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Geek Tyrant
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
All the Awesome STAR WARS Easter Eggs in Luthen Rael's Shop in ANDOR — GeekTyrant
The Star War series Andor wasn't interested in nostalgia for nostalgia's sake. It doesn't drop in characters just to make fans point at the screen. While Tony Gilroy kept the narrative lean and meaningful, the rest of the creative team, especially the set designers, had a field day sneaking in some cool Easter eggs, and nowhere is that more evident than in Luthen Rael's elegant, mysterious antique shop. Luthen's Coruscant storefront, Galactic Antiquities and Objects of Interest, might just be a cover for rebel dealings, but make no mistake: it's packed with deep lore, rare relics, and blink-and-you'll-miss-it treasures that even the most devoted Star Wars fans are still picking apart. It's like the Star Wars version of a high-end gallery crossed with a lore junkie's fever dream. With Season 2 now streaming on Disney+, confirmed a whole new batch of props, alongside some returning favorites from Season 1. Let's take a tour through this gallery of galactic goodies, and unpack just how much history is packed into those shelves and pedestals. From Season 2: 1. Sith Chalice This incense burner was used in ancient rituals and looks suspiciously like the one Palpatine kept in his office in Revenge of the Sith. That artifact was found on Malachor, but Luthen? No one knows how he got his hands on his. 2. Wookiee Shields First seen in Revenge of the Sith, the Klorri-clan battle shields are back—teardrop-shaped and wrapped in bronzium bands. Season 1 teased them, but Season 2 goes big with multiples on display. 3. Togruta Pot With a sculpted Togruta perched on top, this unique pot is the first of its kind seen in Star Wars. It's especially interesting for fans of Ahsoka Tano, since the Togruta are her people. 4. Kalikori From Star Wars Rebels , the Kalikori is a Twi'lek family heirloom, passed down and added to across generations. The one here might not be the Syndulla's, but it's just as meaningful. 5. Concept Mandalorian Helmet This isn't your standard Mando gear. This helmet nods to Ralph McQuarrie's early concept art for Boba Fett, and even recalls the Rako Hardeen design from The Clone Wars . It's a gorgeous tribute to Star Wars design evolution. 6. Royal Naboo Headdress That glimmering headdress is the same style Queen Amidala wore in The Phantom Menace . Regal, iconic, and subtly heartbreaking when you remember Padmé's fate. 7. Decorative Gungan Skull Equal parts beautiful and morbid, this aurodium-inlaid Gungan skull is covered in ancient symbols. A rare, ceremonial relic from a long-gone era. Season 1: 1. Amidala-Style Headpiece Tucked in the rear of the shop, this ornate headpiece nearly matches the one worn by Padmé in Attack of the Clones . A deep pull for prequel fans. 2. Mandalorian Armor Not just any armor—this is full-on shimmering display armor, gleaming under showroom lights, placed right next to the Amidala piece. A fascinating juxtaposition of cultures. 3. Jedi Temple Guard Mask Seen for the first time in live-action, this ivory-and-gold mask originally appeared in The Clone Wars . In Luthen's shop, it looks both sacred and ominous. 4. Sankara Stones Yes, those Sankara stones from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom . They're tucked away in the back room, one of several cheeky nods to Lucasfilm's other iconic universe. 5. Sith Holocron Hidden among the 'not-for-sale' dark side goods, this Holocron is a red flag for any Jedi. But in a shop like this, it's just another antique. 6. Starkiller's Dark Lord Helmet Straight from The Force Unleashed's dark side ending, this helmet sits in the shadows, part of a larger set of armor. A sly reference to a fan-favorite game. 7. Wookiee Helmet The traditional war helmet of Kashyyyk warriors, on full display. Alongside the shields, Luthen's clearly curated quite a collection of Wookiee history. 8. Gungan Shield These energy-screen shields made their debut in The Phantom Menace , but this one's the real deal—not CG. A practical prop with real-world weight. 9. World Between Worlds Tablet A deep cut from Rebels and Ahsoka , this mystical tablet is inspired by the realm that plays with time, space, and destiny. It's tucked by the left wall, waiting for someone who knows what they're looking at. 10. Carbonite Blocks A loving homage to Empire, but look closer: the subjects frozen inside aren't just smugglers. One's the fertility idol from Raiders of the Lost Ark . Another? An Engineer head from Prometheus . These blink-and-you'll-miss-them cameos are pure geek joy. Luthen Rael's shop may be a rebel front, but it's also one of the best Easter egg museums in Star Wars . The attention to detail isn't just about references, it's about world-building. These props remind us that the galaxy is ancient, layered, and brimming with stories we haven't even heard yet.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Andor's Final Episode Introduced A Surprising New Character, But There's Someone Else From The Disney+ Series I Hope We See More Of In The Star Wars Universe
