Almost three years since its release, and fans still can't get over Cal Kestis' reaction to first meeting Darth Vader in Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. Respawn Entertainment's debut Star Wars adventure drew plaudits for its story and characters, with Cameron Monaghan's portrayal of Cal a highlight. Kestis' story will be continued in the upcoming Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, which takes place five years after the events of Fallen Order.
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order was set five years after the Jedi were massacred during Order 66 in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and saw Cal Kestis on a quest to find a Holocron containing the identities of other Force-sensitive children in an attempt to save them from the Empire and rebuild the Jedi Order. Cal differs from Star Wars' other Jedi survivors, possessing unique Force abilities and a double-bladed lightsaber, reforged from the weapon of his slain master, Jaro Tapal. He ends the game having failed in his quest to rebuild the Jedi Order, but having taken that decision deliberately to avoid any Force-sensitive children suffering the same fate he and his fellow Jedi did during Order 66.
The final act of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order sees Cal come face to face with the Dark Lord of the Sith himself, Darth Vader. Vader's appearance is reminiscent of his turn in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, as he mercilessly impales Trilla before effortlessly tossing Cal's new Jedi Master in Fallen Order, Cere Junda, aside. Switching his attention to Cal, Vader tells the young Jedi that it would be "wise" to surrender, with Cal breathlessly responding with "yeah, probably." Redditor ronniewhodreamsalot shared a screenshot of this moment, saying that they would likely be more afraid than Kestis if they had to duel Vader, to which fans came up with their theories as to why Kestis responded in such a manner. On theory claimed that Kestis was being cocky and that as an audience, Star Wars fans have seen Vader's journey, and know why he is to be feared, but Kestis has not, and is not aware that Anakin Skywalker - who Cal already met before Jedi: Fallen Order in the Star Wars: Brotherhood novel - is the man inside the suit. Others countered this with the idea that Kestis is in fact fearful, and that the response is simply a display of bravado to cover it up.
Jedi: Fallen Order's Vader Boss Shows How Strong Cal Really Is
Kestis' journey will continue in the upcoming Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, which is confirmed to release next year, and could be as early as March according to leaks. A trailer for the sequel was shown at Star Wars Celebration 2022 in May and revealed a darker tone as Cal continues to fight to survive as the Empire grows stronger - although it's unclear if Darth Vader will return. While few details are currently available about potential gameplay and the game's narrative, there has been speculation that Cal Kestis will not be the only playable character in Fallen Order's sequel, with some fans hoping for Nightsister Merrin to get a bigger role.
Regardless of Cal Kestis' response to Darth Vader in Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, he remains one of the few Jedi to have gone toe-to-toe with the Sith Lord and survived. While he ultimately had to flee, Cal was still able to stand his ground when it mattered most and live to fight another day. That's an impressive feat, and the perfect way to show how he transitioned from a Padawan to a Jedi Knight over the course of the story.
Source: ronniewhodreamsalot/Reddit