Obi-Wan Kenobi Review: Part VI (Season 1 Episode 6)

The action-packed series surrounding one of Star Wars‘ most beloved character duos has come to a close. The journey of Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader is one that fans are more than happy to go on.

Especially with how Obi-Wan Kenobi Season 1 Episode 6, “Part VI” ends things and sets up the original film series. Even better is the knowledge that the writers wrapped everything up nicely enough we don’t need more content.

The Battle to End All Battles

Ultimately, this series has to have a battle between Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader. While fans get a bit of that earlier on during Obi-Wan Kenobi Season 1 Episode 3, “Part III,” there is still a desire for more.

The difference between this showdown and the one that happens on the mining planet is that Obi-Wan has moved beyond his hesitation. He no longer has that fear of Anakin being destroyed by him, the guilt is still there but it no longer controls him.

This is beautifully evidenced when Obi-Wan takes his signature fighting stance against Vader while also using the force to lob large rocks at his once padawan. Their battle this time around isn’t one-sided and Obi-Wan proves that he’s less traumatized and more force motivated.

Darth Vader: I’m not your failure Obi-Wan! You didn’t kill Anakin Skywalker, I did. The same way I will destroy you!

Obi-Wan Kenobi: Then my friend is truly dead. Goodbye Darth.

Vader validating Obi-Wan’s guilt and absolving him of it is a necessary move for both characters. It’s needed so that Obi-Wan can truly take on the persona of Ben and live out the rest of his days as a hermit.

Vader needs that moment because it officially severs his ties to Obi-Wan as his master. Toward the start of the episode, Vader’s language shows there is still a bond there whereas his language after their battle changes to detachment.

While neither character dies — and we all know they can’t — the stakes are still there because we don’t know exactly what to expect. There is still an air of mystery surrounding them because to this point they both feel bonded through the force and we know in the original series they are not.

Reva’s Redemption

One of the most fascinating characters this season has been Third Sister aka Reva. Her desires to thwart Obi-Wan Kenobi at every turn surprisingly turn into a revenge plot against Vader.

This leaves her fate up in the air moving into the Obi-Wan Kenobi finale. The best part about her actually comes up during the final third of this episode.

She could easily strike out angrily against Luke, Owen, and Beru but instead she hesitates. It shows her conflicting with her current desires and the moment that led her down her path — when Anakin enacted Order 66 against younglings.

This conflict allows her character to gain more depth and humanizes her. By taking Luke back to his aunt and uncle she proves that she was never Sith material; that she has always been a true Jedi.

That final conversation between her and Obi-Wan heals both her thirst for revenge and gives them both the peace they so deserve. Because of Vader and Reva, Obi-Wan is finally able to move forward and leave his guilt behind. 

The Future of the Galaxy

It’s great that the season ends on a very joyous note because it proves that Obi-Wan has worked through his traumas and is doing much better. He is able to walk away from both Leia and Luke without hesitation because he knows that they are safe and well cared for.

Of course, the writers give us a few more moments to satisfy our cravings and keep us extremely happy fans. I am talking about first and foremost, Leia suiting up in her usual royal garb but adding a bit of rebel princess flair.

Then of course her goodbyes with Obi-Wan signify just how it is that future Leia knows Obi-Wan is her only hope against Vader and the Empire. He tells her that he will be there should she ever need him and that solidifies their bond exponentially more than Obi-Wan telling her about her parents ever could. 

Though that informational moment is also sweet and beautiful.

The writers also give us a little bit of the Obi-Wan we know and love when he greats young Luke with a “Hello there!” It’s one of Kenobi’s most iconic lines and becomes the official tie-in between film series. 

Finally, we know the future of the galaxy is bright because in the end, Qui-Gon Jinn appears and tells Obi-Wan he was finally ready to receive whatever Qui-Gon could give him. It’s a finalizing moment that brings this series to a close better than anything else ever could. 

 

 

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All episodes of Obi-Wan Kenobi are now streaming on Disney+. 

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