Star Wars: Andor’s Necklace Is A Lot More Important Than You May Think

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As a lifelong Star Wars enthusiast, I find it fascinating to delve into the rich history of these iconic artifacts, and the kyber necklace is no exception. The connection between Luthen’s pendant and the ancient Rakatan invaders adds an intriguing layer to the Star Wars universe, hinting at a long-standing tradition of resistance against oppressive forces.

Andor” is a show rich in symbolism, where a rebellious voice struggling against oppression is metaphorically squashed beneath the heavy hand of imperial power. The remains of a community leader are transformed into a brick, which later serves to strike down an occupying police force. One reason why the Star Wars TV series has garnered such acclaim is its meticulous focus on detail. Nothing – not a single footstep, explosive device, or celestial occurrence – appears without purpose.

In the series “Andor”, it’s selective about incorporating Star Wars symbols, only showing stormtroopers in Season 1 towards the end and using TIE fighters scarcely, making them more intimidating. However, among the franchise’s past artifacts, the necklace given by Luthen Rael (Stellan Skarsgård) to Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) at the start of the show is particularly intriguing.

At first glance, Luthen seems to be making a standard collateral payment – an assurance that he isn’t a con artist abandoning Cassian in the lurch. But upon closer inspection, the necklace carries far more significance than it appears. It has connections to Star Wars lore as well as echoes of the show’s broader themes. Here’s why Andor’s necklace holds a greater importance than you might initially believe.

Andor’s necklace is a kyber crystal — but what does that mean?

In their thrilling getaway from corporate assassins on Ferrix, Luthen hands Cassian a necklace. Their interaction aboard Luthen’s ship, the Fondor, is crucial to the series, as it clarifies each character’s ideological stance. Cassian expresses his preference for disembarking at the next planet and venturing alone over joining Luthen’s endeavor. He lists several rebel groups and states that they are indistinguishable to him. Luthen concurs, advocating for a more extensive, unified cause.

As a gamer, I’d jump at the chance for 200,000 credits in the heist on Adhani, but Luthen, the enigmatic spymaster, wanted to seal the deal. He handed me a unique artifact, a Kuati Signet, and said, “This is more than just a trinket, it’s a piece of Star Wars history.

The labels Luthen assigns to the pendant – Kuati Signet and Sky Stone – aren’t as widely recognized or understood, unlike common terms. Kuati may symbolize Kuat, a significant planet in the Galactic Core, renowned for its shipyards, particularly during the Imperial era. On the other hand, “Sky Stone” might be the earliest of the three identifiers Luthen uses – possibly hinting at an ancient origin he claims for the pendant.

Does the necklace in Andor mean Luthen is a secret Jedi?

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but ponder if Luthen, the enigmatic character we met in “Andor”, could potentially be a Jedi. With the revelation that the “Andor” necklace is actually a kyber crystal – an item known to power the iconic lightsabers of the Jedi – this question arises naturally. The mystery surrounding Luthen’s true identity only deepens as the pendant isn’t the only hint suggesting he might be hiding something more than what appears on the surface.

As a gamer, I found myself captivated by this extendable staff, reminiscent of a lightsaber in both appearance and purpose, that caught the guards’ attention when Luthen paid a visit to Saw Gerrera (Forest Whitaker). There was also the intriguing Darth Vader-like closet cosplay during his powerful monologue in Episode 10, along with the content of that speech, which hinted at a sort of spiritual doom. So, is Luthen a Jedi? The show definitely leaves you pondering that question, but it doesn’t necessarily mean the answer is affirmative.

Luthen appears mysterious. His profession as an antique dealer on Coruscant might grant him opportunities to acquire something valuable like a kyber crystal pendant. Additionally, there are certain unusual items in his store that hint at a possible Jedi past, such as a pair of holocrons. However, these could simply be one of the unique Easter eggs on “Andor,” so it’s uncertain whether they truly suggest a Jedi link.

Andor’s necklace may reveal a bond stronger than Star Wars fans think

The strong indication that Luthen might be a hidden Jedi could stem from his evident affection for the kyber necklace. In the moment when he gives it to Cassian, he removes it from around his own neck, hinting at its regular use. This action seems impulsive, yet Luthen’s words, “Don’t take less than 50,000 for it,” and “Just know it will always be worth more to me,” imply a deeper connection beyond mere monetary value. The pendant symbolizes trust as much as it does financial reward, suggesting a special link between the two characters — perhaps Luthen sees aspects of himself in Cassian and requires him not only for strategic purposes but also for personal reasons.

