The Star Wars franchise is at risk of undoing its best character ending of the last 5 years, thanks to some recent news about Andor season 2. Andy Serkis’ Kino Loy was one of the most popular characters in Andor season 1, and his story came to a shocking ending when he realized he would not make it out of an Imperial prison alive. “One way out,” the prisoners chanted, but Kino Loy – the man who had led them to freedom – was unable to travel with them, simply because it involved leaping into the waters – and Kino Loy was unable to swim. His story seemed over; it was a safe assumption he would be executed for being left behind. But Serkis has recently revealed that is not the case.
Star Wars characters often return from the dead throughout the movies and TV shows, usually with mixed results. Sometimes it leads to great stories like Darth Maul’s return in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, as he was killed off before he could shine in the Star Wars prequel trilogy. However, it can also lead to mistakes like Emperor Palpatine’s return, which felt as though it negated Anakin Skywalker’s sacrifice in Return of the Jedi. As great as it would be to see Kino Loy again in Andor season 2, sometimes it’s best for a character to stay dead, especially when that character had Star Wars’ best character ending of the last 5 years.
Andy Serkis’ Kino Loy Had Star Wars’ Best Character Ending Since Kanan Jarrus
Despite only appearing in a few episodes, Kino Loy’s character ending proved to be just as powerful as Kanan Jarrus’ sacrifice in Star Wars Rebels season 4. Kanan made sure that his friends were able to escape the Empire, even at the cost of his own life, which seems to parallel Kino Loy during the Imperial prison breakout. What made Kanan’s sacrifice stand out was that he died with no fear, even though he’d seen through the Force that he wouldn’t survive the mission. Kino Loy’s Andor sacrifice, in contrast, was just as compelling because he clearly was afraid, but he didn’t let that fear stop him from saving his fellow prisoners.
The fact that a supporting character’s end can stand alongside a prominent Jedi’s sacrifice shows how well it was handled. Fans of Star Wars Rebels had four full-length seasons to connect with Kanan’s character before he died, which offered plenty of time to understand his motivations and see how he had grown over time. Andor only had a handful of episodes for Kino Loy, but because his final scenes were done so effectively, his ending resonated with audiences long afterward. This demonstrates that a Star Wars Disney+ TV show can create compelling arcs regardless of runtime and proves that Kino Loy had the best character ending of the last 5 years.
Andy Serkis Returning In Andor Season 2 Would Reverse His Perfect Ending
Unfortunately, Andy Serkis’ return in Andor season 2 would reverse Kino Loy’s perfect ending. Kino Loy dreamed of getting out of the Imperial prison, and he was crushed when he learned that no prisoners are ever set free. He also knew that swimming to shore was the “One way out,” one of Kino Loy’s best quotes in Andor, only for the heartbreaking reveal that Kino Loy himself couldn’t swim. This was a brilliant arc for the character, starting out only caring about his own release but later helping to organize an escape that he couldn’t be part of. Bringing him back in Andor season 2 would undo that amazing ending.
How Can Andor Season 2 Make Andy Serkis’ Return Work?
Although featuring Andy Serkis in Andor season 2 would undo Kino Loy’s character ending, there are a few ways that his return could work. The first is coming up with an explanation for his escape, such as using the prison’s radio to contact a transport, or even stealing an Imperial shuttle sent to investigate. There’s also a slim possibility that Kino Loy could be hiding somewhere in the prison’s lower levels, as Shara Bey used a similar trick while stowing aboard a Star Destroyer in the Marvel Star Wars comics. The most likely scenario is that the Empire kept Kino Loy alive for questioning, and that he returns as Imperial investigators research into Cassian Andor and attempt to capture him – returning to one of his fellow prisoners.
Any one of these options could make Kino Loy’s return work, especially if it leads to an even more tragic ending. Viewers would be excited to learn that he did survive after all, only for him to have another heartbreaking sacrifice that he doesn’t get to come back from. Kino Loy could dedicate his life to helping others like him, or refuse to be made an example of by the Empire, continuing his growth from season 1. Star Wars still risks undoing its best character ending of the last 5 years by bringing Andy Serkis’ Kino Loy back for Andor season 2, but skillful writing can make it work. It will be a close call, though.
