The next is a spoiler-filled evaluation of the primary two episodes of Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Whereas it may be slightly tiring to constantly return to the Skywalkers within the Star Wars universe, few individuals can say that they didn’t love Ewan McGregor because the titular Obi-Wan Kenobi. The Disney+ collection takes the acquainted character from the collection and throws him into an odd in-between. We all know previous Ben Kenobi and Jedi Grasp Obi-Wan Kenobi, however how did one come from the opposite? Obi-Wan Kenobi takes a have a look at the Jedi’s time on Tatooine and ten years after the autumn of the Jedi Temple. Star Wars Rebels followers will acknowledge some acquainted faces, with the collection together with the Sith Inquisitors, who search out the remaining surviving Jedi.
The collection, which appears to be only a easy story a few man ready out within the desert, watching the kid of his former padawan, is way extra adventurous than it lets on. Whereas the advertising and marketing might need you imagine that we’ll see a younger Luke, the reality of the matter is Luke is a distant character to date. We all know loads about Luke, given how comparable his upbringing is to his father. However the collection takes a pointy left and takes us to the planet of Alderaan the place we observe a precocious and playful younger Princess Leia (Vivian Lyra Blair). It’s immensely refreshing to take us off of the miserable sands of Tatooine the place we’ve frankly spent means an excessive amount of time with one Luke Skywalker, and spend some high quality time with the higher Skywalker sibling (sure, I mentioned it).
Leia’s life, as you may think, is moderately charmed on the floor. She is a princess of Alderaan, lives in a palace, is surrounded by servants, and clearly has her mother and father wrapped round her finger. However it’s shortly apparent that the truth that she isn’t an Organa by blood is considered one of her insecurities. Nonetheless, Leia managed to inherit the perfect traits of her mother and father. Sure, she’s rebellious and playful, however she’s additionally quick-witted and extremely insightful for her age. She shortly cuts individuals down with phrases who insult her and deduces Obi-Wan’s brooding in a matter of minutes.
It’s a strong reminder of simply how advanced Leia’s character is in comparison with so most of the different characters. Removed from the stereotypical rogue or chosen one, the collection gives us a have a look at the lady who would someday lead the rise up. From her kind-hearted respect for the droids to her fast pondering on her ft, it’s simple to admire the character. After all, this continues the latest custom of father figures of surrogate youngsters. Now we have Mando and Grogu, after which Omega and the Dangerous Batch, and now we’ve bought Obi-Wan and Leia.
For his half, Obi-Wan could be very a lot a damaged man at this level. Haunted and plagued with guilt over the lack of Anakin in addition to the slaughter of his fellow Jedi, a decade later and he’s butchering meat someplace on the Tatooine sands. He steals a bit to feed his steed and bargains with the comical native Jawa. However his life is aimless. He watches Luke from a distance, however Uncle Owen (Joel Edgerton) is fast to maintain him away. It’s apparent that Obi-Wan needs a connection to Luke, particularly when he offers him a toy that he barters off of a Jawa. And he’s in search of the human connection within the unsuitable place.
The collection goes a bit heavy-handed with regards to the message. The Inquisitors repeat a number of instances that Jedi hunt Jedi, saying that Jedi and their want to assist individuals usually result in them getting caught. That, and the truth that a lot of the Inquisitors are former Jedi who turned to the darkish facet. Amongst them is Third Sister aka Reva (Moses Ingram) and the Grand Inquisitor (Rupert Pal). Each are moderately comical cookie-cutter villains. The Grand Inquisitor has been liked for his ruthlessness and the depth wherein he chases down his prey, however he’s a drop within the bucket in comparison with Reva. Ingram is moderately imposing as Third Sister, however the character is working at an excessive. Clearly, we all know that solely a Sith offers in absolutes, however is it asking an excessive amount of for a little bit of nuance?
By the tip of the second episode, we’re emotionally knocked on our ft as we watch Obi-Wan be taught that Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) continues to be alive. Very like the scene in Rebels the place Ahsoka sensed Anakin’s presence in area, this sends him down a spiral. In any case of his nightmares, the nightmare continues. The Sith Lord Darth Vader is Anakin Skywalker. The episode ends with a have a look at Christensen’s Vader in a Bacta tank, a chilling lower from Obi-Wan whispering his title.
Critics and haters of the prequels would possibly discover some issues to like, however I’ve come to the latest conclusion that not as many individuals hated the prequels because it appeared. As an individual who grew up watching the prequels first, Episodes II and III stay my favourite within the collection – sure, even the sand scene. It’s not arduous to search out others who agree, because the rise of the web and social media gave marginalized and underrepresented voices a platform, the prequels noticed a renaissance. It’s thrilling not solely to revisit McGregor’s Obi-Wan, particularly at such a tortured time in his life but additionally for Christensen to get a second probability within the public eye. Equally, exploring Leia’s connection to Obi-Wan is thrilling, and you’ll start to see why she would title her solely youngster after previous Ben Kenobi.
With 4 extra episodes to go, it already looks like that’s not sufficient time. With characters we’ve but to see nonetheless ready within the wings, Obi-Wan Kenobi proves that you would be able to nonetheless revisit the Skywalker saga however that story should provide a brand new perspective from the one earlier than, and the collection has completed that.
Grade: A-
