Episode 7 of Season 2 of "Andor" unfolds a year after the events of the preceding three installments, drawing us into a transformed narrative landscape. At the Yavin Rebel Base, Wil has seamlessly integrated into the folds of the rebellion, finding a comfortable niche for himself amidst the struggle. He has also rekindled his bond with Cass and Bix, who now reside in the secluded embrace of the woods. Engrossed in mending and fixing equipment for the rebels, Wil remains cautiously tight-lipped about the full scope of his engagements, opting instead to steer the conversation towards Luthen's latest task for him.
Meanwhile, Andor's faith in Luthen's vision of forging a brighter future begins to waver, while Wil's eagerness for combat simmers, fully immersed in the rebel's cause. Luthen's strategic directive entails sending Andor and Wil to Ghorman with the solemn mission of eliminating Dedra. According to Wil, such an opportunity to neutralize her may never present itself again.
After grappling with his doubts and indulging in prophecy-tinged contemplation, Andor eventually sets off for Ghorman alongside Wil. As their spacecraft soars into the sky, Vel arrives to visit Bix, reinforcing the message that Cassian has ascended to the role of leadership, inspiring reverence and loyalty among many.
On Ghorman, the tension continues to escalate. The Ghorman Resistance remains vigilant, striking strategic targets across the planet. The scene shifts to the aftermath of a fiery attack on the Naval Terminal in Palmo, where emotions are raw and the atmosphere is as volatile as a powder keg poised for detonation at any instant.
Admiral Tyzen is anticipated to deliver an oration regarding this momentous event, yet a city-wide curfew has been imposed, casting an air of tension over every corner. Amidst the tightening screws of security, Syril remains steadfast, alongside an equally resilient Dedra. Despite their tireless efforts, the Emperor has rendered Dedra's ingenious sabotage scheme obsolete, opting instead for the uncompromising approach of brute force and planetary exploitation. The lack of a synthetic substitute for the invaluable Ghorman substrate material has left them with little choice but to proceed as initially planned. Their ultimate objective: after extracting every conceivable resource, Partagaz intends to erase the planet from existence. Alarmingly, this dire sequence of events is set to unfold within the next 48 hours.
Captain Kaido, a seasoned crisis management specialist, has been enlisted by Partagaz, accompanied by a team of personnel to navigate this treacherous terrain. While the team has been brought up to speed, Dedra's dissatisfaction lingers heavily. When Syril learns of this twist, his faith in their endeavors wavers, further irked by Dedra's secrecy. In an attempt to silence his doubts, she kisses him, brushing aside his apprehensions with the promise of a lucrative promotion upon their return to Coruscant.
Syril's annoyance stems deeper, however, due to his clandestine ties with the rebels. It seems his cover as a spy has been blown, as evidenced by his tense encounter with Enza that fateful night. He clings to the hope of a way out, but she responds with a stinging slap across the face, leaving room for speculation regarding their past romantic entanglements, if any.
Meanwhile, Mon Mothma is apprised of the terrorist strikes plaguing Ghorman, yet her hands are tied, given the planet's inevitable march towards oblivion. On Ghorman's soil, restrictions tighten with each passing moment, as Andor and Wil arrive, determined to eliminate Dedra. Their mission is straightforward—to snipe their target from afar when she ventures onto the balcony. Whether Dedra will emerge unscathed from this deadly game of chess remains to be seen.
