While Rey’s parents have been debated in Star Wars, one theory I’m not prescribing to is Rey is related to Obi-Wan Kenobi. Let’s take a look at the reasons.
Ok, I know there’s a bunch of Star Wars fans who believe Rey is a descendant of Obi Wan Kenobi, and I’ll be the first to admit that the theory is pretty rad.
It’s not too obvious, and there are a few subtle hints along the way to validate the idea. Obi Wan’s voice is the last we hear in her first Force vision, “You’ve taken your first steps.”
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While Rey’s parents have been debated, one I’m not prescribing to is that Rey is related to Obi-Wan Kenobi. Let’s take a look at the reasons.
Both Kenobi and Rey have similar costumes, and Rey’s acquisition of the lightsaber is similar to Obi Wan’s presentation of that same weapon to Luke. I do think, however that the accents that both characters own are in no way an indication of relation — that’s a bit of a stretch.
One of the grander ideas in this theory is that Rey is the Chosen One of prophecy, and that she will ultimately bring balance to the Force. The whole saga will actually be the story of the Kenobis, not the Skywalkers.
It’s definitely an interesting idea, but I think therein also presents the hole in the theory. If Rey is the Chosen One, how can she be anyone’s child? The prophecy said that the Chosen One would be a child of the Force, conceived by the midichlorians.
Not to mention that from an editorial standpoint, such a revelation would soak up a considerable amount of screen time.
Think of the most iconic revelation “No, I am your father.” Bang, that’s it. Two seconds of dialogue and minds are blown.
How do we even try to capture that same feel with Rey and a relationship to a long dead Jedi Master? Does the Force ghost of Obi Wan appear to her and say “Hey, by the way, I’m your grandfather.”?
It seems to me that it’s a cool idea that would simply take too much time to tell in a movie that already has so much to wrap up. One character’s lineage, even the main character, isn’t worth a deviation of that sort from the overall plot of Resistance vs. First Order and Jedi vs. Sith.
Beyond that, what purpose does it even serve to have Rey connected to Kenobi? It was a powerful moment for Luke because the evil Sith Lord he was fighting was his father. To have such a revelation for Rey would be cool, but ultimately serve as just a curiosity in the minds of the large portion of Star Wars fans who haven’t watched the Clone Wars and don’t know about Duchess Satine.
It is thus my belief that Rey’s parentage should remain as established. She is a somebody who came from nobodies. She isn’t a Kenobi.
Or is she?
Star Wars: Episode IX premieres December 20.