Neither of my top 2 favorite characters in Disney+ Obi-Wan Kenobi series are Obi-Wan himself. I’ll return to this in a moment. This post will include some general (not plot) spoilers.
We finished the 6-episode series last week, and I really enjoyed it. If you’re not aware, OWK follows the titular character while Luke is young and before Ewan McGregor turns into Alec Guinness. It features Hayden Christensen as Anakin in flashbacks and Darth Vader in the present. Huge props to both of those actors for returning (and for 91-year-old James Earl Jones for continuing voiceover work–what a treasure!)
I really like the depictions of both Obi-Wan and Darth Vader in this show. Obi-Wan has checked out of the galaxy-wide battle, but his demeanor and character arc are compelling to watch and root for–this is exactly what I wanted from Luke in episode 8. And Darth Vader is terrifying, as he should be. I don’t want to spoil any particular moments, but he steals the show at times.
Yet those two aren’t even my favorite characters, because young Leia (Vivien Lyra Blair) and Reva Sevander (Moses Ingram) are even more entertaining and compelling. Blair is rebellious, sassy, and adorable, and Sevander shows that Star Wars is at its best when underdogs take the lead. I really, really love her character–who she is, who she was, and her entire arc.
All of that said…I hope this is the only Obi-Wan series. It bridges a gap we didn’t need to bridge, and it’s a small miracle it works so well. Another bridge isn’t needed. As much as I’d love to watch Sevander do her thing, I also don’t need yet another spinoff. I want a non-Skywalker saga series or movie. Maybe it won’t even work–maybe it’ll help me realize that Star Wars doesn’t work if it doesn’t rotate around the Skywalkers. But at least I’ll know. I’m pretty sure that Taika Waititi will test these waters with his movie.
What did you think about the Obi-Wan show? Who was your favorite character?
I heard that James Earl Jones actually didn’t voice the show. They used previous dialog and AI to voice him.
Interesting. He’s credited in the show’s credits.
It was a really well done show! The Star Wars Disney + offerings have all been top notch! I liked seeing the history of Reva be slowly revealed, and Little Leia was phenomenal (also Obi-Wan was there haha).