by Alice-Ginevra Micheli, Contributing Writer
Seldom has there been a show with as much expectation, desire, and ability to fall towards the abyss of misguided fan-service as this one about everyone’s favorite Jedi. One that has in fact been desired by many for years, as if there’s one thing Star Wars fans can agree on it’s that no matter the questionable nature of his age, or place within the wider story, Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan Kenobiis perfect.
Set about 10 years after Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, the new Disney+ series, aptly named Obi-Wan Kenobi, follows its titular character as he contends with the consequences of his greatest defeat — the downfall and corruption of his one-time friend and apprentice, Anakin Skywalker, now Darth Vader.
Let’s begin with the question front of mind for many, at least it was for me: can McGregor really step into these shoes again? Can he recapture the unique magic that seemed to hit few elements of the prequels, and yet somehow keep them alive in nostalgic memory 20 years later?
While I’m not going to sit here and praise this show as being one of the greatest things that Disney or Star Wars has ever produced, it certainly doesn’t fall to the depths of some of their recent outings in lore expansion. In fact, what this show manages to accomplish is to pay heed to the trilogy of its past, without seeming too out of place in modern cinema. That is to say, if you were to come off of a Star Wars prequelmarathon, besides the obvious aging and VFX improvement, you would swear that this series is a direct continuation of its story’s heart and way of telling.
Everything from the the cinematography, musical interludes, to the character motivations screams prequels, and that’s not always the best thing. After all, although they may live in many a fan’s heart in the same way that one may reflect on that dramatic family Christmas with rose-colored glasses, in the stark light of day, there’s a reason that they were at the core of many a joke for almost a generation. There are failings in their production, clear in the dialogue, character progression, and lets not even talk about the CGI — and this is still present at times here.
Sure, you could say that this was inevitable due to the fact that this is a direct sequel series to those three movies, but I still don’t believe that as much effort into the lore’s improvement went into these ‘episodes’, as they could have. For example, Moses Ingram’s addition as Inquistor, Reva Sevander had a lot of potential from the moment she ominously takes her first step on screen. Her presence, her character design, and her power could have resulted in a formidable, and surprising deuteragonist. Instead it was obvious from the start how her story would go. The moment I saw her, the moment her first scene had played out, I knew exactly what would happen. I didn’t feel the tension, I didn’t feel any intrigue, and I was unfortunately, more often than not, bored of her storyline.
That’s not to say the blame lays at Ingram’s feet — quite the opposite in fact! She is a formidable performer who brings a lot of nuance to a two dimensional character, almost tricking the audience into thinking there’s more than meets the eye. Her magnetism as an actor is almost enough to make her inclusion in the wider series worth it, but never quite manages to hit that peak due to the lazy screenwriting holding her back.
On that note, I feel I may have buried the lede a little by skipping over McGregor himself. Similar to Ingram, if there’s one shining light in this relatively dull landscape, it’s his performance. He embodies Kenobi fully, and delivers a performance that keeps you glued to the screen much longer than you had any desire to. He is why I, and many others, came, and why we stayed throughout. One of the best decisions Star Wars ever made was casting him as a young Alex Guinness, especially when he’s having to play a strange balance between being an experienced Jedi Master and wayward, cynical soul.
All that said, this series also boasts the ability to have delivered a finale that is somehow all the way better than the sum of its parts. While the show as a whole might be considered to be little more than mediocre, it’s final hour knew it had a lot on its shoulders, and it didn’t disappoint. I’d honestly say that the full series watch is worth it for that final episode alone. The improvements we had previously seen in both the world’s visual design, fight choreography, and minor character development were more than elaborated on, creating a visual experience. As a fan, as a viewer, you’re guaranteed to feel elation, thrill, and excitement — if not a little bit of missed tension as a result of this show’s suffering of prequelitis. But still, it may almost give you the desire for more.
However, if you want my opinion, I think one season is more than enough. The overall saga was expanded on satisfactorily, and we got to see Kenobi at it again. The fan service was there, but not to an overbearing degree, and the lightsaber action was enthralling. However, once the credits had rolled, once the final score had played, I found myself satisfied in this story. I know where it goes, I know what happens, and I don’t really want for more.
If you’re a fan, you’ve probably already seen this show — and it’s the right choice. However if you’ve been on the fence about committing the just under six hours needed for this in-between trilogy series, I’d say first answer yourself this question: how curious are you?
If the answer is barely to not at all, then I’d say steer clear and go watch a different space adventure. However, if you’re even the least bit beyond the barely, then I’d say the investment is well worth it for that final 49 minutes. Really, the best thing here is just to go with your gut.
Score: 6/10
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