![]() Overall, though, the character work and the thrill of seeing the Prequel actors in live action again makes this episode a standout. Some other choices didn’t work as well: the first-person lightsaber scenes reminded me of the much cheaper look of the Halo TV series, and some overhead shots look unmoored since the setting is so bland. I especially liked the brief beat in Natalie Holt’s score matching Reva’s footsteps as she approaches Leia’s hiding place. The cuts between Reva and Vader make it feel like the heroes are truly surrounded. There’s also some great directorial flair elsewhere. Vader’s inventive, ironic cruelty puts him firmly back on the pedestal as a great movie monster. If there was any doubt this episode was a Revenge of the Sith role reversal redux it’s gone now, with shots paralleling Anakin burning before Obi-Wan. Then director Deborah Chow goes in for the kill with the gold of the fire Vader casts Obi-Wan into. The colors here are classic Star Wars iconography, making the fight look like a living movie poster. Once the two legendary rivals were cast in neon, though, the scene earns its darkness. In particular, I found the beginning of the Vader fight distractingly dark until the lightsabers were lit. Some of the action here is muddy, both too sterile and dark to reach the Original Trilogy’s much-copied heights. Star Wars Responds to Hate Against Moses Ingram: “Don’t Choose to Be Racist” By Joe George It’s almost like Jones’ voice hasn’t aged at all - whether or not that’s due to Disney audio magic, it’s a treat. James Earl Jones sounds almost pitch-perfect when delivering the villain’s threats, just like he did 40 years ago. By the time he confronts Obi-Wan, though, he’s firing on all cylinders. His presence isn’t all that scary at first, the armoring scene providing visual detail unmatched by the bland dialogue in the conversation between him and Reva. The star of this episode, though, is inevitably Vader. Vivien Lyra Blair continues to be excellent in this role. ![]() Leia’s presence also helps the show feel like a seamless extension of the Original Trilogy. While Obi-Wan will undoubtedly come out of this series with some of that optimism rubbed off on him, it’s still a nice addition to the dynamic. It’s a beautiful description, and thoroughly sets up a contrast between the two characters. The one glimmer of hope he has is when he describes to Leia what the Force feels like. This Obi-Wan is also a far cry from the one who called blasters “uncivilized.” His casual willingness to use a gun for dirty tricks also shows how far he’s fallen from Jedi pride. He’s focused on running and hiding, even when confronted with his old-friend-turned-rival. Obi-Wan’s characterization comes through deftly this episode, shown in actions as much or more so than with words. However, Tala going to help Obi-Wan means no one is there to stop the Third Sister from capturing Leia. Obi-Wan narrowly escapes through a combination of Vader’s own desire to kill him slowly and Tala’s intervention. Anakin is full of hate for Obi-Wan, saying, “I am what you made me” and throwing Obi-Wan into a pile of burning slag so that Obi-Wan can feel what it was like for Anakin on Mustafar. This kicks off a long-awaited confrontation between master and apprentice. She attempts to take Leia to safety, but Obi-Wan stays behind when he sees Vader has arrived on the planet. And in one of the episode’s most gruesome sequence, we watch as Vader’s med droids pack him into his life-sustaining armor on Mustafar. The Third Sister and Fifth Brother clash over who gets to bring Obi-Wan’s location to Vader. The Inquisitors are still fighting among themselves. On the Imperial side of things, the Third Sister calls Darth Vader himself. Leia is more hopeful, but knows little about the Force or how evil the Empire can be. Instead, he’s confronted only with memories and visions of Anakin and the other tragedies in his life. ![]() He’s trying to reach Qui-Gon through the Force. Obi-Wan and Leia head to Mapuzo, a once-pastoral planet the Empire is now strip-mining. While Part III doesn’t always nail the visuals, the confrontation between Obi-Wan and Vader brings back classic Star Wars thrills. What kind of monster is Darth Vader? This week’s Obi-Wan Kenobipresents Vader as both terrifying and vulnerable. This Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi review contains spoilers. ![]()
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