The following article contains spoilers for episode three of Obi-Wan Kenobi.
The stage has been set for the rematch of the century as this week’s episode of Obi-Wan Kenobi saw Ewan McGregor’s Jedi finally came face-to-face again with Darth Vader.
Vader tortured a struggling Kenobi in battle, leaving the Jedi limping away. It seems clear that the next few episodes will see Obi-Wan get his mojo back, Austin Powers style, ready to kick some Sith ass.
But we knew this already. Instead the biggest revelations from this week’s episode came via lines of dialogue you may have missed if you weren’t paying close enough attention.
The Writing’s On The Wall
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As Tala (Indira Varma) shows Obi-Wan and Leia the hidden Jedi sanctuary, Kenobi notices something written on the wall.
“Quinlan was here” he asks, being informed that the character is instrumental in helping to smuggle the Jedi and younglings away from the Empire, setting them up to “start new lives”.
The inscription which Obi-Wan is struck by reads “only when the eyes are closed can you truly see.” When Leia asks for clarification about what this means, our hero responds with a cryptic “The Way”.
This might sound like a deliberately vague turn of phrase about following your heart, but The Way is capitalised if you watch with subtitles on.
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The show may be set around two decades before The Mandalorian, but this hasn’t stopped fans speculating that Kenobi is referring to The Way Of The Mandalore here, which means we might get a resolution to one of that show’s earliest plot holes.
If Quinlan is rescuing younglings, could he have been the one who saved Grogu from the Great Jedi Purge? Take this with a pinch of salt though – The Book Of Boba Fett offered up an alternative theory about Grogu’s backstory in its season finale.
The vague episode synopsis offered by Disney+ this week read that Obi-Wan was searching for allies, and here he’s found word of a familiar face who can help him, but it’s a face that is only really known to those who have dove deep into Star Wars lore.
So, who is this Quinlan they speak of?
Introducing Quinlan Vos
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Within the movies, Vos is only referenced in Revenge Of The Sith when Obi-Wan tells Anakin that “Master Vos” has moved his troops – outside of the films he has a more detailed history.
The character was introduced in the Star Wars: Republic comics, but with those not considered as canon, Vos’ appearance working alongside Kenobi in The Clone Wars series will be the best blueprint for their on-screen partnership.
And this doesn’t seem like a throwaway reference to a noteworthy Clone Wars character, in the same vein as last week’s Temeura Morrison cameo.
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Vos looks set to make an appearance within the next three episodes – but we still have no idea which actor will be playing the role.
Could it be O’Shea Jackson Jr.? An earlier report stated that his supporting role would be “a humanitarian who is working on the planet Jabiim to help those who have been hurt by the Empire’s efforts to take control of the Galaxy”.
This doesn’t neatly line up with our theory, but the description of the character’s humanitarian core definitely does.
Wait, Did Obi-Wan Mention A Brother?
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Don’t worry, we noticed the other bombshell dropped in this week’s episode too!
At one point, Obi-Wan says “I think I had a brother, but I don’t remember him” – a line which, if it comes to fruition, will fundamentally alter the Jedi’s family tree.
As pointed out over on Digital Spy, Return Of The Jedi was originally supposed to cement Owen Lars (played in this series and in the prequels by Joel Edgerton) as Bro-Ther Kenobi.
That scene was removed from the screenplay, but remained in the film’s novelisation, leading fans to endlessly debate whether or not it was canon.
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However, the prequels firmly established this wasn’t the case, with The Clone Wars going even further to retcon this.
Edgerton has already made an appearance this season, so the stage is set for the history to be retconned once again – but it seems highly likely that this secret sibling will be found elsewhere.
The question is then: does Anakin/Vader know about this? In his words, Obi-Wan’s pain has only just begun and there could be agonising revelations further down the line.
We can’t wait to find out next week.
Obi-Wan Kenobi airs weekly on Disney+.
