Summary (TL;DR)
In “The Eye,” the rebels infiltrate the Alkenzi Air Base in their mission to steal the quarterly payroll for the Imperial sector in Aldhani. As the heist unfolds, a radio communication officer overhears their plans, leading to chaos and tragedy. After their escape, Skeen reveals himself as a traitor, prompting Cassian to quit the rebellion in disgust. Meanwhile, news of the heist spreads, rattling the Empire and the Imperial Security Bureau.
The Calm Before the Storm
On the day of the heist, Karis Nemik (Alex Lawther) is nervous about how everything will unfold. He finds it hard to sleep, so he occupies his time writing a manifesto about the crucial role mercenaries can play in the rebellion. Cassian, going by the alias Clem (Diego Luna), serves as his inspiration. Cassian reassures Nemik that everything will be fine, and he can rest after the heist.
Coincidentally, it’s also the day of the Eye of Aldhani, a beautiful meteor shower celebrated by the Dhanis every three years. Imperial Commandant Jayhold Beehaz (Stanley Townsend) sees the Dhanis as “simple people” with traits making them vulnerable to manipulation. He plans to exploit this to expand the Empire into their home world, hoping for a promotion that will relocate his family.
Showtime
The group’s target is the Alkenzi Air Base near the Imperial garrison. Disguised as Imperial soldiers, Cassian, Arvel Skeen (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), Taramyn Barcona (Gershwyn Eustache Jr), and Nemik enter the base with clearance from double agent Lieutenant Gorn (Sule Rimi). Meanwhile, Vel Sartha (Faye Marsay) and Cinta Kaz (Varada Sethu) infiltrate the base underwater and plant a device to disrupt Imperial communications. Vel hesitates, jeopardizing the mission, as the rebels need to escape during the meteor shower.
During the heist, the rebels capture Commandant Beehaz, his wife Raboda (Michelle Duncan), son Leonart (Alfie Todd), and a visiting engineer. The engineer attempts to save the Commandant’s son by threatening Nemik with a blaster, but Cinta shoots him down. Commandant Beehaz claims he can’t access the vault, but Vel sees through his lie. “One path! One choice. We win, or everyone dies,” Vel threatens. A reluctant Beehaz pleads with his men to cooperate with the rebels and opens the vault.
Tragedy and a Meteor Shower Unfolds
As the heist unfolds, a radio communication officer investigates the jammed signals and overhears the rebels discussing the heist. He gathers a team to head for the vault while TIE fighters prepare to counterattack. The rebels hurry to load the payroll pallets onto the freighter.
Inside the vault, the comms officer demands answers from Lieutenant Gorn, leading to a medical emergency for Commandant Beehaz. A shootout occurs, resulting in the deaths of Lieutenant Gorn and Taramyn. Cassian is nearly strangled by an Imperial officer as he tries to start the freighter but is saved by Nemik.
As the freighter gains altitude, the force of acceleration causes the heavy credit pallets and everybody on board to shift positions. Unfortunately, one of the credit pallets smashes into Nemik, pinning him to the back of the vessel. Despite Nemik’s injuries, he guides Cassian on evading the meteors, while the pursuing TIE fighters are destroyed in the chase.
Despite the chaos, the Dhanis and Imperials enjoy the Eye of Aldhani. Cinta stays behind, blending in with the Imperials to find her own escape.
An Unexpected Betrayal
Cassian, Vel, Skeen, and a badly wounded Nemik escape Aldhani. Despite Vel’s protests, Skeen and Cassian decide to take Nemik to a doctor. As the doctor operates on Nemik, Skeen and Cassian wait outside. Skeen suggests that he and Cassian take the credits, splitting them 50/50, and go their separate ways. This is why he recommended taking Nemik to a doctor — so he could get his hands on the credits. As it turns out, Skeen’s backstory was a lie.
“So, no rebellion for you?” Cassian asks him.
“Oh, I’m a rebel,” Skeen says. “It’s just, uh… me against everybody else.”
This revelation also explains why Skeen was so hostile towards Cassian — he was a loose end, a wrench thrown into Skeen’s plans. Cassian kills him without hesitation.
Cassian enters the hut where the doctor was working on Nemik, who died on the operating table. Blaster in hand, Cassian tells Vel he wants out. He doesn’t want anything to do with the rebellion now that he’s witnessed corruption. Cassian tells Vel about Skeen, but she doesn’t want to believe he’d betray her. Disgusted, Cassian says he’s taking the amount promised to him and gives Vel the sky kyber necklace Luthen gave him as collateral. Before he leaves, Vel gives him Nemik’s manifesto. “He insisted,” Vel tells him.
News Travels Fast
On Coruscant, news of the heist spreads, and the Imperial Security Bureau holds emergency meetings to plan retaliation. Senator Mon Mothma (Genevieve O’Reilly) addresses the Senate about protecting the Ghormans, but the news of the heist distracts the few politicians that are present.
As for Luthen Rael (Stellan Skarsgård), he learns about the heist from a customer at his antique shop. He goes into the back room, so he can laugh with relief.
Episode 7 of Andor will premiere exclusively on Disney+ on Wednesday, October 12, 2022.
