Obi-Wan Kenobi Part I & II Review: 7 Ups & 2 Downs
2. It's Intimate & Character-Driven
There's a lot that can be said for Part I and II of Obi-Wan Kenobi and their ability to tell both a sweeping story across several different planets whilst maintaining their primary focus on character.
For all its beautiful set design and special effects, the main takeaway from the first two episodes has been how committed showrunner Deborah Chow is to telling an unseen part of Obi-Wan's story, by tapping into the Jedi's grief, dwindling hope, and perseverance.
It's a brilliant character study, first isolating him as a lonely exile and then throwing him head-first into a mission only he can complete.
The glimpses into the psyche of Leia and Reva also prove that the show - like all Star Wars - works best when it moves away from mindless spectacle and actively invests in the personalities at its centre.
Given the richness of Obi-Wan's backstory and the overwhelming tragedy of his life, the series has a great opportunity to ensure he remains one of the most compelling Star Wars characters. Parts I and II offer the perfect foundation.
Speaking of which...