Phil Roberts 
The penultimate salvo of Star Wars: Andor Season 2 episodes is nothing short of perfection. Tony Gilroy has successfully taken Star Wars to another level with this story arc and has brought the Ghorman storyline to a triumphant and jaw-dropping conclusion.
ONE YEAR LATER. It’s time to dive into the siege of Ghorman in Star Wars: Andor Season 2. This week, the riveting trilogy of episodes cranks up the intensity. After last week’s slower, character-driven arcs, Tony Gilroy propels us into some of the most shocking moments in Star Wars history. Lives are lost, the Empire’s grip tightens, Mon Mothma takes a stand, and old friends return. We are now on the brink of Rogue One, with all the familiar elements of Gareth Edwards’ classic beginning to unfold. But are these components enough to make this story arc captivating, or has Andor Season 2 already hit a snag?
REVIEWÂ
Don’t worry, Star Wars fans! This week’s episodes from the final season are truly exceptional. As the tension reaches its peak, Tony Gilroy finally lets the action unfold in full force, giving us some of the finest moments in Star Wars history. Kyle Soller’s Syril Karn receives the absolution he has been seeking, while Dedra Meero feels the weight of her aspirations catching up to her. The Ghor learn the true cost of Rebellion, Mon Mothma makes the ultimate sacrifice, and Cassian encounters his future sidekick. What follows is an exceptional story arc that makes this series truly unmissable.Â
Fans longing for the classic Star Wars experience will be thrilled, as these episodes feature some of the most jaw-dropping events we’ve seen in a long time. Tony Gilroy has produced an outstanding series of episodes that set a new standard for future installments. The character development is remarkable, and the resolution of various plot threads is astonishing. Ultimately, this represents Star Wars at its best, serving as the ideal complement to Rogue One in every way.
BIX AND CASSIAN
After last week’s intense episodes, which resulted in the death of Cinta and the Ghor obtaining heavy weaponry, the series jumps forward a year to reunite us with Cassian and Bix. They are now living with the fledgling Rebellion on Yavin IV. Cassian struggles with battle wounds, while Bix begins to feel the gravity of their roles in the war against the Empire. So far, the series has focused on a grounded and gritty portrayal of the rising Rebellion, largely avoiding discussions of the Force. However, in this episode, the significance of Cassian’s role in the events of “Rogue One” comes into focus, allowing us to explore the role of the Force in bringing these events to fruition.
Bix is starting to believe that the Force has preordained their role in the war and that Cassian has a greater destiny to fulfill. On the other hand, Cassian dismisses Bix’s beliefs and refuses to embrace any mysticism. However, a chance encounter with the camp’s spiritual healer alters their dynamic, and soon, the will of the Force will profoundly impact their lives. The outcome of this intervention will not be resolved until the finale, but we’ll circle back to that next week.
THE GHORMAN MASSACRE – TAKE TWO!
With Cassian and Bix at an impasse, Cassian learns that Dedra Meero has taken complete control of the armory on Ghorman and is often seen outside the defenses, making her an easy target. Despite General Draven’s (Alistair Petrie) objections—he reprises his role from Rogue One—Cassian departs Yavin IV in his usual U-Wing troop transport and heads to Ghorman, leaving Bix to contemplate their future.
Once Cassian arrives, he is thrown into a bitter confrontation between the Ghor and the Empire. Tensions run high, fueled by the constant scheming of the ISB’s manipulative agents, and the situation is poised to explode. Meero stands on the brink of making a decision that could alter the course of Star Wars history forever. The consequences will be far-reaching, impacting all of our beloved characters as they move toward the events of Rogue One.
GILROY’S MASTERY
To prevent the story arc from being spoiled any more, I will not be delving into the plot in this review. You deserve to experience these episodes in all their glory. Needless to say, when Meero finally lights the fuse and the powder keg explodes, the events will change the trajectory of the war forever. You have to hand it to Tony Gilroy; his execution of this arc is exceptional. After slowly building the tension in the last arc, the full weight of the uprising on Ghorman can be felt in all its glory. The atmosphere is tense. Unlike the bright and warm individuals from the previous arc, we are now confronted with seasoned resistance fighters ready to take a stand and take decisive action.
To underscore this shift, the planet’s once-opulent environment is now replaced by a dark and gloomy atmosphere, reminiscent of the stale gray of the Imperial war machine. The skies are overcast. The streets are damp and ravaged by Imperial occupation, and the citizens of the planet are at their wits’ end, struggling to survive under the weight of Imperial oppression. The weight of the change practically oozes through the screen and envelopes the viewer as it unfolds, making us feel part of the events.
DEDRA AND SYRIL
As the tension on Ghorman reaches its peak, Gilroy takes the opportunity to delve deeper into the relationship between Dedra and Syril. The showrunner has skillfully humanized these career-driven Imperial officers, and their relationship comes to a turning point in this week’s storyline. While their connection has been developing, Syril learns from Carro Rylanz and his daughter Enza that he has been used as a pawn in Dedra’s schemes. This shocking revelation leads to a confrontation between Syril and Dedra that completely changes their dynamic. Up until this point, Syril has been the subordinate in the relationship. But after discovering the truth, the roles are reversed, resulting in some shocking actions.
