Star Wars: Hello There! The Obi-Wan Kenobi Breakdown
Obi-Wan Kenobi premieres this week, so let’s talk about one of the galaxy’s most influential Jedi and his part in everything.
Hello there! Kenobi comes out this week. Whether you first met him as “Old Ben,” “Qui-Gon Jinn’s Padawan,” or just “that dramatic dude who leaves his robes whenever he’s thrown them,” Kenobi has been a pivotal part of Star Wars for a long time. Now, his stand-alone show is premiering tomorrow. So, let’s talk a little about Obi-Wan Kenobi. Who is he, where does he come from, and what is his place in all of this?
Obi-Wan Kenobi: The Early Life
Like many younglings with Force sensitivity, Obi-Wan was taken from his homeworld of Stewjon before he turned six months old. He grew up in the Jedi Temple with other children and began learning the ways of the force by the time he was three years old. He was known for being a rebellious child and breaking the rules. But he also had great potential and studied under Yoda and Master Cin Drallig. Eventually, at twelve years old, Obi-Wan was chosen by Master Qui-Gon Jinn to be his new Padawan learner.
During his training, Kenobi would meet his future love interest, Duchess Satine Kryze, on Mandalore. The master and apprentice helped soothe political disputes, free slaves, and protect galactic leaders. By the time Qui-Gon considered his Padawan ready for his Jedi trials, they had to help foster negotiations between Naboo and the Trade Federation.
This mission famously took them from Naboo to Tatooine and back again, now with a young Anakin Skywalker in tow. When Qui-Gon Jinn fell battling Darth Maul, Kenobi promised to take Anakin as his Padawan in his fallen master’s place.
Anakin Skywalker’s Master
It’s probably fair to say that Obi-Wan Kenobi did his best to train Anakin. Despite the deck being stacked against him. While most children never know a life without the Jedi, Anakin had a mother and friends on his home planet. Strong emotional connections and trauma left the chosen one at a disadvantage. But their training went on as normally as it could have.
Like Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon, Anakin and Obi-Wan protected politicians, answered distress signals, and work towards galactic peace. When Anakin briefly considered walking away from the Jedi Order, Obi-Wan did his best to council his apprentice. Inwardly, he worried that he had failed the young man.
Want to check out some of these in-between adventures? Check out our Obi-Wan Kenobi comic book reading list!
The Clone Wars
As the crisis with the Separatists ramped up into the Clone Wars, it was Kenobi who discovered the cloning facilities on Kamino. Somehow didn’t suspect Senator Palpatine of stoking the flames. Obi-Wan became a General in the Clone Wars as Anakin took on an apprentice of his own, Ahsoka Tano. Battles against droids were peppered with missions and encounters with some of the galaxy’s most notorious individuals such as Cad Bane and Asajj Ventress.
Kenobi eventually defeated longtime rival General Grievous and when Order 66 was issued, Obi-Wan narrowly escaped. He took Grievous’ ship and met up with Senator Organa. Organa helped him warn the remaining Jedi to scatter and seek shelter.
The Rise of the Empire
As the Jedi were being slaughtered and the Empire rose to power, Kenobi confronted Anakin about his part in everything. The two battled as Kenobi grappled with the fact that he had lost his brother and student to the Dark Side. And when Anakin was seemingly defeated, Obi-Wan left him for dead on Mustafar. He then made sure that Anakin and Padme’s secret twin children were safely hidden from the Empire. Obi-Wan went into hiding himself on Tatooine under the name “Ben” Kenobi. From there, he kept a watchful eye over Luke Skywalker as he grew up with his aunt and uncle.
Owen and Beru didn’t want Ben to have a presence in Luke’s life or for Luke to be like Anakin. But Kenobi was always there to save the boy or his family whenever needed. Some of these rescues would involve a three-year-old Luke’s home being attacked by bandits, Black Krrrsantan attempting to collect on a debt to the Hutts, or even finally defeating Darth Maul.
Star Wars’ Obi-Wan Kenobi Series
But in Kenobi, we’ll see what Old Ben has to do to keep himself and the Owen-Skywalker household safe about ten years after the start of his exile. Kenobi will premier on the Disney+ streaming service on May 27th with new episodes airing weekly on Wednesdays.
What is your favorite Obi-Wan moment or a bit of snarky dialog? Which of his robe drops is your favorite? Are you excited about the return of McGregor and Christensen in Kenobi? Let us know in the comments!
May The Force Be With You, Adventurers!
