Now that Darth Vader is stepping further into the spotlight in Disney+'s Obi-Wan Kenobi series, fans are seeing the live-action return of one of cinema's most powerful villains. While he still has the same mask, cape, and lightsaber fans recognize, this isn't the same dark lord of the Sith from the original films or Rogue One.
He might look and behave the same, but this incarnation of Vader is perhaps the most dangerous and deadly version fans have seen yet. That being said, his newer attributes are much more subtle than the visuals would present. From his heightened Force sensitivity to his mental fortitude, Vader is back and out for blood in a fresh new light.
Anakin Is Still In There
Reva wasn't wrong when she said "Anakin Skywalker is alive," but it's not in the same sense most fans probably think. From his reveal at the end of the second chapter, it's clear that Anakin has fully given himself over to the Dark Side and the Darth Vader persona has taken over.
As the fluid in the Bacta tank drains away revealing Anakin's face half concealed by the breathing apparatus, it symbolizes what little chunk of Anakin is left is being further consumed by the Sith. The donning of the rest of the suit serves as a transition in both character and identity.
He Pays Tribute To Ahsoka
Whether he meant to or not, Vader had a brief moment of homage to his former padawan as he dueled with the treacherous Reva at the end of chapter five. To show just how powerful Vader is at this point in the Star Wars timeline, the filmmakers have shown him picking up a lightsaber only when the occasion calls for it. But it doesn't necessarily have to be his.
The way he breaks Reva's saber in half and wields the two blades like a samurai warrior is an image that will live in the Star Wars fandom for ages, but his stance is also very familiar. It's a technique and position he saw time and time again from his apprentice, Ahsoka Tano, reflecting that there is still some fraction of Anakin left behind the mask.
He Cannot Survive Without The Suit
This might sound like a bit of an overly-obvious statement, but it's something that should be taken into account because of how much of Vader's body is actually shown. When Obi-Wan last left Anakin, he was a burning mass of flesh on the flaming shores of Mustafar. In the series, it's revealed just how bad his injuries were.
Beneath his support system, he has no arms, no legs, and barely anything left on his torso. He's incredibly burned, and synth skin can only fix so much. The suit might grant him mobility, presence, and functionality, but at the end of the day, he's also trapped in a mechanical cage.
The Suit Is The Best Piece of Sith Technology
One subtle detail many observant fans might have noticed is that Vader's suit has something of a shiny and new quality about it. With its rich, black leather ensemble and its glowing buttons and indicators, it's clear that this is a fresh off-the-showroom-floor Vader, and he's looking to test out his new toy.
In a pre-Rebellion-era Empire, this could be considered the best piece of technology the Sith have at their disposal. Given Vader's position, authority, and proximity to the Emporer's inner circle, it makes perfect sense that he would be given the best equipment a Sith enforcer could want.
The Suit Enhances His Abilities
Fear leads to anger, anger then leads to hate, and hate leads to suffering. This is the path to the Dark Side, and it's also where Vader draws his power. The suit he wears cannot be comfortable, and his suffering, both physical and mental, only serves to fuel his Sith-powered tendencies.
Anakin Skywalker was a gifted Force-user to be sure, but the suit seems to amplify his power tremendously. In a display of fury and prowess that would later be mirrored by his descendant, Kylo Ren, Vader's skills prove to be sharper than ever, especially when he first encounters his old master.
He’s Possessed By The Dark Side
Obi-Wan Kenobi once described Vader as being "seduced by the Dark Side," but the version of Vader seen in the series thus far has proven to be less seduced and more possessed. From the moment he puts on the helmet, Anakin Skywalker dies and Vader lives, and the visuals greatly reflect his new Sith-centric qualities.
Putting the appearance and upgrades aside, Vader is almost a completely separate entity from Anakin in terms of persona and demeanor. He's calmer, more verbose, and more articulate than his former Jedi self, and his cool, cold, and intimidating presence serves as a symbol of the Dark Side completely consuming his soul.
The Force Is Strong With This One
One thing that should be noted immediately with this incarnation of Vader is how much he relies on his Force abilities. As previously stated, Vader has only used his lightsaber when the situation absolutely demands it, and it makes him a more intimidating presence.
As impressive as the Inquisitiors' lightsaber skills are, a dark, shadowy, cybernetic enforcer who can destroy a spaceship with a thought and a wave of his hand is leagues more powerful than the standard-issue Force-user. Chapter five's final confrontation is Vader at his deadliest, and he barely even breaks a sweat. He just lets his sorcerous ways do the talking.
He’s Planned Everything
Not only is Vader at his most powerful in this series, but he's also perhaps at his most perceptive. It might be from Force-induced visions and premonitions or simply his careful planning and intuition, but Vader seems to have planned for every outcome, including Reva's doublecross.
At first glance, it might be just a simple display of Vader's cunning or Force-sensitive nature, but it also might be alluding to a grander plan yet to reveal itself for the grand finale. Either way, this more intuitive nature is a clever side of the character that honestly needs further exploration.
Vader In His Prime
This version of Lord Vader is definitely the character at his peak prime. The Darth Vader seen in the original trilogy has spent decades in his suit and has devoted his life to the ways of the Dark Side. This version is at the height of his career.
He's strong with the Force, he's resilient, he's tenacious, and he's as cold and cruel as ever. His mission to take down his old master is just one stepping stone in his pursuit of power before he takes the reigns aboard the Death Star.
The Red Lenses
They might be a small change to his appearance, but they play such a big role in both appearance and intimidation. The red lenses on his helmet symbolize the complete and total submission to the Dark Side, reflecting on Obi-Wan's quote about Vader being "more machine than man now."
They say that the eyes are windows to the soul, and by concealing his organic form with his mechanical facade, the rest of Anakin Skywalker is cut off from the natural world. The red, synthetic lenses represent the lost soul corrupted by the Sith, leaving only the mechanical shell in its place. Truly a haunting and terrifying image from such a small source.