Andor Season 2 Explores Key Unknown Star Wars Conflict

Lucasfilm has masterfully expanded the Star Wars universe with shows like *Star Wars: Andor* and *Star Wars Rebels*, introducing us to new heroes and worlds that played pivotal roles in the fight against the Empire. While fans are familiar with Yavin-IV, Hoth, and Endor from the films, the series delve into lesser-known planets like Lothal and Ferrix. Now, with the first three episodes of *Andor* Season 2, another world has captured our attention: Ghorman.

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

What is Ghorman, and why is it crucial to the Galactic Civil War? How does the situation on Ghorman become a turning point for the Rebel Alliance? Here’s everything you need to know about this significant yet often overlooked planet in the Star Wars saga.

Ghorman in Star Wars: Andor

*Star Wars: Andor* first mentioned 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 Ghorman Front, an anti-Imperial group that met a tragic end. For Saw, the Ghorman Front serves as a cautionary tale about the best ways to combat the Empire.

In Season 2, Ghorman takes center stage. In the premiere episode, Ben Mendelsohn’s Director Krennic addresses a group of ISB agents about a sensitive issue on the planet. He presents a documentary highlighting Ghorman's thriving textile industry, renowned for its silk derived from a unique spider species, which is the planet's primary export.

However, the Empire's interest lies elsewhere—Ghorman’s vast calcite reserves. Krennic claims these resources are vital for the Empire's research into renewable energy, but given his role in *Rogue One*, it's likely he's misleading his audience. Calcite, like Kyber crystals, is crucial for the Death Star's construction, known as Project: Stardust, and its scarcity is a significant delay factor.

Extracting calcite in the quantities required by the Empire would render Ghorman a barren wasteland, raising ethical concerns about the native Ghor population. Emperor Palpatine's control isn't absolute enough to devastate a planet without repercussions, which is why he seeks the Death Star's power to enforce his will unchallenged.

Krennic's strategy involves manipulating public opinion to justify the Empire's control over Ghorman and the displacement of its inhabitants. The planet has a history of anti-Imperial sentiment, and while propaganda could sway opinions, Denise Gough’s Dedra Meero knows that the Empire needs to create its own radical rebels to paint Ghorman as a dangerous, lawless place. This would allow the Empire to intervene under the pretext of restoring order.

This storyline sets the stage for an ongoing conflict in Season 2, likely drawing in characters like Diego Luna’s Cassian Andor and Genevieve O’Reilly’s Mon Mothma as Ghorman becomes a critical battleground in the Galactic Civil War. Given what we know, Ghorman is poised to be both a tragic and pivotal moment for the Rebel Alliance.

What Is the Ghorman Massacre?

*Andor* Season 2 is poised to depict the Ghorman Massacre, an event that, while only hinted at in Disney-era Star Wars media, is crucial to the formation of the Rebel Alliance. Originally from the Star Wars Legends universe, the Ghorman Massacre occurred in 18 BBY when Peter Cushing’s Grand Moff Tarkin brutally crushed a peaceful protest against Imperial taxation by landing his ship on the protesters, causing numerous casualties.

This incident became a stark symbol of Imperial brutality, sparking widespread outrage and prompting Senators like Mon Mothma and Bail Organa to support the burgeoning rebel movement. The Ghorman Massacre directly influenced the creation of the Rebel Alliance.

In the Disney canon, the timeline and specifics of the Ghorman Massacre are being reimagined, but the essence remains the same: it's a moment where the Empire's overreach galvanizes rebel forces.

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