Obi Wan KenobiThe fifth episode had a lot of thatDarth Vader. Still, it still showed a lot of Hayden Christensen's face. A running flashback to a better time in a galaxy far, far away ensuedAnakin Skywalkerand his former master during a lightsaber training session. The student used what he learned that day long ago to defeat an enemy on Jabiim. But as a clever escape showed, Obi-Wan still knew how to exploit Anakin's greatest weakness. And the Jedi's latest lesson to his old student explains why a famous line fromStar Wars: A New Hopestill makes sense.
The (very dangerous!) fight between Anakin and Obi-Wan in the Jedi Temple on Coruscant served as a mirror throughout the episode. Lightsaber training informed and influenced the events that unfolded on Jabiim in the series' current timeline. The flashback showed how well the two knew each other and how they used that knowledge to take advantage of each other. Obi-Wan realized that Anakin's obsession with victory required swift action, as Vader would never have the patience for a siege. (Which proves very useful to the rebels on Hoth.) Meanwhile, Anakin knew that Obi-Wan would never let down innocent people, which Obi-Wan both knew and counted on. He realized that Vader could count on his surrender. Because of this, it was never made clear in the episode whether Anakin or Obi-Wan was thinking back to that day on Corsucant - they both were.
Their encounter on Jabiim recalled an infamous moment during their battle on Mustafar. At one point during their lightsaber duel, each man used identical feints at exactly the same time. This led to a moment that felt more like a synchronized baton-slinging contest than a life-or-death struggle. This (wrongly maligned) moment showed how well each knew the other and their inclinations. It was likeTheir bond was so strong that they shared a bond rarely seen in the galaxy.
However, as on Mustafar, the Padawan remained the disciple for a reason. Obi-Wan was smarter and kept his emotions in check, allowing him to take care of his surroundings even during a passionate battle on a lava planet. This helped him override an enraged Anakin, whose unique focus on killing his former master left him vulnerable. After allowing Obi-Wan to gain the upper hand, Anakin could not accept anything but total victory, let alone defeat. Now we have seen that this desire has not changed 10 years later. Just as Obi-Wan left Anakin on Mustafar, he left Vader on Jabiim.
However, the Sith Lord has learned something from his lightsaber training. Obi-Wan's classes that day helped Vader survive in the show's presence. He realized that Obi-Wan had used Reva as a weapon against him and was prepared for her attack. Vader didn't even need a weapon to fight her, any more than Obi-Wan needed one during their sparring or on Jabiim. Obi-Wan taught Anakin the importance of paying attention to his surroundings. Anakin just never learned to focus, though Obi-Wan kept reminding him to do so, especially as he got closer to victory.
But as Vader watched the transport ship escape, he realized his old master had defeated him once again. Anakin's hatred of Obi-Wan blinded him to the truth about a decoy, as his impressive display of power merely prevented an empty ship from taking off. Despite Obi-Wan being so close, Anakin missed what the Jedi had really done. He used firstReva's quest for revengeto buy time while using Anakin's rage against him. He counted on Anakin's feelings to blind him the closer he got to Obi-Wan.
While Darth Vader embraced the inherent dangers of the dark side, Kenobi remained level-headed like a true Jedi Master. And in that moment, we received an answer to a question the show's existence has raised about Vader's final duel with Obi-Wan.
So much for Disney+war of starsSeries did not break the canon. As expected,Reva didn't actually kill the original Grand Inquisitor. There is also nothing from Leia's time with "Ben".Obi Wan Kenobithis contradicts everything she says or does in the original trilogy. The show only hasre-contextualized and clarified her relationship with General Kenobi. Vader's presence in the series is based on the same concept. His incomplete thinking inA new hopemade his role on the show possible without breaking canon. Noticing that Obi-Wan was on the Death Star, Vader said, "I sense something. A presence I haven't felt since..." Nothing about that line changes what happened in itRache der Sithor the original trilogy.
But by the fifth episode of the series, a different line from the firstwar of starsFilm seemed out of place thanksObi Wan Kenobi. InA new hopeVader said to the Jedi, "When I left you I was only the learner, now I am the master." There seemed no ambiguity as to what following meantRache der Sith. Obi-Wan defeated Vader on Mustafar, but in the nearly two decades since Vader he had learned much more about the power of the dark side. He knew things about the Force that a Jedi like Obi-Wan would never know. And sinceRache der Sithmarked the end of their time together and their classes together, how could Vader's lineage really make sense? It would be odd to say if they would ever have faced each other again after Mustafar.
