Editor’s note: The recap below contains spoilers for Andor Season 2 Episode 6.

The closing episode of this week’s Andor arc brings an emotional farewell to BBY 3. This arc has significantly explored the theme of surveillance by both the Empire and the Rebellion. The various plotlines established in this arc, along with unresolved threads from the previous episode, culminate in this installment. Just like Episode 3 dealt a heavy blow to Cassian’s ( Diego Luna ) close circle, Vel ( Faye Marsay ) faces a life-altering tragedy that many anticipated. Episode 6 also concludes Ariel Kleiman ’s six-episode directing tenure, with the last trio of episodes written by Beau Willimon.

The episode begins along the Rimma Trade Route at Port Steergard ( previously mentioned in the premiere ) as Cassian meets Luthen ( Stellan Skarsgård ) after his unsuccessful mission to Ghorman. Cassian’s views on the Ghorman situation remain unchanged since his departure from the planet, and he advises Luthen against involvement—something Luthen does not want to hear. Cassian believes the Ghormans are acting recklessly, and that resisting the Empire at this stage will only worsen their plight. Luthen, however, values having a world like Ghorman on the Rebellion’s side due to its wealth and influence. Cassian sees the situation from a soldier’s perspective, understanding that a disorganized army will be defeated by the Empire. This scene reveals much about Luthen’s revolutionary character. When Cassian questions what will happen if Ghorman is destroyed, Luthen simply replies, “It’ll burn very brightly.” This response is unsurprising, considering Luthen’s tendency to view his assets as expendable, yet it also reflects Cassian’s current state. Although he exhibits hints of the desperate resolve he displays in Rogue One, he has not fully arrived at that point yet.

Cassian’s hesitation to assist with Ghorman doesn’t surprise Luthen. Upon returning to Coruscant, Luthen contacts Kleya ( Elizabeth Dulau ) at the gallery, expressing that his trip was a “waste of time” since the “piece wasn’t what they needed.” Kleya casually notes that she anticipated this outcome and is already in the process of sending another “item” to Ghorman. This “item” turns out to be Vel, who has arrived on Ghorman to accomplish the task Cassian could not. Andor shows Vel as she is approached by Dilan ( Théo Costa-Marini ) while sitting in the plaza, preparing to initiate contact with the Front.

Cassian returns to Bix ( Adria Arjona ), who appears distressed. After her insightful talk with Luthen in the previous episode, she has attempted to make the safehouse feel more like a home. She has tidied up and bought flowers, clearly trying to restore a semblance of normalcy reminiscent of their days on Ferrix and Mina-Rau. This moment is one of many in Andor Season 2 that solidifies Cassian and Bix as the most compelling couple in the Star Wars universe. Their affection is effortlessly charming, fluctuating between sweet and steamy, creating delightful interactions. Bix inquires about the persona Cassian adopted for the mission, which he describes as a “very pretty” fashion designer, teasing him about needing to bring that persona home one night.

While the scene carries a light tone, Cassian’s genuine concern for Bix’s emotional well-being leads to a heavier conversation. Bix shares that Luthen visited her shortly after Cassian left for the mission, prompting Cassian to panic. He worries about her and suspects Luthen’s visit was meant to create tension between them. His instinct isn’t entirely unfounded. Cassian confronts Luthen at the gallery regarding his talk with Bix during his absence, which infuriates Luthen. Similar to how Cassian dealt with Enza ( Alaïs Lawson ) on Ghorman, Luthen tries to uphold his carefully crafted image, claiming he came to the gallery to return a missing medallion from a shipment, but Cassian rejects the pretense. As their argument escalates, Luthen belittles Cassian, accusing him of being weak on Ghorman while fiercely protecting Bix. Luthen warns him that he must sort out his priorities before Bix’s situation spirals out of control. Cassian makes a casual remark about how much simpler his life would be if he worked alone, which raises concerns about Bix’s fate in Rogue One.

Bix Finally Confronts Her Demons in ‘Andor’ Season 2 Episode 6

Early in the episode, Major Partagaz ( Anton Lesser ) informs supervisors Lonni Jung ( Robert Emms ) and Heert ( Jacob James Beswick ) that Dr. Gorst’s ( Joshua James ) effective interrogation methods have caught the attention of Military Intelligence, persuading the Emperor to expand this process into a full program. He assigns the duo to monitor the initiative, which will operate from a newly allocated naval facility on Coruscant. As their conversation concludes, Jung instructs Heert to lead the project, clearly intending to inform Luthen about this development. This detail confirms Gorst’s ominous presence since the premiere. Cassian wakes up alone in their safehouse to find Bix (who has taken her comforting elixir) gazing out the window. The beacon is flashing again, signaling that Luthen requires them for a mission—and Cassian concurs with Bix’s desire to accompany him this time.

