SPOILERS: Obi-Wan Kenobi Disney+ Series

[spacemt354]

Well they weren’t as good as the originals…that isn’t a controversial take…

But there is some redemption.

My theories why:
1. Technology and media weren’t where they are today. Actions figures, licensed product was closer to the the originals and did more to build new fans then. Today the collectors/online market probably keeps the aging fans more engaged.
2. There is a direct correlation between prequel “love” and Disney largely failing for 5 years+…
I know that’s not a shared by all opinion…but I’d love discuss why?
3. The stuff since the prequels - clone wars and rebels and R1 and the news series that use some that material/characters…have strengthened the appeal of those movies.

In regards to #2 I don't think prequel love started post-Disney, but perhaps those who previously despised the prequels warmed up to their narrative cohesion vs the Disney trilogy.

The love started with the generation of kids that grew up with the films and toys, and the films benefitted a great deal from meme culture. 'Prequel memes' took on a life of their own in the early 2010s at first perhaps poking fun at the wooden acting and dialogue, but as the years went on lines such as "I am the Senate" became beloved and I think that went a long way to restoring their reputation as a whole way before Disney came along.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Incorrect. You're making that up.

May 22nd, the show aired May 27th.
Obi-Wan Kenobi’s Moses Ingram: ‘If you’ve got talking droids and aliens but no people of colour, it doesn’t make sense’

They spun this narrative ahead of release.



The point is, that everything in these kinds of interviews goes through the PR department.

I have now had multiple people I work with who know I like Star Wars in the office ask me what the deal with the racist fans hating a character in the new Star Wars show.

I just think it is an odd narrative to want around your TV show. Even if it occurs, why set it up and then push it.

I guess warning Moses ahead of time is technically "public relations."

But I don't see Disney itself doing any sort of media PR in this regard until after the first shows aired. There was no trying to control the narrative on Disney's part before the show WRT a racist backlash.

 

[Jedijax719]

In regards to #2 I don't think prequel love started post-Disney, but perhaps those who previously despised the prequels warmed up to their narrative cohesion vs the Disney trilogy.

The love started with the generation of kids that grew up with the films and toys, and the films benefitted a great deal from meme culture. 'Prequel memes' took on a life of their own in the early 2010s at first perhaps poking fun at the wooden acting and dialogue, but as the years went on lines such as "I am the Senate" became beloved and I think that went a long way to restoring their reputation as a whole way before Disney came along.

I'd say that greater appreciation for the prequels took hold after realizing the value of vision and story connectivity. That was something that was terribly lacking in episodes 7-9. Looking back, people (fans really) started to think "well, the prequels DID stick with a solid narrative" and the rest gained more momentum. Scripting was shaky, but storytelling and world building were always good to strong.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I'd say that greater appreciation for the prequels took hold after realizing the value of vision and story connectivity. That was something that was terribly lacking in episodes 7-9. Looking back, people (fans really) started to think "well, the prequels DID stick with a solid narrative" and the rest gained more momentum. Scripting was shaky, but storytelling and world building were always good to strong.

Well I’m not gonna laud a backstory that had been mostly fleshed out - by fans - for 15 years prior to shooting…

They were poorly written/acted for the most part.

But yes…the continuity does look refreshing now compared to the disaster that KK let her manboys puke onto the screen.

Laughable

 

[VJ]

I'm not sold on this series right now. I know it happens all the time, but something about reva just walking into the exact right hut, going to the right place, then knowing where that tunnel ends up before Leia can get there was just so not believable to me. Also, did I miss there were multiple paths in the tunnel where the woman helping could get out not the way that reva was blocking? I don't know, reva bores me and kind of makes me cringe (in a bad way), so im struggling through this one. I'm just not into this aa much as I expected I would.

most of the inquisitors are former Jedi turned after order 66 - I think that's where they're going with reva

 

[VJ]

That's true, I didn't think about how random people can randomly use it with ease in the new trilogy. I'm still holding out hope for this to all come together. But I don't know, I'm questioning how attached Filoni is to this. I mean, I know he had some input, but it's strange to me he has 0 producer credits or anything like that with this series. Usually they hand out producing credits like candy, I'm not sure why he's not on it at all here.

filoni has nothing to do with the series except him and Favreau signed off on everything, otherwise no involvement

 

[VJ]

Incorrect. You're making that up.

May 22nd, the show aired May 27th.
Obi-Wan Kenobi’s Moses Ingram: ‘If you’ve got talking droids and aliens but no people of colour, it doesn’t make sense’

They spun this narrative ahead of release.



The point is, that everything in these kinds of interviews goes through the PR department.

I have now had multiple people I work with who know I like Star Wars in the office ask me what the deal with the racist fans hating a character in the new Star Wars show.

I just think it is an odd narrative to want around your TV show. Even if it occurs, why set it up and then push it.

Lucasfilm is kinda used to racist star wars fans by this point - see Ahmed Best and Kelly Marie Tran - so they knew what to expect as far as reception. and they were right! you can think it was some sort of masterfully spun qanon narrative all you want, but... that's just how star wars fans are. there's no use hiding it or pretending differently.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

filoni has nothing to do with the series except him and Favreau signed off on everything, otherwise no involvement

It’s that everything though? As most of what LFL did before they showed up is laughably bad?

