Announcement

"We're treating what happened at Aldhani like a robbery." "What would you call it?" "An announcement."

―Dedra Meero and Heert "Announcement" is the seventh episode in the first season of Star Wars: Andor. Benjamin Caron directed the episode, which was written by Stephen Schiff. It aired on October 19, 2022.

Official description

The consequences of the Aldhani heist extend all the way to Coruscant, as Cassian makes his way home.

Expanded description

The consequences of the Aldhani heist are immediate and seismic, jolting the Imperial Security Bureau on Coruscant into action and generating further intrigue for Senator Mon Mothma. Meanwhile, Cassian Andor returns home to find Ferrix much changed.

Plot summary

Breakfast

In the morning, Syril Karn prepares for an interview with the Imperial Bureau of Standards. His mother, Eedy Karn, questions his choice to wear a brown suit, reminding him that his uncle Harlo has used his influence on his behalf. Over breakfast, they hear a report on HoloNet about a terror attack and robbery at the Imperial Armory on Aldhani, with multiple fatalities. The broadcaster reports that the Galactic Empire has imposed a blockade and begun an investigation. Eedy remarks that the conspirators will regret their actions.

Imperial justice

Meanwhile, Imperial Security Bureau (ISB) Colonel Wullf Yularen addresses the other senior ISB officials, promising that the Empire will retaliate swiftly against the rebel attack. He asks them to consider how tightly they will close their fist and discusses the ISB's stringent recruitment standards. In retaliation, Yularen imposes a tribute tax five times the amount stolen from Aldhani on any sector harboring partisan activity. Yularen stresses that they will make clear that nobody steals from the Empire. He adds that using any local custom, festival or tradition as cover for rebel activity will result in the permanent revocation of Imperial tolerance.

Yularen assures his officers that he spoke with Emperor Palpatine that morning and that the Emperor has given the ISB access to Imperial Army and Imperial Navy resources. He also announces that the Emperor will convene an emergency session of the Imperial Senate to propose a legislative package of bills and amendments granting the ISB unlimited surveillance, search, and seizure powers.

Yularen further announces that they will invoke the Public Order Resentencing Directive (PORD) later that day. Any criminal act with even an indirect effect on the Empire will be classified as a Class One offence. All prison sentences will be reviewed, and all outstanding fines and levies must be paid in full. Dedra Meero listens but is visibly upset, something ISB Attendant Avril Heert notices. Later, Heert speaks with Meero, who worries that Yularen's policies are benefiting the rebels. Meero observes that the Empire is treating the Aldhani incident as a robbery when it is actually an announcement.

Weighing the cost of rebellion

Elsewhere, Luthen Rael listens to a transmitter reporting that 80 million credits was stolen during the Aldhani heist and that all military personnel have been replaced and are being interrogated by the ISB. The broadcast further states that the ISB confirmed all tracking devices in the escape craft had been disabled before it reached hyperspace. In addition, 134 Aldhani residents have been detained on suspicion of aiding the terrorists. Kleya Marki tells Rael that Mon Mothma has come to visit and instructs him to wipe the smile off his face.

Outside Galactic Antiquities and Objects of Interest, Mothma gets out of her JPP-192 limospeeder and apologizes for arriving so abruptly, explaining that she was on her way to the Senate. She says she wants to exchange the gift she previously bought for her husband Perrin Fertha for another artifact because she is unsure whether he loves it. Inside, Mothma asks whether Rael was responsible for the Aldhani heist. Rael evades the question, replying that revolutions are expensive. They then turn to Mothma's family funds, which she has struggled to access. Mothma repeats her question, and Rael reminds her that he had explained the risk of new faces but that she persisted.

Mothma asks whether Rael understands the gravity of what he has done. Rael asks about the upcoming meeting and says they may need to reschedule. Mothma tells Rael that she had planned to build a network, but Rael reminds her that "turning back will be impossible." turning back will be impossible." He counters that she understood the risk and describes the network as a weapon. Rael says that they have waited long enough. Mothma is worried about the repercussions of the Aldhani heist, but Rael explains that his plan was to make the Emperor overreact.

