The pacing was a great gear shift and just another phenomenal turn.
You can just feel the stakes heightening thru the amazing character portrayals by the actors.
Only thing I couldn't figure out was how/why -in the early opening scenes- did the large guys (moisture farming?) let them out of traps and then take the ship? I must have missed something.
I had trouble following their dialogue but I think they had no love for the Empire and decided to help them escape rather than turn them in for the reward. And Andor didn't take the ship, they gave him a lift, I believe.