Obi-Wan Kenobi has been disappointing thus far.
Thus far, Obi-Wan Kenobi has perfectly encapsulated the problem with Disney’s Star Wars; it can’t stop emulating the original trilogy, and inevitably, undermines it. The show has been replaying the franchise’s greatest hits, such as an amusingly underwhelming rematch between Obi-Wan and Darth Vader, which takes place against a barren, colorless backdrop and ends on a confusing note, unclear if Vader allowed Obi-Wan to escape, or forgot how to use the Force. We’re treated to Princess Leia being rescued, again, and narrowly avoids being recaptured after Obi-Wan attempts to hide her under his trenchcoat, for some reason – I guess we shouldn’t expect too much from an outlaw whose alias is “Ben Kenobi.”
Darth Vader invented C-3PO, Baby Yoda knew Luke, Boba Fett didn’t die, Palpatine wasn’t really defeated, and Obi-Wan and Leia built a close friendship long before their galaxy-saving quest – it’s all canon now. All of these characters have been crossing paths for years, it seems, going on uncannily similar adventures with identical outcomes – Disney’s Star Wars is a flat circle, an echo of an echo.
