Andor Season 2 Is Fleshing Out the Most Important Star Wars Conflict You Don't Know

If there's one thing Lucasfilm has excelled at with series like *Star Wars: Andor* and *Star Wars Rebels*, it's in showcasing the diverse heroes and worlds that played crucial roles in the struggle against and eventual overthrow of the Empire. While fans are familiar with iconic locations like Yavin-IV, Hoth, and Endor from the movies, lesser-known planets like Lothal and Ferrix have also been brought to life. Now, thanks to the first three episodes of *Andor* Season 2, another significant world has entered the *Star Wars* zeitgeist: Ghorman.

**More: The Andor Cast Reacts to 5 Major Moments From the Season 2 Premiere**

What is Ghorman, and why is this planet so pivotal to the Galactic Civil War? How does the situation on Ghorman become a turning point for the Rebel Alliance? Let's delve into this little-known yet critically important corner of the *Star Wars* universe.

Ghorman in Star Wars: Andor

*Star Wars: Andor* first introduced the planet Ghorman in the Season 1 episode "Narkina 5." During a meeting between Forest Whitaker's Saw Gerrera and Stellan Skarsgård's Luthen Rael, Saw references the doomed anti-Imperial group known as the Ghorman Front. To Saw, the Ghorman Front serves as a cautionary tale in the discussion on how best to resist the Empire.

In Season 2, Ghorman takes on a more direct role. In the premiere episode, Ben Mendelsohn's Director Krennic addresses a group of ISB agents about a sensitive issue concerning the planet. He presents a documentary reel highlighting the virtues of Ghorman's textile industry, which is renowned for its silk fabric derived from a unique breed of spider, making it a key galactic export.

However, the Empire's true interest lies in another of Ghorman's resources: calcite. Krennic explains that the Emperor covets Ghorman's vast calcite reserves, claiming they are essential for the Empire's research into renewable, unlimited energy. Yet, knowing Krennic's character from *Rogue One*, it's plausible that he's misleading his audience. More likely, the calcite is needed to complete the Death Star. Like Kyber crystals, calcite is a critical component in Project: Stardust, explaining the delays in the construction of this formidable weapon.

The challenge, as Krennic and his subordinates discuss, is that extracting calcite in the quantities needed by the Empire would render Ghorman a barren, uninhabitable wasteland. This raises ethical concerns about the fate of the native Ghor population. Emperor Palpatine's control over the galaxy isn't absolute enough to destroy a world and its people without consequence, which is why he's so intent on having the Death Star operational. Once it's complete, there will be no questioning the Empire's actions, no matter how heinous.

Krennic's strategy is to manipulate public opinion against Ghorman, justifying the Empire's takeover and displacement of its inhabitants. Given the planet's history of anti-Imperial sentiment, this task is complicated. While his propaganda team believes social manipulation alone could suffice, Denise Gough's Dedra Meero sees the bigger picture. The Empire must orchestrate the rise of radical rebels on Ghorman to portray it as a dangerous, lawless place, thereby enabling the Empire to intervene under the pretext of restoring order and claim the calcite.

This storyline is poised to unfold throughout Season 2, likely drawing characters like Diego Luna's Cassian Andor and Genevieve O'Reilly's Mon Mothma into the fray as Ghorman becomes a renewed battleground in the Galactic Civil War. Given what we know about Ghorman, the situation is set to culminate in both tragedy and a critical moment for the Rebel Alliance.

What Is the Ghorman Massacre?

*Andor* Season 2 is set to highlight an event known as the Ghorman Massacre, which, although only hinted at in Disney-era *Star Wars* media, is a pivotal moment leading to the formation of a unified Rebel Alliance.

Originally rooted in the pre-Disney *Star Wars* Legends universe, the Ghorman Massacre took place in 18 BBY. In this narrative, Grand Moff Tarkin, portrayed by Peter Cushing, was responsible. During a peaceful protest against illegal Imperial taxation on Ghorman, Tarkin made the ruthless decision to land his ship directly on the protesters, resulting in hundreds of deaths and injuries.

The Ghorman Massacre quickly became a symbol of Imperial brutality, sparking widespread public outrage. It not only fueled dissent but also prompted Senators like Mon Mothma and Bail Organa (played by Jimmy Smits and Benjamin Bratt, respectively) to actively support and organize the burgeoning rebel movement. The event is directly linked to the eventual formation of the Rebel Alliance.

In the new Disney era, Lucasfilm is reimagining the Ghorman Massacre, adjusting the timeline with *Andor* Season 2. However, the core concept remains: the Ghorman Massacre represents a moment where the Empire oversteps, igniting a renewed surge of rebellion.

***Warning:** the remainder of this article contains possible spoilers for upcoming episodes of *Andor* Season 2!*