Why OBI-WAN KENOBI is the Most Important Character in STAR WARS | Character Study

[@ScreenCrush]

Who do you want to see appear in Obi-Wan's show?

[@earthsmightiestaccountant8535]

I much rather the show focus on Obi-Wan then shoe horn cameos

[@GrumpyJerk]

Doug the Mandalorian. duh!

[@Shinky101]

Ezra Bridger

[@toadmasterfilms7691]

i dont want many people to cameo but if anyone, i think Black K should show up to recreate obi wan giving him the scar

[@aqustks]

Obi-Wan...just Obi-Wan. What more to do need?

[@frogandbee7684]

That transition to Qui Gon's fighting style is a beautiful evolution of Obi-Wan's character. This video is fantastic!

[@Fenris30]

Qui-Gon used Ataru not Soresu

[@Jezee213]

I never even realized he switched till I seen this video, it was beautiful!

[@Tahkaullus01]

I think you mean 'from' Qui-Gon's style. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan together used Ataru. After Qui-Gon's death, Obi-Wan switched to Soresu.

[@sneakdza]

I feel like Obi-Wan also says “Don’t try it” to Anakin before he jumps because he did the same against Maul & knew to counter it resulting in cuttin off Anakin’s legs & other arm

[@b00nz0r]

I mean…… it’s a core principle of physical combat. Also there are plenty of times where jumping has been beneficial to fighting and I’m just picturing the Clone Wars. Is a lovely thing for them to say but holds no real truth because in the final battle they were on the same level, one wasn’t higher then the other.

[@sneakdza]

@@b00nz0r sure

[@derrickwhipp1613]

@@b00nz0r wtf are you smoking? Obi was literally standing on a hill above Anakin.

[@derrickwhipp1613]

That’s exactly why he said it… Obi was able to defeat Maul and Grevious both while they had the high ground because they both became arrogant. Obi knew all he had to do was stay focused. Maul died because he played with Obi wan while he was hanging and Grevious never considered the blaster as an option for Obi because he thought a jedi without a saber was useless.

[@hounds760]

@@derrickwhipp1613 maul didn't die in that encounter

[@Kenboslice3]

Actually I believe R2D2 is the most important character in Star Wars. Without R2, death star plans aren't delivered, Luke Skywalker doesn't escape from Jabbas barge, and Rey doesn't find the location of Master Skywalker, among other important story arcs that are slipping my mind at this time. Never underestimate a droid!

[@lukestover1302]

Padme never escapes Naboo, obiwans transmission never gets passed on to the council initiating the arena battle on geonosis, and obiwan and anakin have a lot of elevator troubles…

[@ARS_Time_Bomb]

R2D2 also saves Anakin, Obi-Wan and Papltine lives on the Spaceship in Revenge of the sith.

[@delmarfrazier2727]

Bro I swear to God I was just about to say R2-D2!!Good $h!t!

[@anakinnotvader]

Me and my cousin were just having this conversation. R2 is like the heart or the backbone of this franchise.

[@Thereferenceguy2001]

the shit that droid has seen is not ok. did he download the lightsaber archives? how much does he truly know?

[@kaizenkltr]

He is arugably the most Jedi of all Jedis without being a perfect Jedi

[@audience2]

He is the archetype

[@robertmccann5838]

Anakin grew up hearing about Obi-Wan defeating Maul. Anakin thought he could do the same thing. Obi-Wan was trying to reach out by pleading, "don't try it"

[@amoghsawant3801]

Maul is off guard but obi didn't

[@williamclose6978]

It always irked me that no one seemed to realize that Anakin did fulfill the prophecy of the chosen one in revenge of the sith. Balance meant equality between the light and dark sides of the Force whereas up to the turning point of the emperor, Mace, and Anakin; the light side was in power in overwhelming numbers. By the end, there were two key players on each side of this coin, Obi wan and Yoda for the light, and Vader and the emperor for the dark. To me, that was the balance. The prophecy was a warning, not an end of evil. Even Yoda said that a prophecy misinterpreted it may have been. Luke was a new hope, because it was his faith in people, not dogma, that brought goodness back to the galaxy.

[@MrBazBake]

Lucas has contradicted himself on this so many times. He's called the Dark Side an imbalance and cancer and said Anakin technically brought "balance."

[@danmarusan2878]

The Sith ruling the Galaxy and the Jedi are as good as wiped out? Sounds not like balance to me.

[@orangutanxremix510]

@@danmarusan2878 it is balanced. As the Jedi held the most power before the fall of the republic.

[@EntelSidious_gamzeylmz]

I agree with you on this, the thing is that there never was really any good or evil in the greater scope of things in the universe, the only thing is that the jedi come from a bad understanding of stoism (yeah yeah it generally isn't that good either) with some Kantian ethics in the mix which they are higgghly inaccurate with (killing is bad but you also kill people like all the time, yeah sure values) and the sith mostly come from a utilitarian amoral side (think of it like this, this is a universe where killing is pretty much the norm sooo they are just pretty normal utilitarians, or even existentialists, some like plagueis, by our understanding projected there. And there is the machiavellian understanding of the clone wars period. George Lucas doesn't seem to get what he has created and that makes it even more interesting, he sees it weirdly from a good and bad kind of angle. If we look at it from the perspective we know now of the universe, it is really clear that the adminstration doesn't really matter for the most (%99.9) percent of the universe. This is made really clear in the Bane books but also in the newer material. So yeah the story in its state right now is just a really neutral and amoral look onto a philosophical conflict between the two sides neither being good or evil.

[@granthudson5447]

Its all about balancing the force, if the jedi are strong in numbers or still have a wise master, the force will influence greatly to the dark side in the galaxy pretty much flaring up embers that's were once charred.

[@Grigsy]

Agreed. And OMG I never put that connection between Obi-Wan and Maul/Vader and the High Ground. In both duels, Obi-Wan starts from bellow, moves up and cuts his opponent down severely. There are parallels between both duels.

[@KingBaileySB]

It’s like poetry it rhymes

[@iongaminghavefun]

Anakin actually tried the same move earlier in the fight (right after he says “This so the end for you, my Master”) but almost fell off of the platform, if he didn’t almost fall he would have succeeded in doing the same move to Obi as Obi did to Maul

[@anthonyhyde7325]

Obi-Won has always been my favorite Star Wars character. He reminds me of the wise judge, Samuel, in the Old Testament. He also was the last of his kind and a teacher to future leaders. Super pumped about the show!😁

[@TheMaxRebo]

Very interesting angle of how he couldn't kill Anakin, but when he realized Maul knew about Luke he knew he needed to kill him - and why he pushed Luke to kill Vader as he knew not being willing to do so created such a mess. But Luke wouldn't do it - and maybe just after all the pain Vader went through he was ready to hear it from Luke when he wasn't ready to hear it from Obi-Wan as Obi-Wan represented all that was wrong with the Jedi but Luke represented what could be right/better

[@harekparas9464]

Also, note how Obi-Wan lost his trolling sense of humor between SW III and SW IV. That's really showing how broken he became.

[@isaacpowrie465]

The Obi Wan Kenobi series will show you how he did lose it.

[@originalSiiiN]

[@romeogaxiola7447]

Revenge of the Sith really hits hard no matter how much you rewatch it, I LOVE STAR WARS so much such an amazing series!!!

[@jasperclydeinsd592]

It’s actually such an amazing complex story, with a couple of horrible performances that almost ruin it.

[@jasperclydeinsd592]

I’ve always loved that scene….Obi Wan Kenobi anxiously waiting for the shield to deactivate so he could get at Darth Maul…so good

[@SombreroBeanieHat]

And it’s why I’m really crossing my fingers they do him Justice in his own show. Always been my favorite character growing up.

[@b1ztake]

Obi wan is one of the most inspirational characters in sw. he became extremely accomplished despite having a low midichlorian count

[@oldboywoody3835]

I’m so mad that people still try to use midiclorians as an explanation for the force.

[@TChalla616]

I think they have a pill for that.

[@JonCollinsMedia]

@@oldboywoody3835 why?

[@angads1895]

@@oldboywoody3835 eitherways, he doesnt even rely on the force. Sure he can use it a lot but he doesnt rely on it like Anakin/Darth Vader does.

[@SynthesisZane]

​@@JonCollinsMedia Many people felt that it makes The Force too "scientific" and that it removes its mystical effect.

[@mr_elusive_3371]

It doesn’t make sense that Luke would lose Ben to the dark side, like how could you see the good in Darth Vader, who murdered millions of innocent lives, and see darkness in Ben, who literally didn’t do anything wrong

[@mr_elusive_3371]

@Tori Ben Solo (Kylo Ren)

[@MrBazBake]

Vader didn't blow up Alderaan, Tarkin did.

[@mr_elusive_3371]

@@MrBazBake your right, from his lightsaber not millions but definitely thousands, but he still approved of the destroying of the planet

[@DeSvenster]

Luke saw the future, a Jedi ability Anakin also had. He didn't just see darkness, he saw Ben (Kylo) killing his best friend, Han. Plenty of reason to have that one moment of uncontrollable anger. A trait he had in the original movies as well. Remember Luke going berserk on Vader after Vader found out about his sister. People should pay WAY more attention to everything...

[@mr_elusive_3371]

@@DeSvenster Luke never saw Vader’s future, and was still optimistic about him, Kylo Ren hadn’t done ANYTHING and yet Luke STILL ignited his lightsaber, that goes against all of his character development. It makes no sense

[@ResseJae]

Im a huge fan of your way of seeing the strife and turmoil Obi-Wan. he is truly a broken and flawed man. I hope this new show shows that. he is so complex... his story is so deep..

[@apexfrazier]

Beautifully made and delivered Ryan! Great job 👏

[@patrickestwick5675]

You Ryan are simply the best commentator bar none on this forum. You bring clever insight and clarity of thought which this viewer highly respects. No rants of immature emotions etc…kudos to you sir. I hope others view your videos and learn from your approach.

[@MLN-yz4ph]

I really did not think about this until now. Obi-Wan took something from Vader in the first Star Wars by dying. That one thing that drove him deep down inside was no longer there. And the fact it was him just giving up would have made it that much more I think. I really have to wonder what would have been going thru Vader after that fight. Not right away, just in the quiet times that must have been full of Obi-Wan hate in his head now quiet. Was that the point he was floating free and could go back to the light?

[@therealliveguy]

Exactly. Vader killed him, but Vader did NOT beat him. Once Obi Wan looked over to Luke, and then smiled and sacrificed himself, Vader lost; he just didn’t know it yet.

[@DialItBack1]

ALRIGHT alright here. Have my subscription. Love your stuff man.

[@audioacc]

This has been THE Best Screen Crush video I’ve ever seen. 🤩 From analysis to video clips: just perfect! I never really thought of Obi-Wan like this and I WATCHED all of Clone Wars and Rebels, and all the movies. Wow! Total mind blown here. 🤯😅 Great job guys! 👍🏾👍🏾 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@thathairyguy]

Loved this video. This is one of my favourite ones of your Ryan but I watch them all. Great content 👍🏻

[@nickm.230]

So, basically this video is exactly what I was hoping the Kenobi series would give us: a well-considered meditation on the strengths, failures and evolution of Obi-Wan, the most interesting character in Star Wars. We have only had the first four episodes released, as of this writing, but so far I would rather have watched this channel than anything I have seen out of Disney's Star Wars this year. Keep it up!

[@rasmusnovak8600]

I love how you are able to talk about the sequels without treating them like the goddamn plaige, like everyone else. Thank you for not alienating your audience!

[@justintryba]

Can’t wait for your breakdowns for the new show

[@TheUnkGamer]

"we crashed the ship your way" is one of my favorite lines in star wars ever

[@sampatterson2434]

You are 100% right, from a certain point of view. 😂 Actually, I think I agree with just about everything. I especially loved Clone Wars and Rebels. I’m really looking forward to his new story… how did he go from Episode 3 to Rebels/A New Hope? That’s what I hope we see.

[@lloydmills5968]

Love how you gave side-eye to the camera while saying, "from a certain point of view". Nice

[@iongaminghavefun]

Anakin actually tried the same move earlier in the fight (right after he says “This so the end for you, my Master”) but almost fell off of the platform, if he didn’t almost fall he would have succeeded in doing the same move to Obi as Obi did to Maul

[@wolfbro82]

It's crazy how this video gave me an entire mood change. Thank you

[@jessesisson2955]

Mugatu fanboying over Obi Wan vs Maul just made my whole day :)

[@kpb58]

Very well done, Ryan. Wonderful overview of Obi-Wan Kenobi's effect in the Star Wars Universe.

[@Bryan-dr5qy]

With the added context of the Clone Wars (especially Season 7), we see Ahsoka become one of the lynchpins keeping Anakin in the order, with him learning as much from her as her from him. And Obi-Wan too grows from this relationship. When Obi-Wan doubted the council's decision to have Anakin spy on Palpatine. He tells her "the council isn't always right". And Ahsoka responds by telling him to "tell Anakin". So instead of approaching Anakin as an authority figure, berating/lecturing him about what he should and shouldn't do and how the council knows best, instead he approaches Anakin as someone to confide in, having faith in him openly instead of taking the council's side. That's what lead Obi-Wan to tell Anakin how proud of him he was before they went their separate ways. The tragedy is that by then it was too late and Palpatine's claws had already been sunken too deep into Anakin.

[@justaddafan]

Really excellent analysis Ryan. You do great work. I just hope the Obi-Wan show is really about this character that we want to see explored and not used as an opportunity to introduce same new, uninteresting character.

[@eileenengelbrecht1783]

This is a great video! Everything so well said and explained! Thank you!!

[@Myfirespraygunship]

Thanks for this, Ryan. You made me love Obi-Wan even more, and I didn't think that was possible.

[@amsrremix2239]

I have to say that I think Anakin was and still is the chosen one. Hear me out here-He did actually bring balance to the force. But it was a Monkeys paw prophecy. That is- he brought balance but not the balance they were expecting. They wanted him to make the Jedi order and the council more powerful - which would arguably be a problem considering that the Council was already in power : we’re they just power hungry ?? Instead Anakin brought the new order. Which depending on perspective-could just be the other side of coin- hence balance. One side should never completely dominate the other regardless good or evil. Yin and Yang define one another. Although the council wanted More for their side of the fight - Anakin was ultimately the one to stop the Jedi’s growing lost for control and power.

[@boboltongleason6956]

I still feel that Luke's character in the sequel trilogy is simply a lazy deconstruction out of lack of creativity, not a choice looping into the larger narrative. The decision was made simply to promote Rey as better than predecessors without actually making a character that is.

[@mizudori6211]

That's probably why the entire sum of analysis of the sequel trilogy was summed up with about 3% of the length of this video

[@MrBazBake]

Yeah, this video is really lazy regarding that. Luke in the sequels and Lucas's treatment was a reflection of how George Lucas felt his generation failed to protect later generations and how dejected the hippy baby boomers were with the rise of the political right.

[@aleksandrasz3502]

my fav video from Ryan on Star Wars lore so far!!!!! so many levels of intepretation that can be channeled onto our own lives and expieriences and lives and expieriences of other generations, AMAZING, thank you

[@chicagofan76]

This might be your best video ever. So deep.

[@SierahtheDaring]

Obi Wan did three poses before his final fight with Maul. Young Obi arm up and to the right. Older Obi Wan pose with two hands in front of him from the Death Star fight, before finally settling on the opening pose of Qui Gon. Poetry dude

[@mrcycling7007]

Great video! I love how you delve into the psychology! Just brilliant!

[@kingtigertank72]

What an EXCELLENT Analysis...thank you

[@hapaguy2001]

Great work Ryan!

[@grandpasquishy2708]

Great video as always. You even had me ALMOST have respect for the sequel. Hard to do

[@ascensionindustries9631]

This is a brilliantly written analysis of one of the greatest epic heroes of our modern mythology. Thanks Ryan

[@TomE.V.]

I IMMEDIATELY clicked on this video when it came up in my alerts. You and Doug are my favorites when it comes to Star Wars videos. Your trailer breakdowns are pretty wizard too!

[@angelafernandachristenseng9884]

Brilliant and beautifully explained. Straight to the core of your thinking. 🌟 just for not being boring as other well known channels! May I add that Ewan McGregor Scott humor and swagger made a perfect Obi Wan…?

[@jedimasters1462]

When Obi-Wan told Luke to kill Darth Vader, I personally think that it was more of a metaphor for Luke turning Vader back to Anakin. In the end, I think that Obi-Wan was the key to everything. Without him, Qui-Gon may not have been the one sent to help Naboo. The other Jedi most likely wouldn't have been as reckless as Qui-Gon was on Tatooine and they wouldn't have tried to defy the council to train Anakin, if they did get the boy freed. Then, if Qui-Gon did survive and train Anakin, he might not have married Padme and have Luke and Leia. I also believe that part of the reason Anakin fell wasn't fully that Obi-Wan failed, but that Obi-Wan wasn't there to help guide Anakin when he needed him most; when he had to choose light or dark. In a way, the council failed by separating Obi-Wan and Anakin when their bond needed to be at its strongest.

[@ChesterT89]

So dang stoked for the Kenobi series

[@edwardakosa8308]

Very very good narrative and refresher. Good job.

[@tekphloyd]

Thank you for this gift! 🎉❤️

[@michaelschiessl8357]

Great video Ryan...makes a lot of parallels that makes sense..

[@Noone-jn3jp]

16:40 is some of the coolest editing

[@auntvesuvi3872]

Thanks, Ryan! 🌌

[@andyl7303]

Ryan at his very best!! ❤️👏👏👏

[@subhasisbharali303]

And my favourite too. The role that put Ewan McGregor on the map

[@kayyy5]

I love Obi-Wan and Ewan McGregor but I think Trainspotting but him on the map. Star Wars propelled him off the charts.

[@spencergates5766]

I love Obi Wan! To me, his handling of his relationship with Satine was in stark contrast to the way Anakin handled his relationship with Padme. That was how Anakin was “supposed” to handle a relationship. I also think that Obi Wan was still a good and true Jedi during the Clone Wars, but that he also had his reservations about the Council. We can see the contemplative look on his face all throughout ROTS. But ultimately, he and Yoda failed to save Anakin because of their clouded judgment. Great video!

[@4891MR]

I don't agree with every word, but this is a good video. Obi-Wan is my favorite in Star Wars, and I too have always felt that the "certain point of view" scene is the core of the whole saga. The characters are, at least in the original trilogy, so internally consistent. The heroes cannot do it all; that's how Obi-Wan is flawed at the same time that.he's ideal for what he does.

[@jeffreycarman2185]

I like your analysis. Thanks for all your hard work putting the video together.

[@februaryschild0216]

Some of the best Star Wars casting ever.

[@tishow3259]

Just another well documented example of why Jon and Dave should hold the keys to everything Star Wars, starting the moment George sold to Disney. The amount that Filoni understands and level of respect he has George's creation is unmatched. When you really dig into The Clone Wars and Rebels and what they did for existing canon, it's quite remarkable that a large chunk of it was done without George.

[@scipiobacca8471]

Great video. You always make a rewatch have a bit more depth

[@pvuccino]

And the moral of the day is: No matter who has the high ground, Obi-wan always wins!

[@charlesjohnson7458]

I think Leia was pulled from Obi-Wan's mind - I hope we see that in the show after he rescues her and teaches her to strengthen her mind with The Force (she was able to resist Vader in SW:ANH)

[@jenniferkiehl6186]

Good point - that would be great to see in the show!!!

