Warning! This article contains spoilers for Andor season 2, episodes 4-6.
Andorepisode 6’s ending features the beginning of rebellion on Ghorman, proving the Empire and Luthen achieved their shared dark goal, but for different reasons. Theending ofAndorepisode 3already cast a dark light on the Rebellion by proving just how much sacrifice is needed to gain a foothold against the Empire. Brasso’s death proved that loss is an expected, even normal cost of buildingStar Wars’Rebel Alliance, with the follow-up episodes - four through six - providing another arcAndorseason 2 arc that explores this on a deeper level.
This time, though, the events ofAndorseason 2’s storyswitched focus to the planet of Ghorman. While the first arc ofAndorseason 2 teased what the Empire truly wants on Ghorman, the second arc highlighted the escalation of the organization’s planetary occupation and the same from the local rebels, the Ghorman Front. When Cassian gets involved and the further cost of Rebellion is highlighted in episode 6’s ending, though, it becomes more clear than ever that the Empire and Luthen had the same dark goal.
The Empire & Luthen Both Have The Same Goal For Ghorman
Both Sides Are Benefitted By The Rebellion On Ghorman
Despite being first teased in bothAndorseason 1 andAndorseason 2, episode 1, the shared goal of Luthen and the Empire for Ghorman was shown in episode 6: acceleration.Luthen is an accelerationist rebel, meaning he makes things worse for planets under Imperial occupation in the hopes of sparking rebellion. InAndorseason 2, Dedra is doing the same. Dedra spent the year betweenAndorseason 2, episodes 3 and 4 pushing the Empire’s will over Ghorman until episode 6’s ending results in an act of outright rebellion, allowing the Empire to tighten its grip on the planet.
Despite Cassian telling Luthen that Ghorman was not ready to rebel against the Empire, the latter went ahead with it anyway, explaining that if the planet burns, it will burn brightly…
This act of rebellion comes in the form of a heist that will prove the Empire is building an armory on Ghorman. The heist involves returningAndorcharacters Cinta and Vel, with Dedra knowing exactly what was going to happen so as to further push the Empire’s agenda on the planet. Despite Cassian telling Luthen that Ghorman was not ready to rebel against the Empire, the latter went ahead with it anyway, explaining thatif the planet burns, it will burn brightlyand act as a martyr for others to rebel further.
Rebellion Is Impossible Without The Most Heartbreaking Sacrifices
As Proven By Cinta’s Fate
Andorseason 2, episode 3’s ending highlighted the heartbreaking importance of sacrifices for the sake of rebellion via Brasso and even Tay Kolma, with episode 6’s ending doing the same with Cinta. The aforementioned warning that Cassian gave Luthen about the Ghorman Front not being ready for rebellion came back in a haunting way, withinfighting and bickering causing a blaster bolt to go off during the heist of the Imperial transport. The bolt caught Cinta, resulting in her death and causing a great deal of heartbreak for Vel.
The death of rebels is something that Tony Gilroy has included in all of hisStar Warsprojects thus far, fromRogue Oneto both seasons ofAndor. Gilroy does this to highlight the theme of rebellion requiring sacrifice;it is unrealistic to think that oppressed people can overcome an authoritarian government like the Empire without any loss, something thatAndorregularly reminds us. This makesAndorone ofStar Wars’better TV showsand certainly one of its most mature, this time with Cinta paying the price to allow the Ghorman Front to ultimately succeed in their mission.
Dedra & Syril’s Relationship Has Been Sacrificed To The Empire (But He Doesn’t Know It Yet)
Contrasting With The Likes Of Cassian & Bix
One of the more interesting explorations inAndorseason 2, episodes 4, 5, and 6 is the relationship between Syril and Dedra. The duo was somewhat of a highlight in the first arc ofAndorseason 2 thanks to the humorous exploration of their relationship and their dinner with Syril’s mother. By the time ofAndorseason 2, episode 6’s ending, however, the relationship takes a darker turn. Throughout the three episodes, it is made clear that Syril is simply a pawn of Dedra’s Imperial ambitions.
Although the two may have some love for each other, Syril is being used as Dedra’s eyes and ears. One thing that is made clear, though, is that Syril does not know the true reason for Dedra’s interest in the planet. Syril was not a part ofKrennic’s secret meeting inAndorseason 2,meaning he is not cleared to know that the Empire intends to mine Ghorman for kalkite. If Syril ever finds out he has been used by Dedra, their relationship is sure to suffer, proving that the Imperials sacrifice things for the Empire just as rebels do for their cause.
A New Generation Of Rebels Is Rising
With Cassian At The Center
As already alluded to, Cassian warned Luthen away from the heist inAndorseason 2, episode 6’s ending, yet the former went along with it anyway. Interestingly, this is a commentary on how Cassian is at the center of a new generation of rebels. Someone like Luthen is incredibly effective, but it is not him or his methods that results in the Empire being completely defeated. As manyStar Warsfans will know, Luthen did not play a role in the originalStar Warstrilogy, instead with the organized Rebel Alliance taking down Palpatine.
Cassian has been shown to be more aligned with these rebels than Luthen’s way of thinking, proving how he is the center point of the new rebels that will eventually beat the Empire. Cassian’s observation that Ghorman was not ready for rebellion ended up being correct, with the rebels and Luthen playing into Dedra’s hands. While Luthen will benefit from the escalation on Ghorman,it is Cassian’s more compassionate type of Rebel Alliance that will eventually win the war with the Empire.
Star Wars Is Setting Up A Tragedy That Will Change The Galaxy
Ghorman Is On A Collision Course
The final element ofAndorseason 2, episode 6’s ending worth talking about is the Ghorman Front and how their actions are setting up a massiveStar Warstragedy. TheGhorman Massacre inStar WarsLegendswas a tragedy in which Wilhuff Tarkin landed his Star Destroyer on top of hundreds of peaceful protestors. InStar Warscanon, this has been changed slightly. That event is now canon but is dubbed the Tarkin Massacre, with the Ghorman Massacre still to come.
Tony Gilroy confirmed that the Ghorman Massacre will play a big role inAndorseason 2, with evenStar Wars Rebelsconfirming that the event takes place in BBY 2, forcing Mon Mothma out of Coruscant. After the escalation of trouble on Ghorman inAndorseason 2, episode 6’s ending, the impending doom seems to be taking shape. How exactlyAndorseason 2 will explore this tragedy remains to be seen, but there is no denying the second act of the story has laid the foundations for a galaxy-changing event.
Andorseason 2, episodes 4-6
Andorseason 2, episodes 7-9
Andorseason 2, episodes 10-12
