Spoilers for Andor season 2, episodes 1-9 follow. Turn back now if you're not up to date on the Star Wars show!
The shadow of the Ghorman Massacre has loomed large over Andor season 2. The moment has been set-up since the very first moments of episode 1, which saw Director Krennic call a secret meeting of Imperials to discuss sinister plans for Ghorman. The planet is very important to Emperor Palpatine's energy plans, and the mining operation to extract the minerals needed from the surface could cause the entire planet to collapse.
But, in episode 8, we finally see what the Ghorman Massacre actually is. Below, we break down what happened, as well as what was known previously about the atrocity – as well as the version of it depicted in the old Star Wars Legends continuity, which has now been made canon as the "Tarkin Massacre."
What is the Ghorman Massacre?
Before Andor, in Star Wars canon, all we really know about the Ghorman Massacre was that it involved civilians slaughtered by stormtroopers, and it prompted Mon Mothma to openly go against the Emperor in a speech before she ends up joining the Rebellion openly. This is depicted in Star Wars Rebels season 3, episode 18.
Finally, though, thanks to Andor season 2, episode 8, we know what really happened in Ghorman. While a peaceful protest occurs in the plaza, the Empire deliberately stirs up tensions with a heavy presence in the crowd as they patrol and block off the entrances and exits to the area. The atmosphere gets more and more intense, until ultimately, an Imperial sniper deliberately shoots a trooper on the ground. This causes violence to break out, and the Empire begin indiscriminately slaughtering the people of Ghorman.
Cassian is caught up in the chaos but manages to escape – meeting K-2SO in the process. He also ends up in a brief battle with Syril Karn, which ends with Syril's death.
Then, in episode 9, Mon Mothma makes her speech against the Empire and Palpatine, which is slightly different to the one depicted in Rebels. As we know from Rebels, she then goes on to unite the Rebel Alliance.
The Empire, meanwhile, use what happened in Ghorman as an excuse to continue with their mining plans.
In the old Star Wars Legends continuity, the Massacre was slightly different. It saw peaceful protestors block Moff Tarkin's landing pad on Ghorman: Tarkin then landed his ship on those protesting, killing or injuring almost everyone there.
This particular atrocity has actually now been made canon by Andor season 2, episode 4, referred to as the "Tarkin Massacre." Much like in Legends, it involved Tarkin landing on unarmed Ghormans – he killed 500 in the plaza, and there's a monument to remember them.
"Ghorman, interestingly, is canonical but completely undescribed. It's a total blank slate. There's also a bit of confusion about the Ghorman Massacre, and what is the Ghorman Massacre? There's a lot of confusion within canon," showrunner Tony Gilroy has previously told Collider. "So, it was an opportunity to rebuild in a really significant way. It's a very significant part of our show that can do a lot of different things for us."
You can keep up to date with Andor season 2 with our Andor season 2 release schedule, or see our Andor season 2 review for our spoiler-free verdict on the entire season.
For more, check out our guide to all the upcoming Star Wars movies and shows for everything else the galaxy far, far away has in store.
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