Luthen Rael is basically the Rebel’s Palpatine

[@GenerationTech]

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[@Wintermute909]

Manscaped is the perfect sponsor for talking about who took out that wrinkly old ballsack Palpatine!

[@Bruva_Ayamhyt]

"I would demonstrate it for you guys but Manscaped said it was completely unnecessary. As a matter of fact, they stressed that point when they gave me feedback about this ad." -Allen (Alan?) You get what he's really saying, right?

[@Bruva_Ayamhyt]

(6:13)

[@cactus472]

For the boys!🤣

[@georgepierson4920]

Did we really need to know this about you?

[@OrionInSpace]

“I burned my life, to make a sunrise I know I’ll never see.” Still one of the greatest lines ever written by the man himself Luthen.

[@weldonwin]

That whole speech gives me chills and marks him as the true tragic hero of the Star Wars saga. Without him, there was no rebellion, no victory against evil and yet he accepted that it was his fate to be forgotten or at best remembered as a monster.

[@OrionInSpace]

@ exactly… which is why I have a feeling he is probably going to die in season two

[@weldonwin]

@@OrionInSpace Mon Mothma is probably the only person who knew he existed by the time of Endor and she'd never speak of him, because she knew better than anyone that if the New Republic was going to survive, it needed to maintain a pristine, heroic image, one that that Luthen could never be a part of. She knew him, maybe she honoured him in her own way, but she could never let the Galaxy know of him and his sacrifices.

[@OrionInSpace]

@ perhaps to keep his secrets hidden she’ll have to be the one to kill him

[@Intranetusa]

So we'll hunt him. Because he can take it. Because he's not our hero. He's a silent guardian, a watchful protector. A dark knight.

[@alexcamacho1842]

Be careful of your friend Palpatine, and your pal Friendpatine

[@onliwankannoli]

The Farce is strong in this one.

[@JonathonSwinney2814]

What about Buddypatine?

[@Superpup570]

@@JonathonSwinney2814 We don't talk about Buddypatine. Ever.

[@OswaldPHaygood]

I clicked on the video just to like this post.

[@sagenod440]

And your hot chocolate, Ovaltine

[@kirkdarling4120]

Luthern explicitly stated that his actions mirror those of Palpatine (for that matter, so does Mon Monthma). Luthern, however, realizes...he stated explicitly...that his actions are condemnable, and that by his actions, he deserves the dark personal future that is surely ahead of him. That's the critical difference between him and Palpatine.

[@Field_MarshalWithanENERGYS-p3m]

FAX

[@cameronhermann9400]

He also knows that the only way to start building what can become the rebellion requires drastic actions or nothing will ever happen

[@Ptaaruonn]

Also Palpatine did all to himself unlike Luthen. Palpatine was a selfish SOB.

[@thikifo395]

When does he explicitly state that

[@CulinVlau]

​@@thikifo395 in his awesome monologue. What do I sacrifice? EVERYTHING!

[@CoreFreddy]

Wow the dialogue is so good. Saw says "For the greater good." And Luthen does not answer anything theatrical. He plainly states "call it what you will". This right there is genius. Thank you for your angle of view on this, it was educational and insightful as always. Best SW channel on youtube!

[@jacob4920]

Trying to correct Saw on his declaration would have only set off Saw all over again, and the two would have been right back to holding one another at gunpoint a second time. Luthen telling Saw to call it what he liked was basically him saying: "I don't agree, but whatever makes you feel justified, you psycho." And honestly, what good would correcting Saw have actually done? It's a good response, but it's very pragmatic.

[@jhostintola3092]

Let's call it WAR

[@Intranetusa]

Luthen is not a hero. He's a silent guardian. A watchful protector. A Dark Knight.

[@SineFineBelliCh]

But Luthen is a hero, an anti hero who is very pragmatic

[@jacob4920]

He's not the hero the Galaxy deserves... rather, he's the hero the Galaxy NEEDS!!

[@GlenFinney]

Luthen is no longer a good man, but he is a necessary one.

[@evanedgar8698]

nanananananannaaanna batman

[@Spudtron98]

Seriously, that monologue of his is _very_ Batman.

[@isaackim7675]

Now I’m trying to picture Luthen speaking with Thrawn about their ideals

[@alexjensen4703]

We need this!!!

