Warning! This article contains spoilers for Andor episode 4.fledgling Rebel, Cassian Andor s a team of revolutionaries as they prepare to strike at an Imperial garrison. Along the way, Cassian (and viewers) learns about the planet's history, its potential connection to Force-using cultures, and its triennial event known as the Eye of Aldhani.
The Star Wars franchise has always leaned more toward fantasy than science fiction, focusing on its narratives and characters while typically — and intentionally — ignoring scientific accuracy. Fittingly, the various planets of Star Wars are usually single-biome worlds, referencing the classic science fiction serials that George Lucas enjoyed during his formative years. However, there are some notable exceptions, such as the Forest Moon of Endor and the Mid Rim planet Naboo. The Star Wars franchise is also renowned for its immersive quality of delving into the histories and cultures of its many worlds, which Andor exemplifies with Aldhani, even in its single appearance thus far.
Aldhani is introduced in Andor episode 4, which is appropriately titled “Aldhani,” and while much is implied about the planet’s history and importance, its location isn’t definitively stated. Vel Sartha describes it as being “close to nothing and not very far away from everything,” possibly placing it in the Mid Rim or Expansion Region. Sartha further reveals that the Empire drove Aldhani’s population away from the highlands shown in Andor and into an Enterprise Zone of factories, developments, and Imperial housing, though there are still populations of shepherds, naturists, and “mystics,” implying an indigenous Force-using tradition. Perhaps the most interesting detail of Aldhani is its Eye of Aldhani celestial event, which occurs every three years and will be exploited by the Rebels as cover for their escape during their raid.
Has The Eye Of Aldhani Appeared Before In Star Wars Canon?
Just as Aldhani itself is new to the Star Wars canon mythos, so too is the triennial Eye of Aldhani event, but Sartha’s descriptions of the planet are quite similar to other canon worlds that the Empire absorbs during its reign. Lothal, a key Outer Rim world in Sith Lords and Inquisitors meddled with in the late stages of Lothal’s Imperialization.
Andor is focusing on the more mundane elements of both the Galactic Empire and the soon-to-be Rebel Alliance as it depicts Cassian’s growth into the seasoned Rebel spy seen in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. As such, the series is introducing new worlds in various stages of Imperialization, such as Ferrix and Aldhani, which reflect both the growing oppression of the Empire and the formation of organized Rebel cells before the Alliance is truly established. Cassian’s first foray into his newfound Rebel military career will be on Aldhani, and its spectacular Eye of Aldhani event will prove to be a pivotal moment in Andor.
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