IR TV Review: OBI WAN KENOBI - EPISODES 1 & 2 [Disney+]
The didactic texture of a tale such as "Obi Wan Kenobi" must be bathed in a thought of the inevitable which filling in the blanks of how one got there. With Episodes 1 & 2 of the limited 6 part series, the context is about bridging but not breaking canon. There is also much that is unsaid, even starting with New Hope but what is undeniably interesting is time. Having the perspective of the prequels many years ago is actually what begins the series and it is amazing how much it has become history. That is why seeing McGregor as Obi Wan again can have such power. It takes a little bit because the story needs to build but the spark does begin. There are a couple reveals which cannot be discussed in this first review but suffice to say a major throttle point actually is a deeper dive from the Clone Wars. Third sister is a smart bet in terms of lives Obi Wan has affected. The irony is the misdirect into what the focus is. Whether this was changed when the story was restructured in the early pandemic or the path was completely different when Stephen Daldry (listed as a consultant here) was going to make the movie version.
Suffice to say, there needs to be a good reason for Kenobi to come back and although it is a plot ploy, it is a reasonable one and one that again gives context in a particular way. The interaction between Obi Wan and a certain rebel is especially cool because Obi Wan speaks of things in riddles that speak so much. And in reverse, this person can see things in him that perhaps give creedence to a different meaning. Nevertheless "Obi Wan Kenobi" for the first two episodes keeps the plot moving but is more than comprehensive in showing the basis of pain in Obi Wan, his change but also his core. This is an even more measured Obi Wan. McGregor knows him inherently. It is that man from the prequels, older, grayer but still as thoughtful and understanding of duty even as something is revealed that even he wasn't aware of (which is actually the only aspect that strains credibility). But he too, as we inevitably see, will have to come to terms with it. A
By Tim Wassberg
