Summary
Star Wars: The Clone Warshas some of thebest lightsaber duels in all ofStar Wars, and one of those sawObi-Wan Kenobiusing a red lightsaber in one of his darkest moments. WhileThe Clone Warsis technically a children’s show, there’s no doubt that there are many themes and story arcs that could be considered a bit dark. Many of these instances revolve around the return of Darth Maul inThe Clone Warsseason 3.
Darth Maul was thought dead after Obi-Wan Kenobi cut him in half inStar Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, but was later revealed to have survived. Maul became a central figure inThe Clone Warsand one of the Jedi’s most formidable foes. Everything Maul did was in the name of revenge against Kenobi; he felt robbed of over a decade of his life because he was essentially thrown away with the trash. Because of this, the two clashed a few times inThe Clone Wars, and one of these instances saw Obi-Wan pick up a red lightsaber.
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Obi-Wan Kenobi Used One of Asajj Ventress’ Lightsabers
But Only For A Short While
InThe Clone Warsseason 4, episode 22 “Revenge,” Obi-Wan Kenobi is lured to Darth Maul in order to save innocent lives. Kenobi knows it’s a trap, but is no match for Maul and his brother, Savage Opress, and is taken prisoner aboard the brother’s ship.Asajj Ventress, initially seeking revenge against Savage, teams up with and rescues Obi-Wan. At the beginning of their duel, Ventress lends one of her red lightsabers to Kenobi, leading to a two-on-two clash of red lightsabers.
The fight is epic, with Kenobi facing off against Maul and Ventress against Savage.Kenobi eventually returns Ventress’ lightsaber in favor of using his own blue one, but no matter what, the unlikely team knows they are outmatched and plots a quick escape,leading to them detaching the cockpit from the rest of the ship. This moment is even more amazing when considering that “Revenge” wasThe Clone Warsseason 4 finale, meaning audiences were left with this amazing duel on their minds while they anxiously awaited season 5.
Asajj Ventress
Hailing from the Nightsisters of Dathomir, Asajj Ventress became Count Dooku’s apprentice during the Clone Wars. Betrayed by her master, she sought revenge - even forming a surprising alliance with Jedi Master Quinlan Vos at one point. Asajj has reinvented herself as a bounty hunter, and survived into the Dark Times of the Empire’s reign.
It’s Fitting That Kenobi Used a Red Lightsaber While Dueling Maul
He Was Always Unbalanced Against Him
While some may argue thatObi-Wan Kenobi’s greatest enemy inStar Warsis his former apprentice, Darth Vader, it should be argued that Vader was Kenobi’s biggest failure while Maul was his greatest adversary.Kenobi and Maul dueled 6 times across multipleStar Warsprojects, so it only seems fitting that the one time Obi-Wan used a red lightsaber, he was dueling Maul. Maul always represented Obi-Wan’s failure in saving Qui-Gon Jinn inThe Phantom Menace. Additionally, Maul can get under Obi-Wan’s skin and find the things that will bring out the worst in him or utterly crush him.
He leaned into his anger and frustration about losing Qui-Gon inThe Phantom Menace, and multiple times inThe Clone Wars,audiences can see how capturing or killing Maul is a personal vendetta Kenobi wants to take care of.
In fact, it can be argued that when facing off against Maul, Obi-Wan is unbalanced. He leaned into his anger and frustration about losing Qui-Gon inThe Phantom Menace, and multiple times inThe Clone Wars,audiences can see how capturing or killing Maul is a personal vendetta Kenobi wants to take care of.Maul would go on to kill Kenobi’s love Satine Kryze inThe Clone Warsseason 5and would wreak havoc on the Mandalorians for years, further adding fuel to Obi-Wan’s hatred of the former Sith apprentice.
Darth Maul would eventually be killed by Obi-Wan Kenobi on Tatooine inStar Wars Rebelsseason 3.
Darth Maul
Palpatine’s apprentice, Darth Maul was nothing more than a tool to winnow down the ranks of the Jedi ahead of Darth Sidious' true plans. Discarded after he was defeated by Obi-Wan Kenobi on Naboo, Darth Maul swore revenge against all those he blamed for his past struggles - Jedi and Sith alike. Maul tended to operate within the shadows, running various syndicates, and even established himself as a true rival for Palpatine on at least one occasion. He was eventually killed by Obi-Wan in a duel on Tatooine.
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Kenobi Using a Red Lightsaber Pairs With One of His Cruelest Victories
He Left Maul and Savage To Die
The duel seen in “Revenge” is significant, not only because it’s the only time Obi-Wan Kenobi has used a red lightsaber in canon, but also because it is combined with one of his most vicious and un-Jedi-like victories. When Ventress and Obi-Wan were trying to escape, Maul and Savage used their lightsabers to try and enter the cockpit of the ship, making a hole in it. However, when the cockpit detached,Maul and Savage were trapped in the cargo hold of their ship with only a shield to protect them from the cold vacuum of space.
Upon their victory, Ventress and Kenobi left Savage and Maul to freeze to death with no chance of saving themselves. It’s only by a miracle that theMandalorian Death Watchhappened upon them and saved them. However,Kenobi couldn’t have known they would be rescued, and leaving them to a slow and inhumane death is truly terrible and goes against what the Jedi teach. This wouldn’t be the last time Maul and Kenobi met inThe Clone Wars, but it was certainly the closest audiences saw Kenobi come to darkness.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Cast
Star Wars: The Clone Wars is an animated series that explores the intense conflict between the Republic and the Separatists. Featuring a mix of loyalty shifts and alliances, it delves into complex mysteries of the Force and showcases pivotal moments for characters like Anakin Skywalker and Master Yoda.
