The Obi-Wan Kenobi season finale gave fans what was promised from the series, a rematch between Darth Vader and Obi-Wan, leading to the question of whether it was worth the wait. The rematch between the two was the main thing Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy leaned on when announcing the series. This, alongside the return of Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen, built a lot of excitement around Obi-Wan Kenobi.

The series takes place 10 years after Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith and begins with Obi-Wan in hiding on Tatooine. However, when a young Princess Leia Organa is threatened by the Empire, Obi-Wan Kenobi is drawn out of exile and is forced to confront his former brother once more. Obi-Wan Kenobi shows the titular character and Vader meeting at a few different points throughout the show, with their central rematch happening in the finale.

Related: Kenobi's Finale Fixed Original Trilogy Darth Vader Lines & Plot Holes

In answer to whether it was worth the wait, it is safe to say it certainly was. The rematch took place on a derelict planet surrounded by spires of rock that allowed for an equal amount of lightsaber combat and Force powers to be executed. Ewan McGregor stated that the lightsaber fights in Obi-Wan Kenobi lined up more with the prequel trilogy in terms of choreography, with the rematch proving that to be the case.

How Obi-Wan's Darth Vader Rematch Compares To Their Other Duels

Obi-Wan vs Darth Vader Lightsaber Duels in Star Wars

The easiest way to explain why Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader's rematch was worth the wait is to compare it to other duels containing the duo, both past and present. The other times the former Jedi brothers have clashed come in Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope, bookending the duel in Obi-Wan Kenobi.

The first comparison surrounds the location. Known as the Battle of Heroes, Obi-Wan and Anakin's duel in Revenge of the Sith takes place on Mustafar. This location is very dynamic, allowing the fight to flow from the compound on Mustafar to its lava streams before ending on the banks of the lava rivers. As for A New Hope, the location of the fight is on the first Death Star, not allowing for much of a change throughout the duel. In Obi-Wan Kenobi episode 6, the fight takes place on a derelict planet at night time. This location and timing allow for the fight to be different from the other two, both offering something new in terms of the fight choreography through the Force abilities the two use, and simply looking and feeling different from the other two major duels. From the harsh yet gloomy atmosphere on Mustafar to the bright lights and Imperial decor of the Death Star, the fight in Obi-Wan Kenobi was different altogether with the bright lightsabers clashing against the dark setting.

In terms of the choreography, it certainly aligns more with the prequel trilogy, with quick, swift lightsaber combat and a great many flourishes found in the Anakin and Obi-Wan Revenge of the Sith fight. This differs from A New Hope, in which the fight was much more simply choreographed and shot. Obi-Wan Kenobi perfectly blends the two in the way it's captured. From the prequel choreography to the more intimate camerawork of the original trilogy, the duel mirrors both Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope. The camerawork, though, is much more dynamic than either of the other fights, given Obi-Wan Kenobi's duel has its own style with the camera often spinning around the fight from high angles and featuring some elements of shaky cam.

Related: Obi-Wan Kenobi vs Darth Vader Winner Explained

The main reason why the duel was worth the wait is because of the emotional impact the fight has due to the link between the two characters. Given how the prequel trilogy introduced and built upon Obi-Wan and Anakin's relationship before it tragically came to an end, Obi-Wan Kenobi episodes 3 and 6 having the two meet again after the show has centered on this relationship made the fight extremely emotional. From the mirroring of lines from Revenge of the Sith to the heartbreaking final confrontation after Obi-Wan reveals Anakin's face from under the mask, the emotional and dramatic heft of the fight made it entirely worth the wait.

Why Revenge of the Sith Is Obi-Wan & Anakin's Best Duel

Star Wars Episode III Revenge of the Sith Battle of Heroes Anakin and Obi-Wan Duel

Despite Obi-Wan Kenobi's lightsaber duel between Obi-Wan and Vader being worth the wait, Revenge of the Sith still features the best battle between the two. No other Star Wars property, besides Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, has even come close to the outstanding lightsaber choreography on display for the Battle of Heroes. Not only do Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen perform the choreography to perfection in terms of the hand-to-hand fighting, but the way the fight constantly elevates from one level to another puts it above other Anakin and Obi-Wan duels. The fight begins on the landing dock of Mustafar and heads into the mining facility before Anakin and Kenobi fight on the rafters above the sea of molten lava. Eventually, the fight gets even more dangerous by taking place on the lava river and ending on the banks of Mustafar.

All of this culminates in one of Star Wars' few truly heartbreaking scenes, featuring one of the best acting performances of the franchise from Ewan McGregor. It's worth noting that McGregor also does this at the end of the duel in Obi-Wan Kenobi by not killing Darth Vader and addressing Anakin directly, helping to drive home the emotional weight of the scene. However, in terms of Revenge of the Sith, the scene in which Kenobi expresses his love for his brother in Anakin is one of the best in the franchise's history, helping solidify the fight as Anakin and Obi-Wan's best. Regardless, Obi-Wan Kenobi's final lightsaber scene certainly comes close and proves it was worth the wait and justified the return to a galaxy far far away for Ewan McGregor and his titular Jedi Master.

Next: Everything We Know About Obi-Wan Kenobi Season 2

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