When Rael says that the events on Aldhani will invigorate their struggle, Mothma replies that people will suffer. Rael answers that this is the plan and adds that there will be no rules going forward. Returning to business, Rael tells Mothma that the rebellion will need every credit they can obtain and asks her to report on how the meeting goes. When Mothma says she will not be buying any pieces that morning, Rael laughs and says that more pieces will arrive soon. Marki listens with interest. After Mothma leaves, Marki says she hopes Mothma is worth it. Rael replies that they will see and adds that they cannot hide forever. Mon Mothma's airspeeder leaves Rael's store and flies into the Coruscant skyline.

A fresh start

Syril Karn tours the Bureau of Standards on his first day at work. His supervisor explains the Bureau's work, including weights and gauges, redundancy, and verification. The supervisor asks Karn about his previous employment on Morlana One. Karn explains that a "rebel murderer" is free because of corruption and laxity within the corporate authority. Karn believes he was punished for trying to uphold the law and fulfill his duty of protecting public safety.

He discusses the loss of two colleagues and his faith in the law. Karn says he wants to clear his name and have his record expunged. The supervisor offers to assist by suggesting a position in Fuel Purity. He then leads Karn toward a desk.

Plots in motion

Elsewhere on Coruscant, a hooded Marki passes Imperial security in a foyer and enters a public walkway. She follows several symbols along the walkway. Meanwhile, Dedra Meero visits the ISB datavault and requests two years' worth of data from an unkempt attendant, Felzonis, via a Multi-Sector Data Blend. She explains that her survey pool consists of Imperial Naval facilities and resources. She seeks records of all missing avionics, communications, navigation, and targeting equipment. When Felzonis asks which star systems, Meero requests every star system. Meero also asks that the report remain confidential and that a copy be sent only to her office. She tells Felzonis to be discreet.

On Aldhani, Cinta Kaz is about to mount her speeder bike while watching an Imperial Star Destroyer fly over the sacred valley. Back on Coruscant, Marki meets a disguised Vel Sartha. She asks where Andor is and says that she should not even be there. Sartha replies that neither of them should be there and assures her that the money is safe. Marki praises Sartha for concealing the money and for successfully recruiting Taramyn Barcona. Sartha says they were not as certain about Arvel Skeen, but that it is good they no longer have to worry about him.

When Sartha asks about Kaz, Marki replies that she is doing as instructed; both receiving and sending messages are dangerous. Marki then turns to the matter of "Clem," whose real identity is Cassian Andor. Seeing him as a loose end, she implies that Sartha should kill Andor to conceal anything he knows about Rael. Before Sartha leaves, Marki promises to send her what she has on Andor.

Andor's homecoming

Meanwhile, a hooded Cassian Andor returns to his adopted family's home on Ferrix. His adoptive mother, Maarva Andor, and droid, B2EMO, greet him happily. Maarva warns Cassian that he cannot stay because the Empire has expelled Preox-Morlana and taken control of Ferrix. She repeats that he should not be there and reveals that Timm Karlo betrayed him. Marva says that Karlo was killed by the Corpos and that Bix Caleen tried to warn Cassian. Rumors claim that Karlo either tried to stop her or to catch her when he was killed.

Maarva tells Cassian that the Empire is there to stay. Cassian invites his mother and B2EMO to leave with him, saying that he has earned enough credits to go. He wants them to depart that night for a warmer world. As the kettle hisses, he discusses his plans to escape offworld with his family. He decides to postpone their departure until the following day so he can speak with Caleen one last time.

Intrigue on Coruscant

Elsewhere on Coruscant, Mothma attends a party while taking care to avoid two ISB officers. She meets a visiting Chandrilan named Tay Kolma, an old friend and banker. Kolma discusses Mothma's political career and says he cannot imagine living on Coruscant. Perrin Fertha is nearby speaking with other guests. Mothma is about to discuss something confidential with Kolma when her daughter, Leida Mothma, joins them, and Mon introduces her. She tells Leida that Kolma is an old family friend who runs the Bank Of Kolma and is close to her sisters.

