“Harvest”

Contact
The episode opens with a wide landscape shot of a nebula. Cassian Andor flies his stolen TIE Avenger away from the nebula. Inside the cockpit, he plugs into a transmitter and begins rewiring the ship’s cables and electronics. He connects two wires, causing the starfighter to spin out of control.

Eye of the storm
Meanwhile, on Mina-Rau, B2EMO plays with other similar droids and the local children. Several farm workers and villagers including a hairy alien enjoy a feast. Bix Caleen and Wilmon Paak join the locals in the feast. Kellen seeks Brasso’s help in repairing a burst water pipe. He warns Brasso that the Imperial authorities have completed checking Council Six-Hundred and will be checking their district soon. When Brasso asks if the Imperials are checking visas, Kellen tells him that the Imperials arrested a group of undocumented migrants. When Brasso asks where they can go, Kellen explains that he has obtained an Emergency Work Order for the Eight Hundred Block for them. He says they could pose as sweepers in that district if they are stopped and questioned tonight.

Kellen also asks about Andor and his boss, telling him to tell his boss what is going on Mina-Rau. Brasso explains that the Galactic Empire is extending its control everywhere. When Kellen asks why the Imperials cannot leave them in peace, Brasso gives him a comforting hug. Caleen eyes Brasso with concern as he walks back to the table.

The Wedding
Elsewhere at the Mothma Estate on Chandrila, Senator Mon Mothma meets with her daughter Leida Mothma, who is dressed in a white wedding gown. Leida is worried about her snagged dress. Mothma spends time with Leida, asking if she is nervous. Mothma confides that her mother was drunk when she got married in this very chamber. She recalls that she was angry at the time but now understand what her mother was going through.

An impatient Leida asks her mother what she is doing and turns away. Mothma tells Leida that nothing on the other side of the door including the guests, gifts, marital strife, money, embarrassment and pressure matters. Leida asks her mother what she is saying. Mothma suggests that Leida could annul or delay the marriage, describing it as an act of bravery. Mothma emphasizes that Leida does not need to go through with the marriage. Mothma’s words anger her daughter, who says she wishes she was drunk. Mothma looks at Leida sadly before walking away. She then veils herself.

Before Leida enters the door, Mothma reminds her of the Chandrilan custom that the parent of the betrothed has to lead the bride out. The ceremony goes ahead as planned with Mothma leading Leida out into the hall. Davo and Runai Sculdun lay branches before Leida. Leida approaches Stekan Sculdun, with the two being separated by a green circle. Mothma joins the crowd while Perrin Fertha asks Leida if she sees the future in Chandrilan.

Leida returns the greeting and Stekan invites her to move forward. The young couple circle each other on the green circle. Their parents circle them as part of the wedding ceremony. Fertha gives Stekan a knife. Stekan says that he will not return the knife and Fertha replies that he can do what he wants with the knife. Stekan approaches a nervous Leida and per Chandrilan custom gives a light cut around the neck. Mothma watches nervously.

Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner
On Coruscant, Dedra Meero dresses up for a formal dinner at her apartment. Syril Karn prepares a meal before dressing up as well. Both dress in formal dark clothes which cover their white shirts. Shortly later, Eedy Karn enters the room dressed in an orange patterned dress and a red cloak. Karn introduces his mother Eedy to Meero. Eedy describes Meero’s home as a palace while Karn removes his mother’s cloak. When Meero and Karn ask what she would like to drink, Eedy requests spice tea. Karn reacts with surprise to her choice.

Karn apologizes that they don’t have spice tea and offers to get some from a nearby arcade. Eedy changes her mind, saying that she doesn’t want to see her son Syril disappear again. She takes an interest in Meero and asks to see her wonderful home. Karn and Meero look at each other nervously.

Reestablishing contact
Elsewhere at the Galactic Antiquities and Objects of Interest gallery, Kleya Marki operates a transmitter and sends a transmission out into the galaxy using the code “Coruscant Forecast 2665.” Andor replies that he needs a weather report and tells her that he is in transit. When Marki asks about the freighter pilot, Andor explains that he is unavailable. When Marki asks about his location, Andor tells her that his drop has been compromised and that he has been trapped upside down for two days inside his TIE Avenger. He asks her to find him a safe place. Marki says that she will work on that.