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Warning: SPOILERS for Andor's last three episodes are ahead! Well, Star Wars fans, we've reached the end of another era. Andor has come to a close with the release of Season 2's last three episodes on the 2025 TV schedule. There was a lot to take in from this final hurrah, from the death of characters like Luthen Rael and Major Partagaz, to finally seeing K-2SO in action on the Disney+ subscription-exclusive series. However, right now I want to focus on two characters: one who was introduced in the final moment of Andor, and one who've we've spent a lot of time with on this show, but I hope see more of in a galaxy far, far away. Cassian Andor was faced with a tough choice in last week's Andor episodes: continue for fighting for the Rebellion or leave that behind to start a new life with Bix Calleen. Bix decided to make that choice for him, as she'd learned from a Force healer in 'Messenger' that Cassian will be vital in the Rebellion's future victories. We, of course, see that happen in Rogue One when he helps steal the plans for the first Death Star. Leaving their home on Yavin IV behind her at the end of 'Welcome to the Rebellion,' Bix informs Cassian in a hologram message that she can't let their relationship interfere with him helping the Rebellion. When the day comes that the Rebels topple the Empire, she will find him and then they can finally have that dream life together. Sadly, we know that will never happen since Cassian will die in Jyn Erso's arms on Scarif shortly before the events of A New Hope. Disney+: from $9.99 a month w/ ad-supported planDon't miss out on any of the Star Wars franchise's movie and TV offerings. Subscribe to Disney+ so you can stay current. The platform's ad-support plan goes for $9.99 a month. You could also go ad-free and pay $15.99 a month, or save 16% and pre-pay $159.99 for a Deal Bix was almost entirely absent from Andor's final three episodes, which took place one year after last week's episodes and led directly into Cassian's final adventure in Rogue One. But before the series took its bow, we checked in one last time with Bix, who was living on the planet Mina-Rau from Season 2's first three episodes. As she was looking out at the horizon, she had a baby in her arms. Not only was it easy enough to infer that this is her own child, it's probably safe to assume who the father is. So now there's a little Andor who's set to grow up in the final years of the Empire's reign. Will we learn their name someday or even see them again? While I can't say with absolute certainty, I'm skeptical to think that the Star Wars franchise won't bring this character back at some point. Just because Diego Luna's time as Cassian is done doesn't mean we can't see more of his child or Bix. Plus, given when the kid was born, it'd be easy enough to follow them as an adult during the Sequel Trilogy era. Hey, how about they show up in Ryan Gosling's Starfighter movie? If you thought Dedra Meero had it bad last week when she was devastated by Syril Karn's death, that was just an appetizer of what was to come. Still obsessed with finding Axis after all these years, Dedra finally figured out that it was Luthen Rael and carried out an unsanctioned operation to apprehend him. Unfortunately for her, Luthen cut his wrist with a ceremonial knife from his antiques shop before she could start squeezing information out of him, requiring him to be put in a coma. That alone was enough to get Deedra taken into Imperial custody, as her superiors had made it clear to her that Axis was no longer her concern. But it got so much worse from there. Kleya, Luthen's assistant at the shop (and, as we learned, essentially his surrogate daughter), snuck into the hospital to cut off Luthen's life support so he couldn't be tortured into divulging secrets about the Rebellion once he was awake. But the cherry on this poodoo-flavored sundae was when the investigating Imperials discovered that Luthen had learned a scattering of details about the Death Star from Lieutenant Supervisor Lonni Young, his mole in the Empire (whom he then killed), then