In my exclusive interview with Kyle Soller and Denise Gough, we discussed the relationship between their characters and their outcome. It became clear that they, too, were surprised by how it all ended. For a duo as mechanical and methodical as this, it is intriguing to witness the development and eventual implosion of their relationship as the story reaches its conclusion. We must commend these talented actors for delivering their lines with such conviction. The mix of betrayal and heartbreak is palpable, allowing us to genuinely empathize with them as tensions rise. Both characters have been manipulated as pawns in Krennic’s game, and the costs have been significant.
In my initial review of this season, I mentioned that the overarching theme is sacrifice. That theme has never been more evident than it is here. Every member of this exceptional cast will face the need to make a sacrifice, and the consequences will be greater than anticipated.
MON MOTHMA, BAIL ORGANA & THE SENATE
The fallout from the crisis on Ghorman extends to the Senate, putting Mon Mothma and Bail Organa at a critical juncture. Feeling that the Empire’s actions have gone too far, Mon takes it upon herself to address the outrage over Ghorman by calling out Emperor Palpatine in the Senate. After learning of her intentions, Bail Organa and Luthen quickly scramble to implement an escape plan. However, as evident throughout both seasons, Mothma’s circle has been compromised. This leaves her uncertain about whom she can trust. Benjamin Bratt, who recently replaced Jimmy Smits as Senator Bail Organa, skillfully breathes new life into the character, presenting a more nuanced version of Bail.
Bratt delivers a more anxious performance here that heightens the tension we feel throughout the episode on Coruscant. His character’s desperation can be felt throughout, and I applaud Bratt for his conviction. Filling the shoes of a legacy character like Bail Organa comes with its fair share of pressure, but Bratt seems to have slipped into gear without missing a beat. Although I still prefer Smits in the role, Bratt has worked wonders in filling the void, and his performance has added more depth to the character.
MAGNIFICENT GENEVIEVE
However, the standout performance in this storyline comes from the remarkable Genevieve O’Reilly. It is a joy to witness Mon Mothma’s story of sacrifice come to fruition. Since 1983, we have known Mon Mothma as the leader of the Rebellion. Now she rises to the challenge, defies the Emperor, and claims her rightful place as a true leader. Genevieve O’Reilly has worked tirelessly to add new dimensions to the character. After the first arc of the season, I thought she had reached her peak, but she surpasses even that in this portrayal.
O’Reilly approaches this new arc with enthusiasm, skillfully showcasing the character’s strength while also exploring the fear and anxiety that come with standing up to the galaxy’s greatest oppressor. Her performance and delivery are flawless. At times, she portrays Mon with intensity and determination. At other moments, she captures a sense of struggle and pain. This is especially evident as Mon takes her first steps into a new life that requires her to sever ties with her family and friends.
Mon truly pays the ultimate price here, a sacrifice that will leave lasting scars on everyone around her. I commend Genevieve O’Reilly for bringing this level of quality to her portrayal. It is a testament to her love for the character that truly shines through, and I cannot commend her enough for her commitment to the cause. It’s scintillating stuff.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I can’t conclude this review without addressing the elephant in the room. Throughout the first season and even in the early episodes of Season 2, fans have eagerly anticipated the return of K-2SO. Fortunately, he makes his comeback this week. While I won’t detail how he is introduced, I can say that his inclusion is yet another success. Gilroy has portrayed K-2SO as both a hero and, now, a villain, and this juxtaposition is both jarring and captivating. Alan Tudyk brings his charisma back to the role, and although K-2SO’s presence in this story arc is brief, it’s fantastic to see him return.
VERDICT
Overall, this penultimate salvo of episodes from Star Wars: Andor Season 2 is nothing short of perfection from Tony Gilroy. The showrunner has successfully taken Star Wars to another level with this story arc and has brought the Ghorman storyline to a triumphant and jaw-dropping conclusion. Cassian’s destiny is explored in greater detail, K2-So makes his triumphant return, and Dedra and Syril’s connection comes to a critical end. But the true brilliance of these episodes resides with Genevieve O’Reilly and Mon Mothma’s ultimate sacrifice. In truth, there is very little to be critical about here. Although there are bigger revelations in next week’s nail-biting finale, the Ghormn massacre will be remembered for its winning performances, jaw-dropping action, and emotionally powerful sacrifices.
The Force works in mysterious ways, but based on this trio of episodes, the Force is strong with Tony Gilroy.
The first nine episodes from Star Wars: Andor Season 2 are now streaming on Disney+.
Meet Phil Roberts! He’s the dedicated owner, daily content manager, and editor-in-chief of The Future of the Force. Phil is a budding novelist who turned his passion toward writing about the franchises he loves back in 2016. He’s a huge fan of all things Star Wars, Batman, DC, Marvel, Star Trek, Indiana Jones, Ghostbusters, King Kong, and the Ray Harryhausen movies. Phil is a BFI-accredited journalist and a distinguished member of the Film Critics Association UK.
If he’s not catching a movie at the cinema, you can bet he’s streaming something just as awesome!