Unwilling to remain in her mother's shadow, Leida quickly receives permission to leave the party. In private, Mon tells Kolma that she needs his help with a political plan. Despite his views on the Empire, he is wary of becoming involved in politics. He warns that some colleagues have taken their political allegiances too far. To avoid suspicion, Mothma encourages Kolma to pretend to drink more punch. She discusses presenting herself as a maverick senator advancing unpopular causes, including support for Separatist "do-gooders" and battle Imperial overreach.

Mothma asks whether she can confide in Kolma. He replies that he does not know what she means. She explains that her public persona is a façade. She fears that the Grand Vizier has infiltrated her Separatist Coalition meetings. Mothma knows that her driver is an ISB plant monitoring her humanitarian activities. She wants the Empire to regard her as an irritation, concealing her actual purpose of raising money. She asks Kolma to help access her family accounts to establish a Chandrilan charitable outreach foundation. Kolma will act as the foundation's chairman.

Kolma replies that she has not answered his question. Mothma decides that he is unsuitable for the role because he does not share her politics. As Fertha approaches, Mothma warns Kolma that her husband is unaware of her real activities and cannot be trusted. Fertha reminds them of an upcoming reunion and returns to serving guests. Mothma tells Kolma that they will continue their meeting before joining Fertha.

Farewell on Ferrix

Elsewhere on Ferrix, Cassian Andor visits the Caleen Salyard. He speaks with Bix Caleen through an intercom on the door. Andor tries to entertain her with a memory of meeting her father while climbing over the wall. Caleen tells him that he should not be there because it is unsafe. After opening the door, Caleen briefly mentions Karlo's death and blames Andor for endangering the entire town by killing two Corpos and returning home to hide. Andor attempts to blame Karlo, but Caleen points out that he cheats, lies and steals. Andor accepts that he must leave and asks about the buyer.

Caleen says she does not know the buyer's identity and encountered the man only through Paak. She explains that they communicate through comlink. When Andor asks how Rael knows so much about him, Caleen says she did not give Rael information about Andor. Andor tells Caleen to inform Rael that he kept his side of the bargain and wants him to forget about him. Andor gives Caleen the 12,000 credits he owes to Xanwan, Nurchi, Brasso, and Deema. Before he leaves, Caleen warns Andor to be careful.

As he walks through the streets of Ferrix, he avoids a pair of stormtroopers. Andor flashes back to watching clone troopers parading with his adoptive father, Clem. Clem tries to break up a fight between a Republic supporter and an opponent. Someone throws stones at the clone troopers. Their commanding officer believes Clem is responsible and orders his men to aim their blasters at him.

Back at the Vaneer family home, Cassian Andor greets B2EMO. Maarva Andor tells her adoptive son that she is not leaving. Cassian points out that the Empire has established a stormtrooper barracks on Rix Road, but Maarva counters that the Empire is everywhere. He suggests fleeing somewhere without an Imperial presence, but she describes her mind as her final refuge. When he asks what is keeping her there, she replies that it is the Rebellion. Cassian thinks his adoptive mother is crazy, but Maarva says she is willing to wait it out.

Maarva and Cassian Andor remain haunted by the memory of Clem's body hanging in the square and of confronting clone troopers. Maarva asks Cassian about the rebel attack on the Aldhani Imperial garrison. She says the attack encouraged her to remain on Ferrix. Hiding his part in the Aldhani heist, he dismisses it as a robbery, but she believes that people are standing up. Cassian thinks fighting the Empire is futile, while Maarva believes running away is not the best way to fight it.

Maarva accepts that her son's traumatic childhood has led him down a different path. She advises him to run away and find peace. Cassian says he will not have peace because he will worry about her constantly. Maarva replies that this is simply love and that he can do nothing about it. She expresses her love for him but concludes that their paths are different. B2EMO tries to speak, but Maarva shushes him. She tells Cassian that he will understand. As Cassian leaves, Maarva advises him to stop searching for his sister because she believes there were no survivors on Kenari. She says that what happened there was not his fault because he was a child. Before leaving, Cassian vows to return one day.

