Obi-Wan Kenobi is known in the Star Wars franchise for many things, but his Disney+ series reminds viewers of his talent for being the negotiator.
The following contains spoilers for Obi-Wan Kenobi Season 1, Episode 5, “Part V,” now streaming on Disney+.
Obi-Wan Kenobi is infamous within the Star Wars universe. He is one of the most beloved Jedi, was a powerful leader during the Clone Wars and serves a mentor and friend to the entire Skywalker family. The new Obi-Wan Kenobi series has been fleshing out what happened to the legendary hero after the Purge and the fall of the Republic. It has taken a while for the Jedi to find himself, but with each episode, more and more of his old self returns. “Part V” shows Kenobi using one of his best skills: negotiating.
During the Clone Wars, Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan fought side by side. Yet while Anakin always wanted to charge in and attack, Obi-Wan often tried to succeed through negotiation or at least stall for time. This approach is seen once again in “Part V.” Obi-Wan knows that the members of The Path need time to escape. This time cannot be won by fighting, but he is able to buy them enough time and convince Reva to finally turn on Darth Vader.
Obi-Wan has chosen talking over violence on multiple occasions, including several times in Star Wars: The Clone Wars and when he is trying to capture General Grievous (who was almost played by Gary Oldman) in Revenge of the Sith. In Obi-Wan Kenobi, he negotiates with Reva after he realizes that she was a youngling during Order 66 and that she is in fact hunting Vader, not working with him. Armed with that knowledge, Obi-Wan tries multiple times to turn Reva against Vader.
By talking with Reva and trying to convince her to fight Vader, he can delay the invasion of the base and hopefully put another obstacle in Vader’s path. These tactics are what helped make Obi-Wan a great Jedi. He wasn’t eager for the fight, but he was always prepared for it. He used his intelligence and wit before resorting to his lightsaber skills.
Seeing Obi-Wan up to his old tricks is yet another sign that a more familiar version of the character is returning. The series started with a broken man, but will most likely end with a hero who is ready to forgive himself and learns to heal. Seeing Obi-Wan in the thick of conflict yet still deciding to try to talk over a solution is incredibly reminiscent of the character that was portrayed in the prequels. It shows that the Disney+ series has a true understanding of the character and his journey.
Obi-Wan Kenobi‘s fifth episode puts any complaints about the series to rest. “Part V” is an extremely satisfying chapter of TV that not only helps to bring all the show’s characters together, but sets the stage for an exciting finale. It also highlights one of the qualities that has made Obi-Wan such a beloved protagonist that he warrants his own series.
New episodes of Obi-Wan stream every Wednesday on Disney+.