Andor’s Finest Hours Just Delivered a Huge Gut Punch

What it takes to sustain a rebellion is brought into question in this week’s episode arc of Andor, which covers what happens two years before the main events of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and the original Star Wars saga. Thematically it’s time for the rebels to figure out if they want to just fight or actually win, as tensions come to a head on Ghorman in what’s probably the most gut-wrenching watch of the series, and perhaps even Star Wars as a whole.

Having this be the episodic story that dropped on Revenge of the (May) Sixth made it extra powerful and a transmitted a timeless message of resistance when needed most.

Ghorman is collapsing. Cassian (Diego Luna) and Wil (Muhannad Bhaier) are sent there to finally take out Dedra Mero (Denise Gough) as the front is pushing for action against the Imperial siege. They realize that in this moment they are not in alignment: Wil thinks it’s time to fight, and Cassian asserts that just fighting won’t secure a victory sooner if they’re not ready.

The rebellion on Yavin is getting there but it’s not quite ready; however, they see tensions mount on Palmo Plaza with the Ghorman front knowing the time for peace is over as mining equipment arrives on the planet. Cassian understands that Luthen’s (Stellan Skarsgård) agenda here is at work with Ghorman being poised to “burn brightly,” and that taking out Dedra is to seal her death in its aftermath to prevent her from continuing her search for him as Axis. Wil is driven to help because she’s responsible for the death of their loved ones on Ferrix. She’s just been Luthen’s persistent threat as he orchestrates the rebellion.

Mon Mothma’s increased surveillance for her opposition to the Emperor has iced her out of support. People across the Senate representing their populaces are afraid as they’ve seen what’s been happening to the Ghormans. It’s simply become untenable, whether or not they agree with the Imperial narrative that the Ghor have been acting out of character as savage opponents to the Imperial presence for the once-rich metropolis of fashion houses.

Everyone is afraid to catch the interest of the Empire and are too scared to speak up against the clear propaganda out of the civil unrest on Palmo. Mon knows that her purpose is changing and Genevieve O’Reilly’s performance masterfully captures that shift; her people are no longer on Coruscant and are waiting for her on Yavin. And yet as Mon is still respected, she begins to ponder what to do with her last shred of dignified reputation in the Senate.

Before Cassian leaves to join the Ghorman Front and take out Dedra, he and Bix enjoy the quiet life on Yavin. Seeing Diego Luna and Adria Arjona imbue their rebel couple with moments that make what they’re fighting for all the more real and pressing gives the survivors of the Imperial colonization multitudes. There’s joy throughout the “flight or fight” life that makes it all worthwhile. Seeing that is important and poignant because anyone who is seeking freedom knows what peace can feel like even if it’s fleeting, and as days get harder the hope of it staying is what would keep anyone going. As they get rest Cassian lets Bix talk him into seeing a Force healer for an injury.

Pretty much until now, the Force not been specifically addressed, though you could argue its presence has been felt through the actions of the heroes and villains. The healer, a Saja if I had to guess, tells them that while some people carry their past and burdens, Cassian gathers as he goes as a messenger of purpose. And knowing what we know, it’s so impactful to see Bix come to the realization of Cassian’s destiny before he can. Arjona really says so much without a word in a powerfully stirring performance.

Over the course of seasons one and two, Bix has become a steadfast rebel in ways we haven’t gotten to see previously, making a wonderful addition to the heroic women of Star Wars. There’s another moment between Bix and Vel (Faye Marsay) where they’re concerned about the recklessness of Luthen’s strategies, which resulted in the loss of Cinta for Vel. Seeing them determine that this man might only see them as pawns stands in stark contrast to what Draven (Alistair Petrie) and the Yavin rebels want for them and Andor.

On Yavin their roles are essential and filled with responsibility to a larger community that needs their numbers. Like Cassian, they have been courted to evolve into reliable leaders, not just Luthen’s radical operatives. The Yavin rebels, once unorganized survivors on the fringe, have survived the wildness of the planet by realizing that working together is better. They have outgrown Luthen’s extreme methodology. It makes sense they’re wary of unsanctioned activities like Cassian and Wil taking off for more spy missions that could compromise the rebellion as it draws closer to being ready.

On Ghorman, Wil and Cassian see how the Empire’s presence has motivated an affluent populace into doing whatever it takes, with Luthen’s influence over Rylanz’s (Richard Sammel) peaceful demonstrations beginning to take hold. It’s the sort of exploitation from the Empire that fed Luthen’s encouragement for them to take up arms. Wil and Andor perhaps begin to realize Luthen could have orchestrated a similar outcome on Ferrix, or got the idea to set a more visible demonstration on Ghorman.

By this time Syril (Kyle Soller) has a soft spot for his friends on the Ghorman front and has been attempting to divert the Empire’s attention from his comrades. He’s been seeing the unjust moves against the Ghor firsthand and it’s not what he signed up for. Soller does an incredible job at depicting a man who committed his identity to the Empire—only to have that deteriorate when he sees that he’s not there to keep the rules from breaking, since the rule makers consistently manipulate them to their liking. This makes him question his loyalty to Dedra as she assures him they’ll be going home soon.  Meanwhile, she’s bristling at the green and young Stormtroopers arriving, recognizing the difficulty in controlling them when the time comes to provoke the Ghorman rebels.

