Season 2, Episode 7, titled Messenger, directed by Janus Metz and written by Dan Gilroy, unfolds after a one-year time skip, with the Rebel Alliance now formally established and operating from its military base on Yavin Four. Although the Alliance has grown into a functional resistance, it remains outmatched by the Galactic Empire’s vast resources and must carefully choose which battles to fight. Each skirmish drains irreplaceable troops, credits, pilots, and equipment—luxuries the Empire can easily replenish.

The central theme of this episode is distress. The looming specter of the Empire has instilled fear in many, including Cassian Andor himself, who feels the weight of the inevitable confrontation. The Ghorman Front, meanwhile, sees its efforts backfire. Though they have launched strikes against Imperial facilities, these actions only give the Empire further justification to escalate violence and persecution across Ghorman. Rather than inspiring rebellion, their attacks fuel the regime’s propaganda and military crackdowns—highlighting the Empire’s ruthless immorality and the fear it inspires, even among those willing to resist.

Cassian’s Next Mission

At the Rebel base on Yavin Four, nestled in the ancient jungle temples, Cassian (Diego Luna) now serves as a captain within Rebel Intelligence. Bix (Adria Arjona) and Wilmon (Muhannad Bhaier) act as field operatives, while Vel (Faye Marsay) trains new recruits. The base is commanded by Generals Jan Dodonna and Davits Draven (Alistair Petrie), who enforce strict discipline and adherence to military hierarchy. Cassian’s unorthodox methods and casual demeanor concern them, though Draven nonetheless respects his results.

Wilmon, acting on behalf of Luthen Rael (Stellan Skarsgård), approaches Cassian to gauge whether he can still be counted on. Despite the strained relationship between Cassian and Luthen—further complicated by Cassian and Bix’s relocation to Yavin—Cassian reluctantly accepts a new mission: assassinate ISB Supervisor Dedra Meero (Denise Gough), who is dangerously close to uncovering Luthen’s identity as “Axis.” Dedra is currently stationed on Ghorman, overseeing the Empire’s tightening grip.

The Ghorman Front

On Ghorman, Syril Karn (Kyle Soller) has severed ties with the Ghorman Front after being exposed as an ISB agent. Now, he holds a respected position within the Imperial administration in Palmo Plaza. However, the tightening noose of martial law—curfews, surveillance, and a flood of Imperial propaganda branding the Ghormans as violent extremists—begins to disturb him. Once a true believer, Syril now finds himself unsettled by the chaos he helped create. When he confronts Dedra about these concerns, she coldly dismisses him, deepening his inner conflict.

The Empire’s base of operations is housed in the Bureau of Standards building, where Dedra continues her ISB duties under Major Partagaz (Anton Lesser). Partagaz is pleased with the Ghorman Front’s escalating attacks, as they provide the pretext needed to label them as terrorists. With public opinion manipulated, the Empire plans to eliminate the rebels, displace non-combatant Ghormans, and strip-mine the planet for kalkite—a key resource in powering the Death Star’s superweapon. This genocidal plan remains hidden from Dedra and Partagaz, who are merely pawns in a far larger scheme.

Within the Ghorman Front, leadership tensions rise. Carro Rylanz (Richard Sammel) believes their violent actions have gone too far, inadvertently legitimizing Imperial retaliation. However, others—his daughter Enza Rylanz (Alais Lawson), Samm (Abraham Wapler), and Lezine (Thierry Godard)—are committed to continuing the fight. Their internal conflict crescendos into an emotionally charged debate, with Lezine, ironically the most hot-headed, calling for unity through shared love for their people and homeland.

Cassian Books a Room

Upon arrival on Ghorman, Cassian and Wilmon part ways. Wilmon integrates with the Ghorman Front, bolstering their intelligence network. Cassian, meanwhile, checks into a hotel aided by a concierge who secretly supports the Rebellion. He chooses a room with a balcony, intending to use it as a sniper’s perch to assassinate Dedra. However, he quickly discovers that the rooftop and surrounding balconies are occupied by stormtroopers—a calculated move by the Empire to prevent rebel infiltration. 

Cassian realizes this mission requires careful planning. The risks are immense, and one wrong move could compromise not only his life but the entire Ghorman operation.

Rating: 9/10