passed them along to Kleya to share with the Rebellion. So although Orson Krennic's initial assumption that Dedra Meero was a spy who'd shared these secrets was incorrect, the damage was nonetheless done. Partagaz killed himself rather than take the fall for Kleya escaping Coruscant, and Dedra was sent to a prison similar to the one on Narkina 5 where Cassian was sent in Season 1. More Andor Stories 'We Are Hijacking Canon': Andor Showrunner Explains Why They Pivoted Away From Star Wars Rebels With That Big Mon Mothma Moment After I Binge-Watched Andor Season 2, Here's Why My Revenge Of The Sith Theatrical Rerelease Experience Was Totally Worth The Ticket Price The last shot of Dedra Meero in Andor shows her in tears over how her life turned out. So it stands to reason she'll spent the rest of her days in prison, right? Not necessarily, because in a little under half a decade, the Empire will fall. Perhaps when that happens, the New Republic will look over the Empire's prisoners and decide which are ok to free and which should remain behind bars, so to speak. Realistically, I think Dedra probably falls into the latter category, but I'm hopeful that it's the former that happens instead. Dedra Meero made a lot of despicable decisions on Andor to advance her career and gain respect from her peers. Her ambition proved to be her downfall when she overextended herself in her desperation to capture Axis. Ideally her time in prison would make her realize the error of her ways and feel remorse for her actions. I'm not saying that the New Republic should just let Dedra go, as she'd arguably still be considered a war criminal. Rather, I'm envisioning her agreeing to help out the New Republic as a way to reduce her sentence or be granted leniency. It'd be easy enough to just write Dedra off as irredeemable, but I hope that Star Wars finds a way to spotlight her again. Let's see what happens when that keen intellect of hers is put to use for the greater good and she genuinely wants to try and make up for some of the horrible things she did as an Imperial officer. If this can't happen onscreen, then maybe we can revisit Deedra in a novel down the line. So with Andor behind us, next up on the upcoming Star Wars TV shows slate are Ahsoka Season 2 and the recently-announced Maul – Shadow Lord. Both shows are expected to be released in 2026, so keep checking back with us for updates on their progress.
Geek Tyrant
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
Luthen Rael's Dark Backstory in ANDOR Hit Harder Than Fans Were Ready For — GeekTyrant
Star Wars has given us plenty of memorable characters over the years, heroes, villains, and the complicated in-betweens. But Andor managed to introduce one of the franchise's most quietly devastating figures in Luthen Rael, played with weary intensity by Stellan Skarsgård. His mysterious, layered presence kept fans guessing for two seasons. And then, in the final episodes of Season 2, we finally learned the truth, and it wrecked me. While the show may be named Andor , the finale pivots its focus toward Kleya Marki (Elizabeth Dulau), Luthen's right hand, whose story unexpectedly becomes the emotional core of the last arc. With Luthen arrested and clinging to life, it's Kleya who steps forward orchestrating his mercy killing, escaping Coruscant, and carrying the rebellion forward with the help of Cassian, Melshi, and K-2SO. But it's in the flashbacks intercut through this final stretch that we finally uncover Luthen's tragic backstory, and it's far more haunting than anyone predicted. Forget the fan theories about him being a Jedi or a rogue Separatist. In Episode 10, 'Make It Stop,' we learn that Luthen was once a sergeant in the early Imperial military. Not just a cog in the machine, but a man directly complicit in a genocidal assault on a civilian population. The sequence is bleak and raw. There are no familiar Imperial visuals no Stormtroopers, no TIE fighters flying in action, just the cold, mechanical horror of warfare. We see Luthen hunkered down in a vehicle, drowning his guilt in drink as radio chatter floods in: 'Runners on the hill.' 'Strafe it.' 