Now we've seen that 10 years after he turned on the Jedi, Anakin still had something to learn from his old master. Even if you know an enemy knows your weaknesses, they can still be used against you. Vader was so worried about Reva that he forgot to keep himself open to other possibilities. Coupled with his insatiable hatred, these blurs were enough for Obi-Wan to escape his clutches. All of this offered a new lesson for Anakin.
This episode also gives new context to other elements of their meetingA new hope. In the film, Vader tells the Imperial officers that he will take care of Obi-Wan "himself". With Reva getting in the way of Jabiim, why would he ever risk giving that job to someone else? And Vader's relatively tame, slow-moving final fight with Obi-Wan makes more sense now, too. It was a far more stoic fight, one fueled by patience rather than anger. As Obi-Wan knew, Vader let his hatred of his former master, Jabiim, get in the way. Nine years later on the Death Star, Vader would not make that mistake again. Instead, he made a completely different one. Because Obi-Wan didn't just know how to keep his emotions in check, he didknew things about the Force that Anakin never knew.
During their last encounter, Obi-Wan tried to teach his Padawan one last lesson. But just like during her lightsaber training, and just like on Mustafar, the stubborn Anakin Skywalker was always too focused on victory to really listen. "You can't win, Darth," Obi-Wan warned. "If you knock me down, I will become more powerful than you can imagine."
Of course he was right. That's why Obi-Wan was always the master and Anakin was always his padawan.
Mikey Walsh is a permanent writer at Nerdist. You can follow him on Twitter at@BurgerMike. And also anywhere that someone categorizes the Targaryen kings.
FAQs
What happened between Obi-Wan and A New Hope? ›
For instance, Obi-Wan uses the rocks Vader tries to bury him with to fight back and destroy parts of Vader's suit in the finale of Obi-Wan Kenobi. In A New Hope, he does the same thing as he willingly lets Darth Vader strike him down; his sacrifice allows the future of the galaxy to survive– Anakin's children.
How much time passed between Obi-Wan and A New Hope? ›The in-universe time lapse between those periods is pretty much the same: around 10 years between Revenge of the Sith and Obi-Wan Kenobi, and about nine years between Obi-Wan Kenobi and A New Hope.
What is the back story of Obi-Wan Kenobi? ›Kenobi was born on the planet Stewjon in 57 BBY. He was Force-sensitive, and therefore taken from his family and inducted into the Jedi Order as a child. Raised in the Jedi Temple on the planet Coruscant, Kenobi was assigned to Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn.
What is Obi-Wan Kenobi's first line in A New Hope? ›The very first line that Alec Guinness' Obi-Wan Kenobi says is “Hello there.”
Did Leia already know Obi-Wan in A New Hope? ›She also knows Obi-Wan, and she knows him well. Her holographic plea for help, already iconic, will never be the same. She knows Obi-Wan's real name as well as his alias of “Ben.” When Luke comes barging into her cell and says, “I'm here with Ben Kenobi,” Leia jumps off the bunk in an instant.
Why did Obi-Wan sacrifice himself in A New Hope? ›It's the kind of extra and flamboyant gesture that the Jedi seemed to love, but perhaps Obi-Wan felt that this grand gesture of sacrificing himself to the Force would give Luke (and Leia, and Han) the push needed to take his training seriously, and show him just how powerful a Jedi could become.
How old is Obi One In A New Hope? ›A New Hope, the movie used as a reference for the Star Wars timeline, takes place in 0 BBY. Therefore, Obi-Wan is 57 years old in A New Hope. Sir Alec Guinness, who played Obi-Wan Kenobi in the original Star Wars trilogy, was 62 years old when filming A New Hope.
How long is Obi-Wan after Order 66? ›Both Star Wars Jedi: Survivor and Obi-Wan Kenobi are set 10 years after Episode 3 and Order 66.
How many years pass from A New Hope to Return of the Jedi? ›Meanwhile, The Empire Strikes Back picked up the story three years after A New Hope, and Return of the Jedi jumped to a year later for the conclusion of the Original Trilogy.
