Warning: spoilers ahead for Obi-Wan Kenobi episode 3.
Episode 3 of brought the moment fans had all been waiting for – the face off between the Jedi Master () and his former Padawan Anakin Skywalker, aka Darth Vader ().
This also meant that returned to voice the Sith Lord – and fans were overflowing with excitement after hearing his unmistakable tones.
The Star Wars series on Disney Plus, when it was revealed that Obi-Wan would embark on a quest to save the kidnapped Princess Leia Organa (Vivien Lyra Blair).
Having retrieved the princess and escaped an Inquisitor named Reva (Moses Ingram), the pair are now on the run… but the Inquisitors and Darth Vader are hot on their tracks.
With an , here’s what went down.
Reva has direct line with Darth Vader
Reva, also known as the Third Sister, will stop at nothing to find Obi-Wan Kenobi, even going so far as to strike down her superior, the Grand Inquisitor (Rupert Friend).
The return of Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker was teased at the end of episode two, and in the following instalment, viewers were finally granted a close look at Darth Vader in all his terrifying glory, complete with his iconic mask and billowing cape.
Darth Vader promised Reva that if she was successful in her mission, that she would be made the next Grand Inquisitor. However, fail to do so and she wouldn’t live to tell the tale.
As always, Darth Vader knows how to deliver a terrifying threat… thanks to the unmistakable voice of Star Wars legend James Earl Jones.
Fans celebrate return of ‘iconic’ James Earl Jones
Yes, that’s right. After much speculation, James is officially back voicing Darth Vader, a role he first played all the way back in 1977 in the first film in the franchise, Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope.
‘Absolutely wild to hear James Earl Jones’ voice again, so iconic,’ one person tweeted.
‘So happy they brought back James Earl Jones his voice would always be iconic,’ another wrote, as someone else remarked: ‘Ok why am I seeing no one talking about the fact that Disney got 91-year-old JAMES EARL JONES back !???!?? Truly iconic.’
Another commended the combination of James with Hayden, with the latter having played Anakin in the prequel trilogy.
‘I can’t stress how good Vader is here, all of his actions speak so well to his character and Hayden’s understanding of Anakin and James Earl Jones’ iconic voice really takes me back to the originals and Rogue One where Vader feels like one of the most iconic villains in film,’ they said.
Princess Leia and Obi-Wan Kenobi are on the run
Having rescued Princess Leia from the bounty hunters in episode two, Obi-Wan travels with her to a mining planet, after a tip off from conman Haja Estree (Kumail Nanjiani).
They reach the checkpoint that they were told to go to for help, but with no one there to meet them, they hitch a ride with a mole-like creature called Freck, believed to be played by Scrubs star Zach Braff.
While they initially pretend to be a farmer and his daughter, they’re eventually found out, resulting in Obi-Wan becoming embroiled in a vicious gun fight.
They’re soon greeted by an Imperial officer (Indira Varma), who turns out to be on their side and the person they were supposed to meet, as she stows them away.
The face off between Darth Vader and Obi-Wan Kenobi commences
Having been alerted to Obi-Wan’s whereabouts, the Inquisitors arrive on the planet, along with none other than the menacing, choke-holding Darth Vader.
The defected Imperial officer who helped them, whose name is Tala, shows them through a tunnel that should help them escape.
However, after seeing Darth Vader arrive, Obi-Wan urges Tala to go ahead with Leia without him.
Darth Vader senses Obi-Wan’s presence and the pair lock horns with their lightsabers, a decade (and 17 years in real life) after their duel in Revenge of the Sith.
The powerful Sith Lord is hellbent on making his former mentor feel his pain, using the Force to slam him down onto the ground, which is covered in flames.
Tala proves to be Obi-Wan’s saving grace, shooting a Stormtrooper from afar and dragging the Jedi to safety, whose shoulder has been burnt crisp.
While Princess Leia was capable of getting through the tunnel on her own to reach the pilot who had been sent to help her, Reva unfortunately got their first, meaning that the princess could be captive once more.
Obi-Wan Kenobi is available to watch on Disney Plus with new episodes released on Wednesdays.