'If it's moving, kill it.' Then comes the moment that breaks him… He finds a child hiding in the vehicle, Kleya, and instead of turning her in, he chooses to protect her. From there, the story jumps forward. The two are now fugitives, surviving by selling antiquities, a business that eventually places them in the halls of Coruscant high society. We don't get all the details, but Kleya's age makes it clear this happened in the early days of the Empire. What started as a chance meeting between victim and soldier became something far more complicated: a bond forged in blood and moral ruin. Their relationship is messy and Dulau put it bluntly in Andor Season 2 Declassified: 'It is not a father-daughter relationship. For it to become that, it would mean that Kleya forgives him for having done that to her family. There are parts of Kleya that really hates this man. That day is not going anywhere, it will always be between them, but love does grow around it.' It reframes everything we've seen between them, the tension, the silence, the strange relationship. They are not just colleagues or co-conspirators. They're two people tethered by a shared trauma, building a rebellion out of ashes. The most heartbreaking detail is that Luthen's guilt is his fuel. When he tells Kleya, 'I need to know you're making a choice. I lived most of my life without ever realizing that that was a possibility,' it's a man trying to give someone else the freedom he never had. He's not asking for forgiveness. He's asking not to make the same mistake again. By the end, Luthen knows his story won't make it into Rebel legend. The newer, shinier leaders of the Alliance have no room for ghosts like him, and yet, his final arc is one of the most impactful in Star Wars history, not because he dies a hero, but because he never believed he was one to begin with. In a galaxy full of destiny, prophecy, and chosen ones, Luthen Rael's legacy is something far more human. He led a life defined by regret, and a rebellion lit from the ruins of his past.
Gizmodo
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
Andor's Finest Hours Just Delivered a Huge Gut Punch
What it takes to sustain a rebellion is brought into question in this week's episode arc of Andor, which covers what happens two years before the main events of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and the original Star Wars saga. Thematically it's time for the rebels to figure out if they want to just fight or actually win, as tensions come to a head on Ghorman in what's probably the most gut-wrenching watch of the series, and perhaps even Star Wars as a whole. Having this be the episodic story that dropped on Revenge of the (May) Sixth made it extra powerful and a transmitted a timeless message of resistance when needed most. Ghorman is collapsing. Cassian (Diego Luna) and Wil (Muhannad Bhaier) are sent there to finally take out Dedra Mero (Denise Gough) as the front is pushing for action against the Imperial siege. They realize that in this moment they are not in alignment: Wil thinks it's time to fight, and Cassian asserts that just fighting won't secure a victory sooner if they're not ready. The rebellion on Yavin is getting there but it's not quite ready; however, they see tensions mount on Palmo Plaza with the Ghorman front knowing the time for peace is over as mining equipment arrives on the planet. Cassian understands that Luthen's (Stellan Skarsgård) agenda here is at work with Ghorman being poised to 'burn brightly,' and that taking out Dedra is to seal her death in its aftermath to prevent her from continuing her search for him as Axis. Wil is driven to help because she's responsible for the death of their loved ones on Ferrix. She's just been Luthen's persistent threat as he orchestrates the rebellion. Mon Mothma's increased surveillance for her opposition to the Emperor has iced her out of support. People across the Senate representing their populaces are afraid as they've seen what's been happening to the Ghormans. It's simply become untenable, whether or not they agree with the Imperial narrative that the Ghor have been acting out of character as savage opponents to the Imperial presence for the once-rich metropolis of fashion houses. Everyone is afraid to catch the interest of the Empire and are too scared to speak up against the clear propaganda out of the civil unrest on Palmo. Mon knows that her purpose is changing and Genevieve O'Reilly's performance masterfully captures that shift; her people are no longer on Coruscant and are waiting for her on Yavin. And yet as Mon is still respected, she begins to ponder what to do with her last shred of dignified reputation in the Senate. Before Cassian leaves to join the Ghorman Front and take out Dedra, he and Bix enjoy the quiet life on Yavin. Seeing Diego Luna and Adria Arjona imbue their rebel couple with moments that make what they're fighting for all the more real and pressing gives the survivors of the Imperial colonization multitudes. There's joy throughout the 'flight or fight' life that makes it all worthwhile. Seeing that is important and poignant because anyone who is seeking freedom knows what peace can feel like even