Imperial office politics

At the ISB Central Office, Lonni Jung puts forward three theories to explain the lack of progress in his sector. Major Lio Partagaz instructs Jung to carry out a complete audit of all Hyperspace routes to Ord Mantell. Lieutenant Supervisor Blevin files a complaint against Supervisor Meero for exceeding her authority in his sector. Partagaz asks Meero to account for herself. Meero replies that Blevin appears more focused on her conduct than on advancing integrated Imperial security, then turns the scrutiny back on Blevin.

Partagaz asks Blevin about the recovery of the Imperial N-S9 Starpath Unit on Ferrix and reminds him that Meero had requested access to his crime reports. Blevin asserts that Meero's actions breached the chain of command. Meero disputes his version, noting that he told her to substantiate her suspicions with data and to proceed carefully with her work. Blevin responds that Meero found a way to obtain sector data without submitting a request.

Meero admits that she acquired the data through the Imperial Emergency Act after the Aldhani heist, using it to collect information across multiple sectors without official authorization. She argues that the Rebellion disregards the artificial sector boundaries established by Major Partagaz. Partagaz defensively asks her to elaborate on those boundaries. Meero maintains that a focused, organized rebel operation is acquiring restricted Imperial military components across sectors. When Partagaz asks for evidence, Meero says that unfiltered crime reports show a connection between the theft of their most secret equipment and its distribution to rebel groups throughout the galaxy.

Partagaz challenges her methods. Meero replies that Blevin knows she has a documented file ready and accuses him of being more concerned with self-preservation. Blevin charges Meero with disregarding the rules and protocol. Impressed by Meero's endeavour, Partagaz says he will have to consider it. He transfers the Morlana sector and Ferrix to Supervisor Meero and orders Grandi and Jung to hasten their efforts. In private, Partagaz commends Meero for playing the game well but cautions her to watch her back.

Trouble in paradise

A month later, Andor is using the pseudonym Keef Girgo while concealing himself on the beach-resort world of Niamos. He shares a room with a human woman named Windi. While Andor showers, she asks him to purchase more Peezos and Revnog.

Later, a shoretrooper stops Andor, suspecting that he is behaving suspiciously. The shoretrooper calls for backup as several people flee along the beach. He asks Andor whether they are his friends. Andor says that he is a tourist, but the shoretrooper remains unconvinced and summons a KX-series security droid for assistance. After the droid finishes apprehending the other suspects, Andor tries to reason with it, but it restrains him in a necklock.

Andor is brought before a judge in the Niamos Courthouse. Under the name Keef Girgo, he is charged with disruption, anti-Imperial speech, fleeing the scene of an anti-Imperial activity, and damaging Imperial property. Andor protests, but the judge advises him not to, to avoid risking a "Resisting Judgement" charge. The judge sentences him to six years in prison, citing new Imperial guidelines. Despite his objections, Andor is taken away by two shoretroopers. On Coruscant, Syril Karn looks through records alongside countless other employees.

Media

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Credits

By type

Cast

Uncredited cast

Crew

Visual Effects Crew

Construction Services provided by – Palace SceneryGreens Services provided by – Greens Team

Lucasfilm Ltd.

Walt Disney Studios

  • President, Marketing – Asad Ayaz

  • EVP, Marketing – Frank Chiocchi

  • EVP, Publicity – Michelle Sewell

  • SVP, Promotions & Special Events – Lylle Breier

  • EVP, Media Planning & Strategy – Kimberly Flaster

  • Executive, Credit & Title Administration – Kirk Ringberg

  • SVP, Marketing – Ryan Stankevich

  • SVP, Creative Film Services – Jackson George

  • SVP, Digital Marketing – Jessica Intihar

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  • VP, Creative Print Services – Steve Nuchols

  • VP, Creative Advertising – Kyle Rodri

  • AVID Editing Equipment and Cutting Rooms supplied by – Hireworks

  • Filmed at – Pinewood Studios, London, England

  • Mary's Shell Sculpture courtesy of – Stephen Broadbent, Broadbent Studio

  • Produced with the support of the British Film Commission and the UK Government Film Tax Relief

  • With the participation of the Province of British Columbia Production Services Tax Credit

  • Digital and Visual Effects undertaken in South Australia with the support of the South Australian Film Corporation

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