Lucasfilm has masterfully expanded the Star Wars universe through series like *Star Wars: Andor* and *Star Wars Rebels*, revealing the diverse heroes and worlds crucial to the fight against the Empire. While fans are familiar with Yavin-IV, Hoth, and Endor from the films, lesser-known planets like Lothal and Ferrix have also been brought to the forefront. Now, with the first three episodes of *Andor* Season 2, another world has captured the attention of the Star Wars community: Ghorman.
More: The Andor Cast Reacts to 5 Major Moments From the Season 2 Premiere
Ghorman is a pivotal location in the Galactic Civil War, and its significance is set to unfold dramatically in *Andor* Season 2. Here's a comprehensive look at this crucial yet underappreciated planet in the Star Wars saga.
Ghorman in Star Wars: Andor
The planet Ghorman was first mentioned in *Star Wars: Andor* during the Season 1 episode "Narkina 5." In a strategic meeting, Saw Gerrera (Forest Whitaker) references the Ghorman Front, an anti-Imperial group that met a tragic end, serving as a cautionary tale in the fight against the Empire.
In Season 2, Ghorman takes center stage. The premiere episode features Director Krennic (Ben Mendelsohn) addressing ISB agents about a pressing issue on the planet. He presents a documentary highlighting Ghorman's thriving textile industry, particularly its silk derived from a unique spider species, which is the planet's primary export.
However, the Empire's true interest lies in Ghorman's abundant calcite reserves. Krennic claims these are essential for research into renewable energy, but his history from *Rogue One* suggests a more sinister motive. Calcite, like Kyber crystal, is vital for the Death Star's construction, known as Project: Stardust, and its scarcity has delayed the project.
The extraction of calcite in the quantities needed by the Empire would devastate Ghorman, turning it into a barren wasteland. This poses a dilemma regarding the native Ghor population. Emperor Palpatine, aware of the political repercussions of such actions, seeks to justify the Empire's takeover by manipulating public opinion against Ghorman, known for its anti-Imperial sentiments.
Krennic's plan involves using propaganda to vilify Ghorman, but Dedra Meero (Denise Gough) understands that more drastic measures are needed. The Empire plans to install radical rebels to create chaos, allowing them to intervene under the pretext of restoring order and securing the calcite.
This storyline is poised to be a significant arc in Season 2, drawing characters like Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) and Mon Mothma (Genevieve O’Reilly) into the fray as Ghorman becomes a critical battleground in the Galactic Civil War. The unfolding events are expected to lead to both tragedy and a turning point for the Rebel Alliance.
### What Is the Ghorman Massacre?*Andor* Season 2 is set to depict the Ghorman Massacre, a pivotal event in the Star Wars narrative. Although previously mentioned in Disney-era media, its significance is rooted in the Star Wars Legends universe, where in 18 BBY, Grand Moff Tarkin (Peter Cushing) brutally suppressed a peaceful protest on Ghorman by landing his ship on the protesters, causing numerous casualties.
This act of Imperial brutality, known as the Ghorman Massacre, galvanized public sentiment against the Empire and spurred Senators like Mon Mothma and Bail Organa (Jimmy Smits/Benjamin Bratt) to support the burgeoning rebel movement, directly contributing to the formation of the Rebel Alliance.
In the Disney era, the Ghorman Massacre's narrative is being reimagined, but its core remains the same: an incident where the Empire's overreach sparks a significant rebel response. As *Andor* Season 2 progresses, the revised timeline and details of this event will become clearer.
Warning: the remainder of this article contains possible spoilers for upcoming episodes of Andor Season 2!
