After the first three excellent, sprawling episodes, Andor Season 2, Episodes 4-6, all revolve around Ghorman. The focus on one location, with a few exceptions, gives these three episodes a razor-sharp focus. These episodes also allow room for character development from Bix, Cassian, and even make Luthen and Kleya squirm.
Andor Season 2 Episodes 4-6 Overview
Beau Willimon‘s writing in Andor Season 2 episodes 4-6 continues the high quality established by Tony Gilroy in the first three episodes. Willmon takes a similar approach to the Aldani arc in the 1st season. Every major character, even those who don’t spend time on the planet, is revolves around Ghorman.
The Empire’s presence in Ghorman is forcing all eyes on the textile-run planet. On the planet’s surface is a group of rebels who are looking to unseat the Empire, but their inexperience could hurt the rebellion. Cassian arrives to offer a hand and guide the plan. He returns to Coruscant due to concerns for Bix and his disagreement with Luthen’s plan. Vel and Cinta lead the heist, but like Aldani, they have a similar tragic outcome.
Back on Coruscant, Mon Mothma is seeking political support for her bill against Palpatine that will help suppress the ISB’s power. The Mothma scenes serve as an excellent showcase for Genevieve O’Reilly as Mothma and Ben Mendelsohn as Krennic, allowing them to debate one another effectively. Meanwhile, Luthen and Kleya must scramble to remove a bug that Kleya has placed on Davo Sculdun.
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Thankfully, Lonnie, a rebel spy who serves on the ISB, comes to the rescue in more ways than one. In another clandestine meeting, he reveals that Dedra Meero is running the Ghorman op. He doesn’t have more details, but his information helps Luthen dispatch Cassian to Ghorman to get the necessary details. Lonnie also serves as a distraction as Kleya disarms her bug.
Meero doesn’t have a massive presence in these three episodes, but Syril Karn does. He’s working in Ghorman and feigns sympathy for the citizens, but reports back to Dedra and Major Partagaz.
Elsewhere, Forest Whitaker delivers his best performance as Saw Gerrera to date. Saw’s monologue is another terrific speech in a series that continues to turn out bangers.
The only issue with these episodes is that the time jump doesn’t seem consistent from character to character. A year passes between the end of episode three and the beginning of episode four. Bix struggles with moving on from the doctor and the attempted rape seems like they happened a week ago. Meanwhile, Syril’s story on Ghorman feels as if a year has passed.
In a strong slate of TV, the only series that’s even close to the quality of Andor is The Last of Us. While the performances in The Last of Us and Andor are neck-and-neck, the writing in Andor is more compelling at this point.
Andor is streaming on Disney Plus.
Ghorman Heist
The most significant change from the first three episodes is that Cassian is front and center throughout. Bix also has a bigger, more emotionally distraught role to play. Cassian and Bix are hiding out on Coruscant. Bix continues to have nightmares about the torture she endured at the hands of Dr. Gorst. In episode 5, Luthen meets with Cassian and gives him a mission to assess the situation on Ghorman. The scenes between Diego Luna and Stellan Skarsgard are fantastic.
Cassian’s solo mission is a terrific showcase for Luna as Cassian tactfully begins to work his way around the major players in Ghorman. A faction of Ghorman is eager to rebel against the increasing presence of imperial forces. Cassian offers them guidance in spycraft and helps deliver the plan to Luthen, but heads back to Coruscant to be with Bix.
Meanwhile, Bix isn’t doing so well. Her torment impedes her ability to sleep, causing her to turn to drugs. It turns out Bix’s medicine is revenge, as she’s able to take out Gorst in a satisfying fashion.
Ploy of the Empire
The focus on Ghorman appears to be Meero’s plan. Syril, Meero’s significant other, is stationed on the planet to offer a sympathetic ear to the restless Ghormans. Meero wants to stir up the Ghormans into a revolt. When they make a mistake, then the ISB and Empire can use this incident as justification for Ghorman’s occupation.
Cassian doesn’t make the Meero connection, but he does realize the danger in the Ghorman plan. The Ghormans want to steal a weapons shipment. Unlike the Aldani, where Cassian can escape the plant, the Ghormans are still in their home, which means hiding is the only risky option.
Cassian points out the folly of Luthen’s plan. However, in Luthen’s mind, failure isn’t necessarily bad as long as it shines a bright enough light on the cruelty of the Empire. He explains this philosophy to Bix.
While Cassian is on Ghorman, Luthen visits Bix. He puts the pieces together, but seems to show concern for her mental state. While that might be the case, his real purpose was to determine her usefulness. Adria Arjona continues to shine at playing the distraught side of Bix. I love the look Bix projects as she’s leaving Gorst’s office.
Andor Episodes 4-6 Final Thoughts
Overall, while the time jumps can make it challenging to catch up on where characters are in their journeys, the ascent of Cassian and the botched rebellion resistance on Ghorman continues to make Andor the best Star Wars series.
Andor Season 2 Episodes 4 - 6
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Episode 4 - 8.5/108.5/10
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Episode 5 - 9/109/10
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Episode 6 - 9.5/109.5/10
