Season 2, Episode 10, titled Make It Stop, directed by Alonso Ruizpalacios and written by Tom Bissell, unfolds after a one-year time skip to 1 BBY. The episode explores the backstory of Luthen Rael and Kleya Marki, culminating in the former’s death and the latter’s devastation and haunting isolation. This long-awaited installment finally unveils the enigmatic past of two characters who have been subjects of intense speculation—who they were before the Rebellion and what drove them to become its spymasters. As with many rebels, their motivations are rooted in personal tragedy, loss, and unwavering conviction.
The central theme of this episode is purpose. At times, people are defined by the purpose they carry in life. Purpose is what compels individuals to press on to the very end, striving to achieve the goals they believe in. For Luthen Rael and Kleya Marki, that purpose was to destroy the Galactic Empire, whose growing power and oppression could not be allowed to continue. Both bore witness to the Empire’s atrocities: Luthen, a former sergeant in the Imperial Army, and Kleya, an orphan whose family was slaughtered by the Empire. Kleya devoted her entire life to the Rebellion, joining Luthen as his assistant out of a deep desire for vengeance. Their shared purpose—to dismantle the Empire—shaped them into cold, calculating spymasters whose actions were both respected and reviled within the Rebellion.
Luthen and Kleya’s Early Years
Many years prior, following the end of the Clone Wars, Sergeant Lear (Stellan Skarsgård) served the Imperial Army during its occupation of his homeworld, Fondor. Though moral at heart, Lear was a coward, afraid to fight or lead his men with conviction. During one brutal battle, he discovered a young orphaned girl hiding aboard his ship, having lost her entire family to the Empire’s ruthless assault. Overcome with guilt and weariness, Lear eventually deserted the Imperial Army, taking the girl in as his foster daughter and assistant. They changed their names to Luthen Rael and Kleya Marki (April V. Woods), vanishing into obscurity with new identities.
Settling on Fondor, the two made a living finding and selling ancient artifacts, eventually rising in social rank. Luthen became a successful antiques dealer, but despite their prosperity, both grew to despise the Empire and its stranglehold over Fondorian society, where many citizens tried to present themselves as loyal Imperial subjects. Disillusioned, Luthen and Kleya gradually turned to rebellion. They used their wealth to secretly support rebel cells and political leaders like Bail Organa and Mon Mothma, attempting to unify the disparate forces into what would become the Rebel Alliance. However, their ruthless methods—often leading to civilian casualties and sacrifices within the rebellion—earned them growing contempt.
Luthen on Life Support
In the present, on Coruscant, Luthen meets with his ISB mole, Supervisor Lonni Jung (Robert Emms), who has uncovered a critical secret. Fearing exposure, Lonni demands that Luthen ensure the safety of his family, hoping to be relocated far from the Empire’s reach. Luthen lies, claiming he will send them to Yavin 4, coaxing Lonni into revealing what he knows.
Lonni’s investigation reveals that the Empire’s kalkite mining operation on Ghorman is connected to kyber crystal extraction on Jedha and other secret projects involving Galen Erso. After hacking into Dedra Meero’s files, Lonni learns the true aim: all of these resources are fueling the construction of a massive super weapon. Though its name and purpose remain unclear, the implication is chilling. After Lonni finishes his report, Luthen kills him—deeming him a liability. It is not the first time he has killed allies for the Rebellion’s sake. His actions are one reason Rebel leaders distrust and even despise him.
Luthen relays the discovery to Kleya and orders her to alert the Rebel Alliance, then begins destroying his antique shop to erase all traces of intelligence that could fall into Imperial hands. As Dedra Meero closes in, Luthen uses acid to destroy data and tech to prevent the Empire from learning the identities or locations of Rebel leaders. Though successful in this, he fails to escape. Dedra and the ISB arrive to arrest him, but Luthen stabs himself with a knife, preferring death to interrogation. Horrified—wanting him alive—Dedra sends him to a hospital and places him on life support. Her decision infuriates the ISB, especially Major Partagaz (Anton Lesser) and Supervisor Heert (Jacob James Beswick), who believe she compromised the mission. Heert arrests Dedra and orders her return to ISB Headquarters for questioning.
Kleya Mourns Luthen
Kleya (Elizabeth Dulau) infiltrates the hospital and disconnects Luthen’s life support, preventing the Empire from extracting any secrets from him. She mourns over his death—he was her only family, and her entire life had been built around their shared rebellion. Afterward, she escapes and finds shelter in the same apartment once used by Cassian Andor.
It is worth noting that in 2 BBY, Cassian repeatedly warned Luthen to leave Coruscant and relocate to Yavin 4 for his own safety. But Luthen refused—his pride and sense of purpose demanded that he remain on Coruscant, where his role as a renowned antique dealer gave him access to the Empire’s elite and their secrets, overhearing conversations others could never reach. He gave everything to the cause. And yet, in the eyes of the Rebel Alliance, Luthen will be remembered as a prideful monster—one who sacrificed countless lives and made unforgivable choices, all in the name of defeating the Empire’s brutal machine of oppression.
Rating: 10/10