Obi-Wan Kenobi: Part III marks the the halfway point of the 6-part limited series in the long-awaited Star Wars prequel series.
Please be warned ahead of reading that the following contains light spoilers for the newest episode streaming on Disney+.
One quick note before I dive into my review: the racist attacks on Moses Ingram have no place in the Star Wars fandom. For far too many years, people are using “bad writing” to make racist attacks on actors in this franchise. Please stop! Moses Ingram has my support and I stand beside her in solidarity. If you are attacking her or any other actor in this franchise on account of their race, to quote a phrase from Obi-Wan Kenobi, you need to go home and rethink your life.
After leaving Daiyu, this episode sees Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) and Leia Organa (Vivien Lyra Blair) searching for allies to help them. While they are successful, their return is not without complications. One particular complication that comes in the form of a Sith Lord. Let’s be honest here because we all knew it was coming as soon as the second episode ended. It was never a matter of if but when. I’ll have more on this in a few.
The cargo ship takes Obi-Wan and Leia to the strip-mining planet of Mapuzo. With no one to help them at first, they come across Haja (Zach Braff), an alien creature that takes them on their way. Being an Imperial planet, they’ve got to keep their story straight or risk trouble. Trouble comes sooner than later but that’s when Tala (Indira Varma) comes to the rescue. The Imperial officer is a member of an underground network helping the Jedi during this dark time in the galaxy. She provides them safety until they can get to a transport. However, the Inquisitors make their presence known on the planet sooner than later. That’s when it happens–Obi-Wan lays eyes on his former apprentice, Anakin Skywalker, now known as Darth Vader (Hayden Christensen/James Earl Jones).
The reunion is short-lived and while it’s not the epic lightsaber duel between master and apprentice, it is taste of what’s to come. I have no doubt that it will be a thrilling battle between the two. While Tala comes to the Jedi’s aid because of Vader’s burning him alive, we all know that he is not going to die. In some ways, it lessens the tension that could otherwise be there. It’s really what makes Star Wars so exciting when you’re watching for the first time without reading anything about the films. Regardless, the events of this series are going to change our perspective on seeing Kenobi in A New Hope. It’ll be interesting to see how things move forward next week.
In previous installments, we don’t really get many glimpses of Vader without his armor. This episode is one of a few times when we get to see the armor going on Darth Vader’s body. Revenge of the Sith is a rare exception. I, for one, am glad to see it. I do not know if this is something that we’ll be seeing regularly during the rest of the run. If it’s not, I’m glad that we could see it taking place once.
If you’ve read the books, well, you’re in look because there are no shortage of easter eggs. Tala mentions The Path, which is mentioned in Charles Soule’s Light of the Jedi. Even as I was fighting to stay awake at the late hour, it brought a smile to my face because it’s one of the references to The High Republic era. If you’re not familiar, The Path is a network of hyperspace routes that The Swarm utilizes. Aside from that, there’s a reference to Quinlan Vos, a former Jedi Master who survived Order 66 and was seen in The Clone Wars.
Obi-Wan Kenobi: Part III is solid in its storytelling, contains no shortage of action, and is continuing to build up to the headlining moment that is still to come. This show is bringing the nostalgia while also honoring the legacy of Carrie Fisher. I’m glad that we’re seeing the princess in action at a younger age. Carrie would be proud.
SHOWRUNNER/DIRECTOR: Deborah Chow
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Kathleen Kennedy, Michelle Rejwan, Deborah Chow, Ewan McGregor, Joby Harold
CAST: Ewan McGregor, Vivien Lyra Blair, Moses Ingram, Sung Kang, Rya Kihlstedt, Zach Braff, Indira Varma, James Earl Jones and Hayden Christensen
Disney launched the first two episodes of Obi-Wan Kenobi on May 27, 2022. Weekly episodes will follow on Wednesdays. Grade: 4/5
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