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Spoiler Alert: The article contains spoilers for Andor Season 2
“The death of truth is the ultimate victory of evil,” Mon Mothma’s chilling words as she bravely stands in front of the Senate and gives her speech uncovers the intricacies of the politics in the Star Wars Universe. One of the more brilliant aspects of Andor has been its authentic representation of the Galactic politics. While we were used to the larger-than-life characters of Star Wars, in Andor, we see rebels from the ground up fighting the Empire’s brutal regime, in which politics is their main weapon.
In Andor Season 2, Episode 9 titled ‘Welcome to the Rebellion’, Chandrila senator Mon Mothma, portrayed by Genevieve O’Reilly, denounces Emperor Palpatine’s rule with a stirring speech about the regime hiding the factual narrative. The Rebel Alliance has been the driving force of the Star Wars storyline since its inception. After the Ghorman massacre, Mon publicly takes a stand with the rebellion.
What happened on Ghorman in Andor Season 2?
From episode one of Andor Season 2, we have been seeing the Empire’s conspirators at work. Director Orson Krennic (played by Ben Mendelsohn) gathers an elite group of Imperial officers to reveal the plan of mining the planet Ghorman. The extremely secretive project aims at mining the mineral called Kalkite, which is found in Ghorman. The mineral is a vital component for the construction of the Death Star.
However, the mining would eventually destabilize the planet’s core. With planned suppression, the Empire creates a conflict-filled environment for the Ghormans.
The Empire continues to maintain the face of legitimacy as it slowly provokes the Ghormans. This is so their genocide can be perceived as a result of unwarranted activism. The Empire is seen spinning stories through the ‘Ministry of Enlightenment’ to gain public sympathy. But the truth is far from it. The move was to ensure that the public stands with them in case the planet collapses.
In Episode 8 titled ‘Who are you?’, mass protests take over the Ghorman Plaza with public chanting "We are the Ghor. The galaxy is watching". The Empire starts shooting, and what follows is bloody chaos. A fight breaks out between the Imperial officers and the Ghorman marchers. The ease with which the Imperial drones pick up protesters and throw them violently is shocking.
The heart-wrenching scenes leave you on the edge. Hundreds of Ghormans are killed mercilessly, leaving the remaining in a cloud of uncertainty. The devastating damage to the planet and its inhabitants is the turning point of the story. While the Empire carried out what they had planned, they did not expect the political fallout it would have.
Senator Mon Mothma finally takes a stand
Mon Mothma has been advocating for peace and justice in the galaxy while secretly funding the underground rebel movement. After the Ghorman massacre, Mon has found her tipping point. Despite knowing the repercussions of her stand, an anxious Mon brazenly speaks in front of the Senate. She says,
“…The death of truth is the ultimate victory of evil. When truth leaves us, when we let it slip away, when it is ripped from our hands, we become vulnerable to the appetite of whatever monster screams the loudest. This chamber's hold on the truth was finally lost on the Ghorman Plaza.
What took place yesterday, what happened yesterday on Ghorman was unprovoked genocide. Yes, genocide! And that truth has been exiled from this chamber. And the monster screaming the loudest, the monster we've helped create, the monster who will come for us all soon enough, is Emperor Palpatine!”
Mon Mothma publicly calls out Emperor Palpatine’s evil ways and makes herself an enemy of the Empire. The historical moment shows a major shift in the political climate in the galaxy.
While speaking about her character’s riveting speech, O’Reilly shared that Mon Mothma is a true leader. As per the LA Times, she said,
“Underneath everything, (Mothma is) a woman who was always ready to set fire to her life. To step out of the shadows and to risk it all on behalf of others, to stand up and use her voice against oppression.”
She added,
“This is a woman who doesn’t ever pick up a blaster. Her only weapon is her voice, and it’s really amazing to get an opportunity to see her use it and to be impactful.”
The story of Andor leads to the events of Rogue One: A Star Wars Movie. With just a few more episodes remaining, it would be fascinating to watch these characters finally work towards getting the plans of the Death Star.
Watch Andor Season 2 on Disney+
ALSO READ: I had no idea the Star Wars original trilogy was so different in theatres till I found this out
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