What is Count Dooku's real name? ›Who is Obi-Wan Kenobi son? ›
In canon no Obi-Wan doesn't have kids. However, there is this theory where he and Satine had a child together but she hide it from him, knowing how it could ruin his jedi career. This child would be Satine's “nephew” Korkie Kryze…
Who was Obi-Wan Kenobi's lover? ›Duchess Satine Kryze | StarWars.com.
What is Obi-Wan Kenobi most famous line? ›“If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you can possibly imagine.”
Where is Obi-Wan before A New Hope? ›No longer sitting on the Jedi Council on Coruscant or fighting the battles of the Clone Wars, Obi-Wan is in exile, hiding out on Tatooine and watching over little Luke Skywalker, who is still years away from becoming the hero of A New Hope. The series stars Ewan McGregor as an older Obi-Wan who has seen better days.
What did Vader say to Obi-Wan in A New Hope? ›“The years have made you weak. You should've killed me when you had the chance.” If you think you're old and tired now, Obi-Wan ... wait until you see yourself in “Episode IV: A New Hope.”
How does Vader not sense Leia? ›He only senses Luke when he actually using the Force, Leia is not actively aware or using the Force and therefore he does not sense her. He is also not looking for a daughter either until Luke spills the psychic beans on her later on.
Is Leia from Obi-Wan Kenobi Princess Leia? ›Princess Leia Organa (Vivien Lyra Blair) in “Obi-Wan Kenobi.” (Matt Kennedy / Lucasfilm Ltd.) This story contains spoilers for the Disney+ series “Obi-Wan Kenobi.”
Who is Leia's only hope? ›On Tatooine, the droids are captured and sold to Luke Skywalker's uncle. As Luke is cleaning R2-D2, he accidentally triggers part of the message from Princess Leia, which plays on repeat. "Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi," she says, "you're my only hope."
Why doesn't Obi-Wan remember R2-D2 in A New Hope? ›Obi-Wan greets R2-D2 and later recalls “not owning a droid.” Obi-Wan purposely withheld information from Luke in order to keep Luke from straying away. This could offer an explanation as to why he appears to not know who R2-D2 is.
Why does the third sister want Obi-Wan? ›Inquisitor Reva, also known as Third Sister (Moses Ingram), has been a particular thorn in Obi-Wan's side. As part of a task force specifically determined to hunt down all remaining Jedi, she is particularly obsessed with Obi-Wan.
Why did Obi-Wan let Darth Vader win? ›
Obi-wan has become a great master of the force, with great force instincts. I believe at the moment of facing Darth Vader, Obi-wan felt that the force had directed him not to kill Darth Vader, as it was Luke trial for him to become a Jedi, and in doing so, revive the Jedi tradition.
Who is Obi-Wan's brother? ›In the original Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi screenplay, Obi-Wan did have a brother, and it was none other than Owen Lars (Joel Edgerton)—Luke Skywalker's step-uncle and Anakin's step-brother.
How old was Padawan Obi-Wan? ›In Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, set 32 years before A New Hope, a 25-year-old Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) appears as the Padawan apprentice of Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson).
Why is Obi-Wan called Ben? ›In the story, we learn that Obi-Wan took on the name Ben because it's a nickname given to him by an old flame, the Duchess Satine Kryze. He takes on the name because it still has emotional resonance for him.
How much older is Han Solo than Leia? ›Solo: A Star Wars Story toys now on sale, peek at new movie
Fun facts also worth mentioning: Han Solo happens to be 10 years older than twins Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia Organa.
According to Wookieepedia , Obi-Wan Kenobi was 57 years old when he died.
Who is Palpatine's granddaughter? ›Rey (portrayed by Daisy Ridley) is the granddaughter of Sheev Palpatine/Darth Sidious through Dathan. Born on the planet Hyperkarn in 15 ABY, as a child in 21 ABY, Rey was abandoned by her parents on the planet Jakku to protect her from Sidious.
How is Darth Maul alive in solo? ›Thought dead, Darth Maul survived his injuries by focusing on his hatred of Obi-Wan Kenobi, the Jedi who cut him in half. His shattered body was dumped amid the refuse of the junk planet Lotho Minor, where the once deadly warrior fell into madness, staying alive on a diet of vermin.
How old is Padme in Episode 1? ›Padmé Amidala makes her first film appearance in The Phantom Menace. She is introduced as the recently elected 14-year-old queen of Naboo, dedicated to ending the planet's occupation by the Trade Federation.
How old was Anakin in Episode 1? ›*According to sources published at the time the prequels came out, Anakin was 20 in Episode II, but 9 in Episode I, which took place ten years earlier.
What is Darth Maul's real name? ›
The notable exception to this, however, is Darth Maul, whose real name has never been revealed, and most likely never will. Although Maul was largely wasted in The Phantom Menace and seemingly killed off unceremoniously at its climax, he was later revealed to have survived being bisected and falling down a vast shaft.
Who was Yoda's Padawan? ›Yoda held the title of Grand Master of the Jedi Order since the days of the High Republic Era. At some point, Yoda took on a human named Kantam Sy as his Padawan. The two were stationed at the Jedi Temple on the planet Endovar.
Who was Mace Windu's Padawan? ›Billaba became Windu's Padawan and trained under the Jedi Master in the ways of the Force. During her training, Windu allowed her to study Form VII variant known as Vaapad. She eventually became a Jedi Knight, renowned for her skills with a lightsaber and favored Form III when teaching other Jedi.
Who is 3 sister Obi-Wan? ›Reva Sevander, better known as the Third Sister, is the central antagonist of the 2022 Disney+ live-action Star Wars miniseries Obi-Wan Kenobi. She was a Jedi youngling who survived Order 66 and fell to the dark side of the Force, joining the Galactic Empire by becoming part of the Inquisitorius.
Who is Obi-Wan Kenobi children? ›Who is Obi-Wan Kenobi's son? Korkie Kryze was first introduced in "The Academy," the sixth episode in Season Three of the Star Wars: The Clone Wars television series.
Are Kenobi and Anakin brothers? ›He thought they were memories, but he soon realizes they're actually glimpses of the future, meaning he and Owen were never technically family. In the canon Star Wars universe, Owen is Anakin Skywalker's stepbrother and isn't related to Obi-Wan at all.
Who kills Darth Maul? ›In the film's climax, Maul duels Qui-Gon and his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor). He is able to kill Qui-Gon and knock Obi-Wan down a shaft, but Kenobi propels himself out of the pit and uses Qui-Gon's lightsaber to bisect Maul, sending the two parts of his body falling down the shaft.
Which Jedi got married? ›Despite the ban and the associated dangers, many Jedi, including Kento Marek, Ranik Solusar, Nejaa Halcyon, Revan and Anakin Skywalker, wed, either in secrecy or with the knowledge and disapproval of the Jedi Council.
Does Obi-Wan marry? ›However, unlike Anakin, Obi-Wan said his goodbyes when the mission was over. Although Obi-Wan and Satine never married or became an official couple, there was an undeniable romantic connection between the two.
Who said Obi-Wan Kenobi You're My only hope? ›When Bail Organa calls Obi-wan Kenobi to warn him about the sudden attack by the Separatists, he says "Help us, General Kenobi, you're our only hope." His daughter, Princess Leia called to Obi-wan with the line "Help me Obi-wan Kenobi, you're my only hope" in A New Hope.
What does Obi-Wan say after hello there? ›
Obi-Wan Kenobi : Hello there! General Grievous : General Kenobi, you are a bold one!
What does Obi-Wan Kenobi mean in English? ›Arguably the strangest of the main character names from the original STAR WARS film, Obi-Wan Kenobi was meant to suggest a Japanese warrior feel. Specifically, this referenced Akira Kurosawa films: "Obi" is the name of the sash that ties a kimono closed, and "ken" is the name for a sword.
Why did Obi-Wan look so old in A New Hope? ›Why does Obi-Wan Kenobi age like that? Because he's not real, and is a fictional character played by different people. You see, Obi-Wan Kenobi is played by Alec Guinness in the original trilogy. Guinness was 62 when he filmed A New Hope, and he died in 2000.
How many years between Obi-Wan and A New Hope? ›Obi-Wan, meanwhile, will be about 48 years old, just nine years after his death in A New Hope.
Why does Obi-Wan say goodbye Darth? ›Obi-Wan's “Goodbye, Darth” was a direct nod to how he refers to Vader during their final rematch in A New Hope, back when Darth was deemed a first name, rather than a Sith title.
Why is Vader called Darth? ›The title "Darth" first appeared in George Lucas' 1977 film, Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope, as part of the name Darth Vader. According to Star Wars: Behind the Magic, Lucas intended the name "Darth Vader" to suggest "dark father."
