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Star Words: Episode III, Part 39
Jan. 17th, 2019 02:51 pmFor most of the duel, Obi-Wan and Anakin's fighting styles are so perfectly matched that neither one can gain much advantage over the other. At last it is Anakin/Vader's arrogance that dooms him. Obi-Wan reaches the high ground first, and in his determination to overtake him, Anakin opens himself to his old master's signature move -- dismemberment.
While he writhes in helpless agony, Obi-Wan cries out in a different sort of pain. "You were the Chosen One! It was said that you would destroy the Sith, not join them -- bring balance to the Force, not leave it in darkness!" Ewan's delivery of the lines gives me goosebumps. There is accusation and hurt in his tone, but also a deep sorrow, a mourning of the wasted potential and the wreckage Vader has left in his wake. Sob.
Then Vader voices his hatred with all the vitriol of the Dark Side. Obi-Wan's response is perhaps the tenth time my heart breaks while watching this movie.
"You were my brother, Anakin. I loved you."
Again, the delivery is perfect, the overwrought grief and despair. And oh, the past tense. To him, Anakin is dead. Nothing remains of the brother he loved. It's the only way he can bring himself to turn his back and walk away. Even then, you have to wonder if Obi-Wan is fighting every urge to rush down and rescue him. As it is, he never delivers a killing blow. Yes, it's quite reasonable to assume that Vader will die from his injuries, but still -- Obi-Wan could have ended his life definitively, and he doesn't. Does he regret that later on when he finds out Vader survived?
Brothers. It's beautiful, but also a glimpse of the cracks that ultimately shattered their relationship. Anakin refers to Obi-Wan as a father figure several times in Episode II. That's what he wanted, what he needed after being fatherless throughout childhood and then losing Qui-Gon so soon after bonding with him. But Obi-Wan saw Anakin more like a little brother. He was such a young master himself; I can't really blame him for feeling that way. Still, there's no doubt that it created tension between them from the very start. And now even that brother relationship has ended. SOB.
Next, we'll be checking in with Padmé and crying some more....
While he writhes in helpless agony, Obi-Wan cries out in a different sort of pain. "You were the Chosen One! It was said that you would destroy the Sith, not join them -- bring balance to the Force, not leave it in darkness!" Ewan's delivery of the lines gives me goosebumps. There is accusation and hurt in his tone, but also a deep sorrow, a mourning of the wasted potential and the wreckage Vader has left in his wake. Sob.
Then Vader voices his hatred with all the vitriol of the Dark Side. Obi-Wan's response is perhaps the tenth time my heart breaks while watching this movie.
"You were my brother, Anakin. I loved you."
Again, the delivery is perfect, the overwrought grief and despair. And oh, the past tense. To him, Anakin is dead. Nothing remains of the brother he loved. It's the only way he can bring himself to turn his back and walk away. Even then, you have to wonder if Obi-Wan is fighting every urge to rush down and rescue him. As it is, he never delivers a killing blow. Yes, it's quite reasonable to assume that Vader will die from his injuries, but still -- Obi-Wan could have ended his life definitively, and he doesn't. Does he regret that later on when he finds out Vader survived?
Brothers. It's beautiful, but also a glimpse of the cracks that ultimately shattered their relationship. Anakin refers to Obi-Wan as a father figure several times in Episode II. That's what he wanted, what he needed after being fatherless throughout childhood and then losing Qui-Gon so soon after bonding with him. But Obi-Wan saw Anakin more like a little brother. He was such a young master himself; I can't really blame him for feeling that way. Still, there's no doubt that it created tension between them from the very start. And now even that brother relationship has ended. SOB.
Next, we'll be checking in with Padmé and crying some more....