[@mrzirak792]

If they ever gonna do this, Timothy Zahn should write it. Either him or nobody

[@Celestial_Reach]

​@@mrzirak792 I concur

[@jacob4920]

Grand Admiral Thrawn would immediately turn Luthen in to Palpatine, once he figured out what Luthen was fighting for (and he would figure it out, too! Thrawn was a super-intelligent SOB!!). So unless this is the actual way that Luthen is killed in this series, it's never going to happen.

[@keenirr5332]

@@jacob4920 maybe this is what caused Thrawn to be left with no career option but to get "accidentally" captured by the spacewhales in Rebels. :)

[@steelresilience]

Mon Mothma was worried about moving 400k. Luthen was worried about 80 million. He's the CFO of the rebellion.

[@PracticeNine]

I love the darker tone of Andor. I love the whole spy-gamery going on. I can't wait for season 2 and I hope they don't mess it up.

[@DrJayTimeFix]

The irony that the man just as ruthless for Palpatine is not a powerful Jedi, ruthless military leader or a nosy senator but a small museum shopkeeper/spymaster. No power influence or even a leader just a small man planting whispers like a phantom Or a MENACE!!!

[@jsizemo]

That would make him more like rebel’s Thrawn!

[@saltbandit6768]

oh my god he said the line! he said the line!

[@jimdaniels7531]

As long as we don't get a scene with Palpatine saying to Luthen "We're not so different, you and I" I'll be happy.

[@zachchartier570]

There is no highroad to take when the enemy holds all roads at gunpoint. The only line he hasn't crossed is to deliberately kill innocent people and pin it on the Empire. He creates dangerous situations where innocents COULD die, sure. But he hasn't ACTIVELY killed innocents... yet. I'll be very interested to see what he does going forward. After all, I don't see how he makes it out of Andor alive, so this is all we will get from him.

[@DrCruel]

So if the Rebellion needs to exterminate the populations of planets, that's fine. So long as the Rebels win. You're explaining what the Bolsheviks were, and why they became that way. You're apologizing for Stalin.

[@makonano1394]

Most movies try to paint rebels good guys . Real life rebellion also targets civilians as well like if you are doing business or are an informant . It's a grey zone of warfare

[@DamienAlexander-Ducroix]

I think Luthen will survive....by hiding deep in the shadows. Also want to bet Winter is his direct protege?

[@zachchartier570]

@@DamienAlexander-Ducroix God, I hope he doesn't survive. Purely because I don't want him to have to witness what the New Republic became... "all that sacrifice and for what...?" kind of thing.

[@DamienAlexander-Ducroix]

@@zachchartier570 I'd never wish that on him. I just want him to live long enough to see the New Republic be established and train the new spies. And actually be recognized for his contribution, something which legit makes him break down in tears. He never thought he'd get to see the sunrise of a new era.

[@jkx107]

I'm convinced that Luthen is going to survive season 2, figure the rebellion doesn't need him once the fire's lit, and go into exile/hiding on Kashyyyk to end up becoming Art Carney's character from the Holiday Special. Reasonings: -Saun Dann ('sean dan') is the fakest name in star wars -Saun and Luthen look suspiciously similar -Saun claims to be a friend of the Rebellion, but avoids directly associating with them -Saun runs a curio shop It almost certainly won't happen, but I've been thinking about it since season 1 ended and I want it to so badly lol

[@dresdenwarlock7978]

Absolutely LOVE this video. Luthen is my favorite character in Star Wars, I have his action figure on my desk staring up at me every day to remind me.

[@LackofFaithify]

I knew there was a reason I loved Luthen and bought his figure and put it next to palp and Thrawn.

[@KnightsWithoutATable]

Luthen Is one of my favorite parts of Andor. The Rebellion would have lived and died in the hands of spymasters like him until near the later part of it until they turned into a civil war, which didn't really happen until the last couple years. Small cells are easily isolated, cutoff, and dealt with. They can come together and do some larger missions together, but you are only going to offer an ongoing insurgency, at best, and with it limited to only some parts of the galaxy, the Empire would have eventually just scrubbed it all out until there were just periodic pockets that sprouted, were cut down, and died in cycles. For a successful movement, you need people like Luthen to set up support networks and communications, then start organizing the whole thing into an actual fighting force. You also need to poke the bear to stir up recruiting. I bet he would have been thrilled about the Death Start attack and it's quick destruction by a fresh faced recruit in an X-Wing. That poster made itself there and was the second big wave of recruits to the Rebellion.

