Review: Obi-Wan Rescues Leia From the Fortress Inquisitorius in ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ #4
Fortress Inquisitorius! Seeing it in a live-action episode was the epitome of super cool for Fallen Order fans who fell in love with the evil location in the video game. So naturally, when the Obi-Wan Kenobi series took us there, it was a moment of massive excitement. So, of course, I was super excited about this issue of the series’ comic adaptation. It was also an episode baked in some controversy. Some individuals felt this was a random “side quest” episode that didn’t push forward the overall narrative of the story. In an already brief series of six episodes, the need for each episode to feel “special” is magnified. However, I must ask you to please let me get on my soapbox for just a moment and explain why I felt this episode is fantastic, and the comic adaptation feels perfect.
I want to be clear that I see the merit in the previous argument. I am not saying they are completely wrong, but I have some stark disagreements. For starters, something that has been lost in the modern way of watching TV is the magic of these one-off side episodes. While I feel as if this episode of Obi-Wan Kenobi doesn’t necessarily go as far in that regard as others, I still feel as if a show must have episodes like this. Giving the story time to breathe, explore other avenues of character development, and just have some good old-fashioned fun has become a lost art among fans who are craving the next big “plot-heavy” episode.
There aren’t many shows anymore with 20-25 episodes in a season. Those days are long over, and with that comes the feeling of a greater emphasis on narrative-driven storytelling. However, some of the best episodes of TV shows can be when the story takes a break from the intense narrative and shines some light on something new. Think of The Mandalorian season 1, episode 6, where Mando teams back up with some of his old crew, and it turns into a bit of a horror episode. Some of the best Clone Wars arcs come when they take a break from the scale of the conflict and dip their toes into something else. It enhances the scale of the epic moments when you don’t try and force it every time. Ok. I am done. This comic adaptation is great! Let’s look at some of the highlights.
I loved the back-and-forth bacta sequence in the beginning. The contrast between these two characters is highlighted. For whatever reason, the Vader bacta tank moments always hit me. Is that weird? If so, I apologize to absolutely nobody. When Obi-Wan gets out of the bacta tank, his first concern is for Leia. This is where we know he is going to be ALL THE WAY BACK.
Finally, our first look at Fortress Inquisitorius in all of its dark side glory. A pillar of anger, a beacon to the anti-Jedi movement, it stands tall above the waves. The first of Leia’s interrogation scenes is depicted beautifully. Vivien Lyra Blair’s perfect portrayal of Leia’s defiance is on full display. The “he will come for me” line blends perfectly with a great image of her icy stare.
Next, insert Roken. I can’t say I was in love with this character. He wasn’t developed as much as I would like and didn’t feel important to me from the moment we met him. It’s quite the contrast from someone like Tala, who I felt attached to from the moment we met her. Roken’s turn from “there’s no way I’m going to help you, dude” to “right, you got it, General” felt a bit undeserved.
It’s irrelevant to the comic, but I wanted to include this little image of Obi-Wan mentioning the T-47s in the hangar. I can’t be the only Star Wars fan who gets giddy over a random vehicle mention right?
Once Kenobi and Tala arrive, things get cranking. Tala’s encounter with Imperial security was another great way to develop this character. She is willing to put everything on the line for a character we adore: Leia. This is part of what makes her sacrifice in the end hit home. She plays this part perfectly, and her shrewdness is palpable in this image.
Fallen Order fans had to be gushing about the brief swimming sequence with Obi-Wan. Oh, the amount of time I could spend just swimming around the base of the Fortress with Cal Kestis. Not to mention getting to an Obi-Wan swimming moment for the first time since Episode I (this sounded much more important in my head).
Obi-Wan sneaking around was quite satisfying. He finally enters the Inquisitor’s “trophy room,” where they have stored the bodies of Jedi and Force users they have cut down. The image of Tera Sinube below still fills me with such sadness. Sinube has but a few appearances in The Clone Wars, but I think he touched the hearts of so many within those moments. Seeing him on display as a trophy for a group of killers is bone-chilling.
Next, we get to my favorite moment. The scene where Obi-Wan cuts down stormtroopers in the dark to save Leia from being tortured. The lightsaber serves as some of the only light in the room as he takes them out one-by-one to save the princess. This is a fist pump and let out your emotions moment.
Fast forward just a bit, and we get to the Obi-Wan hallway showdown. Star Wars does love a good hallway scene. Deflecting blaster bolts left and right and then using the Force to keep the water from gushing in was an all-time Obi-Wan Kenobi moment. He IS SO BACK. How pissed does Vader have to be that the Inquisitors have now allowed their fortress to be flooded by two Jedi at this point?
After a thrilling chase and the loss of a rescue pilot from Roken’s group, the three of them get away. Though Reva successfully sneaks a tracker onto Leia’s droid LOLA. Fortunately for Reva, Vader was in a patient mood when he arrived. You never know what you will get with him. He could go for immediate neck-snapping, or he could be in the Force-choke torture zone. It was torture time when he arrived, and Reva could thank her lucky stars for that as she was able to spill her plan to track them back to the base.
Next up, the flashback with Anakin and Obi-Wan awaits!!!!
Rating: 9/10
Finding ways to nonchalantly incorporate Star Wars quotes into 8th grade classroom, Tyler lives and breathes Star Wars. His morning tradition is sending the latest number in the countdown for different Star Wars projects and loves engaging in uplifting Star Wars dialogue. If you are passionate about Star Wars you can follow him on Twitter at TyBrad5.
