Season 2, Episode 4, titled Ever Been to Ghorman?, directed by Ariel Kleiman and written by Beau Willimon, begins with a one-year time jump to 3 BBY (Three Years Before the Battle of Yavin). This marks the start of a new three-episode arc centered on the planet Ghorman, a key world along the Rimma Trade Route. Much like Ferrix in Season 1, Ghorman plays a pivotal role—serving as the cultural, political, and narrative anchor for this part of the story.

Ghorman is a society inspired by early 20th-century Northern Italy and France. However, its aesthetics and language lean more heavily toward French influence, underscored by the casting of predominantly French actors. The planet’s economy revolves around luxurious textiles spun from the silk of native Ghorlectipods, earning Ghorman significant political and economic influence across the galaxy. Now, the Empire seeks to mine Kalkite here—despite the environmental risk—to complete the Death Star reactor’s coating. The Ghorman storyline takes clear inspiration from the French Resistance during World War II, even incorporating elements from the historical National Assembly that once sought to overthrow the monarchy and establish a republic.

The episode explores the theme of determination—particularly the Ghorman Front’s unwavering resolve to resist the Empire. Figures like Luthen, Mon Mothma, Lonni, and House Rylanz work tirelessly to advance the dream of galactic freedom. Yet the Empire, through the cunning of the ISB, edges closer to uncovering the identities and operations of these rebel cells, putting the entire movement in jeopardy.

The Ghorman Front

On Ghorman, Dedra Meero (Denise Gough) stages a breakup with Syril Karn (Kyle Soller), enabling him to infiltrate the Ghorman Front as a covert ISB asset. Posing as a manager at the Bureau of Standards’ local field office, Syril uses his mother Eedy (Kathryn Hunter) to orchestrate events that make him appear sympathetic to the Ghorman cause.

His efforts succeed. The rebel leader, Elector Carro Rylanz (Richard Sammel), encouraged by his daughter Enza and advisor Samm (Abraham Wapler), becomes intrigued by Syril’s apparent compassion and professional access. Samm discreetly invites Syril to the next Ghorman Front meeting, which Syril promptly reports to Dedra. She, in turn, withholds informing Major Partagaz (Anton Lesser) until Syril secures further intelligence.

The National Assembly

Syril attends a secret session of the Ghorman National Assembly, led by noble electors like Carro Rylanz. Citizens are encouraged to speak openly about their grievances under Imperial rule. One speaker, Citizen Lezine (Thierry Godard), exposes the Empire’s covert plan to disguise a weapons facility as an annex in Palmo Plaza.

Despite Ghorman’s outward prosperity, the massive turnout at the Assembly reveals the deep scars of occupation—especially the trauma of the “Tarkin Massacre” sixteen years earlier. During a protest that blocked Grand Moff Tarkin’s landing, he infamously ordered his ship to land anyway, killing 500 civilians. Now, the Empire plans to construct its armory atop the Monument of the Fallen that honors those victims.

After the assembly, the Ghorman Front formally recruits Syril, asking for floor plans of the proposed armory. While Syril claims they’re classified, he promises to try—knowing full well he can acquire them through the ISB and lead the rebels into a deadly trap.

The ISB Meeting

Back on Coruscant, Dedra participates in a tense ISB briefing. Major Partagaz grows increasingly frustrated with his officers’ inability to trace rebel networks or uncover their leadership structure. The mysterious figure known only as “Axis”—in truth, Luthen Rael (Stellan Skarsgård)—remains elusive, known only to a few close operatives.

As the ISB faces mounting confusion, Lonni Jung (Robert Emms), a rebel mole within the agency, seizes the opportunity. By tactfully defending Supervisors Lagret (Michael Jenn) and Heert (Jacob James Beswick), he gains their trust. His manipulation positions him as a trusted peer, just in time for Partagaz’s planned meeting with Colonel Yularen and Emperor Palpatine, where they will push for more aggressive interrogation and intelligence-gathering measures.

Mon Mothma’s Work

Cassian (Diego Luna) and Bix (Adria Arjona) now live in a safe house on Coruscant. Their romantic relationship, developed during the time skip, provides moments of solace amid their work for the rebellion. Bix continues to heal from her torture at the hands of Dr. Gorst in Season 1, while Cassian prepares for a new mission to meet with the Ghorman Front.

Meanwhile, Mon Mothma (Genevieve O’Reilly) attempts to rally senatorial support for legislation that would limit the Empire’s use of military force. Her efforts fall flat, as most senators are either bought by the regime or cowed by threats of occupation. At the same time, Luthen grows increasingly suspicious of the Empire’s interest in Ghorman—yet he must wait for his next quarterly meeting with Lonni to obtain actionable intelligence.

The Partisans

In Segra Milo, Wilmon (Muhannad Bhaier) is sent by Luthen to assist Saw Gerrera (Forest Whitaker) and his Partisans. Wilmon’s mission: teach Saw’s engineer how to operate a rhydonium extractor for an upcoming fuel heist. Impressed, Saw insists Wilmon stay with the group. When Wilmon refuses, Saw threatens him—intending to radicalize the youth through fear and exposure to war. Though Saw’s tactics are extreme, they reflect his uncompromising resolve to destroy the Empire at any cost—even if innocent lives are lost. It’s this ruthless edge that makes Saw both feared and distrusted by other rebel factions.

Rating: 9/10