Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi
Obi-Wan Kenobi is an American television miniseries created for the streaming service Disney+. It is part of the Star Wars franchise and stars Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan Kenobi, reprising his role from the Star Wars prequel trilogy. Set ten years after the events of Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005), the series follows Kenobi as he sets out to rescue the kidnapped Princess Leia (Vivien Lyra Blair) from the Galactic Empire, leading to a confrontation with his former apprentice, Darth Vader (Hayden Christensen).
This show bridges the gap between the prequels and the original films. Before this series there was like a 50 year gap. The series provides clarity and further context behind Anakin and Obi-Wan’s relationship before the first film.
The series works well in its opening episodes when presenting itself as a character study, reintroducing us to a world-weary Kenobi, settled into the hermit life we saw when we first met him in 1977. It’s a role Ewan McGregor seamlessly slips back into, wearing the emotional heart of the show on his chest. It’s also in these early episodes we get the most time with Vivien Lyra Blair’s endearing portrayal of a young Leia, who brings all the confidence (bordering on precociousness) you’d hope for.
Initially overwhelmed and weakened by his lack of using the force in the beginning of the series, Obi-Wan shows great character development and growth as he encounters stronger enemies and Vader multiple times throughout the show.
Throughout the show, Obi-Wan shows such strong remorse for having “failed” Anakin as Anakin’s animosity for him only grows and increases his strength.
Spoilers to follow.
In the final confrontation as Obi-Wan severely injures Anakin, the audience actually sees his face inside the mask which really adds humanity to Vader as a character, something fans have not really been exposed to until this show. Finally, hearing his real voice alongside the modulated voice as Darth Vader says, “I am not your failure, Obi-Wan. You did not kill Anakin Skywalker. I did.” That line was especially impactful.
Vader’s face and voice were jarring; Obi-Wan did actually smile when he saw Anakins face as it brought him hope, and drove home that the man he loved was still alive. Then Vader pulled the rug out from under him. So Obi-Wan still struggling with that spared Vader and fled the scene. It also would be unJedilike to kill a severely injured man who can’t fight back. Even dark side territory. It wouldn’t be in his character to kill Vader in this state even if it wasn’t his dearest friend.
In the end, the series finally provides the closure needed to understand the growth of their relationship throughout the franchise and how the two go from being very close companions to enemies.
