Syril go to visit Syril's mother, Eedy, and their awkward family dinner felt incredibly relatable.

For one, this scene essentially showed Dedra with an awful mother-in-law, which is a real-life connection (although it is also a stereotype). Even funnier was Syril being completely depleted by the whole situation, and sprawling out on his bed in utter defeat. This doesn't change how evil and unforgivable these characters are, but it was one of Andor's funniest and best scenes, and it was a welcome moment of levity and relatability in an unexpected place.

In Andor season 2, the relationship between Kleya and Luthen was explored in much more depth, revealing that Kleya had essentially been raised as Luthen's daughter. This was no ordinary father-daughter relationship, though, even by Star Wars' standards, as the pair had evidently been carrying out acts of terrorism against the Empire since Kleya was a child. One scene in particular showed Kleya and Luthen carrying out an attack on Naboo—the planet's first significant on-screen appearance in live-action since the prequel trilogy.

In addition to this being a key scene that showcased the complex dynamic between Kleya and Luthen, . Of course, this was bittersweet. Although Naboo was under attack in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, it had always been represented as beautiful. It was heartbreaking to see it under Imperial control, but this was still one of the most brilliant scenes in Andor season 2.

It's important to note that . In the case of the Ghorman Massacre, this was one of the best scenes in Andor season 2 because it had such a massive impact and was so meaningful in terms of the larger Star Wars story. The Ghorman Massacre was originally a Legends event with the same name, although that version of this massacre was re-canonized instead as the Tarkin Massacre.

Neither the Tarkin nor the Ghorman Massacre had been shown on screen, but that all changed in Andor season 2, which saw the horrific Ghorman Massacre unfold. During this massacre, Imperials slaughtered peaceful protesters, who, before the attack began, had just been singing a song important to their culture. This was arguably even worse than Order 66, which had previously been the most horrifying Star Wars event. Even so, it was an absolutely critical moment in Andor season 2, and it was so important to see it on screen.

While Syril Karn met his end during the Ghorman Massacre, his former romantic partner, Dedra Meero, had an even more satisfying ending to her Andor season 2 story. Although Dedra had been loyal to the Empire throughout Andor seasons 1 and 2—obsessively so—and had been raised by the Empire itself, . This gave Cassian Andor Star Wars' best revenge, as Dedra ended up in a prison just like the one he'd been thrown in during Andor season 1.

It was also simply satisfying to see as a viewer because it meant Dedra coming to terms with the fact that she believed the Empire wouldn't turn against her and harm her the way it harmed the galaxy. In that sense, Dedra became the perfect example of someone partaking in a horrible, violent regime and not realizing it would come for her too in the end, which is something that has an overt real-life message as well. Getting to see Dedra first questioned by Orson Krennic and then thrown in jail really was one of the best scenes in Andor.

Bix and Cassian's baby ended up being a very controversial twist in the Andor season 2 ending for various reasons, including the argument that she was being sidelined as a character. Even with the discourse surrounding the decision to give Bix a baby, though, . For one, just as Andor showrunner Tony Gilroy had explained, this baby perfectly embodied hope for the future.

Even outside the baby, though, this scene was wonderful, as we got to see Bix truly happy, safe, and at peace—something she'd more than earned throughout the two seasons of Andor. There was also a clear visual similarity between this scene and the scene showing Cassian's death in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. This has even led some to believe they were happening simultaneously, which is devastating but beautiful.

Mon Mothma was already a key character in Andor season 1 (and long before it), but . She had a massive hand in the pushback against the Empire, especially when it came to the anti-Imperial movement within the Senate itself. However, Andor season 2 also focused on Mon's personal life, especially in the first three-episode arc of the season. This was specifically done in relation to her daughter, Leida's, wedding.

Mon fought to prevent her 14-year-old daughter from getting married, for obvious reasons, but in the end, Leida was married after all. At the end of Andor season 2, episode 3, Mon is essentially having a breakdown, realizing how much she was sacrificing for this fight against the Empire. Rather than yelling, sobbing, or having some other type of breakdown, though, Mon is shown losing control and dancing. This scene was both beautiful and relatable, making it one of Andor season 2's best.

. Throughout Andor season 2, it was clear that Palpatine had somehow managed to convince the larger galaxy (though of course not everyone) that he wasn't part of the horrors the Empire was carrying out. This was even shown in a conversation with a Ghorman politician, who told Syril he believed Palpatine had no idea what was being done in his name.

In her impassioned speech, Mon Mothma openly broke this illusion, declaring that Palpatine was behind the Ghorman Massacre and was the true evil, or, as she said, "monster." This was a critical moment for the formation of the Rebel Alliance, and it showed how brave Mon really was. Of all the brilliant scenes in season 2, this was easily the very best.