Review: Andor Episode 6 gives a heartbreaking victory to the rebels of Aldhani – Winter is Coming

The stakes, tensions, and cost of victory are high in an edge-of-your-seat episode of Star Wars: Andor. The episode was a serious nail-biter as the rebels of Aldhani finally execute the plan thats been building up for two episodes, all amid the stunning spectacle of a celestial phenomenon. (Warning: SPOILERS ahead for Andor episode 6, The Eye)

The episode opens with Nemik (Alex Lawther) talking to Cassian (Diego Luna) about his nerves ahead of the mission. Its another chance to talk about Nemiks manifesto, which he adds to when he cant sleep, and how mercenaries like Clem fit into his thoughts about rebellion.

Theres a bit of foreshadowinghere about Nemik, who will literally be crushed to death by rolls of credits. Nemiks death highlights the sad reality of what often happens to fighters who rebel for the right reasons and not just for money.

As the crew leaves Aldhani in the transport ship, Skeen (Ebon Moss-Bachrach ) appears just as desperate to save Nemik as leader Vel (Faye Marsay). He implores Cassian to make a detour to get Nemik to a doctor. But to no ones surprise, Skeens motive for taking this detour isnt exactly selfless. As the four-armed Dr. Quadpaw (Aiden Cook) works on Nemik, Skeen offers Cassian a chance to split the haul of 80 million credits and escape to a nearby vacant moon.

He also tells Cassian that his heartfelt story about his brother last week was a lie. He is a rebel, but one who only serves himself. As a mercenary hired by Luthen (Stellan Skarsgrd), Cassian has something in common with him. But something snaps in Cassian and he shoots and kills Skeen with barely a moments hesitation.

When he walks into the surgery room to find Nemik dead, Cassian tries to convince Vel of Skeens plan to cut and run. Shes not buying it, but she lets him leave with Nemiks manifesto anyway. Nemik wanted Cassian to have it, which helps fuel Cassians smoldering rebellious fire.

The core of this episode is the heist in the Imperial garrison on Aldhani, a nerve-wracking 53 minutes that start seamlessly and slowly unravel because of nerves and hiccups. Ultimately, the rebels succeed,but at a heartbreaking cost: Nemik and Taramyn (Gershwyn Eustache Jnr), whom Skeen failed to cover from Imperial fire, lose their lives.

Its unclear whats next for Aldhani rebels like Vel and Cinta, who had to stay behind and blend in with the Imperials for a bit. But The Eye marks a turning point for Cassian at the halfway point of the series.

Beyond the heist, Episode 6 also has a lot of smaller moments worth mentioning. We see high-ranking officers in the Empire openly discussing their colonization efforts on Aldhani. While the Imperials put on a welcoming front as the Dhanis arrive for the pilgrimage to see The Eye, they also delight in the fact that they continue to stifle the peoples cultural practices by dwindling their numbers. And they excitedly look forward to executing their plans to forcibly take over the sacred cultural site to make more room for the garrison. The Empires view of Aldhani and of countless other systems and indigenous peoples is one of disrespect and mockery.

For the rebels, the heist is only one victory, but small victories like this will slowly help planets and peoples take back control from the Empire. All of this is underlined by the beautiful kaleidoscope of celestial colors shooting across the Aldhani sky, watched by a watery-eyed Dhani crowd as Cassian outruns TIE fighters.

The episode ends on a thrilling cliffhanger: Mon Mothma (Genevieve OReilly) tries to address the Imperial Senate while everyone checks alerts on their datapads about the rebel attack on Aldhani. Elsewhere, Luthen cackles with joy after hearing of the attacks success, and the Imperial Security Bureau scrambles to counter it.

Episode 6 is an electrifying new high for the series. May the momentum continue in Episode 7, coming out next Wednesday.

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Review: Andor Episode 6 gives a heartbreaking victory to the rebels of Aldhani - Winter is Coming