Vader's Obi-Wan Slaughter Was Even Deeper Than You Realized
Warning: This article contains spoilers for Obi-Wan Kenobi episode 3.
Darth Vader's slaughter in Obi-Wan Kenobi may well have served another sinister purpose — giving the Dark Lord of the Sith an advantage in their duel. The Obi-Wan Kenobi Disney+ TV show is easily the most exciting Lucasfilm production in years, featuring the return of both Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan and Hayden Christensen himself as Darth Vader. They will clash twice over the show's run — and their first encounter, in episode 3, showed just how powerful Darth Vader really is.
Darth Vader began with what seemed to be a demonstration of raw power, designed to terrify and intimidate his enemies; as he stalked towards Obi-Wan, seeming to sense his former master's presence, he took the time to slaughter innocent bystanders and witnesses. The strategy seemed a logical extension of the Inquisitors' creed, that Jedi effectively hunt themselves because they cannot help but adhere to the Jedi Code and step in to protect others; the murders were therefore an effective taunt, challenging Obi-Wan to either act in accordance with the Jedi Code and die or run and prove himself no Jedi. What Vader did not know, of course, was that Obi-Wan's goal was to protect one of the two children he believed to be the galaxy's only hope. He therefore tried to draw the Sith Lord away from the young Princess Leia.
Related: Obi-Wan Kenobi Episode 3 Ending & Final Fight Explained
Vader's actions gave him another advantage. As revealed in Charles Soule's novel Light of the Jedi, a Jedi's ability to draw upon the Force is diminished in the presence of fear, anger, and hatred. Darth Vader's own rage was undoubtedly bleeding out into the Force, weakening Obi-Wan, and by increasing the
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