Star Wars: 8 Clues Pointing To Luthen Rael Is A Secret Jedi On Andor
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This list contains spoilers for Andor Season 1!Andor is rightly being celebrated for its excellent writing, acting and narrative, which, while still deeply connected to the extended lore, did not follow the classic. War of the galaxies formula, but some fans think they might have secretly sneaked Jedi into the mix. A popular theory has gained traction during the season that Luthen Rael, the ambitious rebel played expertly by Stellan Skarsgård, is actually a former Jedi working to avenge the Empire for revenge against Order 66. This would also suggest that his assistant Kleya was, in fact, his padawan.
Detractors claim this is not the case Andor “It’s not that kind of show,” meaning the Force, the Jedi Order, or anything related to it isn’t important to the story. It’s about the build up of tension and the characters’ criss-crossing journeys towards the full-scale rebellion and the events of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Unexpectedly, however, this theory has some legs to stand on. Based on the elements he surrounds himself with, the language he uses, and some possible lore connections, some points support Luthen’s past as a Jedi, or at least his affinity for the Force.
How did he get a Kyber Crystal?
The theory first appeared after the fourth episode, “Aldhani”, in which Luthen gives Cassian a special gift, a blue kyber crystal. Naturally, this points to Jedi connections, as kyber crystals are used in the creation of lightsabers, along with their use on the Death Star, but this is presumably unrelated to Luthen. This crystal is more than a historical trinket: it is very important to Luthen, telling Cassian, “I just know it will always be worth more to me.”
One thing to note about this moment between him and Cassian is that it parallels Jyn receiving a kyber crystal from her mother in Rogue One. Even if this theory is true that he’ll be re-igniting his lightsaber with that kyber crystal in season two, his inclusion seems far more important than just a narrative callback. They are notoriously rare and powerful, so it begs the question of how it came into one’s hands, pointing to a variation on this theory that Luthen wasn’t a Jedi, but his loved one was, and that was his since d ‘before. Order 66.
“Celebrate the uprising against the Rakatan invaders.”
The Krystal has another important meaning that connects it to expanded War of the galaxies lore: Apparently canonizing popular aspects of Legends. As he hands over the crystal, he states, “It’s a seal of Kuati. Blue Kyber. Skystone. The ancient world. Celebrates the uprising against the Rakatan invaders.” That last line was quite innovative as it referenced the Rakata, a race of beings from the video game. Knights of the Old Republic. The Rakata of the Infinite Empire were instrumental in developing light-speed travel, but over time, they were also corrupted by the dark side, using their powers to conquer planets across their galaxy.
This moment not only gave a little hope War of the galaxies video game characters that appear in live action, but it gives more depth and importance to Luthen’s interest in the crystal. While the Rakata date back millennia before the start of the Skywalker Saga Episode I: The Phantom Menacehis dark empire would be ingrained in the Jedi memory, especially for someone as deeply interested in history as Luthen.
Luthen’s Jedi Relic Emporium
Other Easter eggs from Andor can be found in Luthen’s shop, many of which have significant Jedi connections. He has in his possession a mask of the Jedi Temple Guard and stone tablets, which refer to the world between worlds as shown in the Jedi Temple of Lothal in rebels. Interestingly, he also hides two holocrons, a Jedi and a Sith, in the back of his shop and away from prying eyes.
Anything related to the Jedi Order was banned by the Emperor quickly following Order 66, so it would put Luthen in danger. Also, many are logically observing how illogical it could be for a Jedi to remain on Coruscant. However, hiding in plain sight is a common reason War of the galaxies – Palpatine did this during the prequel trilogy. Also, if Luthen was a Jedi, he might have cut himself off from the force to hide, just like Obi-Wan and Luke had.
What’s on his stick?
In AndorIn the eleventh episode, “Daughter of Ferrix”, Luthen visits Saw Gerrera once more, and during that trip, his special staff received a brief moment of special attention. In the short shot, it does resemble the hilt of a lightsaber, perhaps restructured as a staff to disguise it. Lightsabers are known to come in all shapes and forms, and a staff is not unheard of. Teacher Tera Sinube was introduced The Clone Wars using a lightsaber and cane combination.
Luthen might strike fans as a character who would find a way to keep his lightsaber and hide it in plain sight like a staff, and whether or not it still works is a whole different matter. However, all that being said, there’s a better chance it’s just a rod with a clever design and nothing more.
“An equation I wrote 15 years ago…”
AndorThe Season 1 finale left fans with burning questions, including about Luthen’s backstory, regardless of whether he was a Jedi or not. “One Way Out” gave the best glimpse of who he really is during his incredible speech to double agent Lonni. Among the incredible language, he says: “I wake up every day with an equation I wrote fifteen years ago from which there is only one conclusion, I am condemned for what I do. My anger, my ego, my unwillingness to give in, my eagerness to fight have set me on a path from which there is no escape.
It might not sound like something a traditional Jedi noble knight might say. It seems to come from someone who has fallen away from the light and teachings of the Jedi Order, a survivor of Order 66, a major event nearly fifteen years ago that would instantly provoke the wrath and vengeance of a Jedi , especially those with a naturally rebellious nature. His speech emulates the tone and energy of a Gray Jedi, someone who uses his enemy’s tools to defeat them.
His behavior
In general, Luthen Rael is able to easily read people. That might come with experience in this fight and life in general, but it would support the idea that he uses the Force to read the people he works with, figuring out who he can trust or not. While he comes to see Cassian as a loose end and thus orders his death, Luthen initially trusts him based on instinct alone. He might have cut himself off from the force, but he still would have learned to understand who someone is in his heart.
Moreover, he is quite skilled and unflappable in the discharge of duty. In support of the theory, this could come from his experiences during the Clone Wars, serving with his fellow Jedi on the front lines. At that time, some Jedi fell from grace due to the horrors of the wars, and Luthen could be one of them.
Rael Averross?
Some fans have extended the theory to suggest that Luthen is actually an established character War of the galaxies with the name of Rael Averross. It first appeared in Master and Apprentice (a novel focusing on Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi before The Phantom Menace) as Master Dooku’s padawan, long before he became one of the strongest users of the dark side of War of the galaxies. Given the timeline, Luthen could fit Averross’s age if he survived past Order 66.
Of course, most of this theory comes from name similarities alone. However, Rael Averross is somewhat related to Luthen Rael in more ways. He used a blue lightsaber, so that would explain the kyber crystal, and he is noted to be controversial when it comes to adhering to the customs of the Jedi Order. This could explain Luthen’s unique perspective on his role in the rebellion. Revealing it in the second season would be a deep, deep cut, but it might get some more fans to read the many novels in the canon.
Master Uvell?
An alternate character that Luthen Rael could be related to is Master Uvell, another Jedi active before the fall of the Jedi Order. He survived Order 66 but wanted to preserve the history of the Order. He worked with an antiquarian named Antron Bach to smuggle in all kinds of artifacts and knowledge from the Jedi Order before it was ever destroyed by the empire.
Therefore, the theory is extended to Luthen actually being the former Master Uvell, having returned to Coruscant and using these artifacts to fund a growing rebellion, although this would not necessarily fit the suggested characterization by Uvell As such, it would probably make more sense for him to be Antron Bach, but that would still give him some connection to the Jedi Order. That seems very likely, regardless of whether or not it was, and hopefully season two will provide a definitive answer to that.
