Warning: This article contains spoilers from episode 9 of Andor.
Ever since Mon Mothma and Vel Sartha were seen sharing a scene together in the Andor trailers, fans have been trying to figure out how they are connected and if they may even be family.
Before Leida Mothma was introduced, many fans thought Vel could be Mon Mothma’s daughter, especially with Genevieve O’Reilly referencing her character’s daughter in interviews. Speculation then shifted to Vel being the daughter of the enigmatic Luthen Rael.
Vel being the daughter of Luthen made sense with the tense scene they shared in episode 4, Vel’s disappointment in Luthen not meeting with her after the Aldhani heist, and Cinta’s line in episode 8 about a rich girl running from her family.
Episode 9 now confirms that Vel is not the daughter of Luthen. Vel is Mon Mothma’s cousin.
Vel plays the role of the spoiled, rich girl in this episode. Vel visits Coruscant and the lavish home of her relatives to give Leida fancy new clothes and to eat and socialize with her Mon Mothma and her husband Perrin. Leida and Perrin are just as oblivious to Vel’s rebel activities as they are to the rebel activities of Mon Mothma.
Why Vel being Mon Mothma’s cousin matters
Vel being Mon Mothma’s cousin matters because it raises the stakes even further for Mon Mothma, her family, and her relationship with Luthen.
When Mon Mothma openly decried the Emperor, left the Galactic Senate behind, and united the various rebel cells in Star Wars Rebels, it was an inspiring and bold move. She sacrificed her political career and put herself at great risk. What fans didn’t consider was what Mon Mothma sacrificed and risked beyond herself.
The revelation about Vel shows that not only can Mon Mothma’s defiance put her daughter and husband at risk, but it also endangers her cousin and the rest of the family. Once Mon Mothma openly defies the Empire, Vel will no longer be able to hide behind the spoiled, rich girl disguise as that entire family will be under suspicion.
It is even worse for Vel as unlike Leida and Perrin, Vel has been an active part of rebel activity, including the Aldhani heist. Her close connection to Mon Mothma and both of them being aware of the other’s rebellion makes them more vulnerable.
While Vel is related by blood to Mon Mothma and not to Luthen, her connection could lead to further tension between the rebel leaders moving forward. Mon Mothma and Luthen are on different trajectories and have very different beliefs about how the rebellion should be fought.
Luthen has already shown his ruthlessness and that he will go to any end to achieve victory. This could include using Vel against Mon Mothma, perhaps forcing Vel to choose between her cousin and him.
If Vel chooses Luthen, she may go down with him. Dedra Meero and the ISB are actively looking for Luthen, although for now they only know him as Axis. It is Mon Mothma and not Luthen who is the one to bring about the united Rebel Alliance. Vel can go down with Luthen or can she be part of the eventual Rebel Alliance with Mon Mothma.
Vel being related to Mon Mothma and both of them being part of wealthy families also ties in well to some of the themes of Andor. The show has largely focused on class disparity and on how class disparity is furthered through fascism.
Due to their high class standing and their privilege, Vel and Mon Mothma are able to use their advantages to help the growing rebellion against the Empire.
This shows that in order to stand up against oppression, it is important that those in positions of power and privilege use their advantages, even when it is easier to stay comfortable and enjoy the benefits and luxuries that come from reaping the rewards of widening class disparity under a fascist political system.
Regardless of what happens moving forward, it is satisfying to know exactly how Vel is connected to Mon Mothma.