There are too many of filoni’s characters used in this show for it to be all that “passive”…and I bet it’s gonna increase

Lucasfilm is kinda used to racist star wars fans by this point - see Ahmed Best and Kelly Marie Tran - so they knew what to expect as far as reception. and they were right! you can think it was some sort of masterfully spun qanon narrative all you want, but... that's just how star wars fans are. there's no use hiding it or pretending differently.

Star Wars fans have been frustrated for a long time and these subhumans seize on it and exploit it to get their jollies

 

[Disney Analyst]

I noticed the RT audience score is way down in comparison to the critics. My guess is some fans are put off by the Kenobi weakness factor. I say, give it time. He is going to find his true self again before the series ends. Whether it be via help from his old master, or just remembering who he is. The Obi-Wan we know will show himself. IMO

This is what I don’t understand… do people not want character development?

How boring it would be if Obi was just his normal self. We as the audience should feel frustrated, that’s the point. He’s frustrated. Everyone is frustrated. The Jedi have been targeted, killed. Feeling defeated and small is the point.

Let Obi work through it. He will certainly be back to his fighting self by the end of this.

 

[Robbiem]

This is what I don’t understand… do people not want character development?

How boring it would be if Obi was just his normal self. We as the audience should feel frustrated, that’s the point. He’s frustrated. Everyone is frustrated. The Jedi have been targeted, killed. Feeling defeated and small is the point.

Let Obi work through it. He will certainly be back to his fighting self by the end of this.

i think Obi Wan has been great. He appears to have PTSD or similar, which is really understandable given the circumstances. I think Ewan’s performance has been great and I love the way the show is showing how Obi Wan the Jedi general became the wise old hermit of new hope

On a more personal note as someone who has had mental health issues its great to see a story like this being told in the world of Star Wars, it really means a lot to me to see a part of my experience represented

 

[LSLS]

I noticed the RT audience score is way down in comparison to the critics. My guess is some fans are put off by the Kenobi weakness factor. I say, give it time. He is going to find his true self again before the series ends. Whether it be via help from his old master, or just remembering who he is. The Obi-Wan we know will show himself. IMO

Maybe. Me personally, I'd have it down a bit in score, but honestly, I'd have it higher BECAUSE of Obi. I like how he's portrayed here. Is it kind of a same old story of dude loses a step and has to try to find it? Sure. But honestly I'd find it kind of dumb if we were going to go with guy can sit in a cave forgetting the force only to be able to just flip the switch as soon as needed.

I will say, as I sit and type this, I have one question I really am leaning into now. Kenobi was broken, buried his light saber in the desert, and stopped practicing the force for 10 years. How in the world was he planning on training Luke like he mentioned in the first episode to Owen then?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

i think Obi Wan has been great. He appears to have PTSD or similar, which is really understandable given the circumstances. I think Ewan’s performance has been great and I love the way the show is showing how Obi Wan the Jedi general became the wise old hermit of new hope

On a more personal note as someone who has had mental health issues its great to see a story like this being told in the world of Star Wars, it really means a lot to me to see a part of my experience represented

That’s a very valid point(s)

 

[Indy_UK]

I will say, as I sit and type this, I have one question I really am leaning into now. Kenobi was broken, buried his light saber in the desert, and stopped practicing the force for 10 years. How in the world was he planning on training Luke like he mentioned in the first episode to Owen then?

I assume he was banking on Qui-Gon coming through for him eventually

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I assume he was banking on Qui-Gon coming through for him eventually

Well they’ve been setting that up for 23/17 years…so at some point you’d think they pull the trigger on that…

I mean…they can’t leave the emperor dead…but this is too far??

 

[MarvelCharacterNerd]

Well they weren’t as good as the originals…that isn’t a controversial take…

But there is some redemption.

My theories why:
1. Technology and media weren’t where they are today. Actions figures, licensed product was closer to the the originals and did more to build new fans then. Today the collectors/online market probably keeps the aging fans more engaged.
2. There is a direct correlation between prequel “love” and Disney largely failing for 5 years+…
I know that’s not a shared by all opinion…but I’d love discuss why?
3. The stuff since the prequels - clone wars and rebels and R1 and the news series that use some that material/characters…have strengthened the appeal of those movies.

I'm going to add in: nostalgia. You have an affection for what you grew up with, whether it was good or not.

See: Andrew Garfield's Spider-Man suddenly having a swell of affection recently.

There are plenty of truly terrible shows and movies that will always have my heart because I loved them as a kid.

 

[MarvelCharacterNerd]

This is what I don’t understand… do people not want character development?

I think people feared initially TLJ CrankyLuke 2.0 and that's what they didn't want.

I agree though that the end of this story should provide Obi-Wan with the... new hope... that he truly needs.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I think people feared initially TLJ CrankyLuke 2.0 and that's what they didn't want.

I agree though that the end of this story should provide Obi-Wan with the... new hope... that he truly needs.

Bingo

 

[Disney Analyst]

I think people feared initially TLJ CrankyLuke 2.0 and that's what they didn't want.

I agree though that the end of this story should provide Obi-Wan with the... new hope... that he truly needs.

Which I guess is valid, but I think in a series people really need to wait until the entire thing is out to judge it.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

I'm going to add in: nostalgia. You have an affection for what you grew up with, whether it was good or not.

See: Andrew Garfield's Spider-Man suddenly having a swell of affection recently.

Helps that Andrew Garfield as Spider-Man was the best thing about those movies and No Way Home gave him better material to work with.

 

[MarvelCharacterNerd]

Which I guess is valid, but I think in a series people really need to wait until the entire thing is out to judge it.

Have you met the internet before?