“One Way Out” might just be the most gut-wrenching episode Andor has delivered all season. Episode 10 hits hard with a recurring theme that cuts through every storyline: sacrifice. Whether it’s Cassian and the prisoners risking everything to escape Narkina 5, Mon Mothma being forced to choose between her morals and the rebellion, or a secret spy exposing the emotional toll of living a double life—everyone is forced to give up something for the greater good.
Kino Loy Finally Comes Around
As the guards take Ulaf’s (Christopher Fairbank) body away, Cassian (Diego Luna) knows the window to escape is closing. The only shot they’ve got is when a new prisoner is brought in—likely in the next day or two. Kino Loy (Andy Serkis) still isn’t convinced. After the slaughter on Level 2, everyone’s scared stiff. But Cassian’s done playing it safe. He reminds Kino, “Power doesn’t panic.” Over 100 men were murdered because the Empire was scared the truth would get out: prisoners weren’t being released. They were just being shuffled around until they died.
Since arriving on Narkina 5, Cassian has been watching and learning. He knows the guards are weak and stretched thin as they struggle to keep everyone in line. Sure, they could electrify the whole floor if they wanted but Cassian doesn’t care. “I’d rather die trying to take them down than give them what they want,” he tells Kino.
Prison Break
The next day, the prisoners go back to work but this time, they’re ready. Cassian sneaks off during his break and saws through a water pipe, shorting out the electrified floors. The guards are late bringing in the new inmate and have no idea what’s coming. Birnok (Rasaq Kukoyi) moves into position while Xaul (Josef Davies) and Ham (Clemens Schick) start a fight as a diversion. This gives Cassian enough time to break the lift while Birnok attacks the guards.
All hell breaks loose as the prisoners throw the equipment they’ve been forced to build at the guards. The two officers can kill a few inmates with their blasters, but they’re overwhelmed by the large mass of men.
Prisoners pour into the halls like a flood, unlocking doors and freeing others. Cassian and Kino fight their way to the control center, where they force the announcer and his lackeys to shut down the prison’s floors and its power supply. With some encouragement from Cassian, Kino takes the mic and makes a soul-stirring speech, telling the prisoners they’re in charge now. If everyone fights half as hard as they work, freedom is within reach.
“One way out!” the prisoners chant, running to freedom as guards cower in fear. Everyone leaps into the sea—everyone except Kino. He hangs back, as he reveals to Cassian he can’t swim. It’s a cruel twist and before Cassian can do anything to help, he’s pushed over the edge.
It’s heartbreaking to see Kino accept the fact he’ll be trapped in this prison, all while watching everyone swim to freedom. Later in the episode, Cassian and Melshi (Duncan Pow) make it to shore and find themselves on a beach.
A Deal With the Devil
Meanwhile on Coruscant, Mon Mothma (Genevieve O’Reilly) reluctantly agrees to Tay Kolma’s (Ben Miles) plan to meet with Davo Sculdun (Richard Dillane), a wealthy and shady Chandrilan “banker.”
Davo shows up to Mon’s apartment all smiles, clearly impressed with her opulent surroundings. But the atmosphere is tense—everyone is seated apart, carefully measuring their words like they know they’re being watched.
Davo offers to create a financial pipeline that’ll allow Mon to secretly funnel money to the Rebellion. He doesn’t want any money in exchange for his services. Instead, he wants a return invitation so he can introduce his 14-year-old son to Mon’s 13-year-old daughter Leida.
On Chandrila, arranged teenage marriages are part of the planet’s tradition and culture. Mon married her husband Perrin when she was 15 and she’s clearly miserable. The thought of doing that to her daughter horrifies Mon. Leida already thinks her mother cares more about appearances than family and this stunt would only confirm it. Mon rejects the offer but Davo reminds her that people in her position rarely get to choose. He tells her to think about his offer before he leaves.
The Mole
Kleya (Elizabeth Dulau) comes to Luthen’s (Stellan Skarsgård) store with news of strange markings left around the city. A mysterious contact wants a face-to-face meeting with Luthen, but she fears it could be a trap.
Naturally, Luthen goes anyway.
The contact turns out to be Lonni Jung (Robert Emms), an ISB supervisor who’s secretly been feeding Luthen intel for years. They meet on a grimy lift in the lower levels of the city, speaking through Lonni’s earpiece.
Luthen congratulates him on the birth of his daughter, a not-so-subtle reminder of what’s at stake. Lonnie arranged the meeting to warn Luthen about Dedre Meero. She’s connecting the dots between the Aldhani heist and Luthen. The ISB also knows about the planned rebel attack on Spellhaus power station and Dedra is setting a trap for Anto Kreegyr’s cell. Luthen is more amused by Dedra’s efforts than threatened and claims she’s wasting her time. He also denies any involvement in the Aldhani heist (lies!). When it comes to the Spellhaus raid, Luthen is willing to sacrifice 50 rebels to keep the ISB from learning about Lonnie.
But there’s another reason why Lonnie wanted to meet with Luthen: he wants to leave the ISB. He can’t live with the pressure of living a double life anymore now that he’s a father. Luthen tells Lonnie he’s trapped — the ISB isn’t going to let him go and neither will Luthen. Frustrated with Luthen’s disinterest, Lonnie asks him what he has sacrificed for the rebellion.
Cue one of the best speeches in Andor:
“Calm. Kindness. Kinship. Love,” Luthen says. “I’ve given up all chance of inner peace. I’ve made my mind a sunless space. I share my dreams with ghosts.”
He started his campaign against the Empire 15 years ago and knows he will never live to see Palpatine’s reign come to an end, nor will he receive any recognition for his efforts. He has sacrificed his future and his humanity to ensure the rest of the galaxy is free. The two men go their separate ways with their arrangement intact, knowing they will continue to sacrifice themselves for the greater good.
Back on Ferrix
Not much is going on here, but we get a glimpse of what to expect in the next couple of episodes.
Cassian’s adoptive mother Maarva (Fiona Shaw) is still refusing her meds, even as her health deteriorates. She says they kill her appetite but she’s also just too stubborn to rest.
Cinta Kaz (Varada Sethu) is still watching from the shadows. But she’s not the only one. She spots another figure keeping tabs on Maarva — who looks like Corv (Noof Ousellam) from the ISB. With the rebels and the Imperials in close proximity to one another, Maarva couldn’t be in more danger.
You can stream the first season of Andor in its entirety on Disney+. The second season premieres on April 22.
📌 Changelog
- April 20, 2025: Rewrote sections and updated the subheadings 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 14, 2022: Original article published along with a link to stream the episode on Disney+.
