Season 2, Episode 2, titled Sagrona Teema, directed by Ariel Kleiman and written by Tony Gilroy, continues the story of Luthen Rael and Mon Mothma’s rebel cells as they work to build the Rebel Alliance—an alliance strong enough to topple the Galactic Empire and restore the Republic. Their plan requires proper financing, so they must ensure enough funds can be secretly funneled toward the Rebellion. Meanwhile, the Empire is scheming to mine Ghorman for Kalkite, intending to use the minerals to coat their reactors—such as those within the Death Star—to grant their weapons of war nearly unlimited energy.

The central theme of the episode is attachments. Sentient beings are intelligent enough to become strong leaders, teachers, scholars, and protectors against evil. Yet, their full potential can be hindered by their personal attachments—whether to friends, family, or loved ones. Many characters, including the rebels in Andor, struggle to separate their work from their personal happiness. Even individuals within the Empire face this dilemma, as seen in Dedra’s desire for a genuine, normal relationship with Syril.

Cassian Escapes Yavin 4

Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) manages to escape the incompetent Maya Pei Brigade and flee Yavin 4 aboard a TIE Avenger. His escape required little strategizing, highlighting the survivors’ profound ineptitude. It’s a disgrace to the legacy of Maya Pei, who, under proper support from Luthen Rael and with Cassian as mediator, might have become a truly capable rebel leader. Instead, her surviving followers unknowingly tarnished her memory through their pettiness and selfishness; level-headed rebels would have evaluated the situation and escaped with Cassian aboard the TIE Fighter within an hour. The broader significance of the Yavin 4 storyline lies in exposing how scattered rebel cells across the galaxy suffer from such dysfunction. Their failure to cooperate ensures their defeat against the Empire. In the end, they are little more than criminals and thugs—rebels without a cause.

Chandrilan Marriage: Sagrona Teema Solom!!!

At the Mothma Estate on Chandrila, Senator Mon Mothma (Genevieve O’Reilly) and Luthen face mounting pressure. The arranged marriage between Leida Mothma (Bronte Carmichael) and Stekan Sculdun (Finley Glasgow) is crucial to the success of the Chandrilan Charitable Outreach Program—a front designed to secretly fund the future Rebel Alliance.

However, Mothma’s burden is heavier than Luthen’s. She is sacrificing her daughter’s happiness—likely condemning her to an unhappy marriage—for the sake of galactic freedom. Matters worsen when she learns that her old friend Tay Kolma (Ben Miles), the future chairman of the charity and a banker at the Bank of Kolma, is facing financial ruin due to the chaos wrought by ongoing rebel attacks. Desperate, Tay seeks employment under Davo Sculdun (Richard Dillane), a corrupt Chandrilan financier. Worse still, Kolma subtly threatens Mothma, implying he could expose the charity’s true purpose as a front for the Rebellion unless he is paid to remain silent. Luthen views this development as a serious threat—and quietly begins to consider a plan to eliminate Mothma’s former friend.

Although the rebellion needs Sculdun’s wealth, entrusting him with influence over the charity is dangerous. Mothma feels trapped, but Rael urges her to endure for the sake of their cause. Still, Mothma remains deeply uncomfortable with resorting to dirty tactics to build a heroic rebellion.

The Mina-Rau Farm

On Mina-Rau, Bix Caleen (Adria Arjona), Wilmon Paak (Muhannad Bhaier), Brasso (Joplin Sibtain), and the droid B2EMO (Dave Chapman) continue living as farmhands. Life is relatively peaceful, as they befriend the native farmers. However, an Imperial squad arrives, ostensibly to purchase food shipments, but also to investigate suspected rebel activity. The Ferrix fugitives attract suspicion, though their true identities remain unknown to the Imperials—for now.

Major Partagaz and Supervisor Meero

At the ISB Headquarters on Coruscant, ISB Major Lio Partagaz (Anton Lesser) and Supervisor Dedra Meero (Denise Gough) begin work on the Empire’s project to mine Ghorman. Dedra, disturbed by the assignment’s genocidal nature, requests to be reassigned. Partagaz denies her request, explaining that her success with the Ghorman project could greatly enhance her reputation and influence—far more than her ongoing, fruitless pursuit of “Axis,” the codename for Luthen Rael.

Partagaz, who sees potential in Dedra and may be grooming her as his successor, encourages her to view this gruesome task as an opportunity rather than a punishment.

Later, Dedra returns to her luxurious apartment, which she shares with her boyfriend Syril Karn (Kyle Soller), a low-level functionary in the Empire’s Fuel Purity sector. Although their relationship appears cold and distant, Dedra is genuinely protective of Syril—going so far as to secretly investigate potential threats to him behind his back.

Rating: 9/10