To say that Disney+’s Obi-Wan Kenobi is the most anticipated Star Wars content of the century would be an understatement. The desire for this series has essentially become a need in the daily lives of many a Star Wars fan, and most of us have probably skipped lunch (dinner for some) to plant ourselves across the screen to experience the live action return of Obi-Wan.
And it’s been worth every bit the wait.
Set 10 years after the tragic events of Revenge of the Sith (and about 9 years before A New Hope), Obi-Wan Kenobi re-introduces us to the once great Master Jedi, now all but a shell of his former self–and going by the name Ben. Blaming himself for the fall of the Republic and the galaxy’s descent into Imperial darkness, Ben’s guilt is rooted in what he deems as his own personal failure of Anakin, Padme and their children.
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All that lies before him is the hope of restoring light and peace through Luke. But before then, there is much more to his exile than even fans familiar with the larger Star Wars mythos would expect.
Ewan McGregor’s return to the character alone has shouldered the bulk of the anticipation for this show (after all, we have had pretty fantastic animated Obi-Wans via James Arnold Taylor in The Clone Wars, and Stephen Stanton as the older Ben Kenobi in Rebels) and McGregor totally delivers! It may have been 17 years since his last appearance as the franchise icon, and McGregor has mentioned having needed some time to find the character’s voice again, but he’s clearly hit the mark.
His chemistry with Joel Edgerton’s reprisal of Owen Lars is perfect, both their weathered father-figure roles conflicting in their view of the man Luke should become. Edgerton does for Owen here what McGregor did for Obi-Wan back in Revenge of the Sith–bridging the prequel and original versions of the character. It’s easy to believe that this fresh-faced actor, who debuted in the role back in 2002’s Attack of the Clones, is the very same uncle keeping Luke from leaving Tatooine. Where Ewan McGregor’s portrayal of Obi-Wan had already seemed to be the rare success where a recast works as well (if not better) than the original, Edgerton proves himself to be equally capable.
The two are balanced against new character Reva, the Third Sister of the Inquisitors, played by Moses Ingram. Obsessed, for reasons yet to be revealed, with Obi-Wan (but… like, who isn’t?) Reva’s reckless approach to hunting Jedi is a refreshing contrast against the stoicism of the Inquisitors whom fans have already met over Rebels, Jedi: Fallen Order, and the Marvel comics. While her portrayal does seem a little less sure-footed in the presence of more experienced actors, and veteran Star Wars players, it feels like it’ll only be a matter of time before Ingram joins the echelons of unexpected fan favourites.
Little more can be safely said of the plot, or even cast, without veering into the dreaded spoiler territory, however if there’s anything this first episode makes clear is that Obi-Wan Kenobi has got a lot more in store for us than the trailers would have had us believe.
Obi-Wan Kenobi’s first two episodes are out now on Disney+, with subsequent episodes airing every Wednesday from June 1st to 22nd. So skip work, ditch school, cancel your weekend plans (why wouldn’t you already have, though?), and seat yourself on the couch–’cause this is where the fun begins.