“Let the past die. Kill it if you have to.” Who knew that Kylo Ren’s words would prove to be so prophetic of the Star Wars franchise? While the Skywalker Saga was meant to end with The Rise of Skywalker, here we are again with Disney+’s Obi-Wan Kenobi, a series where Obi-Wan needs to save—yip, that’s right—a Skywalker.
Why Obi-Wan Kenobi sounded interesting
When it was revealed that Obi-Wan Kenobi would follow the events of Revenge of the Sith and bring back Ewan McGregor as the beloved Jedi, there was a cause for celebration. Not much was known about that period or what Obi-Wan did as Luke and Leia grew up, but it sounded like the ideal opportunity for a Disney+. Like The Mandalorian, it could have been a tangential story from the main Star Wars Universe yet with still enough close ties to delight long-time fans.
Then came the news that Hayden Christensen‘s Darth Vader would play a role here as well. There was a momentary disturbance in the force as it felt like Star Wars was defaulting back to its tried-and-tested characters instead of expanding its universe with new and formidable threats. That said, it was understandable considering Obi-Wan and Vader’s history, and there had to come a moment where the Jedi realised that his former protégé was still alive, so it made sense to include it in this story. However, what the show didn’t need was the addition of Leia. We’ll give Luke a pass for now since he only appeared in the background of an episode.
The Skywalker shenanigans
What was the purpose of including Leia in Disney+’s Obi-Wan Kenobi? Fan service, that’s it. Think about the first two episodes of the show and how there was not a single element of danger when Leia was kidnapped. Why? Because everyone knows what happens to her in the future since she’s a pivotal character in the later storylines.
On the contrary, look at a character like Grogu in The Mandalorian. He was a new creation for the show and no one knows what will happen to him down the line. Whenever a threat rears its head around Baby Yoda, fans genuinely fear for his life since it’s unclear what his future is in this universe. Now, compare this back to Leia: See how this doesn’t have the same impact?
More importantly, isn’t it time that Star Wars gives the Skywalkers a break for now? They will always be an integral part of the universe, but it isn’t essential to have them make cameos or be main characters in every Star Wars-related show or film.
Star Wars struggles to move forward
Regardless of what anyone thought of The Last Jedi, it taught us one thing: A good portion of the fanbase doesn’t want a Star Wars story that deviates from the expected formula. Considering that Lucasfilm and Disney are customer-facing companies, they listened and understood that the fans want a certain kind of familiarity in this universe and there’s no real room for experimentation. The Mandalorian has shown how it is possible to keep the essence of what makes Star Wars what it is and to create new stories and characters. Sure, it fell into the fan-service trap with the Luke cameo in Season 2, but it has mostly paved its own course with odd occasional tie-in into the main universe.
Obi-Wan Kenobi has taken a giant step backwards, unfortunately. Instead of focusing on Obi-Wan’s character and letting the audience find out more about him, it has turned this into the Skywalker show again, co-starring the Jedi Master. Star Wars desperately needs some evolution in its storytelling model and to move past its most memorable family, but this isn’t it.
I’m one of many huge Obi.. ah Ben Kenobi fans out there. I waited so long for Ewan to return… And we get Leia.. I don’t mind her being in the story but it’s centering on her? He was sent to watch Luke. I enjoy the show but I don’t love it by any means. Mandalorian IS everything that makes star wars so wonderful.
If you don’t enjoy this series then you are not a true Star Wars fan! Or just a fan of the modern movies!
This series ties everything together from the 3rd movie till the 4th. When Star Wars first came out in 77, the audience learned very quickly there was a deep dark history for many of the main characters, but we were left to speculate that history. Now 40 plus years later we get to see what happen that lead to the “New Hope”. For those of you struggling with Obi’s character in this series remember his been out of the Jedi game for 10 years, hiding his abilities so no one can find him. If you go to the gym and workout everyday for 20 years and then stop for 10 years and decide to get back into it. You will not be as strong or as in tune as you once were. Same situation here! I think it’s great series and I hope they plan to make more!
You are the reason the fandom is so toxic! It is thinking like this that creates all the problems. Just enjoy something without picking it apart for a change.
Incels writing for incels, love it.
It’s always been about the Skywalkers! Duh… its Star Wars.
I love this. This writer is not a fan of star wars
I actually love The Obi-Wan Kenobi Disney+ Series so far. How ever I’m not a big fan of Reva The Third Sister or ten year old Princess Leia. I think with Reva Disney has fallen into The Diversity for the diversity trap You need to have more poc’s in movies and television now. Especially of they’re female. Reva just reeks of all The Left’s talking points based on her interactions with The Grand Inquisitor and other Inquisitors. I get that there’s supposed to be rivalry between them But I honestly think Her Rivalry with The Grand Inquisitor was to showcase Racism and Toxic Masculity. I do however believe that the good outweighs the bad I got chills when Reva monologued to Obi-Wan was still alive and was reborn as Darth Vader and how his old Padawan wanted revenge against and was hunting ObiWan for ten years Seeing ObiWan immediately break out into a cold sweat with the Revelation than immediately cutting away to Vader sleeping in his Bacta Tank and he dramatically opens his eyes. I seriously got chills and than you have their fight in the next episode and Vader tries to burn ObiWan to death WOW!!!!!!!!!!! I CAN’T WAIT FOR EPISODE IV
Dude get over yourself, just have fun. It is just like Rouge One. Everyone knew they wouldn’t survive yet everyone enjoyed the movie so why is this any different.
