Spoiler warning … this recap is for individuals who have been watching Obi-Wan Kenobi on Disney+. Don't learn until you've seen episodes one to 3.
Good day there
Expectation v actuality is a humorous factor. In today of enhanced web hype, on-line engagement with teasers and trailers appears as essential because the TV present or movie itself. By no means thoughts how good a sequence is, did the trailer break the 24-hour report for YouTube views? I’m as responsible of boarding the hype prepare as anybody else and I've been burned up to now (not like Obi-Wan on this episode, extra of which later). In consequence, I’ve tried to change into much less inclined to the entire hoopla.
In Obi-Wan Kenobi’s case – alongside the diminishing returns of the big-screen instalments and oddness of The Ebook of Boba Fett – I greeted every fastidiously drip-fed nugget of stories, hypothesis or leaked picture of Darth Vader with a large shrug, anticipating the sequence to be nothing however a disappointment. I totally anticipated that seeing the baddest man within the galaxy sparking up that crimson lightsaber as soon as once more would go away me chilly, nothing greater than an excuse to promote extra toys. And but right here I'm, writing breathless blogs on the web instantly after seeing Half III by which I can barely include my pleasure about Massive Dangerous Vader tearing it up. Contemplate me impressed.
I imply … how good was that? Far, much better than I had dared think about. After all, simply because your very low expectations had been exceeded doesn’t imply one thing was nice, and repeated viewings will assist make up my thoughts for certain, however I believe Half III was sensible.
To the start
We began with Obi-Wan kneeling in meditation, doing his greatest to succeed in the spirit of Qui-Gon Jinn, however solely actually succeeding in going over probably the most painful moments of his life. I’m nonetheless assured he’ll discover some readability and commune together with his former grasp, giving us the Liam Neeson cameo we by no means knew we wished. I ponder how he feels now, given his insistence on coaching Anakin towards the desires of the Jedi council.
There’s no concord among the many Inquisitors, both, with the Third Sister and the Fifth Brother vying for the highest spot. I nonetheless don’t suppose the Grand Inquisitor is useless, and Vader will know the reality – I believe he’s merely utilizing the title as a carrot to dangle in entrance of Reva. Workplace politics and promotions in Star Wars. What subsequent, tea-point chat and a whip-round for a brand new child within the workforce?
Reva’s response to seeing the Jedi brand on the tunnel entrance was affirmation, if it had been wanted, that she was the youngling we noticed escaping the temple in Half I, though whether or not she has a better connection to Obi-Wan stays to be seen. My hunch is not any, she doesn’t, however she used to see him within the corridors and holds him answerable for not stopping Anakin and letting the Jedi fall.
Subsequent up, Mapuzo, a as soon as nice planet turned mining system, stripped of pleasure by the Empire, and Obi-Wan and Leia’s vacation spot, due to the coordinates given to them by Haja Estree.
There was some nice interaction between Obi-Wan and Leia right here, with it will definitely dawning on her that he knew her mom. She may solely be 10 (and seem like she’s seven) however she actually is brilliant, that one.
One factor I can’t fairly perceive – and it was talked about by a number of commenters final week, too – is why Obi-Wan doesn’t change his garments. Far be it for me to inform the Empire the right way to concern an APB to all stormtroopers, however one thing alongside the strains of: “Male, about 5ft 11in, brown hair and beard, appears precisely like a Jedi” would observe him down in far much less time that it takes to deploy a fleet of probe droids. And can nobody consider the carbon footprint?
Insurgent scum
I actually loved Indira Varma’s efficiency as Tala, notably the best way she and Leia bonded so shortly. I believe Leia’s involvement with the rise up shall be traced again to the second she hugged Tala within the tunnel on the best way to the port – though she’ll need to navigate her method away from Third Sister earlier than then. Kidnapped as soon as in a sequence, that’s unhealthy luck. Twice? You’re in actual hazard of changing into the Kim Bauer of the Star Wars universe.
Jabiim was talked about, too, which I imagine is critical, notably by way of who is perhaps ready for them once they get there. That, coupled with the actual fact we're but to see O’Shea Jackson Jr within the sequence. There’s loads of on-line hypothesis to learn if you wish to, but when I’m proper about who he’s taking part in, it’s massive.
The duel
I knew there was going to be a showdown between Obi-Wan and Darth Vader, and had made my peace with the actual fact it doesn’t fairly line up with their reunion in A New Hope, however no matter. Retconning is par for the course with these expanded universes. I hadn’t anticipated their assembly to occur within the third episode, although, and whereas it won't have delivered on a struggle stage (Obi-Wan is way too weak for that, today), it packed a substantial emotional punch. Obi-Wan was chilled to the core, searching at his former apprentice snapping necks and force-choking civilians, and properly selected to run when he first got here head to head with Vader.
Finally, they squared off, and it went about in addition to could possibly be hoped. The script at this level was particularly good, Vader’s trash-talk very in step with the sort of strains he utters in future fights. “I'm what you made me.” “The years have made you weak. You need to have killed me once you had the possibility.” “Now you'll undergo, Obi-Wan, your ache has simply begun,” and so forth. Spectacular. Most spectacular.
Simply as Obi-Wan appeared doomed, Tala and the loader droid got here to the rescue. As our hero was mendacity on the bottom, being dragged round in these flames, I couldn’t assist questioning if the expertise may clarify why Alec Guinness’s model of Obi-Wan appears a lot older than Ewan McGregor’s. Are we going to see him trying aged and shellshocked subsequent week?
Notes and observations
Good for Ewan McGregor and Disney shortly issuing statements in regards to the completely disgraceful racist feedback directed at Moses Ingram after the primary two episodes.
QUINLAN VOS LIVES! One of many coolest, most underused Jedi within the Clone Wars, he was rumoured to have survived Order 66, and right here was the proof. Perhaps he can have a cameo in Ahsoka? If not, I demand a seven-part Disney+ sequence in 2024. Eugene Courageous Rock, Ricky Whittle or Jason Momoa to star.
Obi-Wan says he remembers a brother. That is massive information, and my thoughts is already racing about the place that brother may present up. There’s no such factor as a throwaway line in a sequence like Obi-Wan.
Freck, the mole-like, Empire-loving resident of Mapuzo, was performed by Scrubs star Zach Braff.
Leia’s outfit appeared like a delicate nod to her forest get-up on Endor in Return of the Jedi.
Such a pleasure to listen to James Earl Jones return to voice Darth Vader. I had questioned whether or not Matt Sloan, who has voiced Vader in quite a few animated sequence and video video games, can be taking up, however clearly not.
What did you suppose? Did you take pleasure in Darth Vader’s return? Do you want the place the sequence goes? Have your say beneath
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