[@schitflowsdwnhil]

lolllllll the shaver light with the grin. He's so silly and this channel is always better for it

[@kirby7294]

In a word, there is one difference between Luthen and Palpatine. One key variable that completely changes the formula. His compassion. Palpatine is a heartless, selfish, narcissist. He cares only for himself. Luthen is the opposite. Make no mistake, there is narcissim. But by some miracle, he also holds compassion for others. When he sees victims of war, poverty, oppression, and suffering, he gets angry. And he can't fight his own nature. He makes mention of a "path for which there was no escape." And yes, he is partially talking about his own damnation, but he is also talking about how he could be nothing else but what he is. There is no eventuallity where he becomes a gardener, a tradesman, where he enjoys retirement. It's not in him. This life of espionage, sabotage, deceit, betrayal, and scheming is the only life he could have ever lived. He sees that same spark in Andor when he tells him "you'll likely die fighting."

[@pancakes8670]

He's human. Luthen isn't a stone cold robot, he feels the weight of his actions. He comes across as more human than Palpatine does.

[@M3LLoG0mAniAc]

Andor is probably my favorite Star Wars series. It is so raw and gritty that I don’t think it could be surpassed

[@a.bettik8698]

and so well put together, and the design, esthetics and architecture, etc. The action scene just in the good proportion. The dialogues. The music and building of tension ! In a nutshell so many things

[@UnswimmingFishYT]

He's definitely not a Jedi like some people have guessed. He's clearly a normal man as far as abilities, just one with a extreme dedication to the sole purpose of doing damage to the empire he hates. He fully devotes his entire existence to organizing and coordinating rebel groups and individuals, manipulating things to make the empire look as bad as it is, and quietly overseeing it collapse to the best of his ability, probably with the intent that getting rid of it will lead to a better life for the average person.

[@kirby7294]

How boring would it be, and antithetical to the theme of Andor and Rogue One, if he was just some Jedi.

[@SineFineBelliCh]

@@kirby7294that’s why he’s not a Jedi. Luthen is badass is because he is not a Jedi, he’s just some guy who really hates the galactic empire

[@UnswimmingFishYT]

@@kirby7294 So true. The detail put into making the characters make sense is a big part of why I liked the show.

[@Giddywiddy]

I always thought Luthen is to Saw what Palpatine is to Vader. Without the trust of course

[@GenerationTech]

i feel like vader and palpatine don't trust each other either

[@ikkimi7745]

@@GenerationTech If I recall correctly this matter was depicted in the fashion of the Rule of Two in the novel "Lords of the Sith" where Sidious asks Vader whether he perceives any weakness in the former's action's. Vader answered negatively but their chemistry was very intriguing and the suspense was there all the time.

[@keenirr5332]

@@ikkimi7745 Given that the Rule of Two was supposed to encourage apprentices to always keep an eye out for weakness, I suspect Sidious was very disappointed in the answer.

[@Giddywiddy]

@@GenerationTechFairs fairs, they are expecting each other to turn on each other

[@klaykid117]

More like without the direct authority.

[@dredhed0]

You nailed the character of Luthen and the complexity of “Andor”. Life and drama is more than X-wings and laser swords!!✊🏾

[@arthurbriand2175]

I would definitly read a novel about spycraft during the imperial era. Imagine an imperial security officer looking for the tracks of the ISB mole in the lower levels of Coruscant and discovering the networks are far more extended than they suspected. Plus the internal competition in ISB.

[@EGRJ]

Tinker, traitor, 'trooper, spy.

[@anonymousrex5207]

Timothy Zahn would be a great choice to write this one.

[@chriswarner8906]

What Rael forgets, or more likely doesn't know, is that the evil space wizard in charge of the empire was always going to do exactly the kind of intolerable evil Rael was hoping to goad Sidious into. The most tragic part of his character just might be that, whatever sacrifices and evil deeds he employed for the greater good, they were probably irrelevant in the grand scheme of things.

[@jonathanpruett7831]

That's true cause like no matter what happens palpy is always going to just try and ruin it all anyway

[@westwardstar1686]

I think thats partially true. Luthen is an agitator of sorts. Poking and prodding the Empire until they overreact. While the Empire does do terrible things, its roughly planned. The Ferrix Riots were not planned, and did not have involvement from Luthen.

