This publish accommodates spoilers for “Andor” season 2 and the broader “Star Wars” universe.
The most recent season of “Andor” is as (if no more) deliberate and audacious as its predecessor. Episodes 4-6 represent the second arc of the story, intensifying tensions throughout the galaxy — from the anxiety-tinged occasions in Chandrila to the disastrous destiny that’s but to befall Ghorman. Episode 5 primarily tackles Cassian Andor’s (Diego Luna) involvement with the budding Ghorman Riot, underlining the amateurish unpreparedness of a insurgent group that is not absolutely cognizant of the dangers that include the trigger. On the flip aspect, we have now Noticed Gerrera’s (Forest Whitaker) paranoia-tinged maintain over D’Qar, the place a trapped Wilmon (Muhannad Bhaier) is reluctantly aiding his schemes. Gerrera delivers a tragic revelation to Wilmon in direction of the tip of the episode, reminiscing about his horrific struggles on Onderon whereas referring to the starship gas Rhydonium as his “sister.”
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There are dense layers to the assertion, as Rhydonium’s explosive structure is akin to the spark of the riot, which, as soon as ignited, can unfold like wildfire. However Gerrera’s notion of the riot is not as affected person or measured as Nemik’s manifesto. It’s instinctive and passionate, tinged with private loss and grief, which has rendered him overly cautious of his allies. Rhydonium fumes are poisonous, however Gerrera inhales them with out concern, as he should have been doing for years. In some methods, the Rhydonium units him free, fueling the insanity vital for a insurgent who should stroll on a quite excessive path. It’s a grim, heartbreaking scene that showcases the endless worth rebels should pay to struggle for a future they’re going to by no means see.
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What precisely is Rhydonium, and have we seen this starship gas being utilized in linked “Star Wars” canon? Let’s examine.
Rhydonium has a protracted and lethal historical past within the Star Wars universe
Rhydonium is just not solely extremely risky and flamable, but in addition fairly dangerous to salvage, as its fumes are dangerous to residing beings. The earliest canonical point out of the gas got here within the 2021 comedian collection “Star Wars: The Excessive Republic Adventures.” Because the title suggests, the comedian is ready within the Excessive Republic Period (231 BBY, to be precise), and it sees the Wyke City settlement on Loreth uncovered to a tragic accident. A semi-sentient species, Greta, assaults the city after its mate is captured by the city founder, however an unintended shot by one of many townsfolk pierces a number of Rhydonium canisters, inflicting an explosion. The city founder’s niece, Pela, inadvertently inhales the fumes, inflicting her thoughts to interrupt and rendering her mute. Fortunately, this heartbreaking incident ends on a quite healthful notice, because the now-united Greta and its mate heal Pela, fully reversing the results of Rhydonium.
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Whereas the Loreth incident is tinged with miraculous awe, the second main historic use of Rhydonium was in favor of a Separatist plot through the Clone Wars, which finally backfired — as seen within the animated collection “Star Wars: The Clone Wars.” Lengthy story quick, the desert planet of Abafar is a valuable Rhydonium reserve, however its dwindling sources appeal to the eye of the Confederacy of Impartial Techniques (also called the Separatist Alliance). Their preliminary plan is to make use of the gas reserves to explode the Galactic Republic house station Valor, however a Republic squad unintentionally uncovers the scheme after triggering a Rhydonium explosion to counter Separatist droids. Ultimately, none aside from R2-D2 (!!!) detonates the bomb prematurely and thwarts the Separatist plan to destroy Valor. R2 is blown to bits within the course of, however there isn’t any purpose to fret; he was rebuilt from scratch quickly after.
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Quick-forward 14 years to the occasions of “Star Wars: Rebels.” On this collection, the starship gas was current in an deserted Republic base in Fort Anaxes, which had turn out to be a smuggling outpost after the Clone Wars. After a gaggle of fyrnocks (creatures indigenous to Anaxes) assault the outpost, Sabine Wren and Hera Syndulla use the depleted Rhydonium reserves to fend off the monsters.
Although Rhydonium’s main objective is to gas starships, these tales present the way it can be used as a weapon, its risky nature being exploited by numerous factions.
Rhydonium additionally makes an look at a essential level in The Mandalorian
In “The Mandalorian” season 2, episode 7, Din (Pedro Pascal) and Mayfeld (Invoice Burr) sneak into an imperial facility on Morak by posing as troops transporting a cargo of Rhydonium. The plan goes awry after pirates assault the cargo and attempt to destroy it, however the duo are in a position to fend them off and finally retrieve the intel they got here for. Simply earlier than leaving, Mayfeld blows up the Rhydonium, because the gas was supposed for use to “create havoc that might make Burnin Konn pale compared.”
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This declaration underlines the Empire’s eagerness to make use of pure sources to subjugate pockets of resistance. Rhydonium is greater than only a gas; it’s now a way to oppress and frighten. Burnin Konn is a reference to a now-inhabitable planet that had turn out to be the goal of the Empire’s horrific bombardment marketing campaign, Operation: Cinder.
Rhydonium can also be talked about briefly in “Star Wars: The Pressure Awakens,” the place the gas is discovered amongst starship wreckage on Jakku (which occurs to be Rey Skywalker’s dwelling planet). It’s secure to deduce that the starships that had been purposeful through the Battle of Jakku ran on Rhydonium, which explains why the wreckage is roofed in noxious fumes. This clearly made these areas harmful to traverse, however the gas’s remnants had been nonetheless salvageable for these courageous (or silly) sufficient to retrieve them.
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The gas’s use in “Andor” is each darkish and poetic; Gerrera likens it to the madness of being a insurgent and the unbridled freedom that comes with it. It’s a image of twisted hope for individuals who are “unloved, hunted, cannon fodder,” even when the trail to a brighter future is paved with thankless sacrifices and 1,000,000 sunless areas.