if it's fleeting, and as days get harder the hope of it staying is what would keep anyone going. As they get rest Cassian lets Bix talk him into seeing a Force healer for an injury. Pretty much until now, the Force not been specifically addressed, though you could argue its presence has been felt through the actions of the heroes and villains. The healer, a Saja if I had to guess, tells them that while some people carry their past and burdens, Cassian gathers as he goes as a messenger of purpose. And knowing what we know, it's so impactful to see Bix come to the realization of Cassian's destiny before he can. Arjona really says so much without a word in a powerfully stirring performance. Over the course of seasons one and two, Bix has become a steadfast rebel in ways we haven't gotten to see previously, making a wonderful addition to the heroic women of Star Wars. There's another moment between Bix and Vel (Faye Marsay) where they're concerned about the recklessness of Luthen's strategies, which resulted in the loss of Cinta for Vel. Seeing them determine that this man might only see them as pawns stands in stark contrast to what Draven (Alistair Petrie) and the Yavin rebels want for them and Andor. On Yavin their roles are essential and filled with responsibility to a larger community that needs their numbers. Like Cassian, they have been courted to evolve into reliable leaders, not just Luthen's radical operatives. The Yavin rebels, once unorganized survivors on the fringe, have survived the wildness of the planet by realizing that working together is better. They have outgrown Luthen's extreme methodology. It makes sense they're wary of unsanctioned activities like Cassian and Wil taking off for more spy missions that could compromise the rebellion as it draws closer to being ready. On Ghorman, Wil and Cassian see how the Empire's presence has motivated an affluent populace into doing whatever it takes, with Luthen's influence over Rylanz's (Richard Sammel) peaceful demonstrations beginning to take hold. It's the sort of exploitation from the Empire that fed Luthen's encouragement for them to take up arms. Wil and Andor perhaps begin to realize Luthen could have orchestrated a similar outcome on Ferrix, or got the idea to set a more visible demonstration on Ghorman. By this time Syril (Kyle Soller) has a soft spot for his friends on the Ghorman front and has been attempting to divert the Empire's attention from his comrades. He's been seeing the unjust moves against the Ghor firsthand and it's not what he signed up for. Soller does an incredible job at depicting a man who committed his identity to the Empire—only to have that deteriorate when he sees that he's not there to keep the rules from breaking, since the rule makers consistently manipulate them to their liking. This makes him question his loyalty to Dedra as she assures him they'll be going home soon. Meanwhile, she's bristling at the green and young Stormtroopers arriving, recognizing the difficulty in controlling them when the time comes to provoke the Ghorman rebels. Rylanz finally figures out Syril's true reason for being present at the Ghorman front's meetings. While Syril naively thought he was there to police them, it's understood he was there to be an informant to keep the Empire up to date on their actions for a more nefarious reason. It was never about wrong or right, it was about working the front into reaching a breaking point that could be used against them. The civil unrest gets pushed over the edge around them as the trap works. Syril feels played by Dedra for being manipulated into treating his friends unjustly. Andor gets a moment with that hotel receptionist who had helped him earlier, who reminds him 'Rebellions are built on hope.' As the Palmo memorial plaza is under siege, the Ghormans try to reclaim it against Imperial regiments of stormtroopers—a sight that sends Syril over the edge. Syril rushes Dedra inside the ISB building and physically attacks her for what she's done and for making him complicit. She reveals that it was always in the plans to deliberately trap the Ghormans into having no other choice but to act so they could be violently displaced. He finds out the truth about the kalkite needed for the project he was purposefully left out on by his girlfriend. A shocked Syril tells her good luck, as he seemingly aligns himself with the fate of the people he betrayed. Similarly, Cassian realizes Luthen played the Ghormans into walking right into that trap to get the Empire to employ violence and excuse it as a necessary defense. The exact outcome Luthen wanted all along was to show that even the most civilized