[@kirby7294]

He most definitely is aware, but by the time that happens, it would be too late. As he said, evil must be slow. He specifically poked and prodded the Empire to do it now because the Empire was simply not ready. If he had indeed waited, it would have been too late. The Empire's grip on the galaxy would have been too strong to resist effectively. He was well aware of it and says so in his meetings with Saw. He was afraid that's exactly what would happen.

[@jonathanpruett7831]

@kirby7294 IDK I just feel like it would have happened at some point uk

[@chriswarner8906]

@kirby7294 when I say likely not aware, I mean Rael is likely not aware that the galactic emperor is literally an evil space wizard drawing his power from a philosophy of subjugation and dark thoughts. Rael's entire plan is thus based on incomplete information. Sidioua was moving as fast as he possibly could to be ever more domineering, and turning to dark deeds to resist someone who actively uses your darkness as a power source, well... Luke walked into that conundrum, too, and only Anakin pulled him out.

[@ThatBillmanGuy]

Listen. I don't know who you are or where you came from. But from now on, I'm subscribed. Great video. I am enjoying happening upon this channel

[@jeffreycarman2185]

11:41 this is the single best monologue in Star Wars. It is so well-written, filmed, and acted…

[@dreadrath]

Yep, Luthen, Palpatine and to a lesser extend even Dooku were the kinds of leader hiding their nastier sides behind noble facades, and they were all very good at it. Its just that Palpatine was genuinely evil, Dooku was an idealist gone rotten, while Luthen never lost sight of what his goal was. Of the three I think Dooku was the least brilliant by a wide margin, but still capable of playing the role none the less.

[@blackromulan]

Don't you ever say an unkind thing about Luthen Rael That man sacrificed everything so that you nerfherders can be free

[@neofulcrum5013]

Mon Mothma: The Idealist Saw Gerrera: The Radical Luthen Rael: The Pragmatist Leia: Hybrid Blend

[@GenerationTech]

leia hutt assassin

[@DaleESkywalker]

Padme: The Enabler. Han: The Denier Luke: The Compassionate, Gullible Thr33pi0: The Butler R2: The Savior

[@uncivilized_caveman]

@@DaleESkywalker Hera: the hopeful Kanan: the avenger Zeb: the survivor Ezra: the future Chopper: the manmade horror of mutually damaging proportions

[@isaackim7675]

Han: The Nerf herder Luke: The optimism

[@timroach5898]

I think im more like Gerrera

[@familiatrois3813]

Alan, your analysis is always spot-on! I'm constantly saying to myself, "He nailed itQ" as I watch your video essays. The comparision between Palpatine and Luthen is among the best that you've done! Keep up the good work. Looking forward to your analysis of Andor, Season 2!

[@xtrafunk]

the best star wars analyzed by the best star wars channel. gotta love thoughtful media I can enjoy 10x over by examining it from new angles

[@Wintermute909]

@ 15:30 you're completely correct.......however, like you hinted at earlier, it is often a spymasters job to use glory & adventure to entice other people to join their rebellion. The only thing in star wars that is better than Andor is your analysis of it!

[@jeffreycarman2185]

8:37 this is the only play. If the ISB had gotten even a whiff of the mole that Rael’s spy in their midst it would have, at a minimum lost Rael that asset, at a maximum it could have led to Rael himself, and potentially stopped this iteration of The Rebel Alliance from forming. Maybe down the road something similar could have formed without Rael, but for Rael that was an impossible thought…

[@TheGambler2003]

Mom pick me up I’m scared, Alan is in places that have never been illuminated before

[@Mythicspider265]

Almost 8 years I have bounced back and forth from this channel, and every year the Ad reads get better 😂

[@ArgandTabletop]

Luthen being your favourite character is 100% a respectable take, though for me, he's second place, right between Kreia and Corran Horn.

[@niclashelbig7044]

Dude, this is the biggest Goose bumps video you made till now. Ive been watching your channel for like 5 years now, never commented till now. Just wanted to let you know that this video character-comparison was pretty great! Just one creative input... I would have been engaged even more if you let the whole Luthan-sacrifice Monologue play at @11:26. great work guys.

[@jeffreycarman2185]

9:20 in war there are always calculated risks, feints, and sacrifices. At the end of the day, loses will always occur. But do the deaths and sacrifices mean something? Do they further the objective? Are the loses worth the sacrifice? Those are the questions that haunt the generals and admirals.

[@timecontroller8800]

I didn’t even realise Luthen wasn’t Palpatine this video has already won its argument

[@DADNOIZES]

Seamless transition to the ad, Allen. Well done.

