Andor made its triumphant return last week, and with that, season two has already reached its midpoint. Episodes 4 through 6 push the story forward relentlessly, marking another time jump that leads us to Ghorman, a setting filled with spiders, political unrest, rebellion, and hidden agendas.
Credit: Disney+
Episode 4: “Ever Been to Ghorman?”
The story picks up a year after the events of the previous three episodes. Syril is now stationed at a Bureau of Standards field office on Ghorman, secretly following directives from Dedra and the ISB. His mission is to infiltrate the local rebel group known as the Ghorman Front. Both he and Dedra are navigating a precarious situation—Syril is being watched by the Ghormans. At the same time, Dedra withholds key information from him about the Empire’s true intentions for the planet. Mistrust runs deep across all sides, and this atmosphere of deception begins to influence the rebels themselves.
As rebellion stirs on Ghorman, another rebel faction operates from a recognizable location: D’Qar, the future Resistance base seen in The Force Awakens. Currently, it’s under the control of Saw Gerrera, who is preparing his troops for a mission to steal rhydonium fuel. Wilmon Paak assists by sharing his expertise on a rhydonium extraction device he developed, though Saw detains him until his team confirms they can use it effectively. The broader Rebellion remains divided and wary of one another, a weakness that leaves them open to infiltration and manipulation by the ISB, just as Cassian would later warn.
Coruscant plays a major role in this episode, portrayed in striking detail—from the city streets and safe house where Cassian and Bix reside, to the lofty speeders and towers where Mon Mothma and Luthen conduct their political maneuvering and espionage. The musical score enhances every scene, swelling during panoramic skyline shots and taking a lighter tone during Syril’s routine duties on Ghorman. Yet, beneath it all, there’s a growing sense that these moments are laying the groundwork for something ominous on the horizon.
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Episode 5: “I Have Friends Everywhere”
This episode kicks off with a tense atmosphere, opting for radio static instead of the usual theme music. Bix is hiding out in one of Luthen’s safehouses with Cassian, still haunted by her torture at the hands of Dr. Gorst. She uses drugs to dull the trauma, while Cassian departs for Ghorman on a mission assigned by Luthen. Disguised as a fashion designer, Cassian encounters a survivor of the so-called “Tarkin Massacre” and discovers that the Ghorman resistance movement is disorganized and ill-equipped to stand up to the Empire.
Syril keeps up the act of criticizing the ISB, which helps him gain the trust of the Ghorman Front. The ISB has modified his records to support this cover story, allowing the rebels to believe in his loyalty and rely on him for access to Imperial shipping schedules needed for a weapons raid. Syril appears to enjoy his covert role and the sense of purpose it gives him within the Empire. However, this leads to tension with Dedra once he realizes he’s been kept in the dark and is unknowingly involved in something far more sinister.
Meanwhile, Saw Gerrera puts one of his men, who has been watching Wilmon, through a loyalty test and ultimately executes him for suspected betrayal. This leaves Wilmon to carry out the mission of stealing the fuel. During the heist, Saw recounts his experiences in a prison camp, likely from the Clone Wars era, and refers to the rhydonium fumes as “his sister”—a clear nod to Steela Gerrera, his actual sister who died in the fight against the Separatists.Gerrera understands that his revolutionary path will likely lead to his death, just as it did for his sister. Yet, like Cassian and Luthen, he’s prepared to sacrifice everything to resist the Empire, refusing to give them the satisfaction of surrender. He knows he’s giving up his life for a future he’ll never witness. That fierce dedication binds these early factions of the Rebellion together and paves the way for their eventual unity. Visually, the episode shines with stunning design and cinematography across Ghorman, Coruscant, D’Qar, and other worlds, highlighted by striking shots of Saw’s ships departing D’Qar in a style reminiscent of Rogue One, signaling the coming storm of violence as the characters fully commit to the cause.
Credit: Disney+
Episode 6: “What a Festive Evening”
Vel and Cinta take over operations on Ghorman, setting aside past tensions and reigniting their relationship. Like Cassian and Bix, they understand that Luthen values them more when apart, yet they agree it’s time for change. Luthen’s goal is to push Ghorman into open rebellion—its prominence and influence would send a powerful message if it stood against the Empire. However, Cassian is more concerned with ensuring a real chance at success rather than the symbolic value of the uprising, a stance that puts him at odds with Luthen, who thrives on the chaos that propels the Rebellion. Cassian’s worries are justified, as the ISB is actively manipulating events to provoke rebellion, giving them an excuse to crack down. With Luthen stoking the flames and the Empire baiting a trap, Ghorman seems headed for disaster, serving the ambitions of both sides.
Kleya and Luthen realize they must swap out a bug they planted in Davo Sculdun’s collection before his upcoming party. The event will host a mix of Imperials and high-society figures, with various balls and banquets celebrating the inauguration of new Imperial senators. Meanwhile, Mon Mothma has had a few brief appearances in earlier episodes, where she’s working to get the “Public Order Resentencing Directive” (PORD) repealed—the same law that sent Cassian to prison last season. At Davo’s party, Mon attends with her husband, Perrin, and encounters Bail Organa, who has been recast, now played by Benjamin Bratt instead of Jimmy Smits.
At the event, it’s not just Bail Organa who makes an appearance—Director Krennic also shows up and confronts Mon Mothma while being escorted through Sculdun’s collection. Meanwhile, Kleya, with help from Lonnie, the ISB defector, works to retrieve the bug. The episode builds intense tension by contrasting the political drama on Coruscant with the raid unfolding on Ghorman. As Cassian predicted, the raid ends in disaster when an untrained Ghorman rebel shoots Cinta, sparking the violent rebellion the Imperials were hoping for. The episode concludes with Bix and Cassian on Coruscant. Bix confronts Dr. Gorst, tortures him with the same audio used on her, and then blows up the building, likely killing him and providing some closure for Bix.
Andor Season 2 episodes 4-6 are another example of how effectively the show builds tension, gradually escalating until it reaches a peak and delivers a satisfying release.
‘Andor’ Season 2 Episodes 4-6 Review: The Rebellion’s Fractured Path Forward
Andor Season 2 episodes 4-6 are another example of how effectively the show builds tension, gradually escalating until it reaches a peak and delivers a satisfying release.