The problem is that elsewhere on the show, we see Luthen openly lie to other operatives in order to keep things running smoothly. He lies to Lonni Jung (Robert Emms), his spy in the Imperial Security Bureau, and claims that he had nothing to do with the Aldhani heist. We also see him manipulate Lonni in the same scene, telling him that he’s a hero to the cause but assuring him that there’s no way he could possibly get out of the spy business safely. In his scenes with Saw Gerrera, Luthen tells more lies.

From what we understand about Luthen, there are many aspects that remain unclear. However, it is certain that his primary focus is the success of the Rebellion. In discussions with Lonni and confessions to Kleya (Elizabeth Dulau), he reveals numerous sacrifices he has made for this cause. He admits to overworking Aldhani and, due to a lack of caution with Cassian, arranges for a hit on him. This raises the question: is the kyber necklace a representation of some profound ideological link? Or could it simply be one among many similar artifacts stored by Luthen, ready to be given to potential rebels?

Andor’s kyber necklace is a symbol of revolution from Star Wars history

Apart from its association with the Jedi Order, the kyber crystal necklace that Luthen gives to Cassian carries a deeper historical relevance within the Star Wars universe. In various terms, Luthen describes this pendant as being known by different names, and he suggests that it symbolizes the rebellion against the ancient Rakatan conquerors.

Originating from the lore of the Star Wars Expanded Universe, particularly the 2003 game “Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic,” the Rakata are a species known for their historical dominance. In this game, it’s disclosed that these beings were instrumental in unifying the galaxy under one rule – the Rakatan Infinite Empire, an ancient space-faring civilization that conquered extensively. The Rakata gained immense power through advancements in early hyperdrive technology, thereby expanding their sphere of control.

In the current Star Wars universe, there isn’t much information about the Rakata from the original timeline that has been carried over, but Luthen’s casual mention implies that their fundamental characteristics remain the same. If he’s truthful, the emblem he bears has a long history of representing resistance against oppressive rule. It seems as though he’s encouraging Cassian by suggesting that no matter his doubts, one can always stand up to powerful forces. This act of defiance dates back to the earliest days of galactic civilization.

The “Kuati Signet” is significant in this context because Kuat was known for constructing war machines under the Empire, primarily ships which gave the Rakata their power in the Expanded Universe. If Kuat was able to resist domination in the past, as Luthen suggests, it could imply a promising future.

The Andor necklace has a Rogue One connection

Currently, it remains unclear what happens to the Kyber necklace in “Andor.” After the Aldhani heist, Cassian hands it over to Vel (Faye Marsay) and instructs her to return it to Luthen on his behalf. However, we don’t witness this exchange taking place. Throughout the season, Vel does not meet Luthen face-to-face again until their reunion at the end of Season 1 on Ferrix. In a scene with Kleya, it’s evident that there is some underlying tension between them, suggesting that Vel may still be in possession of the pendant, waiting to return it to Luthen personally.

In the movie “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” a necklace similar to the one you mentioned appears, but it doesn’t belong to Andor. Instead, Jyn Erso (played by Felicity Jones) receives an almost identical necklace from her mother (Valene Kane), just before her parents are killed by Imperial Death Troopers. This necklace carries a more overt religious connotation, as Jyn’s mother encourages her to “have faith in the Force” during the exchange. Unlike the blue Sky Stone kyber crystal found in Luthen’s necklace, which seems to have unique importance and hints at the blue lightsabers of the Jedi, Jyn’s crystal is white-colored.

There’s a chance that the necklace could have belonged to Galen Erso (played by Mads Mikkelsen), who delved deeply into kyber crystal-powered energy technology for the Empire, which eventually led to the creation of the Death Star’s destructive superlaser. Tragically, this weapon was responsible for the deaths of Jyn and Cassian at the end of “Rogue One.” It’s quite intriguing that the tool that ended their lives also symbolized defiance and rebellion for them both.

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2024-09-23 18:00