[@BlackSteelKeyChain]

Always appreciate your thoughtful takes Tech. In these darkening times I think we’ll be looking back on these videos for guidance.

[@thomasgreenwood3560]

First ad I’ve actually watched all the way through. Comedy gold, my friend 😂

[@2010Hunt3r]

The moment Luthen said I use my enemies tools and become them with the black cloak and cane made me realize how much Palpatine truly influenced his strategy

[@varundattoo9512]

Andor is such exceptional cinematograpy, just can't believe that people will say otherwise; but that's life.

[@0num4]

Given different circumstances, Luthen would make one *helluva* bad guy. And Skarsgard's performance of that would be phenomenal, as ever.

[@theechoproject899]

Luthen's like the personification of the villain teaming up with the heroes like in superhero shows. Playing for the right team but acting like a villain. Here to burn Palpatine down, nothing more, and the focus remains on the bigger picture. He's a protagonist but not a hero. What he brings to the table is unique: An apolitical negotiator without baggage to unite the different political factions without being the figurehead that would draw serious attention. We haven't seen anyone else who can do both, and it's easier to find one who can do both that has no lines than a noble person. Doesn't make it necessary by any means to walk in darkness to get things done. It has to be someone without a strong reputation, to quote Leia, "You're who?" I've been frustrated with the stagnant character writing for this show with all the time skips with characters not growing or changing that's been the big flaw in this show, but Luthen was the one exception, the one character that got fleshed out with relevant information (if Andor finding his sister was his driving force to escape and get paid, he would count, but all we get is backstory that gets tossed aside once the plot starts. Everyone else that's new aside from that one section leader from the prison is very shallow.) He, Saw, and Andor are the thrusters on NASA Space Shuttles that get the ship out of the atmosphere, dropping off when the most difficult work is done. it would weird at this point if Luthen didn't make the final sacrifice of himself to protect the Rebel Alliance once Mon Mothma truly takes the reigns. Once we get to Mon Mothma beginning to gather the Alliance Fleet in Rebels, Luthen will no longer be necessary, and with the tones of similar to Rogue One of passing the torch from Saw and Andor to Leia, and I believe we will see the same with Luthen to Mon Mothma by the end of the show when Luthen dies. His willingness to take shortcuts like the Sith can only go so far, as the Force will not tolerate the behavior for long. Star Wars is all about paying the price for dark deeds, a constant yet to be broken.

[@charliedulin]

Garm Bel Iblis/Luthen will be around through the falll of the Empire and later.

[@dwally4198]

Well in Sheev’s mind bringing order, efficiency, “peace”, to the galaxy is for the “greater good”. All villains believe they are doing right in their own story. So from a certain point of view, sheev is the hero and luthen is the evil rebel spy bringing chaos to the galaxy

[@eastendguy485]

A lot of really intelligent analysis of Andor and Star War characters that is missing in other Star War themed You Tube shows! Thank you!

[@darthverminates9708]

It's pretty much any normal person who survived in the corporate world the last 8 years. 😂

[@TheRealCeeJai]

2:00 His codename also links directly to another famous Star Wars codename: "Fulcrum". It's like poetry; it rhymes.

[@cafeapaka7501]

Amazing juxtaposition essay on both characters - I wondered when you would get around to it - definitely one of your better character analysis.

[@a.bettik8698]

That's an excellent observation Allan. I wonder to what extent Gilroy and the others did this on purpose, but all these parallels that you uncover do point out to some intentionality. It must be said though that Mon Mothma has a lot of correspondences with Palpatine too. But it's more mixed with contrast too on her case : appearance and gender, lack of empathy Vs restrained compassion ("Many Bothans" etc.)

[@parzival_7157]

the manscaped stuff had me dying lmaooo

[@anonymousrex5207]

One of the (many) things that made Rogue One and Andor so great is the look at the darker side of the Rebellion that they glossed over in the original movies. You can't overthrow something as large and powerful as the Empire without getting your hands dirty somewhere and seeing how all of this came together was really interesting.

[@jermainewilliam3819]

That manscaped ad caught me totally off guard, shit had me in tears 😂😂😂. That's the best one I've seen, watched it twice😅

[@devo1977s]

Luthen is going to end up being some sort of force user, I don't think Disney can help itself

[@DamienAlexander-Ducroix]

Nah. He'll be depicted as the person who personally trained the expert spy Winter, and a great many others. Enough to keep his story going. As an exceptional spymaster, he's got the talents to make countless "Culper Rings" on various worlds.