Andor Episode 6 delivers one of the most gratifying sequences in Star Wars history during its final moments. To some extent, it rivals Princess Leia’s ( Carrie Fisher ) Huttslayer moment, but this time, the action is underpinned by a far richer narrative. As the episode concludes, Dr. Gorst returns to work with a treat he picked up from a local shop, blissfully unaware of what awaits him in his office: Bix. Gorst panics upon recognizing her but cannot recall where he knows her from. Although Bix has been haunted by his face and actions, she is just a fleeting memory for him. She assures him that what she is about to do will “only feel like forever” as she restrains him and gives him a taste of his own medicine —literally.

After executing her revenge, Bix escapes the building and meets up with Cassian, who appears proud of her actions. As they walk away from the scene like seasoned spies, Cassian detonates the building. This sequence, highlighted in many trailers before Andor’s release, is no less thrilling when witnessed live. The framing of this entire sequence is immensely satisfying, but the true pleasure lies in the irony of Gorst receiving his “just desserts” with his own weapon turned against him before meeting his ultimate fate.

‘Andor’ Season 2 Episode 6 Affirms That Rebellions Have No Happy Endings

Vel’s arrival on Ghorman does not go unnoticed, and the Front’s increased activity triggers a chain reaction. Syril ( Kyle Soller ) informs Partagaz and Dedra ( Denise Gough ) that he suspects an attack is imminent, leading the trio to position themselves to ensure their plans for Ghorman proceed smoothly—even if Syril is unaware of the full scope of his involvement.

Vel is not alone in aiding Ghorman, as Cinta ( Varada Sethu ) returns after killing Tay a year ago. She meets with Vel at a café in the plaza, and the two former lovers catch up while contemplating the situation on Ghorman—deciding to withdraw if the Front appears unprepared. Cinta reveals that she has spent the past year recovering from an “accident,” likely the incident that resulted in Tay’s death. While the specifics remain unspoken (Cinta promises to share the details with Vel someday), it can be inferred that Luthen orchestrated a transport crash, leading to Tay’s demise and Cinta’s injuries. Vel is upset that Luthen failed to inform her about Cinta’s accident, but she admits she told Luthen she would only accept the Ghorman assignment if Cinta was involved.

Despite Cassian’s doubts about the Front (and the numerous red flags that arise during their initial meeting), Vel and Cinta believe the aspiring rebels are ready to execute the heist. Vel sets one condition for the eager group: they will not assist unless they adhere to the chain of command. She emphasizes the importance of caution—they need to execute the plan flawlessly with no room for mistakes. They already face challenges, including outdated intelligence, and cannot risk anyone deviating from the plan. After scheduling a time for the heist, Vel and Cinta share another intimate moment. Cinta apologizes for hurting Vel, and they discuss their intentions to speak with Luthen after the heist. Their dialogue mirrors Cassian’s earlier conversation with Luthen about Bix, as Vel and Cinta acknowledge that they are more valuable to Luthen individually. Reviewing these scenes highlights Andor’s setup for future developments, which is heartbreaking.

Syril continues to observe the group as their attack unfolds, visibly excited by the experience. By the end, he is breathless, as if he actively participated rather than merely watching from a rooftop. The heist initially goes well for the Front. Vel and Cinta successfully guide the rebels through the operation until everything unravels. As they prepare to escape in their getaway vehicle, an older woman unexpectedly walks through the operation, prompting Dreena ( Ella Pellegrini ) to step away from her task to escort the woman home. Dreena’s absence causes a delay, which, while they have a moment to wait, leads to another disruption: Lezine ( Thierry Godard ). Although Lezine sympathizes with the Front’s cause, Samm ( Abraham Wapler ) seizes the opportunity to assert his authority, threatening him with his blaster. Lezine accepts the challenge, resulting in a struggle that ends with Cinta being shot.

It occurs so swiftly, yet the impact of her loss is profoundly felt. Vel takes a moment to grieve her fallen love (who was shot through the heart), and Lezine offers to carry Cinta’s body for her, which she accepts. In the getaway vehicle, Samm is distraught as the weight of his unintentional act sinks in, and Vel does not allow him to escape his guilt, stating: “I’m not going to say ‘remember this,’ because I don’t have to. This is on you now. This is like skin. You’re taking her with you for the rest of your useless life.” She makes it clear that Samm cannot grieve for his actions; the only way he can atone is by living with the consequences.

With Episode 6, Andor joins a long list of series that have “buried their gays,” but it is arguably the least offensive instance of the trope. While rebellions are built on hope, they also rely on the sacrifices of brave, committed warriors who never witness their victories. Cinta’s death echoes Luthen’s poignant monologue from Season 1: she created a sunrise she will never see. The choice of which half of the tragic couple perished is significant, especially since Cinta was more devoted to the cause—a major factor behind their breakup in Season 1. As another one-year jump approaches, it will be intriguing to see how Cinta’s death affects Vel moving forward.