Andor asks Marki to resume contact with home but Marki reveals that there is a frequency blockade. When Andor asks what is going on, Marki says that she doesn’t know and asks him to wait. He terminates contact and activates the TIE Avenger’s hyperdrive. The starfighter enters lightspeed and jumps into hyperspace.

A special dinner
At Meero’s apartment, Eedy stirs some soup with a ladle in a fondu-like pot while remarking that children have a lot teach them, adding that Karn’s imagination fascinates her. Karn tells his mother that she is dripping but Meero says it is fine. Eedy tells Meero that Syril Karn’s father was a wannabe adventurer who left the two of them. She adds that she raised Karn with her own determination and acknowledges the contributions of Uncle Harlo. Meero remarks that it must have been a difficult time for Eedy and Syril, explaining that Karn has shared this story with her.

Eedy says that she is proud that Karn has found someone she can communicate with. Karn attempts to offer his mother some sauce. She then remarks that Karn is embarrassed about being called delicate. When Eedy asks about Meero’s family, Meero recounts that she did not grow up with her parents, who were criminals who were arrested when she was three years old. She says that she was raised in an Imperial Kinder-block. Meero chews something on her fork.

Eedy remarks there is nothing delicate about being raised in an orphanage. When Meero says that they had everything they needed, Eedy interjects that Meero would not have experienced a mother’s love. Meero says that they did not know what they were missing. Karn stabs a piece of meat with his skewer.

Plans in motion
Back on Chandrila, Leia and Stekan walk down the aisle in the presence of their families and wedding guests. Everyone taps a glass except Mothma and Vel Sartha. On Mina-Rau, Brasso walks through a grainfield towards his house. Inside, Paak and Caleen begin packing to leave. When Paak asks where the ammunition is, Caleen tells him that it is in the blanket crate. Caleen warns Brasso that if B2EMO sees them packing he will panic. Brasso replies that B23MO is with Talia and his buddy. When Caleen asks who will tell the droid, Brasso promises to break the news. Caleen confronts Paak for not cleaning the tools. Paak promises to clean them when he gets back.

Dessert talk
On Coruscant, Eedy mashes up her ice cream dessert with her spoon while Meero carefully spoons her dessert. Eedy compliments Meero’s choice of ice cream, describing it as one of the pleasures of Coruscant. Eedy confides that she disapproved of her son’s decision to become a police officer on Morlana and says that life on Coruscant is better. Karn asks his mother if she is saying that he just came home for the cakes. Eedy expresses a dismissiveness of her son’s previous career choice, prompting Karn to defend his work as a police officer. Eedy says that she is happy they are all together. Karn puts aside his napkin and walks out, saying that he has had enough.

When the two are alone, Meero tells Eedy that she has different plans for Karn. She warns Eedy that if she wants her son in her life, she will think before he speaks. She promises to let Karn keep in contact with Eedy through calls and visits but warns she will reduce their level of engagement if she doesn’t stop dominating her son. Eedy tries to call her bluff but Meero warns that she has consulted Uncle Harlo’s Imperial Security Bureau files and is aware of his sordid past.

While Karn lies belly-first on his bed, he overhears Meero putting Eedy in her place. Meero offers Eedy a cup of caf, which she accepts. When Karn re-enters the living room, Eedy says that Meero was just telling her how well Karn was doing her. Eedy says she was not surprised. Meero raises a mug of caf with a flicker of a smile while Karn exits the room.

The wedding reception
Back on Chandrila, Davo Sculdun’s gift is unveiled. Sculdun tells the guests that this is a Chandi Merle, a rare statue that was stolen 25,000 years ago when the planet was sacked by Rakatan invaders. Sculdun explains that only eight of these statues remain accounted for and that only five have been repatriated to Chandrila. Sculdun thanks Luthen Rael for obtaining the statue, describing the recovery process as an adventure. Sculdun takes the newly-weds by their hands and gifts the Chandi Merle to them. An amphibian alien stands behind Rael while the guests celebrate the repatriation of the Chandi Merle.

