5 things that 'Obi-Wan Kenobi' knocked out of the park

My two favorite things in Star Wars have something in common: they're barely on screen. Friends say you can tell I'm in a Star Wars conversation if General Rieekan is regarded as a god and there's some mention of Alderaan. They're not wrong. I also have been a huge fan of Ewan McGregor since I read a 1999 Vanity Fair article on an upcoming Star Wars film.

Needless to say, I was emotionally invested in the Obi-Wan Kenobi series before it ever aired on Disney+. I promised to keep my reactions neutral for the roommate, who didn't have time to watch the first episode until later. I broke that promise when the camera panned down over the mountains of Alderaan, and I shrieked for joy.

It takes more than a handsome Scotsman and Bail Organa to satisfy me, though both things made a great first impression. I came into the series fervently hoping that the writers would do Obi-Wan justice in addressing the mysteries of what he did in nearly two decades after the fall of the Jedi and Luke Skywalker's first introduction to the ways of the Force.

Here are 5 things that Obi-Wan Kenobi knocked out of the park.

1. The retrospective

I didn't expect to cry before the first episode properly started, but the choice to essentially give us a "Last time on Revenge of the Sith" recap was a profoundly moving one for me.

The reel reminded us of how hard the titular character worked to defend the Republic and how he grew from a Padawan to a respected Jedi Master. But more importantly, it showed how catastrophic the loss of his friend and apprentice to the dark side was for Obi-Wan.

It brought us to a dark place before we ever met the major players in the series and set the tone for the episodes to come.

2. "Not even a real Organa."

One of the major features of the new canon is that everyone knows Leia is adopted. At least, if you've read Claudia Gray's Leia, Princess of Alderaan. No one knows who her parents are, but Queen Breha was severely injured as a young princess and decided to adopt for her own safety.

Niano Organa is what some people would call a prat, and others might call a twerp. In short, Leia's cousin is a jerk from the moment he sneers at her courtesy to droids. He didn't do any favors to my impression of him when he had this to say about my favorite female character:

"You know the difference between you and me, cousin? I know things. You know, my father says they never let you leave the planet. They don't want anybody to know about you because you're not one of us. You're not even a real Organa."

- Niano Organa

There are bookends to the series in emotional growth and character development. We see Leia acting her age, a bit of a dreamer and adventurer, and her mother's exasperation with how those things manifest themselves. At the end of the series, Leia's departures from what is expected of her are encouraged by her mother. It's a wonderful arc.

3. "We thought he was there to help us."

Moses Ingram's performance as Third Sister/Reva is one of my favorite aspects of the show. We had already been introduced to the Inquisitors as part of Star Wars Rebels. The Grand Inquisitor was striking and terrifying, but Reva felt more real in many ways.

There is a rawness to the character's motivations that fluctuates at times. Her interrogation of Leia calls to mind the NPR Star Wars radio dramas, in which Vader tortures Leia with false promises of help and brutal threats alike.

Reva's reasons for vengeance and her turning on her own purposes are fascinating to follow. Her fate is a mystery at the end, and it's hard to tell what we, as the audience, want to make of her future.

4. "I am not your failure, Obi-Wan."

Another unexpectedly emotional arc was the reunion of Skywalker and Kenobi. In 1977, Darth Vader sensed Obi-Wan as "a presence I haven't felt since...." The mystery of that unfinished statement is somewhat solved by the end of the first Star Wars movie. Personally, I thought that they had not faced each other since Mustafar.

In this series, we see that the impression is false. As Obi-Wan realizes that the apprentice he left for dead is still alive, we see Vader's awakening.

In the sixth episode, Skywalker and Kenobi face each other again. It's a wonderful duel where choreography is concerned, and we see Obi-Wan Kenobi reclaiming his nature as a Jedi Master. As he sees what has become of his Jedi brother, Obi-Wan expresses regret. Anakin, ten years after his fall, has this to say about their shared past:

"I am not your failure, Obi-Wan. You didn't kill Anakin Skywalker. I did."

- Darth Vader

It harkens back to the parting of Obi-Wan and Anakin before Kenobi goes to Utapau. As Anakin confesses his frustrations with the Council, Obi-Wan says, "I have taught you everything I know, and you've become a far greater Jedi than I could ever hope to be. But be patient, Anakin."

The scene in which Obi-Wan slices away part of Vader's mask and looks on his Padawan's face for the first time is agonizing for characters and audience alike. Ewan's emotional response to "what remains" of his friend nearly quotes Luke's "then my father is truly dead."

5. "Ben Kenobi? Where is he?"

On first watching, it didn't occur to me that Obi-Wan's teasing comment, "Who am I to separate a young lady from her droid?" is a foreshadowing of Leia sending Artoo to find General Kenobi. The entire series sets up why Leia responds with skepticism to her rescue until "Ben Kenobi" is invoked, finally answering my questions as to why she named her son Ben.

More emotionally evocative than even Obi-Wan leaving Darth behind is the scene in which he speaks to Leia about the parents he knew well and sees their strengths in her. There is regret and pride in his description as a lone French horn plays the musical theme for the adult Princess Leia as composed by John Williams:

"Princess Leia Organa, you are wise, discerning, kind-hearted. These are qualities that came from your mother. But you are also passionate and fearless, forthright. These are gifts from your father. Both were exceptional people who bore an exceptional daughter. I wish I could tell you more."

- Obi-Wan Kenobi

This final gift to the girl he has shepherded throughout the series while seeing too much of both her parents in her is a fantastic way to tie the story together. He then leaves her with a "May the Force be with you" as the score changes to the music accompanying Leia's first appearance in the original trilogy.

Obi-Wan Kenobi is not for everyone, but it is an outstanding series worth watching for anyone who sees in Leia traces of the father she never knew.