Every time Star Wars comes out with a new piece of property, I make the unfortunate mistake of setting my expectations way too high. Obi-Wan Kenobi seemed like it could be one of the best entries into Star Wars lore. However, many things contributed to the ultimate downfall of this series. It started off intense and dark but when it ended, it was laughable and ridiculous.

The main issue with the series stems from the writing and the story. There are two ways one could judge this: as a Star Wars fan and as a casual television watcher. When looking at this as a Star Wars fan, you notice a lot of inconsistencies in the grand scheme of the Star Wars lore. For instance, Leia and Obi-Wan developing such a strong friendship can leave one wondering how this reflects the original trilogy. The fact that Reva is assumed to be alive is another plot hole that makes where these characters are in current canon confusing. Even from a casual point of view, the world building, dialogue, and character inconsistency can make the show hard to watch. The stakes are entirely removed when characters are constantly stabbed in the stomach with no consequences and so-called unstoppable evil figures are stopped by small fires.

All that being said, Deborah Chow tried her best with the material she was given. Minus some questionable cinematography and choreography choices, I would say the presentation of the show is well done. Despite my many issues with the show, I will still applaud her for her efforts.

On an acting standpoint, Obi-Wan Kenobi is actually quite great. Our main cast of Ewan McGregor, Moses Ingram, and Vivien Lyra Blair are all wonderful.  They truly add depth and emotion to their characters and fully immerse themselves in the Star Wars world. The supporting cast also excel in different ways. Rupert Friend and Sung Kang are great at building the atmosphere of the Empire and are able to emulate the sinister and demented attitudes we have seen from these characters before. Joel Edgerton, Kumail Nanjiani, Indira Varma, O’Shea Jackson and Jimmy Smits are solid in the few episodes they appear in. And in the brief moments where he appears, Hayden Christensen is able to truly transform into the role of Anakin Skywalker once again. All in all, the cast is great. It’s just a shame that they weren’t given better material.

Overall, Obi-Wan Kenobi is a mediocre entry into the Disney+ catalog. While it may have sounded like a favorable choice for the average Star Wars fan, the story, writing, and atmosphere of the show result in an overall lackluster bit of television that I would much rather forget.

5/10