[@publicprofilename4273]

Great episode man, I truly love this one, and I agree 100%! Luthan was the coldest and darkest, biggest hero of the rebelian, hell the galaxy "at least aroundish the core" in general.

[@naru4ever348]

Great analysis! Though I have to add that Mon Mothma also learned from Palpatine and is hiding in plain sight. While Luthen seems to coordinate the first cells and collects the threads, Mothma will most likely be the one to glue the Rebellion into an actual organization. Cannot wait for the conflict between the two masterminds to play out and how Mon Mothma will overstep the red line in holding the Emperor directly accountable for the Gorman Massacre.

[@La_bruin]

This is really good analysis, Allen. Especially the latter part. Folks need to watch this.

[@maxrhodes007]

8:37 "you're the random factor" by informing saw luthen is trying to take it off his own concious

[@jesusdavidgarciacastroluqu763]

I am glad andor showed a realistic representation since it gives a story that shows the price that comes to achieving a ultimate goal similar to what happen in the rebellion of the colonists that founded the united states many innocent people were sacrificed to achieve the goal of independence and the Foundation of a new nation.

[@nathanieljackson5554]

Definitely one of my favorite characters as well. As a spymaster he's constantly manipulating everyone around him and it really weighs on him but he does it anyway " for the greater good".

[@diobroly7875]

Luthen Rael = Elim Garak

[@violetlight1548]

Thanks. Now I had this going through my head for the last couple hours (with apologies to Star Rekt): Mon Mothma don't know Rael's gonna plot In his Antiques Shop Planning something unholy He set up shop on Coruscant But it's all a front Gonna hide his true story

[@SobaOfPulaski]

Andor had such good characters, Luthen Rael, Dedra Meero, and Kino Loy. Heck Syril Khan is ironically enough one of my favorites 😂

[@callmev3531]

7:00, In summary, Luthen is Palpatine's Rebel counterpart, the man willing to use fear, anger and hatred to motivate people to fight against stifling order rather than the threat of cataclysmic chaos presented by the inherently lawless galaxy Palpatine offers to correct. However, he is separate from Saw Gerrera in the sense that he also saw value in hope, compassion and love, and is able to separate his pride and personal, vengeful desire to destroy the Empire from his mission to inspire a Rebellion (while Saw gave in to pride, jealousy and greed, like a Darksider unable to control their impulses long enough to do anything productive with how long they've got before their power destroys gets them killed, in his obsession with hurting the Empire directly). He is also capable enough of humility and guilt to understand the weight of what he is doing all the while recognizing its necessity to shake people out of apathy, to get them to recognize the extent of the Empire's corruption and resist before it's too late. While not a Force-sensitive, Luthen embodies that same conflict within the Force, but for the average person, the will to create positive change and fight against an order that would sacrifice virtue in the name of peace, but unlike a Force-sensitive, he isn't in danger of "turning" to the Dark Side, of being corrupted in the same way a Force-sensitive could by the esoteric embodiment of predation, parasitism and greed within the Force that is the Dark Side (those concepts, while extremely negative, are also a part of nature, which the Force represents), becoming mentally, emotionally and morally destabilized. His moral struggle is grounded in the tangible world, his persistently featured doubt, guilt, shame and grief make him feel like a mortal man despite his mythic status as the one who first began organizing the Rebellion, his humility and valuing of hope, compassion and love (as represented in his partnership with Mon Mothma) separate him from the greedy Palpatine and the prideful Saw Gerrera, and his courage, patience and will connected him most to Palpatine in the sense that both individual were able to devote themselves so completely to their goals that they were able to sacrifice their whole identities to those goals, Luthen's being to generously sacrificing his life and conscience to benefit others while Palpatinr sacrificed the lives and freedoms of others to benefit himself. 15:33, It takes a greedy individual to find glory in destruction at others expense, and this series explores how people participating in rebellion for a noble cause can be villainous in their own right.

[@kyr_taap]

Tbh the advertisment had me laughing quite hard 😂

[@lanaz375]

In my cannon Luthen was a lower ranking security member of the Senate guard. Maybe he witnessed the true nature of Palpatine during the transition of power from Valorum to Palpatine? Maybe whilst acting as a security guard - he overheard some of the high level security talks between the jedi and Senate guard and republic intelligence about the Sith. Maybe Luthen's team was silently purged and he is the only remaining member of his original team? Maybe he had a personal relationship with a lower member jedi who was exeecuted in front of him whilst he was on duty. Regardless Luthen is the bomb!!!

