Disney +’s most recent entry into theStar Warscanon follows its namesake character Obi-Wan Kenobi, exploring his grief and overwhelming guilt following the events ofRevenge of the Sith.The story is one of Obi-Wan’s internal struggle as he attempts to protect young Princess Leia, come to terms with his former Padawan’s fate, and re-enter his Jedi way of life.
Personal destiny has always been something of a theme in theStar Warsfranchise, but it is never set in stone. Rather, the main characters have paths laid out before them, and must choose which one they wish to follow. Thefinale of theObi-Wan Kenobiminiseriesnot only reinforces this idea of choice, but reminds both audiences and characters that each individual must make those choices for themselves.
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Anakin Defines His Choice
Although the final episodecould have been effective without a duel between Obi-Wan and Vader, the way their confrontation was handled did service to the story rather than detracting from it. In the climactic action sequence, Obi-Wan still had tricks up his sleeve such that when they departed, Vader was, as he would later state inA New Hope, “but a learner,” where Obi-Wan was still the master. But perhaps more important than reinforcing this dynamic was the emotional impact that it left on Obi-Wan. He was absolved of the guilt he felt over Anakin’s turn to the Dark Side, but in a way that broke his heart rather than unburdening his soul.
Upon slashing Darth Vader’s helmet,revealing his former friend’s face,Obi-Wan makes a desperate attempt to apologize, to clear his conscience of the part he played in everything that went wrong. His opponent, however, doesn’t accept his contrition. Anakin and Vader seem to battle for control beneath the mask, finally telling Obi-Wan: “You didn’t kill Anakin Skywalker. I did.”
Anakin’s turn to the Dark Side came from within, and he wants Obi-Wan to know that there was nothing he could have done to stop him. Perhaps what’s left of Anakin wants to ease Kenobi’s guilt; perhaps the evil Vader wants to leave him feeling even more helpless. Perhaps a combination of both is present in this final line. What follows is a grim, tragic sort of acceptance on Kenobi’s part: he lowers his lightsaber and walks away, finally acknowledging that there is nothing he can do to reach the man he once considered a brother.
The Third Sister’s Mercy
Reva, much like Anakin in the prequel trilogy, is driven throughoutObi-Wan Kenobiby her bitterness and her thirst for revenge. She views cruelty as strength, and believes that it is the only way to survive in the world. While Obi-Wan and Vader battle each other, Reva hunts down young Luke Skywalker on Tatooine. She intends to kill him as a twisted way of confronting her own traumatic past, hoping to overcome her perceived weakness by becoming the thing that destroyed her all those years ago.
But when she comes across a helpless, unconscious Luke, Reva cannot bring downher lightsaber blade. Instead, she scoops him up and carries him back to Owen, Beru, and Obi-Wan.
It would have been powerful to see Obi-Wan play an active role in Reva’s redemption, to see him talk her off the ledge and help her let go of the rage that fueled her. Yet in a way, it is more powerful to see her make the choice herself. When struggling to bring herself to kill Luke, it is not echoes of Obi-Wan’s words that stop her. It’s not some distant call of the Light Side. Instead, it’s flashbacks to her own childhood trauma. She alonemakes the choice not to perpetuate the cycle.
The Power Of Choosing One’s Path
Reva’s story parallels Anakin’s in many ways, but where Anakin chose to kill, Reva chose mercy. Just as her choice could not have been made by anyone but her, neither could anyone but Anakin Skywalker himself havestopped him from becoming Vader. And in watching Reva decide to spare Luke, Obi-Wan is reminded of that alongside the viewers. As Reva returns Luke to his family, she breaks down, ashamed of her weakness. Obi-Wan, however, urges her to see her mercy as a strength. She made a choice that separated her from Vader; in doing so, she is no longer defined by what he did to her.
Obi-Wan, too, decides it is time to accept the choice that Anakin/Vader made. He decides it is time to stop hiding from himself, chooses to relieve himself of the blame he feels. At the end of the finale, he is dressed in his Jedi robes, lightsaber at his side, no longer hiding from himself or from the Jedi way. The appearance ofQui-Gon Jinn’s Force ghostall but confirms it. Qui-Gon tells his former apprentice that he was always here, and it is only now that Obi-Wan can see him — perhaps because he is only now choosing to.
In the end, by letting go of his guilt and accepting the choices that others have made, Obi-Wan is able to choose his own path. He makes the choice to face the future and whatever it may bring; he chooses to face his destiny going forward intoA New Hope.
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