Obi-Wan Kenobi Part VI Review: Seaon Finale shines when focused on Vader and Obi-Wan

The season and possibly series finale of Obi-Wan Kenobi comes to a mostly satisfying conclusion. Darth Vader and Obi-Wan’s climactic battle is outstanding. Obi-Wan’s relationship with Leia also concludes ina a lovely fashion.

Ewan McGregor‘s performance throughout the series was terrific, yet he saves his best for the finale. If WandaVision can earn Elizabeth Olsen an Emmy nomination, then McGregor deserves the same consideration. The writing hasn’t been terrific, but McGregor’s shined in every scene. I have issues with how Obi-Wan and Vader part ways, but that takes nothing away from McGregor and Hayden Christensen‘s performances throughout the season.

Unfortunately, Reva’s storyline concludes in a predictable, boring fashion. Reva’s decision to chase after Luke on Tatooine stalls the momentum of the Vader-Kenobi duel. Essentially, the chase boils down to Reva realizing Luke is no different from the younglings Anakin slaughtered. Reva’s realization would have made sense early in the season, but now it lacks any emotional payoff. The failure of Reva’s storyline has everything to do with the writing and nothing to with Moses Ingram. In this episode, she does everything she can to sell Reva’s anguish and feelings of failure.

In spite of Reva’s rather pedestrian storyline, Obi-Wan succeeds as both a series finale and lays a trail for more Obi-Wan adventures, which is challenging to do, but Deborah Chow does pull it off.

With the overview out of the way, let’s dive deeper into the elements that stood in Part VI. There may be some minor spoilers. Obi-Wan Kenobi is available to stream on Disney Plus.

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Master-Padawan Clash in Season Finale

The fight between Obi-Wan and Vader is gorgeously shot by Chow, vicious and emotional. Obi-Wan’s jump in power is a bit of a stretch. In Part III, Obi-Wan was no match for Vader. In this fight, Obi-Wan is matching Vader blow for blow. The fight choreography is a gorgeous blend of the sequel trilogy with the prequels. The lightsaber clashes are fast, but there’s a purpose to every move. There’s no unnecessary flips or crazy athletics. This is a brutal fight between two people who know everything about each other.

Vader does get the upper hand at one point. He buries Obi-Wan under a pile of boulders. In a move that’s counter to the archaic Jedi teachings, Obi-Wan flashes back to important moments. Obi-Wan uses these memories to motivate himself and breaks free. Jedi are not supposed to form connections, yet it’s through those connections that allow Obi-Wan overcomes his dire situation.

Once Obi-Wan emerges, he takes it to Vader. He throws a boulders and even slashes his helmet. In a gorgeous bit of sound design, Christensen’s voice is blended with Jame Earl Jones. Obi-Wan apologizes for everything. Anakin absolves Obi-Wan of killing Anakin. Claiming that it was Vader himself who killed the weaker version, which was Anakin. Obi-Wan leaves the planet with Vader alive. Both are seemingly content to go their separate ways. Obi-Wan’s decision to allow Vader to live is the only misstep in this part of the storyline.

Desert Chase on Tatooine in Part VI

While Vader and Obi-Wan are fighting, Reva is slowly looking for Uncle Owen on Tatooine. Owen is given a head up. He and Aunt Beru safeguard the moisture farm and prepare to fight off Reva.

Owen and Beru do the best they can, but are unable to stop Reva. Luke runs for a desert ravine. Reva catches up and knocks out Luke. She flashes back to Order 66 and is unable to kill Luke. After defeating Vader, Obi-Wan arrives on the planet. He helps Owen and Beru look for Luke. They don’t have to look far.

Reva approaches with Luke asleep in her arms. She collapses in tears believing she failed all of the younglings who died at Vader’s hands. Obi-Wan disagrees and believes she showed mercy. With some encouragement from Obi-Wan, Reva buries her lightsaber in the sands of Tatooine and walks away to parts unknown.

Ingram does a great job channeling her anguish in this episode, but there simply weren’t enough surprises in her character journey. Nor was her turn justified. Reva has done horrible things. The series should have spent some time showing the good in Reva.

Satisfying Conclusion and Continuation

Leia and Obi-Wan’s goodbye is the warmest aspect of the episode. When Obi-Wan decides to face Vader, Leia is angry at Obi-Wan for failing to bring her back to Alderaan. She still secretly sends Lola with Obi-Wan.

After saving Luke, Obi-Wan returns to Alderaan to say goodbye to Leia. He provides some closure about her parents and the qualities she inherited from them. Obi-Wan makes it clear he and Leia must keep their connection a secret. If some people knew, then a lot of people could be at risk. There’s enough wiggle room there for more adventures or for Leia to see Obi-Wan again before A New Hope.

Adding to the intrigue is what Obi-Wan tells Bail. If you need me, I’ll help in any way that I can. Bail counters by saying hopefully that won’t be necessary. The simple exchange between them sets the seeds for a continuation in a new season and a justified conclusion as a single-season series.

Season Finale: Part VI Final Thoughts

Part VI thrives on the interactions between Vader, Obi-Wan and a dash of Leia. When the series finale shifts its focus to Reva on Tatooine, Part VI’s momentum stops in its tracks.

Vader letting Reva live at the end of Part V seemed out of character. While Obi-Wan letting Vader live is fitting for the character, it’s a lazy choice overall. I also think more time could have been spent on Obi-Wan reconnecting to the force and slowly adding to his power

Like the prequels themselves, McGregor overcomes some poor writing and storytelling choices to deliver another enduring Star Wars performance.

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