Just when you think Andor couldn’t get any bleaker, along comes episode 9, “Nobody’s Listening.” We get another glimpse into how low the Empire will sink when it comes to treating (and torturing) prisoners. We also get another round of Syril Karn being creepy toward Dedra Meero—because it’s clear the writers aren’t quite sure what to do with his character at this point in the story.
Interrogation
Before the interrogation begins, Dedra Meero (Denise Gough) warns Bix Caleen (Adria Arjona) not to bore her. She explains that two years ago, Bix’s friend Salman Paak was approached by an unnamed woman at a separatist meeting in Jondora. She asked him to act as a “liaison” for Ferrix. The radio Bix used to contact Luthen was sent to Salman, who was paid to keep it active. He only met with “The Buyer”—Luthen—once, before passing him off to Bix.
When Bix refuses to reveal Luthen’s identity or the last time she spoke to Cassian, Dr. Gorst (Joshua James) steps in. He places a device on Bix’s head that plays the recorded screams of the Dizonites — a species slaughtered by the Empire for resisting its expansion. But it’s the cries of the children that prove most effective. We never hear the sound. The camera just closes in on Bix’s terror, and the next time we see her, she looks broken.
Afterward, Dedra orders Bix to remain in ISB custody, since she’s the only one who can identify Axis/Luthen. A high-ranking Imperial recommends hanging Salman Paak to send a warning to Ferrix, which Dedra approves.
A Warning from Across the Bridge
Back on Narkina 5, Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) and some of his fellow inmates are plotting an escape. Cassian files at a water pipe during his toilet breaks. He and another prisoner notice the floor’s elevator isn’t electrified when a new inmate is brought in. They plan to strike during the next transfer.
There’s only one big obstacle in their way: Kino Loy (Andy Serkis), the floor manager. With just 217 shifts left on his sentence, he’s getting suspicious and he won’t let anyone jeopardize his release. Meanwhile, Ulaf (Christopher Fairbank) is in rapid decline—too weak to work and showing signs of senility. The others start covering for him.
After their shift, the prisoners wait unusually long in the bridge transfer area. Taga (Tom Reed) panics, using sign language to communicate with prisoners across the bridge. He can’t make out all the details, but something is wrong on Level 2. Suddenly, the power cuts out, then comes back on. Sirens blare. Everyone is ordered to clear the area.
No Way Out
That evening, Cassian urges Kino to share how many guards are on each level. Kino refuses. Cassian insists the guards don’t care — the inmates are just disposable labor. Kino shuts him down, afraid they’re being monitored. Cassian screams, “Nobody’s listening,” louder each time. And he’s right — no guards come. No one stops him.
Rumors spread that a riot led to Level 2 being “fried,” killing over a hundred prisoners. Panic sets in. Kino tries to keep order, but even he’s shaken by the rumors.
Everything reaches the breaking point when Ulaf suffers a massive stroke. Cassian and Kino stay with him in a tunnel, waiting for Dr. Rhasiv (Adrian Rawlins), who’s also a prisoner. Kino begs him to help, but the doctor euthanizes Ulaf instead. Horrified, they ask what happened on Level 2. The doctor reveals that a prisoner who completed his sentence was accidentally reassigned to Level 2. To cover up the mistake, the guards killed everyone.
Kino finally realizes Cassian was right. No one is leaving Narkina. The only way out is to riot.
“How many guards on each level?” Cassian asks, once they’re alone.
“Never more than 12,” Kino replies.
Getting Closer
On Coruscant, Eedy Karn berates her son Syril for coming home late and skipping dinner. When Syril accuses her of snooping through his things, she launches into a long monologue about how neglected she feels — all while he slurps his cereal. She doesn’t stop talking until Syril casually mentions he’s been promoted. Suddenly, she’s thrilled and even hugs him.
The scene feels like a glimpse into Syril (Kyle Soller) became so twisted — especially when we see him later, creepily waiting outside the ISB building for Dedra (Denise Gough). He thanks her for the promotion (which she says she didn’t authorize) and then launches into a deeply uncomfortable confession of obsession. We don’t know if he’s referring to Cassian or Dedra. But even the cold, calculated ISB Supervisor is visibly disturbed when Syril grabs her arm.
“I want what you want,” Syril says. “I sense it. I know it.” Is he talking about their shared obsession with control, or does he actually believe Dedra wants him? Probably the latter. She threatens to have him thrown into “a cage on the Outer Rim” if she ever sees him again. Yes, Dedra is a menace, but this scene mirrors real-life horror stories of women being cornered by delusional men.
Later, Dedra briefs her superiors on Bix’s interrogation. She suspects Cassian was involved in the Aldhani heist. Her aide Heert (Jacob James Beswick) supports her, noting Cassian shaved his beard before disappearing — just like the rebels in the heist. And two Imperial witnesses said one of the thieves looked like him. Still, ISB shifts focus to a captured rebel pilot linked to Anto Kreegyr. With a raid on a power station at Spellhaus coming up, they plan to kill the pilot and sabotage his ship so it’ll be towed to Kafrene — and lay a trap for the rebels.
Family Matters
In the Senate, Mon Mothma (Genevieve O’Reilly) tries to rally opposition against Palpatine’s new public safety bill. Her speech is met with boos, lights turned off in protest, and only a few nods of support. On the way home, her driver brings unexpected news: her cousin is visiting.
That cousin is Vel Sartha (Faye Marsay), fellow rebel. In private, Mon expresses concern for Vel’s safety, while Vel worries Mon is “trapped” on Coruscant. “The Rebellion comes first. We take what’s left,” Vel says, echoing Cinta’s words from the previous episode — though now, Vel is the one in Cinta’s shoes.
Vel bonds with Mon’s daughter Leida (Bronte Carmichael), but not with her husband Perrin (Alastair Mackenzie). Over breakfast, Perrin throws shade at Vel for not being married — it’s typical for Chandrilans to wed in their teens. Things get even more awkward when he brings up Tay Kolma (Ben Miles), whom Leida calls Mon’s old boyfriend (Mon denies it). Seriously, is it impossible for anyone in this series to have a normal breakfast?
Anyway, before Vel leaves, Mon admits she’s having doubts about the Rebellion. Vel reminds her they’re “fighting the dark” and trying to make something meaningful of their lives. When Mon is left standing alone in her cold, silent home, you feel what Vel meant. Mon is trapped in a gilded cage — a crumbling democracy, a loveless marriage, a bratty daughter, and an endless game of political survival. The only difference between her life and prison is that Coruscant’s floors aren’t electrified.
And Things Only Get Worse
In a meeting with Tay Kolma (Ben Miles), Mon learns that new tax regulations have made it harder to move money. On top of that, there’s a 400,000 credit withdrawal from her account that needs some explaining. Tay suggests reaching out to Davo Sculdun — a wealthy Chandrilan “thug” with the resources to help and a meeting already scheduled.
Mon is incredulous at the thought of getting Davo involved. But it’s clear she doesn’t have much of a choice at this point.
You can stream the first season of Andor in its entirety on Disney+. The second season premieres on April 22.
📌 Changelog
- April 22, 2025: Rewrote some sections to improve flow. Also added links to stream the entire first season on Disney+.
- April 13, 2024: Updated formatting for better clarity, added subheadings, and included a short summary of the article.
- November 4, 2022: Original article published along with a link to stream the episode on Disney+.
