Obi-Wan Kenobi has truly taken steps into a larger world; closure. It has been quite the treat for me to experience the next chapter in the journey of the Jedi that would one day lead Luke Skywalker to greatness. This series is a sigh of relief since Ewan McGregor’s performance in the prequels has been widely lauded and we have waited for more adventures before a New Hope. I am grateful for voice actor James Arnold Taylor and the amazing artists who brought Kenobi to life in Star Wars: The Clone Wars. I am also very thankful for John Jackson Miller for lending his voice to the Jedi Master in the written word when he penned Kenobi in 2013. But to finally see Kenobi as a mini-series and/or multi-year show is a happy landing for Star Wars fans.
Ewan McGregor slips into this role once again with such ease. When we first see Kenobi, he is a man lost and alone. He is just struggling to get by to avoid the ruthless empire. He fails to help another Jedi survivor. The Force works in mysterious ways as Inquisitors arrive on Tatooine hunting a Jedi. Uncle Owen wants Kenobi to keep his distance. However, he must be forced to leave Tatooine to save another life. Jedi Sympathizer Bail Organa pleads with Obi-Wan to save Leia Organa. Kenobi goes on a journey of self-discovery. He learns to connect with the force once more.
Leia teaches Obi-Wan to be courageous. I noticed how at times Obi-Wan is trying to keep up.
He learns to find his courage and let go. He sees that people like Tala (Indira Varma) and Kawlan (O Shea Jackson Jr) are willing to fight for others when Kenobi has lost that spark. He sees the beauty of his long-lost dear friend Satine and Padmé in Leia. He can confront his padawan and find painfully necessary closure. I was overjoyed to see Liam Neeson return as Qui-Gon-Jinn. That moment is so earned, and I have a good feeling the next few years will further Kenobi’s growth as a Jedi Master.
Hayden Christensen has been on the praise and glory train for the last three years. I like to think that his appearance at the 2019 Star Wars Celebration and several conventions have shown there is still love for Hayden for his role in the Star Wars universe. I fully enjoyed his time on the prequels and he has always been underrated. I am glad Hayden was able to see the love at Star Wars Celebration this year.
Darth Vader’s main mission has been to seek revenge against the one that wronged him. He was able to fulfill that mission by almost burning his master alive. He was able to command respect. But he was bested on Kenobi in this episode. I was very surprised when Anakin admitted to Obi-Wan that he did not kill Anakin. He did. That was gut-wrenching. He was able to admit that Anakin was the cause of his downfall. A wise choice since Vader nearly died. The fight is a painful foreshadowing of his fight with Ashoka down the line in Star Wars: Rebels Season 2. He soon admits to a DARTH SIDIOUS that he finally knows where his loyalties lie.
Vivien Lyra Blair is too precious for this world. Carrie Fisher would be so proud. I have no doubt Billie Lourd is too. She perfectly encapsulates the young Princess and one of the saving graces of the Rebellion. She is full of wonder, grace, and power. I like to think she was a Padawan to Obi-Wan this entire series. She is headstrong, caring, driven, fearless, and stubborn. She helps Kenobi find his courage. The force is strong with this one. Someone just pointed out that Leia named her son Ben. I wonder why she chose that name. I sense great things in her future. Also, Jimmy Smits is always a win. He was in prequel films, spin-offs, and video games. Organa is the gold standard of a human being in the Star Wars universe. Please go watch In the Heights.
Cue waterworks.
Moses Ingram is amazing. I like to think her character is a love letter to Jedi Fallen Order. She was a youngling in the Jedi Temple. She witnessed the horrors of Order 66. She nearly died at the hands of Darth Vader. She was trained under the man who ruined her life to become an agent of evil. She ruled with an iron fist. She almost made Uncle Owen shake in fear (ALMOST) She cleverly found a way to draw out Kenobi from hiding. She almost broke Star Wars history by nearly killing her master, The Grand Inquisitor. She goes on a journey of rebirth driven to destroy Vader. But in doing so, she is reminded of how much she lost. Kenobi knows she will lose if she continues down the path of the dark side. Obi-Wan convinces her to not be what they made her. She makes the crucial choice to give Kenobi a fighting chance against Vader. She stands up to Vader and nearly dies. She saves Luke Skywalker’s life from a certain point of view. I am curious to see where her path goes. Ingram delivers a stellar performance akin to Adam Driver in Episode IX and Elizabeth Grullon in Jedi Fallen Order. Ingram knocks it out of the park and I hope we see more of more.
Sorry haters. There will always be a place for her in the galaxy far far away. Anyone is worthy.
Its been interesting to hear reactions to this show. I honestly enjoyed this show and seeing Liam Neeson brought joy. The reunion with Leia and her adoptive parents was bittersweet. I got a little choked up as the Master and “apprentice” bid farewell. It was a story worth telling and further enriches the mythology. I love seeing a man become whole once more. Old sins may cast long shadows but learning to let go allows you to be open to the greatest change.
The flashbacks were just perfect in every way. Sung Kang, Rupert Friend, Kumail Nanjiani, Indira Varma, and O Shea Jackson Jr earned their newcomer stripes. Owen and Beru stole each scene. BERU NEEDS MORE SCREEN TIME. I was shaking with excitement to see Beru briefly go toe to toe with Reva.
I hope there is room for more. I consider these six episodes a happy landing indeed.
Mack's Musings 
my 50th article
did not see that coming
AMEN AMEN HUZZAH SHAZAM
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