Later, Rael socializes with Erskin Semaj, whose father was from Naboo and whose mother was Ghorman. The young man explains that his parents had an affair and were ostracized by their homeworlds. His family traveled around until his mother passed away. Semaj and Rael are interrupted by Tay Kolma, who apologizes for brushing into them. Rael watches the nervous Kolma intently.

Kolma speaks with Mothma, who eyes Sculdun socializing with two men dressed in white Imperial uniforms. Kolma confides that he feels intimidated by Rael and promises to discuss the matter of their figure on Coruscant next week. Kolma apologizes for leaving earlier and offers to contact Semaj to arrange a meeting. He is visibly nervous and utters the greeting “Sagrona Teema” before leaving the ballroom.

Later, Leida and Stekan lead the wedding guests in dancing. Mothma and Fertha watched with concern and pride respectively. The Sculduns watch with pride and triumph. Sartha watches with disinterest and glances at her wine glass. Leida and Stekan twirl before resuming their dance. The wedding guests cheer.

The Imperial patrol
On Mina-Rau, Brasso tells B2EMO that they will be leaving and that Talia will look after his charger. When B2EMO asks how Andor will know where to go, Brasso explains that they will be leaving him in the care of Talia, adding that she is nicer, smarter and prettier. Brasso reassures B2EMO that Talia will look after them. A TIE Reaper flies over the farm. Brasso returns to the house where Brasso is working on the radio. The two realize that Paak has left on the landspeeder.

Elsewhere, Paak meets in a field with Beela to bid her farewell. When she asks where he will be going, he replies that it is best not to tell her. While the two embrace, she fingers a blaster inside his trousers holster. She confronts Paak but the two are interrupted by the arrival of an Imperial patrol led by Lieutenant Krole outside the Mina-Rau General Store. The patrol consists of a mixture of stormtroopers, officers and Imperial Army personnel. Krole tells Aneth that he wants his soldiers to be fed. Paak’s speeder bike is also parked near the Imperial vehicles. Krole tells Sergeant Stang that he will head off. Aneth orders her daughter Beela to return to the store. Paak runs back to the cabin while Brasso ploughs through the grain field in search of Paak.

Desperate times, desperate measures
Following the wedding reception, Mothma meets with Rael, who chides her for not listening to his advice to stay away from Kolma. Mothma expresses disappointment in Kolma since she has known him his entire life. Rael says that things would have been worse if he wasn’t here. Mothma tells Rael that she has scheduled a meeting with Rael the following week. When Rael asks if he has a number, Mothma says that they are still working on it. Rael replies that Mothma needs to “be protected.” Mothma expresses confusion, prompting Rael to respond “how nice for you.” Mothma reacts with discomfort before walking away. A globular repulsorlift speaker enters the ballroom, prompting the wedding guests to shout with joy and dance.

Meanwhile on Mina-Rau, Lieutenant Krole rides in a chauffer-driven landspeeder towards Caleen and her friend’s cabin. Meanwhile, Andor flies in the TIE Avenger towards the planet. Back at the wedding reception, Mothma dances with Runai Sculdun and the two drink a shot. On Mina Rau, Caleen enters the cabin and uses the radio transmitter to contact Andor, briefly hearing his voice. She looks out the window and sees an Imperial landspeeder approaching. Caleen exits the cabin to face Lieutenant Krole, who asks about her husband. Caleen says that her husband will be returning. Krole notices that she has started packing. Caleen claims that she and her companions are leaving for an emergency repair in Council Eight Hundred. Krole doesn’t buy the story, prompting Caleen to claim that everyone is busy due to harvest time.

Elsewhere, Brasso parks his speeder in a grain field and approaches the General Store, only to be discovered by an armed stormtrooper. Back on Chandrila, Mothma consoles herself by drinking several shots. On Mina-Rau, Paak approaches the cabin and runs through a grain field. Inside the cabin, Krole removes his officer’s cap and remarks that the dwelling doesn’t look very comfortable. After styling his hair, Krole stares at a mirror and tells Caleen that he knows that she is on the planet illegally after scrutinizing her visas.

