I was twelve years old, third in line for the 12:15 showing at the Coronet theater in San Francisco on the day that Star Wars opened. Which is to say I have a deep childhood connection to George Lucas’s universe.

The connection was further galvanized with the Kirshner directed, Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan written The Empire Strikes Back.

Then it all kinda went to mush.

All the Star Wars movies released since The Empire Strikes Back are fine. Fine being a four letter word. Rogue One which is billed as a “Star Wars story”—whatever that means—is the only movie to truly capture the spirit of the first two movies. The only movie since The Empire Strikes Back that has given me the same anticipation and excitement I felt on opening day back in 1977.

Andor seasons one and two tell the story of the five years leading up to Rogue One. The characters have depth, the stakes feel real, the directing is brilliant and Tony Gilroy’s writing is fantastic. I rewatched season one before diving into season two. Then I rewatched Rogue One, also written by Gilroy. It’s a wonderful series that flows effortlessly together despite Rogue One being made back in 2016.

Andor and Rogue One, are time well spent.