One of the most climactic moments in Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order was the sudden appearance of Darth Vader, but it turns out that the imposing Sith Lord had already encountered Cal Kestis at least once before, long before the rise of the Empire. Given the passage of time and Vader’s self-imposed disconnection from his life as Anakin Skywalker, it’s reasonable to question just how much Vader remembered of Cal. However, it’s also possible that their earlier interaction impacted how Vader dealt with Cal Kestis in Jedi: Fallen Order, and could have repercussions should the two meet in the future.
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order treated players to an alarming surprise in the final minutes of its story, when Darth Vader arrived to take matters into his own hands after Cal defeated Trilla, the game’s main final boss. Vader callously kills his beaten subordinate before casually tossing Cal’s new Jedi Master, Cere Junda, aside. Rather than duel the Dark Lord of the Sith, Cal makes the smart decision to run, with the encounter culminating with Cal escaping by the skin of his teeth thanks to a little help from his faithful Star Wars droid companion, BD-1.
2022’s Star Wars: Brotherhood novel revealed that Cal Kestis and Darth Vader had encountered each other before the events of Jedi: Fallen Order, back when Vader was Anakin Skywalker and the Clone Wars had just begun. Written by Mike Chen, the book covers the events surrounding Anakin Skywalker’s ascension to the rank of Jedi Knight and describes Anakin conversing with Tapal for some time while Cal trails behind them. Jaro Tapal was a Jedi Master before his death during the Great Jedi Purge, so it stands to reason that he and Anakin interacted on more than just this occasion. Although it’s possible Vader was merely intimidating Cal into an early surrender years later, it has been theorized that Jedi: Fallen Order‘s Vader ending was dictated by the Dark Lord’s attempts to turn Cal to the dark side. Vader isn’t exactly sentimental, but he could have been influenced by recalling Cal’s potential and the strength of his teachings.
Star Wars: Brotherhood Could Show A Deeper Connection Between Cal & Vader
Regardless of how much Vader remembered or cared about Cal prior to their encounter in Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, he is certainly aware of Cal’s presence and potential now. The trailer for Jedi: Survivor showed the crew of the Mantis in dire straits, and the game’s director described it as having a darker tone, so Cal’s resolve will undoubtedly be tested. While an appearance from Vader in Jedi: Survivor wouldn’t necessarily make sense, he could potentially try to recruit Cal, especially after the Inquisitors are weakened by the events of the Obi-Wan Kenobi series.
The inclusion of Cal and Jaro Tapal in Star Wars: Brotherhood isn’t just a win for fans of the Star Wars Jedi series anxious to see its characters across the canon – it also provides additional meaning to the events of the game itself. Vader’s violent reunions with other former Jedi are usually heartbreaking, but this brief interaction may show that he has plans for Cal in Jedi: Survivor. Hopefully, as the series continues to expand beyond Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, this hanging thread between Cal and Vader will be looped back into the fold.
