‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ is far, far away from being perfect, but the finale boasts some of Disney’s most compelling Star Wars yet.
Vader orders the imperials to pursue it, despite the Grand Inquisitor’s advice to stay their course.
Vader asks his old master if he means to destroy him and Obi-Wan replies with a line he famously says to Anakin just prior to their famous duel on Mustafar: “I will do what I must.” At this moment he ignites his brilliant blue lightsaber and twirls it into a ready stance that we see during his battle against General Grievous in ‘Revenge of the Sith’. This is a neat detail, because it’s the kind of swordplay we’d expect from Obi-Wan in his prime. It’s a visual message that he means to fight hard.
We’re then whisked back to Obi-Wan and Vader hacking away at each other, their blades striking surrounding rocks in the process. Kenobi knocks Vader back and uses the force to bring down a tall rock formation upon him, but the Dark Lord steadies it. “Your strength has returned,” he says. “But the weaknessremains.” He hurls the rock formation away and launches a large rock at Obi-Wan, who just manages to cleaver it in half with his lightsaber.
Reva has Owen cornered on a gangway. When she mentions the farmer loves Luke as his own, Owen replies: “my own.” This is an important moment that surely has a bearing on Reva’s redemption later in the episode. Owen then uses a large pole to hit Reva’s wound and in a particularly violent moment grabs at it and squeezes. Ultimately, he’s no match, even for the wounded force user, and is thrown off the gangway.
With Vader staggered, Obi-Wan raises his arms as tens of rocks float up into the air. He then proceeds to pummel his hapless former apprentice. This is Obi-Wan using the force like we’ve never seen before and we love it! Vader eventually finds a way through the barrage and pushes Obi-Wan back as they lock sabers once more.
And props to Hayden, because despite knowing everything that happens thereafter, there was a split second when we couldn't help but wonder if Vader would turn back to the light. “I am not your failure, Obi-Wan. You didn’t kill Anakin Skywalker,” he says. But then his mouth curls into a chilling smile and he says: “The cinematography in this scene is beautiful.
Previously, we said we were happy that Reva didn’t willingly join forces with Obi-Wan and became yet another darksider turned good at the last minute . However, this turning point does make sense. It’s inconceivable that attempting to murder young Luke wouldn’t evoke memories of Reva’s past trauma.