Andor season 1 episode 8 recap: Narkina 5

This article contains SPOILERS for Andor season 1 episode 8.

Cassian is sentenced to a labor prison, the Empire cracks down on Ferrix, and Syril Karn pleads his case in this week’s episode of Andor season 1.

Catch up here on everything from the last episode!

The eighth episode begins on the Niamos imprisonment that Cassian Andor has found himself locked in for an obscene length of six years. Under the alias of Keef Girgo, Cassian is sent to the prison Narkina Five.

On their transport, the prisoners are made to go barefoot. While working in his cubicle, Syril Karn is sent upstairs to have a chat with Imperial Security Bureau Superintendent Dedra Meero.

Meero questions him about Blevins’ report on Ferrix but Karn states he was unable to read it. Even though she has a busy day, she allows Syril to read the report so she can find out more about the rebel activity.

Andor season 1 episode 8: Syril Karn pleads his case

Meero’s big day turns out to be a petition to Colonel Wullf Yularen for funding and resources. The lead she is going on is spot on, since she has discovered Andor was a cog in a rebel underground through a person she calls Axis.

This is actually Luthen Rael. Yularen, however, is focusing on the bottom line when it comes to resources and being stingy.

Arriving on Narkina Five, Cassian notices the guards have no weapons and they are wearing extra bulky boots. The head guard explains the arriving prisoners have been assigned as labor-worthy so they will be working throughout their sentence.

This head guard goes on to explain the reason they can be unarmed is because of the floor. Once he activates the button, the prisoners begin shaking and seizing in statuesque positions because of the vibrations from the floor.

As long as they stay in line, this feeling will never occur again. Following her meeting with the colonel, Superintendent Meero checks back in with Syril Karn and asks him about her “Axis” character.

Other than being able to recognize his voice, he has nothing for Meero.

She says she will put in a good word for Karn as long as he stops submitting reports, but that is not enough. He pleads his case saying he is valuable in finding Andor, but she dismisses the former PreMor Authority officer.

Andor season 1 episode 8: Mon hits a snag with her fake charity

After being led to his new forced workspace, Cassian meets his unit manager Kino Loy. This intense man explains the guards will not be around unless someone dies, and they bring their replacement.

Loy then tells “Keef” that he needs to help his assigned table increase their productivity so their room can be in the top three and their sentence goes smoothly. Arriving at his table, Cassian meets his new tablemates in Jemboc, Xaul, Taga, Ulaf, Ham, and Melshi.

They are all just assembly line workers building some piece of a larger object for the Empire. After an announcement rings and says their room needs to increase productivity, Kino Loy explains a sprint is coming and the least productive table will be punished.

At another one of her house gatherings for work, Mon Mothma and Perrin’s marriage is still as loveless as it has been. Mon peps up when Tay arrives, but that pep disperses when he explains getting funds for their “charity” is difficult with the stricter guidelines.

Following an interruption from Mon’s daughter, Mon tries to make sure the money she has already moved is safe. However, this is interrupted since the Senator has to whip some votes.

This is the main reason for the gathering at her home.

Andor season 1 episode 8: Cassian adjusts to his new life

While waiting in a hallway, Cassian notices one of his tablemates giving signals out the window. He follows the line of sight to discover someone is communicating back.

This allows Cassian to notice there are a lot of hallways and a lot of prisoners on Narkina Five. After returning from being tortured by the vibrations, or “fried,” Cassian finds their cells to be open and limited.

Jemboc asks about the rebel activity and the new regulations. Cassian says he does not know, to distance himself from Aldhani even more.

This lack of information about the outside world upsets his tablemates but it also triggers something in Melshi. This prisoner begins showing his mind has gone a little stir-crazy.

Kino Loy pulls him aside to snap him out of it. This does not look like it was the first time this has happened.

That is when lights out hit and the floor becomes “hot.” Jumping ahead 30 shifts, Cassian is now a part of his team at Table 5 but looking worse for wear given a month of twelve hours shifts in prison.

When Andor takes a little breath, his tablemates figure out a little snag. Kino Loy kindly and threateningly tells him to get back to work.

Andor season 1 episode 8: Bix checks in on Maarva

Going to Ferrix, Brasso notices the increased security as he checks in on Maarva. Bix is already there checking on Cassian’s adoptive mom.

Maarva fell by the Empire-occupied hotel trying to find out if the tunnel under it is available for the Rebels. Brasso asks Bix privately about getting Maarva out of there, but Bix explains that Maarva has made her wishes very clear.

She wants to stay on Ferrix and in this home to stand up to the Empire. Cassian’s friends are not alone, however, since it turns out Vel and Cinta are spying on them to try and clean up Luthen’s loose end.

Cinta explains she is staying here which upsets Vel as this means they will be apart. They both come to the understanding that the cause comes first.

Bix goes to her garage and up to the radio tower she uses to contact Luthen. Kleya hears the radio and explains Bix is looking for Cassian because of Maarva’s health.

Before Luthen can capitalize on this opportunity, Kleya wakes him up to the notion this would be a mistake. Luthen eventually agrees to shut the signal down in Ferrix so it is no longer an option.

However, he takes his ship out and sets it to take a long way around to the planet of Segra Milo.

Andor season 1 episode 8: Luthen tries to mend ties within the rebellion

One morning Bix is walking through town when she hears the rattling that troopers and officers are around. One of the townsfolk, who ends up being the man who works for Bix in Paak, was taken into the occupied hotel last night and never came home.

Paak’s son is asking for him but gets roughed up by the agents for his pleas for answers. When one the of Imperial officers recognizes her from when he bashed her skull into the stone, Bix makes a run for it with some help from Brasso.

Arriving at Segra Milo, Luthen meets with an old friend in Saw Gerrera. They try and find out if the other was behind the Aldhani mission but agree it was a masterpiece regardless.

Luthen arrived because he has some tech for Gerrera but wants the extremist rebel to meet with a separatist named Anto Kreegyr. Gerrera tries to explain he works alone as an anarchist because he does not believe there is another way to stop the Empire.

Luthen wants him to put aside his differences. Saw will not hear it.

He thanks Luthen for his company and offer but declines. Bix ends up being caught by the Imperial officers and is dragged to the hotel for questioning.

Dedra Meero lets Bix see Paak all roughed up as an intimidation technique before questioning and interrogating the women of Ferrix. The episode ends with Cassian finding a groove and routine while imprisoned on Narkina Five.

Who do you think is going to be the one to help Cassian escape prison?  Do you think the rebels have people on the inside of Narkina Five?

Let us know your answers and opinions in the comments below!

Watch the new episode of Andor season 1 next Wednesday, only on Disney+!