[belsarius]

For me it is almost always did the writers fit Star Wars into their story or did they write a story for Star Wars.

Andor for example didn't have to be "Star Wars". It had its own story to tell in the universe. The fact that the characters would eventually fit into the story at large wasn't the focus, the story of oppression, rebellion and freedom came first and they made that fit the universe. They could have fit the story into another setting and it would have worked out I think. Focus on character development and plot of that story.

Ashoka on the other hand felt like it was a Star Wars show with a plot tacked onto it. It had to be specific characters, and they were only tangentially developed and assuming you had watched previous content. The plot in another setting falls down.

I found that same issue with the MCU where the focus changed from the stories fitting together, to this has to be together so lets figure out a story. Winter Soldier didn't need to be a Marvel movie to still be good, it was built properly as a espionage thriller. The MCU gave it spice, but didn't hold it together. Where post Civil War movies tend to fall flat on their own and are more focused on the Universe than the story.

But then, I'm the guy who thought that the Mando S2.5 stuck in the middle of Boba Fett was what ruined that show. I really enjoyed the buildup (even if it was slower paced) of the first episodes, developing a relationship with the Sandpeople and learning how to be a crime lord. Then suddenly we need to add the Mandalorian, Luke, Ashoka, Cad Bane and make it all about the Universe. I was looking forward to having him rally the Tuskans and bring reconciliation to the desert and pave his own path - but instead we got force gimics and Grogu saving the day.