It has all been building up to this.

After 18 episodes of interpersonal conflict, sabotage and subterfuge, the tension reached its crescendo in this third arc as the much dreaded Ghorman Massacre is shown in all of its viciousness to screen. Half a season’s worth of planning later, seeds of Dedra’s scheme to incite a Ghorman resistance finally bear fruit but at a great loss.

Meanwhile, Cassian, who is disillusioned and questions his association with Luthen have moved up in the hierarchy in the rebel ranks now calls Yavin 4 home. His struggles about his commitment to the rebel cause would eventually lead to Bix making a decision he won’t want. It is astounding that the writers were able to establish a dichotomy on how opposing ends of a conflict – Andor & Bix and Dedra & Syril – respond to when it comes to sacrificing for their beliefs.

Fallout

What has been developing on the Ghorman front and the fallout from last arc’s heist is now at its apex. Akin to a powder keg, the Galactic Empire is finally ready to light the fuse that will set so many things in motion. As anticipated by many, the iconic Ghorman Massacre which was cited by Mon Mothma in several Star Wars media is shown in the most visceral and horrific depiction.

We have witnessed the heavy fists and boots of the Empire’s forces before but this one is much more sinister. Often treated as cannon fodder and comic relief, the Stormtroopers’ brutality and callousness were in full display and made even more chilling with their superiors’ casualness in executing war crimes in broad daylight.

It was a mixture of poetic justice and lament emotion seeing how Dedra and Syril are ultimately affected by this tragedy. In more ways than one, we cannot help but feel they had it coming. It always seem that everyone in Star Wars vehemently believe they are fighting on the ‘right side’ of history. That they are doing the world a service and their acts – no matter how horrific – is justified. This realisation when the walls around them crumble is pure cinema and we cannot get enough of it. To rub in the wound, his insignificance was emphasized by Andor’s coldest line.

Those who make it a habit of rewatching Rogue One: A Star Wars Story annually would have a field day pointing out significant callbacks, lines and characters peppered into these three episodes. Several ‘blink-and-you’ll-miss-it’, ‘Aha!’ moments were cleverly snuck into these episodes which definitely warrants repeated viewings. Our favorite moment though, was a simple line uttered by an unassuming side character. Let us know in the comments if you too, spot it.

In the previous review of the second arc of Andor Season 2, we labeled it as being the most subdued of the four arcs laid out in Season 2. This third arc, however, is the most action packed one. Major deaths occur including of a major character from the previous season as well as reintroduction of characters last seen in both Season 1 and Rogue One. There might be a small retcon considering a different story was earlier described via Star Wars comic book series but in our books, live-action shows are the canon-est of canon. Even the dreaded Sequel Trilogy.

After the tragedy, in rolls the aftermath.

The saying ‘The first casualty when war comes is truth,’ was coined by Hiram Johnson, a Republican politician from California and boy did the Empire do their damndest to suppress and twist it. From the manipulation and cover ups, to labeling fallen Empire troops as ‘martyrs’, we get to see the true magnitude of what the Rebels are up against.

The Galactic Senate has been referred to countless times before in Star Wars media and apart from Padme Amidala’s passionate plea in The Phantom Menace, very few iconic scenes are worthy of a mention. But possibly on par with Emperor Palpatine’s declaration in Revenge of the Sith, Mon’s scathing and open rebuke towards the Sith lord puts hers alongside heavy hitting monologues delivered by the likes of Luthen, Kino and Maarva in Season 1. Those trying to fit in this moment canonically can place just prior to the one shown in Star Wars: Rebels.

Andor Season 2 dabbles with several facets of sacrifice and how much the rebels and are willing to give to overthrow the Empire. Empathy does not mean agreement hence we appreciate that regardless of which side the characters are fighting for, the excellent writing enables us to empathise on an emotional level even with the vilest of characters. Now that’s excellent writing.

The third arc of Andor Season 2 is the best arc of the four – at least in our books. We would go as far as saying that it deserves to be its own standalone film; allowing viewers to absorb in the roller coaster ride of action and emotions in one sitting. This ‘Ghorman Massacre’ arc ties up and fleshes out so many references put in place by Star Wars material of old. Director Janus Metz and writer Dan Gilroy came out swinging for the fences and walked away with a Grand Slam.

Final Score: 100/100