The only problem with this show is Obi Wan and Vader. Disney turned Obi Wan into a sniveling coward driven by fear and anxiety. Traits that are specifically opposite a Jedi. They also turned Vader into a psychopathic thug as they show him randomly snapping the necks of homeless people. Vader was evil and ambitious but not an a$$hole for a$$holes sake. He’s just a boogie man now.
Little Leia is fine. Sure she’s annoying, but what 10 year isn’t sometimes… If I had any other complaint it would be that Disney made all the bad guys minorities. Thst says more about Disney than anything else. Masked as inclusion, it’s really just another form of rascim,, as there can’t be any black or Asian good guys.
Did Lando and Finn not exist? Did the asian leads in rogue one not exist? This is the first instance I remember of a bad guy black character lol. Also vader is literally consumed by the dark side and his main goal is to kill Obi-Wan, not like he is going to show mercy to anyone potentially in his way. Obi-wan is 10 years removed from being a jedi and hasn’t practiced and is shocked that anakin is alive. Why would he act the same as he did 10 years earlier.
So you maintain a man that turned so bad he murdered the younglings isn’t really that bad. And a Jedi betrayed by the end the ones he worked closest with, would not be little hesitant to trust again.
Disagree, I think we should critique and express opinions. I think he’s right in this blog. This show so far is meh…there’s a couple good things here and there, but casting and characters and story fall short. Leia is as obnoxious as little anakin, they write her character so blah, and I don’t care for that story line. Reva is such a blah character…reeks of feminist/progressive agenda to check the Disney quota box (when will we find out she’s gay or non binary?) I hope episode 3 on get better.
No offense but this is a horrible take. Just my opinion against yours but I think most people agree with me.
Makes leah ‘s appeal to kenobi in a new hope a redundant spiel. They’ll have to replace the message implanted in R2 with “yo, Ben, it’s leah. I’ve been arrested. And they won’t even give me a phone call. Call Saul. Or better yet, come bust me out of this joint. Oh yeah and Bring some smokes”
Or it could explain how she knows about the old Jedi order and Obi-Wan specifically since order 66 was suppose to wipe them out which it pretty.much did. She didn’t have enough droids to send them to every planet.
What a joke of an article.
Enough said.
100% agreed
“Tell us, did you enjoy the first two episodes of Disney+’s Obi-Wan Kenobi?”
No, the show isn’t that good. I don’t understand why Leia is in this show at all, unless it is targeted at kids. In a couple of instances, Obi-Wan could have used the “mind trick” to avoid physical confrontations, yet he didn’t. It seemed like the writers decided they needs some action instead. Putting either Leia or Obi-Wan in danger can work if it is used for character development, but I didn’t see any of that.
This is just a horrible waste of intellectual property.
Obi Wan is having trouble interfacing with the force because he’s damaged. Like the shatterpoints in the old eu. This is shown when he tries to do a mind trick on the stormtrooper on the truck in episode three. They are doing it subtle because he’s the only force user around and he doesn’t want to come to terms with his pain yet. That was the whole point of him struggling to save a falling Leia. Both you and the article author are dumber than a box of rocks if you think the only way this story has any meaning is if you feel Obi wan or leia is in danger, it’s about the journey and not the destination in this case, as in most cases. Also those of you who can’t see what leia adds to Obi Wans story are just whiners. I was pleasantly surprised by your addition and think it has brought depth to both the prequels and the OT.
This article is trash, I mean you’re really upset that Obi Wan’s story would still involve Skywalkers? Did you just want two hours of a broken soldier living in a cave having zero purpose in life or did you want to see him fulfilling the commitment he made to Yoda?
You do know most of us “fans” continues to read books and comics and love seeing aspects of that lore come alive. I can’t believe someone paid you to write this trash.
So you start a show called “Obi Wan Kenobi”, a character known for being stranded in a desert almost until dying, looking for a Skywalker child until he reach the adulthood… And you complain about a Skywalker appearing in the show? You get what you were looking for man. Be grateful it is not a whole session of cutting fish, grieving, and arguing uncle grumps.
I hate Princess Leia in this show, but because she’s annoying and pointless…but the author’s reasoning is that nerd stupidity I hear sometimes. Saying she’s no good because you know what happened to her therefore no suspense. Uh, watch Better Call Saul to see why that’s wrong. You’re scared for Grogu, like you really think there’s a chance some stormtrooper blows his little head off in some episode? Are you scared watching Die Hard because you think Bruce Willis will take a random bullet to the forehead midway? Such a dumb argument, we know more or less how these things are gonna go.
Now we know why she knew to ask him for help. It’s fine as long as they move on.
Totally disagree. I think this and Mandalorian are everything RIGHT with SW. They feel like SW. The “danger” thing is relevant everywhere. When you watch Doctor Who, every time he’s in danger you know he’s not going to die. You knew Jack Bauer in 24 was never going to die. You almost always know that the main characters of a show are not going to die with only a few notable exceptions (which are great to shake it up). This actually captured my imagination, my attention, and my interest.
The logic behind this article is dumb.
You don’t watch Obi-Wan thinking I hope he survives. You watch it because you want to see part of his story. That’s it.
Of course it’s fan service. The fans pay the bills. I’m not the CEO of a major corporation, but even I know that you appease the people that put money in your pocket while attempting to get more people to give you money at the same time.
They bought a franchise with built in fans. Common sense.
You guys should hire me, I’ll write articles for you that actually make sense.