SPOILER Obi-Wan Kenobi Ep. 3 Discussion

Don’t hold back! Tell us what you really think.

The Inquisitors were chasing Obi-wan Kenobi. What do you think Reva told them?

If I praise The Mandalorian, am I blinded by Grogu’s presence too?

 

@Darth Derringer If that's what Reva told them, it should've been included in a scene. As for now it's just your personal theory, since there is absolutely nothing in the current dialogue that suggests that Vader and the Inquisitors think that Obi-Wan killed the Grand Inquisitor. Unfortunately fan theories are popular among fans who want to defend weak scripts.

I don't really see the relevance in comparing Grogu to Vader, since Grogu is an entirely new character created specifically for The Mandalorian. Vader is an established world-famous character spanning decades of exposure in the media, and my point was that it's easy to overlook certain aspects as a fan if you're very excited about seeing Vader, for example.

For comparison, I liked Rogue One as a whole but I've heard complaints from people who say that the movie was bad and the only good thing about it was Vader's last scene. That's kind of a similar situation.

 

Okay, there's no denying this was a good episode, but anyone else feeling kinda hollow after that duel? Like, my take has always been that if Kenobi and Vader were to meet in this, it should be REALLY meaningful. This was good, but I also wonder if it was good enough to undercut the DSI being their first reunion now.

I didn't expect a big prequel-style flashy duel, and I actually mostly like the choreography of what we got- Vader feels almost like the monster in an 80's slasher horror flick, like Jason or Michael Myers... just an unstoppable brute force in the dark, actually an incredible fit for him. And the vision of Anakin in the field... that was excellent, I might've liked that even more than the duel.

But I dunno... I guess I was left feeling "that was pretty good... but was that it?". I don't mean to be grumpy, and I understand how ridiculously entitled that makes me sound. I don't even know what would've satisfied me. So again, don't take this like I'm totally against what happened.

Anyone else feeling that way?

I thought that was strange, too.

Perhaps it's because now that he knew there was a sniper on some location of the ridge above, he was concentrating on not being merc'd by them? I get Vader's powerful, but ultimately he's as powerful as the story needs- so it's reasonable that this could be the explanation, though if so it should've been explained in show better.

 

I think Logan is an objectively phenomenal film, but several of the things in it personally annoyed me while a few others actively triggered me due to a very recent tragedy in a dear friend's family, so I never want to see it again. I'm happy for people that like it, but it's certainly not the film for me. I was also out of the country at the time I watched it, and trying to find a theater that was playing a showing with English audio at the time was...an experience...
(I've also been a fan of X-23 since X-Men Evolution and the New X-Men comics after that. Well, the ones after her solo series which was a little too dark for me as a kid and House of X. The X-Men comic run with Surge, Elixer, Pixie and the like.)

Not particularly, but I can definitely see that take. To me a confrontation this early with Kenobi in this mental state was always going to be Round 1. Round 2 has to end with the Reva's death sadly as well as Obi-Wan faking his own death, or at least disappear believably so when Vader asks about him in Rebels, Palpatine can dismiss it.

 

Call we a wild fan theorist, but how the other Inquisitors would have assumed their leader died during a mission to capture the legendary Jedi, Obi-wan Kenobi, seems pretty darn obvious.

Absolutely nothing about Vader being an 'established character spanning decades' or being 'world-famous' (Grogu isn't?) changes the impact of his presence in a show. I feel I am a SW fans who evaluates episodes of SW content with a critical eye. But if being excited by the presence of a certified SW Star (be it Darth Vader, Grogu, or Luke Skywalker) 'blinds' me to all the imperfections you see -- okay, guilty as charged. :)

 

I don't think so, the only thing The 5th Brother really cares about is that he's next in line. Perfect depiction of someone of his ilk. I like that you are challenging the writing, something to chew on...

 

I feel you're being a bit too critical here without mentioning enough positives (maybe there aren't too many for you) and I loved this episode.. but at the same time these are all valid criticisms I noticed as well. I agree 100% regarding the location/lighting/music on the Vader fight.

I blame this on Lucasfilm's decision to go with one director across the whole series. My concern has always been Deborah getting overwhelmed half-way through (as anyone would) and production values taking a hit. Even J.J. Abrams or Jon Favreau would have dropped the ball in some places, if they were put under a tight schedule with 6 hours of Star Wars to shoot.

On top of this I feel post-production could have helped in terms of a better score. The production values for this reunion (of the two best Star Wars characters imo) should have been better. Hopefully their second meeting is much closer to the fight in ROTS, or Luke's duels with Vader (in terms of everything)

 

Anakin is absolutely brutal now as he should be, but it leaves me uneasy. It’s hard to imagine how we went from Anakin to Vader but they are two very different beings. It’s great!

--- Double Post Merged, Jun 2, 2022, Original Post Date: Jun 2, 2022 ---

I think they are missing the mark with the music.

 

I'm trying to understand the thoughts behind this criticism by some fans. What would have constituted 'higher' production values?

I've assumed from the get-go that if this show was going to give us a 'Round One' of their confrontation, it would naturally be uninspiring, crude and one-sided given Obi-wan's current state-of-mind. Any director is going to want to set up the first confrontation for a big emotional payoff for Obi-wan fans in the second one.