Feigning sympathy, Krole tells Caleen that he can help “fix” her “undocumented” status. He says that he is always looking for ways to relax. Krole remarks that his shoulders get sore. Krole remarks that Caleen must have strong hands due to her hard work and holds her hand. Elsewhere, Andor spots a Star Destroyer on his starship’s scanner. He dives into the planet’s atmosphere. Meanwhile, two stormtroopers bring Brasso to Sergeant Stand, who asks Kellen if he is one of the mechanics on the road.

Fighting back
Brasso, in an effort to protect Kellen and portray him as an Imperial sympathizer, charges at the shopkeeper and accuses him of betraying him. Two stormtroopers restrain him while several soldiers point their blasters at him. Brasso condemns Kellen before being pistol whipped by a stormtrooper. Stang says that Kellen is lucky that they were here. Back at the cabin, a threatened Caleen drops a glass jar, which shatters on the kitchen floor. Krole asks her to reconsider as he corners her against a kitchen bench. Caleen objects to his flirtation and punches him in the face, causing him to bleed.

On Chandrila, a drunk Mothma dances with the other party guests. Back on Mina-Rau, Caleen struggles against Krole, who attempts to sexually assault her. Following a tussle, Krole hurls her against the pantry and drags her towards a bed unit. She grabs a wrench and strikes him in the head. Krole howls in pain, attracting the attention of his driver. Krole staggers through the living area and reaches for his blaster holster, but Caleen strikes him in the head a second time with the wrench. The driver radios Unit Two for help on his comlink.

Stang and his men receive the news. Brasso watches on the ground. Corporal Pyke approaches Caleen’s house. Lieutenant Krole stumbles out with a head wound before collapsing. Meanwhile, Stang orders several stormtroopers and Imperial Army troopers to head towards Caleen’s cabin. Five soldiers stay behind to guard Brasso. Corporal Pyke orders Caleen to exit the house with her hands up. Caleen tells the soldier that Krole tried to sexually assault her, but Pyke responds that Krole has died from his injuries. Pyke approaches the house, but is distracted by an arriving Paak that opens fire on him. As Pyke retaliates with his blaster pistol, Caleen shoots him in the side with a short rifle.

Escape and Sacrifices
Back on Chandrila, a drunken Mothma continues dancing while Kolma exits the Mothma Estate and tips a parking attendant in the entry concourse. He is greeted by Cinta Kaz, who is disguised as a chauffer. When Kolma asks where Otto is, Kaz lies that she was asked to fill his shift. She expresses relief at finding Kolma. Kaz locks eyes with Sartha. The two women look at each other grimly. Kaz then activates the airspeeder’s canopy while Sartha looks away.

Meanwhile, Andor sees Sergeant Stand’s transport approaching their cabin and fires a rocket, destroying it from the air. The other Imperials react at the General Store react with shock with one of the soldiers calling for reinforcements on a comlink. Brasso takes advantage of the confusion to make a dash for freedom. He escapes on his speeder bike but a blaster bolt strikes it. Kellen and his wife watch the escape with shock. Seeing the pursuit, Andor strafes the stormtroopers pursuing Brasso. He also damages one of the silos, causing to burst open and release grain on the pursuing stormtroopers.

Caleen and Paak watch the commotion. Andor circles Brasso’s crashed speeder. Paak and Caleen realize that Andor has returned on the TIE Avenger. Andor runs towards Brasso’s speeder and finds him lying motionless by the speeder bike. Andor tries to revive his friend and embraces him but Brasso is unresponsive. After a moment of hesitation, Andor rejoins Caleen and Paak. When Caleen asks about Brasso, he shakes his head. Andor tells his friends they have to leave. Caleen looks back sadly.

Back on Chandrila, Mothma and Fertha continue dancing with the other guests while Sartha reflects sadly. Brasso’s motionless body lies on the field while Andor and the others fly away in the TIE Avenger. A grieving Paak and Caleen sit at the back of the cockpit while Andor flies the TIE Avenger back into the skies. Mothma continues twirling in the dance hall.