[@bhiei]

Great video, I think I understand some of your more subtle points and how they tie in to world events in 2024…

[@Embo_Marrok]

Great video. Never really thought of it that way, but true. Very thought provoking. It's why I love your channel.

[@Mattiniord]

I am so looking forward to season 2 of Andor! And, I also find Luthen Rael being the most deep and interesting character in the Star Wars universe. He is basically the grimdark of Star Wars but in a realistic, gritty and earthly way. And his "Everything!" speech hits so hard because you realize that it is so true. And Stellan Skarsgård have really embraced the character and clearly tought a lot about who Luthen Rael is deep inside. And it hurts when you see Luthen sacrifice people. It hurts because you feel that deep inside he really do not want to do it. But he see the bigger picture and know he has to act this way in order to protect the rebellion as a whole. And maybe Saw see this to some extent. See that underneath Luthen is not that cold and calculating person he is on the outside. Saw is a brutal fanatic, shaped by his feelings who has in turn been shaped through all the personal tragedies. But he remain true to himself, to his emotions, which is the opposite of Luthen Rael. Saw belive that the end justifies the means in his own way. But he clearly feel bad about letting another rebel force walk to the doom knowing he could have saved them. And maybe, maybe he somehow realize that Luthen deep inside feel the same, which makes his ability to act cold and calculating seem so strange to Saw. Andor is really a story about sacrifice. Because in order for the rebellion to work all rebels must make personal sacrifices for the common goal. They sacrifice their relationships, they sacrifice part of their humanity (executing a whole family, even if they are imperials, all tied up and unable to do anything must hurt like hell) and some sacrifice their very lives. But Luthen has indeed sacrifi ced everything. He has had to kill his very self, his true life, in order to bring the elements of the rebellion together. He is in a way a walking dead.

[@Charizardcc]

Great video man! I love the thought of the two kings on the chess board!

[@sofaking1627]

Calm. Kindness. Kinship. Love. I've given up all chance at inner peace. I've made my mind a sunless space.

[@Valkanna.Nublet]

It makes me think of Firefly, or more specifically the film Serenity. The Operative "I'm not going to live there. There's no place for me there... I'm a monster. What I do is evil. I have no illusions about it, but it must be done."

[@Mecceldorf]

It's astounding when you think about it. Out of everything that's gestated out of Disney Star Wars the most consistent improvement they have made to the series is the rebellion against the empire. Whether that's by design or not, all the best stories and writers make the original trilogy era's rebels look better, more compelling, more competent than they had before. The OT not the sequels.

[@pancakes8670]

I like that Luthen is just a guy. Palpatine is the Sith Lord, and yet one of his most powerful political opponents was just a guy. We need more of that in Star Wars.

[@sturgilljm]

One of your best. Thank you for creating.

[@Senovitj]

Can't wait for April 22nd with the expected release of S2

[@ppacal1098]

Excellent thesis, supported with excellent series of information and facts.

[@TheOneandOnlyDuck]

I wonder how much influence the character Elim Garak from Deep Space 9 had on Tony Gilroy when he was creating Luthen.

[@inspector2559]

this shows the dilemma faced in an insurgency. what are you willing to do so you can succeed in your cause. if someone who is a civilian is loyal to the enemy are you willing to kill him, are you willing to kill that innocent man for your cause? are you willing to do horrible things so you may succeed? and this is what Luthen Rael has to face in order for the rebellion to succeed.

[@smalls-ii1zd]

Great video,Alan. Can’t wait for April to get here!

[@belgarion0013]

Great video! Control in the background..thats the true power..

[@MadisonAtteberry]

Luthen Rael is the embodiment of Nietzsche saying; "Beware that, when fighting monsters, you yourself do not become a monster." Not looking into the mirror, completes his quote; "for when you gaze long into the abyss, the abyss also gazes into you."

[@ivarbrouwer197]

‘I am forced to Use the tools of my enemy’ - such a well written line, because it can be interpreted in many ways: as using the tools of the institution that is the empire in general (the Nazi’s)or copying the mastermind behind it (Hitler) The weird thing is, on his own Hitler or Trump aren’t even that smart…it’s the following that gives them their power, the power a narcissist craves above all else. Time and time i find more depth behind the writing of Andor, after reviewing or watching the many excellent analysis of Andor, of which this was one. I am in awe of the series so far. A masterpiece, made for this time in history.

