Highlights
- The subtle delivery of Obi-Wan’s line “I was once a Jedi Knight” hints at complex emotions among fans.
- Fans debate whether the derisive tone reflects Obi-Wan’s disillusionment or detached perspective on the Jedi Order.
- Sir Alec Guinness’ masterful performance adds depth to the character despite evolving context in the Star Wars lore.
Some observant Star Wars fans may have picked up on some hidden depth in Obi-Wan Kenobi’s earliest appearance from the franchise. But is it simply excellent acting that stands the test of time? Or was it truly a sign that creator George Lucas had certain plans from the start?
Given how long Star Wars has existed as a franchise, it’s never less than inevitable that fresh context will be added to older entries with each new addition to the lore. Right from the start, lines like “you fought in the Clone Wars?” sparked the imaginations of countless fans, wondering just what sort of fantastical untold story was being alluded to. In most other series, such mentions would retain their mystery. But given the existence of the animated Star Wars: The Clone Wars series and its ever growing menagerie of spinoffs, that’s just one aspect that has proven this franchise’s potential for exponential growth.
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Fans in the Star Wars subreddit may have now picked up on perhaps one of the most subtle instances of this retroactive phenomenon. They noticed that Obi-Wan Kenobi’s line “I was once a Jedi Knight” in Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope appears to hide some complex emotions in Sir Alec Guinness’ delivery. But what sort of emotions remain up for debate, at least among the fans discussing it. Given what long-time viewers now know of the character, it could certainly go a number of ways.
The original post posits that the delivery seems to contain some derision for Obi-Wan’t time as a Jedi, which makes sense given what was eventually revealed about the Jedi Order during the time of the Republic. After all, the Order fancied itself as detached peacekeepers who then turned into actual military officers on the front lines of war. It’s not difficult to see why one might scoff at such a significant turn. But another user quickly offered another, slightly adjusted theory: that he was more detached than spiteful.
The comment in question explains in detail how Obi-Wan’s proud past as a Jedi Knight and eventual Jedi Master came crashing down so spectacularly that he has no choice but to be detached for his own sake. “Kenobi was a great Jedi, but he was too attached to the institutions of The Republic and The Jedi, and (somewhat related) he takes too much on himself,” they offer. “By contrast, he now realizes those institutions were not infallible, and he speaks of them from a place of broader perspective.” Others agreed, even pointing out how Guinness, operating on relatively little information about his character, managed to put on a performance that created depth based on what he knew.
“[Guinness] obviously knew as the character was an exiled Hermit living in hiding he wouldn’t be the proud Jedi he once was and acted accordingly.”
This heavy weight from a mysterious past is not only expanded upon in The Clone Wars, but also through some important moments in the Obi-Wan Kenobi miniseries. But Guinness’ performance given what little he (and everyone else) knew of the character remains a masterclass of working with what one has. Sure, it’s undeniable that context was added after the fact. But it’s hard to imagine Obi-Wan being such an impactful character in those early days with anyone else behind the wheel.
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Source: U/ApathyFarmer|Reddit
