'Obi-Wan Kenobi' Episode 3: What we learnt from Obi vs Darth Vader's showdown?
'I am what you made me' bellows Darth Vader before locking lightsabers with Obi-Wan (Ewan McGregor) in 'Obi-Wan Kenobi'. It was a showdown that occurs in the second half of Episode 3 and midway into the season, the early battle shows the traumatic past and the rage that formed in the aftermath of 'Revenge of the Sith'. Hayden Christensen's Anakin Skywalker was left for dead by Obi in their final skirmish and was retrieved by Palpatine. He was taken to Coruscant and his burnt body was treated and covered with the suit and helmet that's made him one of the more iconic characters from the decorated franchise.
Back to 'Obi-Wan Kenobi', Vader and Obi engage in a duel on the mining planet Mapuzo where Tala (Indira Varma), an imperial officer who defected, takes Leia (Viviana Lyra Blair) to safety. However, the young princess convinced her to go back to Obi and the decision seems to be the right one after Vader tortures his worn-down former mentor just the same way he was left on the lava banks. Safe to say, that while Obi was indeed rescued by Tala, he had his share of pain, physically and psychologically.
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While their battle is far from over, Vader's reluctance to kill Obi-Wan has perhaps nothing to do with their past relationship. Perhaps he wants to have Obi a suffering and painful death rather than swish him in one telling blow, and that might be what the viewers will be in for as the series reaches the halfway mark. He clearly won the first meeting with the Jedi and maybe their second encounter might just work in Obi's favor. There's no denying that Vader will mount another revenge-driven assault and only time will tell if Obi can counter it.
For now, much of the storyline focuses on Vader and Obi, more so that the training of Luke Skywalker or the rescue of Princess Leia. Maybe the remaining three episodes will explain if there's more than just the sordid history between the two.
What are your thoughts on the first duel between Vader and Obi?
'Obi-Wan Kenobi' Episode 3 is streaming on Disney+.