Obi-Wan Kenobi is set to premiere over Memorial Day weekend, a sacrosanct spot on the Star Wars calendar marking the release of the original Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope. It takes place at the midway point between the fall of the Republic at the end of Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith and the first Rebel victories in A New Hope and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. That gives fans looking to brush up on events leading up to the series a set window of shows and movies to watch. A list of the most important follows, along with a brief for those who want a viewing list before Obi-Wan Kenobi’s first two episodes premiere on May 27.
Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace
The Skywalker Saga began with The Phantom Menace — in the timeline at least — and as such it plants the seeds for more of the major conflicts that seem to be on display in Obi-Wan Kenobi. It includes key moments, such as Anakin meeting Obi-Wan for the first time, the Jedi Council’s early distrust of the decision, Obi-Wan’s promise to train the boy following the death of his master, Qui-Gon Jinn, and Palpatine’s first real steps to seizing power. If the new series is about his failures, The Phantom Menace is where Obi-Wan was set up for them; making promises he had no way of knowing he couldn’t keep.
Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones
The beginning of the Clone Wars is a chance to watch Obi-Wan and Anakin as friends for the first time, as they take on the schemes of Count Dooku and watch the galaxy split into two beneath Palpatine’s machinations. Even more than Obi-Wan himself, however, Attack of the Clones is the saga’s only significant look thus far at Owen Lars, who appears to play a central role in the new series and whose connection to Anakin, via his mother, Shmi, has yet to be explored. With an actor of Joel Edgerton’s caliber in the part, another look at his beginnings in the saga may be in order.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
The seven seasons of The Clone Wars constitute must-see viewing in and of themselves, providing the best look yet at who Obi-Wan was before his exile on Tatooine. It’s a lot of viewing, however, and not all of it involves Obi-Wan.
A few “core” arcs provide a good overview for fans who can’t fit every episode into a viewing before the Obi-Wan Kenobi premiere. Chief among them are Season 2, Episodes 12-14 — the “Mandalore Arc,” which covers Obi-Wan’s complicated relationship with Duchess Satine Kryze — and Season 4, Episodes 20 and 21, “Brothers” and “Revenge,” which entails the return of Maul. Both arcs lead to Season 5, Episodes 14-16 — “Eminence,” “Shades of Reason” and “The Lawless” — which complete the storyline and open Kenobi’s path to the end of the Clone Wars.
Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith
Of all the entries in the franchise, Revenge of the Sith is easily the most important in terms of how Obi-Wan Kenobi will unfold. It depicts the end of the Clone Wars, as Anakin Skywalker turns to the Dark Side and Palpatine strikes a sudden, fatal blow to the Jedi Order. Most importantly for the new series, it’s a swift summation of the emotional connection between Anakin and Obi-Wan, depicting both their friendship and its brutal destruction. Their final lightsaber duel is one of the linchpins of the entire saga, and the emotional fallout – on both sides – looks to play an important part in Obi-Wan Kenobi. Revenge of the Sith is the best one-stop way to get back up to speed.
Star Wars: The Bad Batch
The Bad Batch doesn’t strictly follow Kenobi, and indeed once its titular squad of mismatched Clone Troopers heads on their own path, the chances of him turning up in the future are slim. But the series adeptly illustrates the new reality the galaxy finds itself in after Order 66, as Palpatine assumes control and the Jedi are formally outlawed. The entire series is worth a watch, but those with limited time can check out the premiere – Season 1, Episode 1, “Aftermath” – to get some idea of the kind of social order Kenobi will have to contend with in the new show.
Star Wars: Rebels
Rebels takes place after the events of Obi-Wan Kenobi, and therefore won’t affect what unfolds in the upcoming series at all. One particular episode is pertinent however: Season 3, Episode 20, “Twin Suns,” which depicts Maul’s arrival on Tatooine and the final showdown between him and Kenobi. It’s pertinent not only in the quiet, almost tender duel between the two old foes, but in the way it informs the tone of the upcoming live-action series. “He will avenge us,” Maul whispers as he dies, referring to Luke Skywalker. That possibility clearly haunts Obi-Wan after the duel ends, and will likely play a considerable role in Obi-Wan Kenobi as well.
Obi-Wan Kenobi premieres on May 27 on Disney+.
Read Next
About The Author