This post contains SPOILERS for Episode 4 of Obi-Wan Kenobi. Like, in the paragraph right below this one. You’ve been warned.
“I am your father” may be the greatest twist in all of Star Wars history, but Obi-Wan Kenobi “Part IV” ending with the “L0-LA is actually the tracker” reveal is now a top contender for me when it comes to most mind-blowing “gotchas” in a galaxy far, far away. Mostly because I thought I knew how everything was going to end. And I was so unbelievably mistaken.
When Reva told Vader she had tracked the speeder off-world, I wasn’t convinced.
“No you didn’t, you’re lying!” I said this out loud. Yelled it, even. I’m not a “yell at the TV” kind of person. But I was so unapologetically convinced Reva couldn’t have possibly put a tracker on the ship like she said. She was lying to Vader, I assumed, and would find a way to track them later so he’d never know the difference.
I should have seen it then — how Vader didn’t hesitate, didn’t even for a second know Reva was lying. As he certainly would have done, being Darth Vader and all. He didn’t hesitate, it turns out, because technically Reva wasn’t lying. She did in fact track Leia and, by default, Obi-Wan and Tala. She just used the droid. And I missed it, because I was too focused on what Reva was saying in the interrogation room to notice.
Which was absolutely the point. And the reason I can’t be upset by this twist in the slightest. I was fooled because we were all meant to be fooled. I see you, Deborah Chow & Co. I see you.
This is why I keep my expectations so low for new Star Wars. It’s not because I don’t think it will be good. It isn’t because I expect to be disappointed. It’s because going into a show not caring about what happens during it almost guarantees that you will enjoy it. You’re not expecting something specific, so there’s no way you’ll be disappointed.
Star Wars has always excelled with its twists. It’s like Chow and her team are honoring what’s come before with their storytelling or something. Go figure.
Some of the greatest moments in all of Star Wars are the twists you thought you’d figured out that immediately proved you wrong. Being wrong is kind of awesome, really.
Obi-Wan Kenobi stars Ewan McGregor with appearances by Hayden Christensen and Kumail Nanjiani and is directed by Deborah Chow, who previously directed an episode of The Mandalorian. The series is streaming now exclusively on Disney+.
Follow Dork Side of the Force for all your Star Wars news, reviews, and more!