Why the final episode of Obi-Wan Kenobi needs Aunt Beru

Warning: This article contains spoilers from episodes 1-5 of Obi-Wan Kenobi. 

When the cast for Obi-Wan Kenobi was officially announced in March of 2021, it was confirmed that four cast members from the prequel trilogy would be returning. This included Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan Kenobi, Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker and Darth Vader, Joel Edgerton as Owen Lars, and Bonnie Piesse as Beru Whitesun Lars.

Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen have obviously gotten a lot to do so far in this series. Joel Edgerton helped flesh out Owen a lot more in the first episode, both in his scenes with Obi-Wan and Reva.

Bonnie Piesse, on the other hand, has not gotten much to do as Beru. Her only appearance so far is being seen in the distance for a brief moment when Obi-Wan watches young Luke from afar during the first episode.

Given the importance of Beru and how the previous episode ended, now is the perfect time for Beru to shine.

The end of the fifth episode showed Reva finding the message that Bail Organa sent to Obi-Wan. Bail said if “he” (referring to Darth Vader) had learned of the children, Bail would head to Tatooine to help Owen with the boy. This discovery and the ominous final shot of Luke make it clear that Reva will head to Tatooine and that the life of young Luke is at risk.

Since Obi-Wan is not on Tatooine and has his hands full with trying to get Leia home, helping the people of the Path, and being pursued by Darth Vader, he probably will not be able to protect Luke from Reva on Tatooine.

It will be up to Owen and Beru to protect their nephew. The first episode already showed some of the bravery and sacrifices that Owen makes for his nephew, even standing his ground when threatened with Reva and her red lightsaber.

Beru is just as important as Owen. It is time to show what she can do and to finally give Beru her due in Star Wars.

Star Wars publishing has begun to shed more of a spotlight on Beru, from getting her own story in From a Certain Point of View, to getting her perspective in Queen’s Hope by E.K. Johnston. These stories have provided her with more agency, offered insight into her mind, and given her more of a personality beyond just being the kind aunt who wants Luke to chase his dreams.

These stories revealed that Beru was the one to introduce Shmi Skywalker to Cliegg Lars. She worked with Shmi to deprogram the transmitter chips of former slaves on Tatooine. These chips were implanted in the body of slaves and were designed to detonate if the slaves journeyed too far from their master. Beru also worked to free those who were still enslaved.

Readers have also learned how Beru once dreamed of having her own cafe or restaurant in Anchorhead. Knowing that she did not get to follow her dreams adds more meaning to why she wanted Luke to chase his dreams and not stay on the moisture farm forever.

She and Owen also wanted a child, but struggled to have one of their own, making their adoption and raising of Luke more meaningful.

The last episode of Obi-Wan can build off all of these elements, making this more nuanced Beru accessible to a wider audience. Show the compassionate, kind, and brave woman who fought against slavery and who would do anything to protect her family.

Do you hope to see Beru in the last episode of Obi-Wan Kenobi? Let us know in the comments!