Recap – Spoilers ahead-
Obi-Wan (Ewan McGregor) and Leia (Vivien Lyra Blair) make it to Mapuzo on the transport ship. Since their contact doesn’t show up, they try to make their own way. When they are betrayed, Obi-Wan saves them, until they finally find their contact, who turns out to be a female imperial officer. They learn about how there are still people helping the Jedi and other force sensitive people.
When Darth Vader (Hayden Christensen) shows up on the planet, Obi-Wan tries to lure him away, to help Tala (Indira Varma), the imperial officer, and Leia escape. Obi-Wan comes face to face with Darth Vader, and it becomes obvious that he is no longer a match for the Sith Lord. Tala returns to help Obi-Wan, as Leia continues towards the meeting point with her pilot. Tala arrives just in time to save a tortured Obi-Wan, but we see that Leia ends up in the hands of Inquisitor Reva (Moses Ingram).
Obi-Wan Kenobi Episode 3: Analysis
While episodes 1 and 2 were action packed and exciting, episode 3 is much quieter. It feels like a transition episode, which is used to set-up the upcoming episodes. It relies heavily on McGregor’s ability to carry the show on his own, which luckily, he can do. Dart Vader’s appearance is terrifying, because for the first time the audience sees what has made him so feared. He enters the village and starts randomly killing people, not because he needs information or is fighting them, simply because he can.
The duel between Darth Vader and Obi-Wan feels oddly anticlimactic. Not because Obi-Wan is outclassed, but because it comes so early in the story. There was literally no build-up to it. It would have been preferable to give Darth Vader more screen time before this, especially for new viewers. Otherwise, it is lost on the audience that this is a big deal. A very subtle detail that mirrors Obi-Wan’s inner struggle was how he handles his lightsaber. At first he is very reluctant to draw it at all. However, when he finally draws it, he handles it like a foreign object. For a Jedi it is an extension of their body. In a way, it is a metaphor how Obi-Wan still rejects his nature as a Jedi, because of the pain it has caused him and others.
Again, there was a slight hint at Obi-Wan’s feelings towards Padme (Natalie Portman). When he tells Leia, he wished he could tell her he was her father. While many fans dislike the idea of Obi-Wan having feelings towards Padme, it fits the story and would further fuel Obi-Wan’s guilt. Being in love with your brother’s / best friend’s wife doesn’t exactly make you the perfect Jedi everyone believes you to be.
Obi-Wan Kenobi Episode 3: Conclusion
Although this episode is remarkably slower than the first two, it contains important information about the origin of the rebellion and Obi-Wan’s emotional state. The duel seems like a wasted opportunity, but because it shows Obi-Wan’s situation, this can be forgiven. All in all, this was a solid episode that keeps the viewer hooked.
Have you seen the third episode yet? If yes, what are your thoughts? Don’t forget to check this place when we will be back with another Obi-Wan Kenobi review. In the meantime, you can read our review for the first two episodes here.
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Maria is our resident nerd and passionate about all things fantasy and science fiction. She is Spanish and grew up in Germany, which is why she is a native speaker of both languages. Becoming a fantasy writer was only logical to combine her skills and passions. In addition, she is working on her English degree and loves to play tennis and dance Salsa. She is currently writing her first novel and will mainly be covering Star Wars, Star Trek and Shadow & Bone.
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