Andor What a Festive Evening review S2 E6

What a Festive Evening wrapped up this three-part arc in expected explosive fashion as Cassian decides what kind of rebel he’s going to be in the fight against the Empire.

Cassian was somewhat taken aback by Carro stating he wasn’t much of a rebel. He always thought he was pulling off this espionage game pretty well and he’s sacrificed more than most. And lost even more. All in the name of rebellion. He hadn’t been caught (or worse) by the Empire and was still creating little pockets of chaos against them.

One thing Cassian doesn’t do is bet on a losing hand — aka the Ghorman rebels. Luthen tells Cassian he’s thinking like a thief instead of a leader. This would be one an ironic statement given Cassian’s actions in Rogue One. Festive Evening waters the fertile soil that would finish blossoming in Cassian’s big screen debut.

Luthen isn’t losing sleep over the idea of losing Ghorman if the rebels there aren’t worthy fighters. “If it burns, it will burn very brightly.” That statement would have a different meaning by the end of Festive Evening.

Cassian doesn’t want any parts of it and returns to his apartment to find Bix somewhat out of it. He’s not thrilled Luthen happened to forget to mention he paid her a visit on their flight back to Coruscant. Luthen is irritated Cassian is breaking their rules of contact by showing up at his shop after hours and equally irritated that Biz told Cassian about his visit. Luthen says Bix has to pull it together suggesting Cassian might have to cut her loose for the greater good of the Rebellion.

Major Partagaz assigns Lonni and Heert to watch over Dr. Ghorst since the Emperor considers him an asset that can be utilized by other branches of the Empire. Heert is hyped at some real responsibility and Partagaz delivers the line of the season so far: “It’s an assignment. Calibrate your enthusiasm.“

MORE:

• Thunderbolts* review (2025)
• Havoc review (2025)
• Transformers Studio Series 86 Brawn review (2022)
• The Last of Us – The Path review S2 E3

And while he’s in the brief meeting mood, he reminds Dedra that Syril must not know what this is really all about. With that subtle exchange, Festival Evening now has cracked opened a path for which an impressionable Syril to actually side against the Empire. Maybe even by legit helping the Ghorman rebels?

With Cassian out, Luthen calls in two more trusted agents to aid the Ghormans — Vel and Cinta. Last we saw Cinta, she was presumably driving Tay Kolma off to his death at Luthen’s behalf. There’s some clear sexual tension going on, but like Dedra and Syril, they keep their emotions tightly wound for the sake of the greater good i.e. the mission. This is why Luthen gets so annoyed with Cassian because Bix is his one weak spot and the one person he will abandon all of Luthen’s carefully laid out plans to keep safe.

Cassian finds Bix still up despite taking her sleepy drugs. Like Luthen said, their effectiveness does eventually wear off.

The way Vel and Cinta are behaving there’s a clear ominous sense that one or both of them won’t make it past the end credits outside of flashbacks. Vel isn’t as diplomatic as Cassian and explains that she and Cinta are the new chain of command. And they’re also going to be the ones carrying weapons. The transport hijack is going smoothly until the loudmouth at the town hall starts questioning what’s happening.

This was the easily the most questionable moment not just of Festive Evening, but of the entire season so far. The store owner seemed like a clear rabble rouser who absolutely would be of use to the Ghorman rebels, but why would he of all people, try to hinder efforts to screw over the Empire? Sammi pulls his hidden blaster out and the ensuing scramble leads to one stray laser blast firing — and hitting Cinta.

Vel is understandably pissed and lays into Sammi, who’s more emotional than she is as he’s crying and blubbering. Like Cassian said, these guys are not ready for this war and Luthen’s insistence on going through with this alliance cost Cinta her life.

Mon Mothma has zero poker face constantly making disparaging looks at the Senate Chambers. Her expression does change when she greets her family — Bail Organa (played here by Benjamin Bratt, who’s fine for a less than two-minute appearance). Mon and Perrin are off to a big party thrown by Davo Sculden showing off his Imperial artifacts.

Among his guests are Luthen and…Director Krennic. Mon is very familiar with Krennic and has long had her share of him. Kleya brings Lonni into Davo’s showcase so she can snatch the listening device she planted. While Mon and Krennic launch verbal missiles at each other, Kleya keeps fidgeting with the jammed device while Lonni continues to find new levels to lose his nerve. In fairness, he’s got way more than Kleya to lose if Krennic found out he was a rebellion sympathizer.

Kleya gets the device (shocker!) but needs Lonni to step up and explain to Kreenic why she found the art piece so captivating. With the device back in their possession, even Luthen is in a rare not-so pissed off mood. He jokes that they should have killed Krennic when they had the chance. Assuming Luthen is somewhere around following the next three episodes — not a guarantee — he’s going to regret not doing exactly that casual suggestion.

To finally deal with her demons, Bix goes into the Imperial tower — likely less staffed than usual because of the big party — and straps Dr. Gorst into the same device he used to torment her all those years ago. As she finishes securing his restraints, she taunts him with the same tease he offered her “It will only feel like forever.”

Bix dismissively shoots the lone guard and saunters out with Cassian meeting her on the street. She smiles finally free of her tormentor as Cassian presses a button that detonates the entire floor. With Partagaz worried about Gorst, this is really not going to work out well for Bix (and Cassian) eventually, but for now it’s a big, loud and very bright statement. Looks like Cassian’s decided he is ready to think like a leader.

Festive Evening sets up Andor’s final three episodes masterfully with some long overdue payback and some big moves sure to attract the Empire’s attention, which won’t be good for anyone.

Rating: 9 out of 10

Photo Credit: Disney

Enjoyed Festive Evening? Pre-order the new Star Wars Black Series Director Krennic figure now from Target.

As a Target affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.