Obi-Wan Kenobi episode 3 brought back a surprise Star Wars character – though not in person. During the episode, Kenobi is taken into protection on The Path, and the former Master name-drops Quinlan Vos, a Jedi recognizable to those who watched the Clone Wars.
Yet, Quinlan Vos' Star Wars history runs deeper than an appearance in the animated series. In fact, if you've seen the main movies, then you will have seen Quinlan before – though very briefly. Here's what you need to know about the enigmatic Jedi.
Who is Quinlan Vos in Star Wars?
Quinlan Vos is a Jedi Master with powers of retrocognition: when he touches an object, he can sense memories, which is an ability also seen in the Jedi: Fallen Order video game. He trained Aayla Secura, the blue Twi'lek Jedi seen in the live-action prequel movies.
Vos also has a history with Obi-Wan Kenobi. Both Jedi once pursued the bounty hunter Cad Bane together, though they didn't manage to capture him – as shown in The Clone Wars season 3 episode 9, 'Hunt for Ziro.'
In the canon novel Dark Disciple, we learn that Vos later fell to the dark side while trying to discover the identity of Count Dooku's Master, Darth Sidious (AKA Emperor Palpatine). He became Dooku's apprentice, known as Admiral Enigma, but later redeemed himself through his love for Asajj Ventress. In the aftermath, Obi-Wan advocated for Vos to join the Jedi Council, and Quinlan was accepted back.
The character also appears in the live-action prequels. He can be seen briefly on Tatooine in The Phantom Menace in the background of a scene featuring a young Anakin Skywalker, Jar Jar Binks, and Qui-Gon Jinn, and is also name-dropped in Revenge of the Sith when Obi-Wan mentions a "Master Vos" moving his troops.
Is Quinlan Vos alive?
In the aftermath of Order 66, we never found out for sure if Vos survived the purge or not. Obi-Wan episode 3, though, reveals that Quinlan has been smuggling younglings to safety. Indira Varma's character Tala says he "helps," too, so we can assume the Jedi is very much still alive.
Vos has inscribed a message onto the walls of the safehouse: "Only when the eyes are closed can you truly see." When Leia asks "see what?" Obi-Wan responds with "the Way," presumably meaning the Jedi way. It seems Quinlan still has some wisdom to pass on, then.
Time will tell if we'll see Vos again anytime soon, but for now, it'scertain that he's still out there helping what's left of the Jedi Order.
For more on Obi-Wan Kenobi, check out our interviews with Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen on their favorite memories filming the show and how their characters' relationship has changed, as well as Christensen on why he didn't speak to George Lucas before returning as Darth Vader and Moses Ingram on playing the galaxy's newest villain, Reva.
For everything else coming soon from the galaxy far, far away, see our guide to all the upcoming Star Wars movies and TV shows – and catch up on The Clone Wars with our guide on how to watch The Clone Wars in order. Be sure not to miss the next episode of Obi on Disney Plus with our Obi-Wan Kenobi release schedule.
