The Netflix Original series Stranger Things is, and I don’t use this term lightly, a masterpiece. It combines Stephen King spookiness and supernatural horror with Spielberg heart and character development, without ever devolving into gratuitous gore or maudlin sentimentality. All wrapped in an accurate 80s nostalgia, with a synth soundtrack reminiscent of John Carpenter and extremely period accurate and meaningful era appropriate pop/rock songs. The show was able to lean into its nostalgia with casting 80s icons who turned around and gave career high performances, not smug stunt casting winks.

The entire two-season run of Andor, 24 episodes in all, is streaming on Disney+. Andor is prestige, must see television. It’s compelling human drama, acted brilliantly by some of the top actors working today. The writing and direction are inspired and intentional. The production design amazing. The fact that it is also one of the most compelling Star Wars sagas ever committed to screen is icing on the cake. But this draws from many real world documentaries and movies about conflicts, fascist takeovers and tactics, and rebellions; so while Andor may take place “a long time ago in a galaxy far, far, away,” it feels familiar, like it took place here too, in living memory.