The Mandalorian Season 2 brought together multiple characters and plot threads -- with one notable exception. The mysterious Armorer remained a distant figure. However, the enigmatic leader of the Children of the Watch has stepped out of the shadows in Season 3 to play a more prominent role in Din Djarin and Grogu's adventures.
Because of that development in Season 3, Star Wars fans have renewed speculation that the Armorer will turn out to be an already established character. A theory posted on the Star Wars Speculation subreddit by user u/Tafleys suggested the Armorer might be Rook Kast, one of Darth Maul's most fervent Mandalorian supporters.
Wait, Who Is Rook Kast?
Rook Kast might not be a name known to casual fans of Star Wars. However, she played an instrumental role on Star Wars: The Clone Wars as the second-in-command of Darth Maul's Shadow Collective. Kast proved incredibly loyal to Maul, and frequently rescued him from capture or from near-death situations.
While many Mandalorians scoffed at Maul's drive to control them, Kast -- being a non-native Mandalorian -- was a fierce and determined advocate for the Sith Lord. When Maul and Pre Vizsla dueled over the Darksaber and control of Death Watch, Kast vowed loyalty to Maul after his victory, recognizing his rightful claim to the Mandalorian throne through combat.
Kast served Maul until the Siege of Mandalore, after which she was captured by none other than Bo-Katan Kryze. Following her imprisonment at the end of The Clone Wars, Kast's fate became a mystery. There is no information regarding what happened to her during the Empire's reign. Likewise, there remain little to no details about what became of her after the Great Purge.
Why The Armorer Could Be Rook Kast
The core piece of evidence for the theory's credibility is The Armorer's armor. While her helmet is primarily gold, her body armor is red. That fits visually with Rook Kast's armor, which was forged in Maul's honor. The red armor may indicate that the Armorer is, at the very least, a former member of the Shadow Collective or influenced by their philosophies.
Adding more fuel to the theory is that The Armorer remains one of the few among the Children of the Watch who recognizes the Jedi. She was willing to embrace a Jedi as a Mandalorian foundling. Kast was loyal to a Sith, so she would be familiar with the Jedi. Additionally, she was one of the villains to confront Ahsoka Tano during the Siege of Mandalore. Kast saw the Jedi as enemies of Mandalore, much like The Armorer in The Mandalorian.
Does The Armorer Rook Kast Theory Hold Water?
The Armorer's backstory before 9 ABY (the time of The Mandalorian) is shrouded in mystery. Viewers know little other than that she served the Children of the Watch and held a position of high regard among Din Djarin's inner circle. If it turns out the Armorer is Rook Kast, there are many questions that would arise. Those include how Kast escaped Bo-Katan's imprisonment, why Bo-Katan wouldn't recognize the Armorer as Kast, and if the Children of the Watch are somehow derived from the Shadow Collective.
The Mandalorian Season 3, Episode 7, "The Spies," may have provided another clue to reinforce the Rook Kast theory, as the Armorer knew that Death Watch was disbanded and scattered. Further fan speculation suggests the Armorer's intentions aren't exactly altruistic, with some even suggesting that she's secretly aligned with Moff Gideon.
But this wouldn't be the first time co-creator Dave Filoni and his crew drew a connection between a Mandalorian and Kast. Lucas Story Group creative executive Pablo Hidalgo once noted that Sabine Wren's armor was heavily influenced by Rook Kast's. Given that, it's entirely possible that any connection to Kast might also be a deliberate attempt to bind the Children of the Watch to Maul. There is simply so much unexplored territory regarding what happened to the members of the Shadow Collective after The Clone Wars. It's quite possible the Armorer is Rook Kast. However, thus far, there's no definitive evidence.
The Mandalorian Season 3 is streaming on Disney+.