Rylanz finally figures out Syril’s true reason for being present at the Ghorman front’s meetings. While Syril naively thought he was there to police them, it’s understood he was there to be an informant to keep the Empire up to date on their actions for a more nefarious reason. It was never about wrong or right, it was about working the front into reaching a breaking point that could be used against them. The civil unrest gets pushed over the edge around them as the trap works. Syril feels played by Dedra for being manipulated into treating his friends unjustly.

Andor gets a moment with that hotel receptionist who had helped him earlier, who reminds him  “Rebellions are built on hope.” As the Palmo memorial plaza is under siege, the Ghormans try to reclaim it against Imperial regiments of stormtroopers—a sight that sends Syril over the edge. Syril rushes Dedra inside the ISB building and physically attacks her for what she’s done and for making him complicit. She reveals that it was always in the plans to deliberately trap the Ghormans into having no other choice but to act so they could be violently displaced. He finds out the truth about the kalkite needed for the project he was purposefully left out on by his girlfriend. A shocked Syril tells her good luck, as he seemingly aligns himself with the fate of the people he betrayed. 

Similarly, Cassian realizes Luthen played the Ghormans into walking right into that trap to get the Empire to employ violence and excuse it as a necessary defense. The exact outcome Luthen wanted all along was to show that even the most civilized and rich of places was not safe under the Empire’s rule; they ran a smear campaign for years to get the galactic leadership to turn against them. The casualties mount on Palmo square as Stormtroopers close everyone in. Andor presses on to complete his mission to assassinate Dedra but as he prepares for the shot, Syril sees him and is overtaken by his grief at losing his purpose. 

Thanks to that early in the series run-in with Cassian, which was truly his villain origin story, Syril lost his way. He ultimately decides to save Dedra by tackling Cassian. Violence breaks loose and in that moment, you realize Syril didn’t make a breakthough, he’s still a petulant manchild with a fragile ego who isn’t being redeemed. Cassian and Syril engage in hand to hand combat at the hotel lobby bar, culminating in a powerful moment where Syril has a blaster aimed at Cassian as he asks “Who are you?” It completely deflates Syril, who had made Andor this enemy in his head, when he was just like his Ghorman friends seeking the right to exist. Even as it maybe clicks, Rylanz shoots Syril point blank in the head—he didn’t overcome his bigotry in time.  And Dedra, who can’t find Syril, ultimately breaks down.

As the KX units are unleashed, there’s more casualties in the tragic extermination of the Ghorman people. Cassian just wants to get Wil and gets saved from a KX unit they end up running over. His young friend makes the difficult decision to stay behind and asks Cassian to tell their story. He agrees to and takes the KX pieces back with him. Transmissions from the scene go out describing the atrocities being committed as people call out for help as they hide. On Coruscant, the Ghorman ambassador is arrested. Mon Mothma prepares to address the Senate and speak out against Emperor Palpatine because enough is enough. Bail Organa agrees to support her by making a speech against the Emperor at his own risk.

Cassian returns, and Kleya assigns him with extracting Mon from the Senate after her speech in case immediate retaliation is planned. Andor agrees but lets her know he’s done after that, and Kleya essentially says, “Yeah, sure.” He’s provided a cover as a journalist and heads to Coruscant. Mon discovers she’s been bugged as her time is running out. She also finds out her own assistant has been planted by Luthen, leaving her feeling alone and isolated. She has no one on Coruscant anymore and her family has distanced themselves. All she has left is the family of rebels waiting for her on Yavin.

When Mon delivers the speech it’s masterfully glorious; all props to Andor creator Tony Gilroy. O’Reilly shines as the rebel leader ascendant and she utterly decimates Palpatine’s narrative and pins the Empire as behind behind the Ghormsn provocation to suit their nefarious end. “The death of truth is the ultimate victory of evil” she says to the Senate as she calls Palpatine the monster who will come for them all. The ISB try to lock down the building to get Mon as their agent is taken out by Andor. Her driver calls it in as he works for ISB too. Andor gets her out and kills for her; she’s shocked, but hey that’s the price of being in the rebellion now. The edge of your seat action is one of the most thrilling and satisfying sequences in all of recent Star Wars.

Quickly Mon and Andor bond over not trusting Luthen anymore and get on the same page. Mon trusts Andor and the risks he takes to get her out safe. This perfectly begins to set up their relationship in Rogue One. He delivers her to Kleya who informs him that she’ll be escorted by Yavin’s Gold Squadron and will make a speech upon arrival. Fans of Star Wars: Rebels know that her ship gets intercepted and the Ghost crew step in to help her get to the rebel base safely. It’s not an obvious call out but nice to have it be canonized. Mon doesn’t know how to thank Cassian and he tells her “Make it worth it.”

Andor focuses on getting Wil to Yavin for help after Kleya delivers his friend to Coruscant injured but on the mend. Upon arrival Andor gives Draven the KX pieces and lets him know he’s not running missions for Luthen anymore. Andor and Bix reunite and he reiterates that he’s done. He’s done what he can, he’s done a lot, and he just wants a life with her. She listens as he explains that wants to find someplace quiet. “The only special thing about me is luck,” he says, and he feels he’s over played his hand. He wakes up the next morning and she’s gone. She leaves him a message that delivers him to his destiny to win—with the promise to find him when he fulfills his purpose in choosing the rebellion. Captain Andor rises and K2-SO wakes up.

Andor season two airs weekly on Disney+.

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