‘Andor’ Season 2 Reintroduces a Legendary Rebel

Investiture Week unfolds throughout Episode 6. While Sculdun’s ( Richard Dillane ) party offers its own share of chills, Mon Mothma’s ( Genevieve O’Reilly ) arc in this episode is nearly bone-chilling. She stands in the Galactic Senate Chambers as the Oathkeeper’s booming voice merges with the senators’ oaths of allegiance to the Empire. Mon grips her podium, struggling to utter the expected words, indicating that this election cycle is more critical than previous ones. Various asides throughout the episode lead up to Sculdun’s party, particularly that she and Perrin ( Alastair Mackenzie ) are overbooked, marking the first year with this many parties to attend. This meta-commentary hints at the overcompensation that occurs when individuals realize they are supporting an authoritarian regime, further emphasized when they finally reach Sculdun’s.

At Sculdun’s party, audiences receive a rare glimpse into the social dynamics of Star Wars’ political landscape, typically found only in novels like The Mask of Fear or historical texts like The Rise and Fall of the Galactic Empire. Paparazzi droids capture images of Mon and Perrin as they arrive, hovering around their every interaction while they navigate the crowd to meet their newly minted in-laws. Gawking statesmen fawn over Luthen and his artifacts in a pathetic attempt to appear cultured. Runai Sculdun ( Rosalind Halstead ) regards her husband with an apathy that could earn her a spot on The Real Housewives of Coruscant.

Amidst the covert politicking and the tension of Luthen and Mon’s terse exchanges about Vel and Kleya, as well as Mishko’s conversation regarding impending reappraisals, Jung and Heert arrive at the celebration, surprising their peer, Supervisor Lagret ( Michael Jenn ). Jung attempts to blend in with the socialites, but Heert admits they are only there because Partagaz had an emergency and gifted them the tickets. Heert inquires about whether Lagret’s “buddy” will attend, and they receive assurance that he will.

Once Kleya spots Jung, she devises a plan to discreetly retrieve the listening device from Sculdun’s collection. This risky strategy involves establishing their previous interactions (Jung had visited the gallery seeking a gift for his wife) and trusting that Heert will perceive her boldness as harmless flirting (which succeeds). As the Sculduns gather their “chosen few” to view his collection, Kleya lures Jung across the room to admire her favorite piece: the Tinian Codex.

As guests enter the gallery, Lagret’s “buddy” turns out to be Orson Krennic ( Ben Mendelsohn ), much to Mon’s dismay. During the gallery tour, the two clash verbally. Mon sarcastically remarks on how delightful it is to see him outside of the witness box, while Krennic retorts about the technicalities surrounding genocide as they admire a tairn recovered from the Battle of Carmeen. Perrin tries to mediate, but he knows better than to undermine his wife when she argues with someone like Krennic, especially regarding the semantics of how rebels may be viewed as terrorists. Unbeknownst to Mon, her prolonged dispute with Krennic over the ISB Academy’s education on “systematic execution” actually aids Kleya’s efforts to remove the listening device, particularly after the key jams and she injures her hand in the process.

It’s remarkable how much effort Andor invests in creating moments like this. Not only does every character in the series have a name—even those who never speak on screen—but Tony Gilroy and his team of writers meticulously craft new details that enhance the Star Wars tapestry. Here, they weave an intricate story about the Trinian Codex and its previous owners. As Kleya struggles to extract the listening device, she instructs Lonni to pay close attention to the artifact’s history, as they will be tested. The creators of the codex hailed from a planet where sight was deemed a disability and blindness a gift. The tactility of the relic makes it an ideal piece for Kleya to manipulate as she attempts to remove the device, and her scheme goes unnoticed by the other guests. Once Krennic and the attendees reach the relic, Lonni flawlessly recounts what he learned from Kleya, while she discreetly hides her injured hand. Krennic makes a flippant comment about how everyone knows someone who would thrive on a planet dedicated to the blind, but no one genuinely laughs at his remark.

While this subplot is relatively low stakes (compared to others in this arc), it proves to be one of the more enjoyable sequences, as it offers a deeper insight into the dynamics and relationships of the characters maneuvering through Coruscant’s political landscape. There’s also something truly sinister about the notion that Krennic is mingling with Coruscant’s political elite while Partagaz, Dedra, and Syril unwittingly serve as pawns in his schemes on Ghorman. As Luthen and Kleya head home for the night, they joke about how they should have eliminated Krennic when they had the chance, which feels like a painful reminder of what lies ahead.

The first six episodes of Andor Season 2 are currently streaming on Disney+.

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