Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi 2023

 

“Remember my dear Obi-Wan. I have loved you always and always will."

Satine Kryze

“Obi-Wan, there's… still… good in him…
Padme Amidala

“Anakin is gone. I am what remains.”
Darth Vador

Our wounds so often define us. Their mental power lies to us, dragging us down into the depths of our soul. Taunting, "You are only you if you have me “. For Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi this reality is as concrete as it could possibly be
Imagine, your entire family has been eradicated. Now, imagine you were the man who taught the One responsible for their deaths. Let's take this further, that man, your student, is your best friend. Oh , but this horrifying reality does not end there. It gets worse. You are now the guardian of the son of this man. A constant reminder of your failure and loss.
For all intents and purposes, Obi-Wan Kenobi is a man who is dead inside. His past has been destroyed, and his future has essentially been ripped from him. There is a wall in front of him constructed out of his loss and pain. A cage, not of his own making, but to his tormented mind it very well should have been. It is here, in this torrent of memory and wound, that our Jedi master discovers, that healing from our greatest wounds, more often than not comes from the most unlikely of places, and at the most unexpected of times.

“...What happened to her anyway?
Obi-Wan Kenobi

“She was ripped to pieces by kidnappers, she'll be all right though she's strong.”
Leia

For Obi-Wan Kenobi, the rescue of Anakin Skywalker's daughter was precisely that place and precisely that time. Yet the rescue of this young lady has far greater implications for the healing of our wayward Jedi than may first be apparent…

Let's pause there for a moment and I will tell you a story. A story of two Jedi who fell in love with two leaders. One of these leaders was a duchess from the planet Mandalore, the other a queen Of Naboo. One of these relationships was selfless, choosing to forgo their love to serve the greater good. The other was selfish forsaking duty for unhealthy codependents. Anakin Skywalker and Padme Amidala came to ruin and death, whereas Obi-Wan Kenobi and Duchess Satine Kryze ultimately gave their lives for the Galaxy and its redemption. Perhaps I've been too hard on Anakin and Padme, though that story is not yet in focus. For now, let's return to Obi-Wan Kenobi and the rescue of Leia.

“What now?”
Leia

“Nothing. You just remind me of someone, she was fearless too, and stubborn.”
Obi-Wan Kenobi

“I'm not stubborn.”
Leia

“Yes, you are.”
Obi-Wan Kenobi

No, I'm not…was your friend the Jedi too.”
Leia

“...No… she was a leader… she died a long time ago…”

Here ladies and gentlemen, here, we see the Light side of the Force throw one of its most significant volleys against the darkness. In these words, Obi-Wan Kenobi begins to realize that perhaps he and his apprentice may not be as different as he thought. The events in our lives change us, and sometimes that change comes in a form that we least expect. For sure, Obi-Wan Kenobi did not expect that the daughter of his wayward apprentice would be the vehicle by which he would begin his journey of healing and reconciliation, with himself and his wounds.
Leia in this instance is far more than just a nostalgia trip and connective tissue for the future of this story. She is exactly what Obi-Wan needs in this moment to remind him what true love is, and what it can accomplish when seen in the proper light. Padme and Anakin's love may have been misguided, but at its deepest level it was pure. That purity is in clear focus, standing resolute and confident, in front of our stunned Jedi Master.
Leia is a reminder that even in our most challenging moments, where darkness seems overpowering and our flaws are on full display, our true self can still shine through. For Obi-Wan Leia is also a reminder of the woman he loved, and what she stood for: Honor and duty, even at the cost of her own life and love.
These two women : Padme and Satine become the cornerstones on which The rebellion against the darkness in the galaxy is built, both literally and figuratively. In this moment they call to Obi-Wan reminding him who he was and who he is meant to be. In this moment he realizes that he and his apprentice had a choice, and it was that choice that defined their paths up until this point. Now Obi-Wan Kenobi has a new choice to make, but what that choice is, is for you, dear reader to discover.
At this juncture I think it suffices to say that our wounds are painful and that they constantly remind us of our failures. However, taken in the proper light. Our wounds also have the power to be our instruments of healing if we allow them. Yes, they remind us of our faults, but they also have the ability to bring to light our true potential. Reminding us who we could be if we allow our journey to continue.

“We talked about this, when the time comes, he must be trained.”
Obi-Wan Kenobi

“Like you trained his father?”
Owen Lars

Luke could not take the place of his sister in this instance. He could not be the vehicle by which Obi-Wan finds his healing. Why is this? Luke is too much of a reminder to Obi-Wan of his father, his failure. Luke would create more mental walls for Obi-Wan then he would tear down. Leia on the other hand is a clearer reminder of Anakin's heart. His love for Padme, when it is seen in its most unperverted form. Satine Kryze, also calls out more clearly to Obi-Wan through this little senator to be.
Our wounds are hard to come to terms with, they're even harder to reveal to others. Though when we do. When we are willing to move forward, and face the things that are holding us back we can see great healing, not only in ourselves but in the world around us. With the Obi-Wan Kenobi limited series, Deborah Chow and her team beautifully illustrates the truth that our wounds do not define us. And, that our journey to healing may come from the most unlikely of places

Rated, TV-14

I found this limited series to be powerful, moving, thought provoking and entertaining. I hope in some way you do too.