Season 2, Episode 1, titled One Year Later, directed by Ariel Kleiman and written by Tony Gilroy, marks the beginning of the second season of Star Wars: Andor on Disney Plus. The story picks up in the year 4 BBY, exactly one year after the events of Season 1 (which took place in 5 BBY). In other words, the events occur four years before the Battle of Yavin—when Luke Skywalker destroyed the Death Star and joined the Rebel Alliance alongside Captain Han Solo and Chewbacca. By 4 BBY, key Rebel leaders like Bail Organa, Mon Mothma, and Luthen Rael are actively working to increase the influence and strength of the Rebel Alliance, aiming to position it as a legitimate force capable of toppling the Galactic Empire.

The central theme of One Year Later is challenge—on every level of the story. Cassian Andor faces the chaos of a broken rebel faction, testing his judgment and survival instincts. Mon Mothma grapples with the personal cost of rebellion, sacrificing her daughter’s future in a political marriage to fund the cause. Cassian’s friends live under constant threat, hiding from Imperial detection while clinging to hope. Even the Empire confronts internal dilemmas, as Krennic, Partagaz, and Meero struggle to justify the exploitation of Ghorman without drawing galactic outrage. From fractured alliances to moral compromises, the episode explores how individuals, insurgents, and empires alike are defined by the trials they endure—and the choices they make in the face of rising pressure.

Cassian Andor in Yavin 4

Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) arrives on Yavin 4, a jungle-covered moon located in the Outer Rim, piloting an advanced TIE Avenger stolen from an Imperial test facility on the planet Sienar. His mission is to deliver the ship to a fellow rebel agent named Porko. Once the handoff is complete, Cassian is meant to leave the planet with Porko’s assistance.

However, the mission quickly goes awry when Cassian is ambushed by the Maya Pei Brigade—a disgraced rebel faction. This group lost six ships and over forty fighters in a devastating ambush orchestrated by the Empire, which also resulted in the death of their leader, Maya Pei. The surviving members crash-landed on Yavin IV and have since descended into dysfunction and chaos.

The Maya Pei Brigade, now a fractured and directionless group, imprisons Cassian, even though they are clearly unfit to handle the situation. The group devolves into absurdity, with infighting and near-mutinous behavior as they argue over leadership and survival. Despite their nominal allegiance to the Rebellion, they act like disorganized fools, highlighting the danger of uncoordinated resistance efforts.

The Mothma Estate

On the planet Chandrila, Senator Mon Mothma (Genevieve O’Reilly) and her aloof husband Perrin Fertha (Alastair Mackenzie) prepare for the arranged wedding between their daughter, Leida Mothma (Bronte Carmichael), and Stekan Sculdun (Finley Glasgow), the son of the wealthy and corrupt banker Davo Sculdun (Richard Dillane). This union is part of a calculated political move: Mon Mothma seeks Davo’s financial support to fund the “Chandrilan Charitable Outreach Program,” which is, in truth, a front to secretly finance the expanding Rebel Alliance.

As guests from the Chandrilan elite begin to arrive for the ceremony, Luthen Rael (Stellan Skarsgård) also makes an appearance, delivering a priceless artifact as a wedding gift on behalf of Davo Sculdun. Luthen is not merely a gift bearer—he is one of the Rebellion’s most powerful spymasters, leading covert operations while posing as an antiques dealer. He uses his position to infiltrate high society and gather intelligence.

Luthen attends the wedding alongside his trusted assistant Kleya Marki (Elizabeth Dulau) and Mothma’s cousin, Vel Sartha (Faye Marsay), both of whom are key rebel operatives under his command. Though the wedding serves a political purpose, there is concern among the rebels: Cassian and Porko have not checked in, and the acquisition of the advanced TIE Avenger is crucial. Luthen continues attempting to establish contact while using the wedding as a front to meet with Mothma and strategize. Securing stable funding is essential if the rebellion is to stand a chance against the Empire.

Cassian Andor’s Friends In Hiding

Elsewhere, on the remote Outer Rim planet Mina-Rau, Cassian’s allies from Ferrix are living in hiding under the guise of hired farmhands. The group includes Bix Caleen (Adria Arjona), Wilmon Paak (Muhannad Bhaier), Brasso (Joplin Sibtain), and the droid B2EMO (Dave Chapman). Despite their efforts to remain discreet, danger soon finds them when an Imperial squad arrives on the planet, investigating suspected rebel activity. This situation is particularly perilous because, unlike Luthen Rael’s organized cells or Saw Gerrera’s militant factions, these individuals are not professionally trained or coordinated. The threat of discovery and capture looms large, forcing the group to prepare for whatever comes next.

The Imperial Scheme

In the Maltheen Divide, at a covert Imperial installation, Director Orson Krennic (Ben Mendelsohn) presides over a high-level meeting attended by ISB Major Lio Partagaz (Anton Lesser), Supervisor Dedra Meero (Denise Gough), and various other officials involved in Imperial security, finance, mining, and propaganda.

The discussion centers around the planet Ghorman—famous for its luxurious “Ghorman twill,” a durable silk harvested from the native Ghorlectipods. However, the true reason for their interest in Ghorman has nothing to do with fabric.

Emperor Palpatine has declared energy independence to be a priority for the Empire, but the initiative has faced numerous delays and roadblocks, including dependence on Senate funding. Despite these challenges, the Emperor remains committed to achieving access to stable, unlimited power, which he believes will not only transform the galactic economy, but also further entrench Imperial control.

Unbeknownst to most, the so-called “energy initiative” is a cover for Project Stardust—the development of the Death Star. The planet Ghorman holds a critical resource: deep substrate foliated Kalkite, a mineral essential to coating the reactor lenses of the battle station.

Krennic has just three years to oversee the full-scale extraction of Kalkite from Ghorman. However, this operation will have devastating consequences for the planet, potentially destabilizing its core and rendering it uninhabitable. Ghorman is home to nine cities and more than 800,000 civilians.

Director Krennic and Supervisor Meero

Director Krennic needs a justification for occupying Ghorman—one that won’t result in widespread condemnation. Major Partagaz raises concerns, noting Ghorman’s strong political connections and the likelihood that its citizens will resist any attempt at forced relocation.

Various unethical suggestions are proposed by the gathered Imperial advisors, including propaganda campaigns to portray the Ghormans as selfish or instigating a biological crisis to drive the population away. However, it is Supervisor Dedra Meero who offers a more calculated approach: covertly manipulate radical Ghorman rebels into committing violent acts that would justify Imperial intervention. The Empire could then frame the occupation as a necessary security response.

While Krennic is pleased with Meero’s plan, she warns that it’s not a sustainable solution. The scale of destruction the Empire plans for Ghorman will likely backfire, making them appear monstrous in the eyes of the galaxy if the true cost is ever revealed.

Given Krennic’s role as head of Project Stardust, the connection is clear: the energy initiative is merely a facade for the Death Star’s construction. Kalkite is vital for powering the massive reactor systems of a moon-sized battle station—capable of destroying planets, traveling at hyperspeed, and instilling fear across the stars.

The episode closes with this dark truth looming over every conversation—emphasizing the stakes for both the Rebellion and the Empire as the galaxy edges closer to war. 

Rating: 9/10