 

Obi seems to have lost a great deal of his connection to the force. He needs to meditate.

 

Based on comments by director Debra Chow, you've hit on the main thrust of this limited series.

At its core, the story is about how this emotionally-shattered Jedi Knight played brilliantly (IMHO) by Ewan McGregor in these first three episodes somehow evolves into the wise, ultra-patient, cool and calm 'zen master' we see played brilliantly (IMHO) by Sir Alec Ginness in ANH.

 

I liked the quote from Quinlan and the dialogue surrounding it.

“Only when the eyes are closed can you truly see.”

“See what?”

“The Way”

Obviously a reference to Jedi sensitivity and consistent with Ben’s teaching in ANH. In the literal sense.

It’s also very similar to the Mandalorian greeting. “This is the way”

“The way” is also roughly what Tao translates as. And early Christianity was known as “The Way”.

So it’s a term that has coincidental significance to two different cultures both in universe and in real life. Neat!

 

Sorry if it has been mentioned.

Has someone else see a son or daughter of Obi-Wan with Tala? I think there was eye contact in there XD and feelings in a moment of debility.

And with that brother definetly we have future storylines out there.

 

It’s interesting how each of us take different things away from story revelations based on our interests.

When Obi mentions remembering having a younger brother, my first thought went to his relationship with Anakin. That’s how he saw him. I took the significance as something that informs his character and his current story. He’d longed for that fraternal bond he’d lost as a child and then reforged it as a mentor - and then lost it again only to be tortured by it now.

But, sure. Future storylines. That could be fun

 

If I remember well Obi-Wan is talking before he was taken by the Jedi Order, when he was very very young. He remembers brielfly a piece of rope of his mother and a child. If am correct.

 

I get exactly what you are saying. As Anakin would say : I want more and I know I shouldn't But, let's be practical :
a) You could have a top notch Obi giving Vader a hell of a fight. This doesn't fit the narrative and what is going on.
b) You could have a "middle" ground where the "rusty" Obi gave Vader a hard time. Well that would please no one. Is he rusty or not ? If yes, how is he putting a fight? This would be confusing.
c) You could have a "weak" Obi just getting his ... whooped. This has a point and fits the narrative.

In fact, given the previous episodes, and how Obi kept telling/showing he is out of shape, I think c) was the only way to follow - for now. I guess, as Obi gets back in shape, we will "tend" to b) and perhaps converge to a) by the end of the series ?

 

"...my mother's shawl, my father's hands. I remember a baby...Yes, I think I had a brother. Really don't remember him. I wished I did."

 

At its core this stems from their feelings about the "new Star Wars". This will not stop, and they will go through every single detail, for every new production. Also, it seems to me that there are groups out there that have monetized resentment, and if fact are pushing fans towards a specific perspective. The irony is that a Star Wars fans should know better; diving into hate won't go well, unless you want to live in a black echo suit/chamber of grief.

 

A bit late to the party here..
I'm enjoying every second of this series. The only thing that gives me mix feelings is that we will only get 6 episodes.
We're half way there.

I was obviously expecting Vader to make his appearance in this episode, but I wasn't expecting the big rematch to happen so soon. I loved it! I think in my mind I thought Kenobi was going to have some duels with the inquisitors, 1-on-1, perhaps 1 vs 2 or 1 vs 3, leaving us for the final rematch in the last 6th episode. I think this only means there will be at least another Vader vs Kenobi duel (in the presence of Vader's master?) .

This episode also gives us a new perspective on Kenobi during the events of ANH:
- "I'm getting too old for this sort of thing" when he tries to recruit Luke. Kenobi is aware of his own limitations.
- "Turn the ship around" when force-sensing the presence of Vader then the Falcon approached Death Star. Kenobi prefers to avoid another direct confrontation with Vader.
- The almost fear on his face when Vader tells him "I've been waiting for you, Obi-Wan". Kenobi knows this is a battle he won't win.

I recall the prequel haters used to question ROTS because it didn't explain why Kenobi and Vader were so slow in ANH, or why Kenobi was seem so afraid of him in ANH if he almost killed him at his (supposed) prime in ROTS. I guess this proves that haters need to be spoon-fed, they lack imagination. A lot can happen in 19 years, and this new series is giving us glimpse of that.

Another highlight was the return of James Earl Jones, and how this was kept a secret all along. Honestly, I was going to accept if they had chosen to cast someone new or use technology to change someone's voice into Vader's (if they can do faces with CGI, doing voices should be also possible). But this was a really nice surprise. The man is in his 90s. He could have easily said "No, thanks" or ""I'm getting too old for this sort of thing" and nobody could have questioned him. But he said 'yes' to the production, to the fans, and he killed it! And for that, a big THANKs to Mr James Earl Jones.

Looking forward to Episode 4.

MTFBWY!

 

Kenobi is a broken man. Perhaps in some ways, even worse than Anakin.... I am most pleased with his character development.

My favorite takeaway from this episode was watching Vader experience "Escape is not his plan" firsthand.

#SubtletiesOfTheSAGA