and rich of places was not safe under the Empire's rule; they ran a smear campaign for years to get the galactic leadership to turn against them. The casualties mount on Palmo square as Stormtroopers close everyone in. Andor presses on to complete his mission to assassinate Dedra but as he prepares for the shot, Syril sees him and is overtaken by his grief at losing his purpose. Thanks to that early in the series run-in with Cassian, which was truly his villain origin story, Syril lost his way. He ultimately decides to save Dedra by tackling Cassian. Violence breaks loose and in that moment, you realize Syril didn't make a breakthough, he's still a petulant manchild with a fragile ego who isn't being redeemed. Cassian and Syril engage in hand to hand combat at the hotel lobby bar, culminating in a powerful moment where Syril has a blaster aimed at Cassian as he asks 'Who are you?' It completely deflates Syril, who had made Andor this enemy in his head, when he was just like his Ghorman friends seeking the right to exist. Even as it maybe clicks, Rylanz shoots Syril point blank in the head—he didn't overcome his bigotry in time. And Dedra, who can't find Syril, ultimately breaks down. As the KX units are unleashed, there's more casualties in the tragic extermination of the Ghorman people. Cassian just wants to get Wil and gets saved from a KX unit they end up running over. His young friend makes the difficult decision to stay behind and asks Cassian to tell their story. He agrees to and takes the KX pieces back with him. Transmissions from the scene go out describing the atrocities being committed as people call out for help as they hide. On Coruscant, the Ghorman ambassador is arrested. Mon Mothma prepares to address the Senate and speak out against Emperor Palpatine because enough is enough. Bail Organa agrees to support her by making a speech against the Emperor at his own risk. Cassian returns, and Kleya assigns him with extracting Mon from the Senate after her speech in case immediate retaliation is planned. Andor agrees but lets her know he's done after that, and Kleya essentially says, 'Yeah, sure.' He's provided a cover as a journalist and heads to Coruscant. Mon discovers she's been bugged as her time is running out. She also finds out her own assistant has been planted by Luthen, leaving her feeling alone and isolated. She has no one on Coruscant anymore and her family has distanced themselves. All she has left is the family of rebels waiting for her on Yavin. When Mon delivers the speech it's masterfully glorious; all props to Andor creator Tony Gilroy. O'Reilly shines as the rebel leader ascendant and she utterly decimates Palpatine's narrative and pins the Empire as behind behind the Ghormsn provocation to suit their nefarious end. 'The death of truth is the ultimate victory of evil' she says to the Senate as she calls Palpatine the monster who will come for them all. The ISB try to lock down the building to get Mon as their agent is taken out by Andor. Her driver calls it in as he works for ISB too. Andor gets her out and kills for her; she's shocked, but hey that's the price of being in the rebellion now. The edge of your seat action is one of the most thrilling and satisfying sequences in all of recent Star Wars. Quickly Mon and Andor bond over not trusting Luthen anymore and get on the same page. Mon trusts Andor and the risks he takes to get her out safe. This perfectly begins to set up their relationship in Rogue One. He delivers her to Kleya who informs him that she'll be escorted by Yavin's Gold Squadron and will make a speech upon arrival. Fans of Star Wars: Rebels know that her ship gets intercepted and the Ghost crew step in to help her get to the rebel base safely. It's not an obvious call out but nice to have it be canonized. Mon doesn't know how to thank Cassian and he tells her 'Make it worth it.' Andor focuses on getting Wil to Yavin for help after Kleya delivers his friend to Coruscant injured but on the mend. Upon arrival Andor gives Draven the KX pieces and lets him know he's not running missions for Luthen anymore. Andor and Bix reunite and he reiterates that he's done. He's done what he can, he's done a lot, and he just wants a life with her. She listens as he explains that wants to find someplace quiet. 'The only special thing about me is luck,' he says, and he feels he's over played his hand. He wakes up the next morning and she's gone. She leaves him a message that delivers him to his destiny to win—with the promise to find him when he fulfills his purpose in choosing the rebellion. Captain Andor rises and K2-SO wakes up. Andor season two airs weekly on Disney+.
