Flashbacks of Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi were incorporated in Obi-Wan Kenobi episode 5, plainly set during the prequel era. The TV series was undoubtedly the most waited Lucasfilm production to date, and it has always been the focus of Disney+. Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen make cameo appearances, with the latter dressed as Darth Vader himself.
Obi-Wan Kenobi episode 5 included flashbacks of Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi, clearly set during the prequel era. Star Wars has always been at the center of Disney+, and the Obi-Wan Kenobi TV series was easily the most anticipated Lucasfilm show to date. It features the return of both Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen, with Christensen suiting up as Darth Vader himself.
This fact, ironically, let down a certain number of fans. It meant that Christensen’s face was obscured until the 5th episode of the show. The actor’s comeback has been a significant selling point for the series, although anyone could have been dressed in Darth Vader‘s classic suit.
Source: Disney+
Fortunately, these flaws were finally addressed in Episode 5, which uses a series of flashbacks to build Obi-Wan’s comprehension of his former Padawan and let him use that information in opposition to Darth Vader. The flashbacks were lovely, providing viewers with exactley what they were missing – and seamlessly blending them into the whole tale.
The scenes featuring Anakin and Obi-Wan are definitely set prior to what happened in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones. In the flashbacks of the show’s 5th episode, Anakin remains Obi-Wan’s Padawan, with the unique Padawan braid, and hasn’t lost his hand in a confrontation with Count Dooku yet.
That signifies these are recollections of a gladder period for Obi-Wan, the moment prior to the Clone Wars and the birth of the Empire, when the galaxy was at peace. There are traces of Anakin’s future character even here, with his impatience and urgent motivation to prove himself. Anakin strongly thinks that he was prepared for the Jedi Trials, to become a Knight, according to the dialogue, while this encounter was an effort on his way to prove it.
Source: Disney+
This was most likely just before Anakin’s reunion with Padmé, because his resentment at being restrained had reached a boiling point at that time, motivating him to chase wholeness through a connection with her, instead of going through his identity as a Jedi Knight.
The Obi-Wan Kenobi episode 5 flashbacks aren’t designed for fan-service purpose; they help viewers appreciate Anakin as Obi-Wan does, allowing them to spot major flaws that Obi-Wan exploits. This is ironic since it shows how imprisoned, stiff, and incapable of development and growth Anakin had become. He unknowingly dismissed the need to act like that the moment he became a Sith, and as a result, he grew predictable.
Darth Vader’s comments in the original Star Wars film are subtly rewritten in the flashbacks. In his final confrontation with Obi-Wan, Darth Vader insisted, “Now, I am the master.” He thought he’d recognized and dealt with the flaw his old teacher had noticed in him, but strangely, his attention on Obi-Wan meant he missed Luke Skywalker‘s presence.
Darth Vader’s urge to prove his abilities in opposition to Obi-Wan was the evidence his vulnerability all these years later, even if he didn’t realize it. Anakin’s descent to the dark side, according to Obi-Wan Kenobi, was a denial of development rather than an embrace of it.
Watch the Breakdown for Episode 5 here:
