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Obi-Wan is out on Disney Plus and it got me thinking about the Star Wars franchise’s favorite storytelling framework, the hero’s journey, and what that means for the episodes I haven’t seen. Can I predict what happens next? Let’s see.
At the time of my writing this, I’ve seen 3 episodes of a 6 episode arc. Spoilers ahead. Ye be warned…
Here’s an overview of the hero’s journey (aka the monomyth)
Stages:
- The call to adventure
- Meeting a Mentor
- Crossing a Threshold
- Trials and Failure
- Death and Rebirth
- Revelation
- Finally changes
- Atonement
- Gets gift
- Return Changed
The Call to Adventure
In this series, Obi-Wan’s call to adventure first shows up when jedi X on the run asks for Obi-wan’s help. He refuses the call, which is also a staple of the monomyth.
Meeting a Mentor
Obi-wan would continue his ways, except Bail Organa sends a message to Obi-wan and reminds him of his obligations to Leia and the Jedi. It’s not the typical mentor’s meeting, but Bail is serving the same purpose as the monomyth’s wise old wizard archetype: telling the hero they have what it takes to meet the story’s challenge.
Crossing the threshold (end of episode One)
Obi-Wan crosses the threshold in two ways: first, by retrieving his lightsaber from the desert (taking up the Jedi mantle again) and booking passage off Tatooine (his familliar world).
Trials and Failure (episodes two and three)
Obi-wan travels to the planet Daiyu and begins looking for Leia. The easiest path would be for him to find the kidnapper’s ship, take Leia, and fly back to Alderaan with nobody noticing. This does not happen. Obi-Wan is forced to deal with con men, drug smugglers, a headstrong princess, bounty hunters, Imperial Inquisitors, roundabout transport, stormtroopers, and so on. Meanwhile, it seems like his connection with the Force has faded over the years and he doesn’t trust himself using it.
Death and Rebirth (end of episode 3)
This is the story’s midpoint, so it makes sense that Obi-Wan’s problems come to a head at the end of episode three. Obi-Wan makes the decision to face Darth Vader and is utterly outclassed. He’s beaten and is at Vader’s mercy when Tala saves his bacon by creating a distraction and sending her loader bot to rescue the unconscious Obi-Wan.
Now we’re getting into episodes I haven’t seen yet, so this is pure speculation.
Revelation (Episode 4)
Obi-Wan will come to grips with his hiding from the force and his defeat at Vader’s hand. He might even look into a mirror as he realizes how he’s been approaching this all wrong and resolves to try a new way – which I predict will embrace the old ways of the Jedi and the Force, rather than trying to run around with blasters and hide what he is from the universe.
This would also be a good time for Qui-Gon to finally show up when Obi-Wan calls out and drop some wise words on his former padawan.
I expect that we’ll also find out the Grand Inquisitor isn’t really dead, and we’ll get more insight into Riva’s background before she became the third sister, and her beef with Obi-Wan. Hers is a parallel story arc, a dark counterpart to Obi-Wan’s.
Finally Changes (Episode 4&5)
Obi-Wan will begin to trust in the force again and risk more exposure. He’s in a pretty deep hole, having lost Leia again and nursing injuries from his duel with Vader, so he’ll have to overcome some more obstacles and trust in his allies along the way. I predict he will confront the inquisitors directly as he rescues Leia and will also strengthen his ties with the fledgling rebellion and help them where he can.
Episode 5 usually ends with a build up to the final battle. Either a grand plan will come together to solve an almost impossible problem, or we’ll have an “all is lost” moment at 5’s end that will require Obi-Wan to launch a desperate plan. I also expect Inquisitor Riva’s problems also coming to a head.
Don’t be surprised if Leia manages to escape on her own, and it becomes a race to see if Obi-Wan can catch up to her before the Empire does.
Atonement (Episode 6)
If he hasn’t already, Obi-wan will help a Jedi escape from the inquisitors. I have a feeling Inquisitor Riva is a former Jedi youngling that escaped Order 66 and Kenobi will reach out to her to apologize for leaving her to fend for herself, though I doubt she will forgive him. He will also confront Vader again at the end and come out victorious by using his insight from episode 4.
Gets Gift (Episode 6)
Upon returning the princess to Alderaan, Obi-wan will receive great praise from all involved, and if it hasn’t happened already, a visit from Qui-Gon’s Force ghost.
If Riva survives her confrontation with Obi-Wan, Vader will make good on episode 3’s promise to kill her. That is, unless an excutive at Disney hasn’t extended Moses Ingram’s contract and tells the writers to find a way to keep her around for a second season.
Return Changed (Episode 6)
Obi-Wan will return to Tatooine and negotiate a truce with Uncle Owen if this is a single-season series, otherwise this will be the focus of season two.
Time will tell if I’m right or not. What do you think will happen?
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