Kenobi Breaking Vader's Mask Completes A 3-Part Star Wars Story

Warning: Spoilers for Obi-Wan Kenobi episode 6.

One of the most dramatic moments in the Obi-Wan Kenobi series finale has Darth Vader’s mask broken open, completing a three-part story in the Star Wars franchise. Darth Vader’s fearsome mask is rarely damaged or taken off following his injuries in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, but a few of the notable instances seen in Obi-Wan, Star Wars Rebels, and Return of the Jedi, each compliment each other. Moreover, they speak to the dichotomy of Darth Vader and his previous identity as Anakin Skywalker and the respective relationships of both identities.

The first time in the Star Wars franchise that Darth Vader is fully unmasked is in Return of the Jedi, where Luke briefly speaks to his dying father following his redemption. In the dramatic Rebels season 2 finale, Darth Vader’s mask is sliced open by Ahsoka Tano during their duel on Malachor, which is ultimately Tano’s final confrontation with her former master. The Rebels scene is mirrored in the Obi-Wan Kenobi season 1 finale, which unites the other two instances of Darth Vader being unmasked.

In their second lightsaber duel in Obi-Wan Kenobi “Part VI,” Ben Kenobi similarly cuts open Darth Vader’s mask, revealing the scarred face of Anakin Skywalker who, as Darth Vader, claims responsibility for Skywalker’s “death.” While the moment is a close recreation of Vader’s duel with Ahsoka in Rebels, Kenobi notably has the right side of the mask cut off while Rebels had the left side removed. In Return of the Jedi, however, the entire mask is removed gently by hand instead of being cut off in battle. While Obi-Wan and Ahsoka each saw the little remains of Anakin Skywalker within Darth Vader, only Luke manages to bring Anakin back from the depths of the dark side.

What seems to be the biggest difference between the three instances and their respective meanings is that Obi-Wan and Ahsoka each knew Darth Vader as Anakin and each struggled with the dichotomy by the time they clashed with the Sith Lord. Although Kenobi and Tano each tried to see the good that remained in him, they were resigned to Darth Vader’s new Sith identity to a degree. Luke, on the other hand, never knew his father as Anakin Skywalker but was all too aware of his atrocities as the monstrous Darth Vader. Nevertheless, Luke remained faithful in the good within his Vader once Yoda confirmed that he is indeed his father.

Obi-Wan and Ahsoka each eventually accept Darth Vader’s claim that he “killed” Anakin Skywalker and cease to see him as the good man they once knew. Luke ignores Vader’s claims throughout Return of the Jedi, referring to Anakin Skywalker as Vader’s “true self” and never losing faith in his father, even after nearly succumbing to the dark side aboard the Death Star II. The Obi-Wan Kenobi series finale mirrors Rebels in having Darth Vader’s mask broken, but Return of the Jedi’s removal of it exemplifies Luke’s refusal to see his father as a monster, even after all of his heinous actions, is what helped bring back Anakin Skywalker.

Next: Obi-Wan Kenobi Episode 6 Easter Eggs & Star Wars References Explained

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