Editor’s note: The below contains spoilers for the first three episodes of Andor Season 2.
Andor’s first season introduces two Imperial characters who share duties as the series' — and, accordingly, smuggler-turned-revolutionary-leaderCassian Andor’s (Diego Luna) — primary antagonists. One, former Deputy Inspector Syril Karn (Kyle Soller), nurses a single-minded grudge and delusions of grandeur like no other. The second, Supervisor Dedra Meero (Denise Gough), boasts the flintiest clenched jaw in the galaxy and the Imperial Security Bureau’s whip-sharpest mind. Both relentlessly grasp for power and advancement while devoting their every breath to the preservation ofthe tyrannical Empirethey eagerly serve. When these oppositional personalities first meet during Dedra’s sanctioned investigation into the wider rebel threat,it’s hardly utopic love at first sight— although Syril, captivated by Dedra’s methodical methods, might disagree. Lieutenant Meero, meanwhile, contemptuous and career-driven, has zero time for Syril making himself a persistent nuisance.
It’s only once Syril saves Dedra from being trampled to death during the Ferrix riots that Dedra takespositive notice of her semi-stalker. Cue them sharing a charged moment of silent eye contact and labored breathing following said rescue, complete with the impeccable touch of Dedra holding a weapon to Syril’s throat. This decided shift left fans wondering whether the duo owe their uncomfortable yet oddly appealing tension to an adrenaline rush — or did some quasi-romantic energy color their once unquantifiable acquaintance? After Season 2’s first three episodes, the unquantifiable is now definitively romantic. Although Dedra and Syril’s evolution into cushy domesticity occurs off-screen,they’re every bit as chillingly well-matched as Season 1 foreshadows. Yet their power couple status extends beyond anyfuture villainous deeds— they wield the considerable ability to both repulse viewers and endear themselves to us. Syril and Dedra mark a first in Star Wars history:two weird, nasty, and fascinating Imperialsstumbling into tender and committed affection.
Dedra and Syril’s Stories Parallel Each Other in ‘Andor’ Season 1
Dedra and Syril’s Season 1 arcs sneakily mirror each other’s inexorable fall from grace.Syril has pursued Cassiansince the latter murdered two Imperial officers in the freshman season’s opening episode. Overeager and the Empire’s version of idealistic, Syril disobeys orders by continuing to investigate Cassian’s case. Although he’s more pathetic than nefarious,Syril daydreams about having a higher calling; until then, this is the same man who adds refined flourishes to his dull, mandated uniform. Once Cassian evades Syril’s trap on Ferrix, the Deputy Inspector is summarily humiliated and fired.
Dedra’s male colleagues also underestimate and undercut her potential, but in thenightmarish ways only bureaucracycan breed. She’s insightful enough to decipher the existence of a coordinated resistance effort — a proposal that nearly all her fellow ISB agents dismiss. Fervent Imperial she might be, butshe’s an underdog figuresurrounded by arrogant men accustomed to their power.Andorshares precious little about Dedra’s personal life, but hers feels like a lonely existence. Yetwhere Syril falls, Dedra rises, her tenacity rewarded by Major Partagaz (Anton Lesser).
Dedra and Syril’s Romance in ‘Andor’ Season 2 Is a Natural Evolution
Once they share theirunconventional meet-cute,Dedra symbolizes Syril’s first glimmer of hope aftermoving back into his oppressive childhood home. That fixation might stem more from Dedra’s proximity to power than the icy blonde herself. Either way, Dedra — having affirmed his convictions about the legitimate threat Cassian poses — is the only chance Syril has to reclaim his status. Inconveniently, Dedra only views Syril as a depleted asset within the boundaries of her assignment. She rejects his proposed partnership, essentially leaving his spam texts on read.
‘Andor’ Season 2’s First Big Tragedy Is a Reminder That No One Is Safe
With Cassian off-planet, things take a dangerous turn for his allies.
Soon after,Dedra’s own Ferrix debacle saddles both characters with Cassian Andor-related career disgrace. The season leaves them with their worlds upended and their demeanors reversed: Syril assured and reassuring, Dedra shaken. They seem toreach a tentative accord, but if questions swirl around Syril’s perspective, then Dedra’s nebulous viewpoint encourages even more curiosity. She might acknowledge Syril as a more profitable resource than she realized, or reassess him as a potential boytoy, or both — assuming Dedra Meero even does romance.
Andor’s three-episode premiere hands us at least one gift-wrapped answer: yes, a woman as rigidly steely as Dedra does, indeed, do romance. It’s not a surprise outcome, but for viewers like yours truly who have beenmanning the Dedra-and-Syril front linesfor two years, it’s a welcome one. Right now,they align as virtually the same person in different fonts. Both characters are astronomically ambitious, impossibly stubborn, terrifyingly insightful, and a little awkward. Stern summarizes Dedra’s default operating mode, while Syril trends sweeter (a refreshing flip on gender stereotypes). Make them a united front, and they could easily rise above their stations and posea ghastly force of revenge, oppression, and violent obsession with whichAndor’s heroes must contend.
‘Andor’ Season 2 Might Test Dedra and Syril’s Commitment To Each Other
Audiences, meanwhile, can revel asAndoronce again explores newStar Warsterritory: an Imperial dynamic not based on cutthroat ambition aimed at a close associate, buta relationship of alignment, intimacy, and protection. Syril strolling into their “home” while Dedra has both her guard and her hair down from the latter’s customary severe up-do speaks to a trust and comfort that the Dedra of Season 1 wouldn’t be caught dead displaying. It’s not complete vulnerability, but it is a relaxing glimpse into who she is outside her life-defining work, and a glimpse Syril is regularly afforded. Dedradefending Syril from his toxic mother, Eedy (Kathryn Hunter), is a full-chested testament to how much their rapport has evolved.
Yes, Dedra is asserting control over her dominion, which now includes Syril. Nevertheless, laying down the law with Eedy like she’s conducting a formal interrogation, is a loyal soldier — one raised by the Empire, no less — doing what she does best: sniffing out a threat, assessing its weaknesses, and ruthlessly eliminating every trace of its influence. This time, those skills are solely for her boyfriend’s emotional benefit. Not to mention, there’s the humanizing normalcy of acouple dreading their meet-the-parent introduction dinner(even if we predicted their romance, who knew these two would open Season 2 as that serious!). Star Wars thrives upon the banality of evil, butwe’ve never witnessed Imperial officers combating such everyday banality.
UntilAndortakes its final bow,where Syril and Dedra’s cultivated domesticity progresses from here remains a mystery. Given Syril’s failson streak and Dedra’s sentiment-less sadism, it may be a matter of time before their individual toxicity redirects from their enemies to one another. Dedra’s devotion to the Empire could trigger a break-up, or they might sneer at such obstacles and servevillainous power couple goals until the end. If fiction didn’t provide a safe barrier between itself and ethical values, then you wouldn’t find us defending two weirdos in love. Dedra and Syril truly are the worst among an Empire of worsts — but maybe “the worst” is just the detestably adorable romance we found along the way.
New episodes ofAndorSeason 2 premiere on Tuesdays on Disney+.
Prequel series to Star Wars’ ‘Rogue One’. In an era filled with danger, deception and intrigue, Cassian will embark on the path that is destined to turn him into a Rebel hero.