[@alexjensen4703]

Great Video Alan! Luthen is my favorite Star Wars Character also.

[@sebastianrivera9537]

I think Anarchists would disagree. "Acting as our oppressers is the only way to be able to defeat them". We'd probably argue that point you're defending, the need* to dethrone* the Emperor", leaves the throne intact for another Emperor to come someday, Sidious showed us how it was possible. We'd argue, theres a need for imagination in "revolution" otherwise, you'll end up like the Starwars "Legends" timeline, war after war after war after war, some peace, then more wars when that "inevitably" fails, war, war, war. It seems, Starwars doesnt have a solution to the problem, just an understanding of how to make the teeter totter fall on their side for a little while.

[@ericmillerjr]

Well done Allen! Loved this one!!!!

[@timothycambron]

But I point to the Return of the Jedi, what defeats The Emperor? Was it that the rebels had a better strategy or planning? Of course not! Palpatine out played them at the at Endor, the rebels were caught in a trap. They were losing for most of the battle, but were it not for Leia, Han, Luke and the rest making friends with the locals, the Ewoks. The rebellion would’ve been crushed at Endor. And what defeated Palpatine, ultimately? “In the End however, was it not the father’s love for his Son and a son’s love for his father that stopped the Emperor and his Empire?”

[@rickmartin8626]

A brilliant analysis. I expected nothing less from you.

[@Jamesalec63]

In the way you are saying this story is taken from a famous novel, A tale Of Two Cities or The Man In The Iron Mask. All Star Wars flims come from basically some of the greatest stories we can imagine and two world wars and legends of the Creeks and Roman Empire, Romulas, and Remus. It's a base story of Vader and Skywalker and the empire and the forces, magic, and control.

[@MichaelJMayoskyStudios]

Totally agree. I love this show... and I am confused as to why Disney is so unaware that they have REAL Star Wars evolved with Andor. Love Luthen Rael as much as you do. You have the best Star Wars channel buy the way.

[@nathansheldahl]

Well, the hero’s didn’t make those choices opening or during the movies. I’m damn sure they did behind them (especially Leia and Mon Mothma as she was the leader later during the war). We have to remember the saying to never meet our hero’s as we probably won’t like what you see up close and personal. Edit: I agree he’s wasn’t a regular Jedi, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he was Jedi Intelligence if he was a Jedi. He was definitely in intelligence work of some kind that’s for sure.

[@repticwolf3584]

Andor is the best Star Wars show and anyone who disagrees saying “it’s boring” is childish and immature

[@wtfamiactuallyright1823]

Great video. I think it is still possible ((But unlikely.) he was a Jedi, they did have sects that were better trained for this sort of thing and given the era, some of them may have been push to these measures. I've often wondered if I'd be capable of this role; not instinctively but, in war, you may have no other options.

[@rawr70101]

I’m so glad someone else is out there appreciating Luthen! I thought I was the only one. Andor wouldn’t be nearly as good without Luthen, the rebel alliance absolutely needed someone to shed light on the darker aspects of rebellion. Andor did a great job showcasing how complacency in the population is such an asset to an oppressive government. Well done Luthen, you were correct, to fight the Empire they had to start tighening their grip, making victims, so the victims would be motivated to rebel. Now hopefully Andor never ever ever gets a second season. You were one of the only good disney star wars, and that’s probably only because they forgot about you. Now that they’ve sunk all their boats, Dave Filoni’s grubby little hack-writer fingers will get all over it.

[@Celestial_Reach]

This made me cry. Luthen is why i had to step away from starwars. he was a siren song to me, calling me to a future i want to avoid at all costs.

[@bmoorcroft]

Excellent video. Very well laid out.

[@scrabtr67]

Great analysis as usual. Thanks!

[@ishill85]

i like to imagine he was a jedi, but now has so much mental turmoil he doesn't even try to use the force cause he knows he'd only be able to access the darkside.

[@mitchellhayward6492]

Having him be a secret Force-user in the end would really detract and take away from what Andor and Rogue One were thematically about - the struggle of the ordinary people against the Empire. It doesn't always have to be about the magical space wizards and their religious squabbles.

[@SaltyViper]

At some point somehow your microphone audio got panned slightly to the left. Thought my damn AirPods broke again