Disney Plus’s Original Series Obi-Wan Kenobi Season one episode one “Part 1” starts with the viewer getting a quick look at the infamous genocide of the Jedi order to show that there was more to see then what the movies showed. This is a result of the genocide being a more prominent focus point throughout the series. From here the viewer sees the inquisitors searching for a Jedi in a small town on Tatooine. During this the viewer is led to belief that they are specifically looking for Ewan McGregor’s Obi-Wan Kenobi due to the viewer waiting for his reveal. However, this is just a misdirection as it turns out that it was another Jedi that was spotted.
Furthermore, the ironic part is that Obi-Wan shows up in a non-spectacular way. The viewer sees him not helping anyone or meditating like he normally would do instead working in a meat packaging plant as a nobody as a result of his need to hide for safety. The viewer can see by his appearance that he is a broken man with barely anything to live for. The series demonstrates this by showing how when a fellow worker is being bullied by their boss, he does not do anything and lets him get harassed. In his mind, there is no point in getting involved that would just put him in danger with those that hunt Jedi. Also, it could even lead to the entire town getting hurt as a way to draw him out. No matter how much he wants to help in the end it helps no one if he stepped in.
Later into the episode, the viewer sees Obi-Wan have a nightmare about the events of the prequel movies that appear to be symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder due to the horrific things he has been through in his life. Luckily, he has somewhat of a purpose when it comes to keeping Grant Feely’s young Luke Skywalker safe from harm. This appears to be the only thing that is keeping Obi-Wan going through all the hardship he has faced. He even seems to care for the boy as seen by the viewer when he buys him a toy spaceship from a jawa. Unfortunately, Joel Edgerton’s Owen Lars returns the toy to him telling him to stay away as result of Obi-Wan failings as a teacher with Luke’s father. In his mind he knows that Obi-Wan is a good guy, it is just that he wants to keep his nephew safe from the life of the Sith and the Jedi. He also knows that Obi-Wan wants to train him to be a Jedi and fight the Sith to fulfill his destiny as the chosen one who will destroy the Sith. However, he has seen what has happened because of Obi-Wan’s teachings due to Luke’s father going down a dark path that leads to violence. That is why he wants Luke to grow up as just a farmer living a normal life.
Rating: 8.5/10