Who does Vader choke in A New Hope? ›Vader Force chokes Motti for his lack of faith. By 0 BBY, Motti served as Admiral of the Navy, and held the position of Chief of the Imperial Navy.
Why is Obi-Wan old in A New Hope? ›Why did Obi-Wan age so terribly? Returning the original point: Obi-Wan has aged so badly because he's using a mass-scale Jedi illusion or mind-trick (or something similar) to block Vader from sensing Luke and himself on Tatooine. The constant years of using the force at a high level is literally killing him.
What happened to Obi wans lightsaber after A New Hope? ›Kenobi continued to use the blade up until his death at the hands of Vader during their rematch on the Death Star. Kenobi's second apprentice, Luke Skywalker, later used this weapon's design as a basis for the construction of his own lightsaber.
Why does Obi-Wan not recognize R2-D2 in A New Hope? ›In the original movie Obi Wan Kenobi doesn't recognise R2D2because he has never met the droud. When Lucas came to write the prequels he decided that he wanted R2D2 and C3PO in the movies and the only way he could have them in properly was to have then intwined in Obi Wan and Anakins part of the story.
Why didn t Leia recognize Obi-Wan? ›
Throughout her encounters with Kenobi in the series, he refers to himself as Ben. The most straightforward explanation would be that Leia knows the person who rescued her is Ben, and never connected the dots that Ben is actually Obi-Wan.
Did Obi-Wan ever meet Chewbacca before A New Hope? ›Did Obi-Wan ever meet Chewbacca before a new hope? Obi-Wan knew of Chewbacca through Yoda's dealings with the Wookies during the Clone Wars. Before you see Obi-Wan speak with Han Solo in the Mos Eisley cantina, you see him conferring with Chewbacca.
Did Luke know Obi-Wan before New Hope? ›He doesn't know an Obi-Wan, but he does know a Ben Kenobi, who he calls a "strange, old hermit," and he brings R2-D2 and C-3PO to meet him. Turns out, Ben is Obi-Wan's secret identity.
Did R2-D2 know Anakin was Vader? ›R2-D2 was present when Padmé gave birth to Leia and Luke, so he knew Luke was Anakin's son – but what he didn't know was that Anakin became Darth Vader. In addition to that, Anakin's fall was surely a painful event in R2-D2's life, one that he definitely wouldn't like to remember or even talk about.
Why didn t C-3PO recognize Leia? ›Although C-3PO is a tell-all, it's possible that he was directly programmed not to say who Leia is. This is something that George Lucas himself suggested in an interview back in the 1970s, which made it into the book The Making of Star Wars: The Definitive Story Behind the Original Film.
Why does Obi-Wan have 2 lightsabers buried? ›Obi-Wan believed Anakin had died there, and by taking the lightsaber he was attempting to honor his former Padawan's legacy by giving it to his son. This second lightsaber would have symbolized so much to Obi-Wan: it represented all his regrets, as well as all his hopes that Luke could be what Anakin was not.
Why did Obi-Wan bury his lightsaber? ›Buried in the sands of Tatooine, the man once known as Obi-Wan Kenobi has hidden his most precious possessions in an effort to mask his true identity from Jedi hunters. Inside, two lightsabers have been laid to rest.
How many lightsabers has Obi-Wan had? ›During his years as a Jedi, Obi-Wan Kenobi fought with three lightsabers. His first had a blue plasma blade and a hilt similar to that of his master, Qui-Gon Jinn. Obi-Wan used this weapon until Darth Maul kicked it into a deep shaft on Naboo. He then constructed a new, blue-bladed lightsaber with a similar design.
Why doesn t Uncle Owen recognize C-3PO? ›The actual answer as to why doesn't Owen remember C-3PO is that it's a plot-hole in the saga, since George Lucas wrote A New Hope with little to no idea of where the droid's long and winding backstory would lead him.
Did the homeless clone recognize Obi-Wan? ›The clone, played by Temuera Morrison and wearing the first physical suit of clone armor, asks for credits to pay for a warm meal, which Obi-Wan cautiously obliges. The clone doesn't recognize Kenobi but is grateful for the credits.
Does R2-D2 remember Obi-Wan? ›
Since Obi-Wan and Anakin often fought together, Obi-Wan was friends with R2-D2 as well. This means that although R2-D2 might not have immediately recognized Obi-Wan on Tatooine due to his age, Obi-Wan should have recognized the droid.