‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ Recap: ‘Part I’ & ‘Part II’

5/28/2022

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the series premiere of ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’.

Often times, failure in storytelling is presented in quite the positive light. For the many bold protagonists that suffer through it, use it as fuel for their finest hour. For they know what is at stake and they know that everyone is depending upon them. So, it is best they see failure as nothing more than a minor setback and rise to the occasion and save the day and of course, inspire the audience in the process. Because that kind of act is designed to teach us that failure is easy to overcome if we choose to view it in the same manner that our hero does. But while that is a supremely positive manner in which to view failure, it does unfortunately… do the audience and the story a bit of a disservice.

Because failure is something… that human beings hold in high regard. For our society values success over anything else… to the point where failure is not an option or a mark of shame when it does occur and sometimes, taking part in it… utterly shatters us. For it can devastate our world and our minds and leave us in a dark and fearful place where recovery and a return to form takes time, and that is why stories that feature this more realistic and dynamic aspect to failure should be celebrated more often. Since they serve to remind us that overcoming failure is sometimes more than a glib remark or a choice involving a stoic look out of a window, it takes work and effort and resolution deep within our souls and that is precisely why… the new Disney+ series, Obi-Wan Kenobi is of note.

For this is a story, set ten years after the fall of the Republic, that explores what failure can really do to a hero’s mind and soul… and what it would actually take for them to redeem themselves and that makes for a pair of utterly brilliant episodes. For ‘Part I’ and ‘Part II’ waste little time in re-introducing us to the once proud Jedi Master known as Obi-Wan Kenobi, who is in quite the dark and broken place when we catch up with him, here. Sure, he’s alive and able to watch over a young and rambunctious Luke Skywalker from afar, but outside of that… he’s a shell of his former self. He’s terrified to do good deeds, he’s severed his connection to the Force, and he’s living an existence devoid of purpose. Instead, his life is now filled with misery, and this… is an incredible way to start off this story.

Because this mindset and this way of life, are the result of a man that has been immersed in incredible failure. For his best efforts to save the galaxy were all for naught and now evil rules the day and he simply cannot reconcile that the once invincible Jedi Order could not detect and stop evil’s rise and that his best friend and brother betrayed him, and that leads to some powerful moments. The kind that drops our jaws with what comes out of Kenobi’s mouth, courtesy of the fear that resides within and for a time, it appeared as though there would be no redemption for Obi-Wan, just more misery and sorrow and a past that he cannot escape. But of course, we know how his story ends and that he finds a way to indeed redeem himself through unique actions and the genesis of that is present here as well.

For a surprise kidnapping of one Princess Leia Organa, one orchestrated by the Inquisitors no less, brings Master Kenobi out of pseudo retirement to take part in a noble act and even then… he has to earn the right to save a princess and he is going to have to work hard to earn his standing as a hero again. Which means that this six-part series is going to be a powerful character study. One grounded in the power and importance of self-forgiveness and a grand exploration of understanding what failure really looks like and how sometimes, it happens to us regardless of our best efforts and where we stand morally. Alongside an exploration on how we square that and move on from it and face it. Which will make this one of the most intimate and cerebral and adult-themed Star Wars stories to ever exist. Something that this franchise is sorely in need of.

But above all else, it’s also going to be one hell of a ride. One filled with action and adventure, incredible cameos and moments of wonderful levity as well. Not to mention, it is also going to be filled with stunning performances, especially from Ewan McGregor. Since he is simply electric here and turns in some of his finest work as an actor, courtesy of his portrayal of a broken man that is desperate for redemption, and he’s just getting started… and he’s not the only one that is able to provide us with mere emotion through a stare. Since a singular moment featuring Hayden Christensen allows for him to shine as well like never before as an actor and well… in the end… all of these elements make it safe to say, that we will all be eagerly counting down the minutes until next week’s episode, so we can see what wonders await us in the next chapter in this bold and dynamic quest for redemption. Until next time.

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‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ Recap: ‘Part I’ & ‘Part II’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

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