[@nikitameo8711]

Excellent vid!!!

[@HerbstaMagus]

I contend that Obi wan is the true protagonist of the entire Star Wars Trilogy of Trilogies, particularly the prequels. He is a much more pure heroic figure than any of the Skywalkers.

[@pacoherran3850]

I absolutely enjoy your essays.

[@RuggerDez]

ScreenCrush is a super fan. Brilliant. Insightful. A historian. What then is Debora Chow and Kathleen Kennedy? A director and producer? What is Disney today? Disney use to be a masterful storyteller. But now the SW fan base is greatly divided. Why?

[@deuaia]

Excellent Analysis about Obi-Wan

[@seanviray9653]

This video was beautifully made

[@TheeIsaiahJames]

More Character Studies please!!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@johngarretson9969]

Amazing work!!!

[@aaronfoster7597]

Great job Ryan, thank you.

[@zainabamadahy9918]

Love your take on all things SW. Thank you.

[@KenjiMapes]

Obi-one is crucial & beloved. Plain & simple. The Prequels get a lot of flak & while they’re far from perfect they were ambitious in scope & a dramatic story. I love how it boils down to the Jedi’s inability to adapt along with Palpatine’s cunning machinations & subterfuge that undid the Jedi & harked the Empire. It’s also brilliant how all of this is encapsulated in the “Duel of the Fates” - that is, Anakin’s rise or downfall is tied to Qui-Gon & whether balance will be restored or there will be great suffering. Obviously balance is eventually restored but at a huge cost. Like Rogue One & the first Trilogy, Lucas brilliantly made it complex & not such a clear cut dichotomy. That is, it’s not a simple good vs bad move with one sided characters. It’s darker & more nuanced like you mentioned. Obi-One is good but too rigid because of his training by dogmatic Jedi. Qui-Gon is good but rebellious. Anakin is powerful & inherently good but haunted & arrogant. All these complexities & conflicts increase the stakes & drama. This is why we are drawn to the story. Again, It’s not just a simple good vs bad sci-fi flick but are well crafted story with incredible characters at the heart of the wonderful science fiction backdrop. Luke is obviously a favorite but Obi-One has gained more adulation & importance as time has passed. Part of it stems from Ewan’s charismatic & endearing execution of the role no doubt. Despite this after a New Hope, successive movies, canon, etc have illustrated how crucial he was to Luke & defeating the Empire despite insane odds.

[@tchallaseven]

excellent analysis and video.

[@lannywong5317]

Nice depth, and good recap for the coming spin-off series

[@iswiftyfox8997]

tbh obiwan prolly is the main character in terms of screentime, as in he prolly has the most screentime of anystar wars character Major role in ANH Major roles in all 3 prequels Major role in a seven season show has his own show even has tons of small cameos in Rebels, the other two OT movies, tales of the jedi, star wars games, etc. And if we count 2003 clone wars and stuff like that he only goes up. My guess would be: 1. obiwan 2, Anakin/Vader 3. Ahsoka. (But people like mando would also be up there cuz he has 3 seasons now and was in BOBF)

[@wopi_b_nooghty]

Brilliant, absolutely brilliant

[@RegularRegs]

Has everyone seen that "Obi-Wan has PTSD" video? It's a great cut of his memories while he's talking to Luke in the first movie.

[@eduardorajabally28]

brilliant analysis!

[@thatoneplanet]

AHHHHHH IM SO PUMPED FOR THE NEW SERIES

[@moreorlesto]

Another excellent one! How do you and Doug come up with all this stuff when you're stuck in the store all the time?!

[@joshualefholz7145]

Damn this made me love Obi-Wan even more. I'm not crying you are!

[@JackSmith-ns1uq]

Honestly the more you look back at Phantom Menace the more you see how underrated it was. Quigon and Obiwans archs are so good. Not to mention some incredible action scenes (podracing and duel of the fates are at the top)

[@gamecokben]

The Phantom Menace was justifiably rated poorly. The highs were outstanding, but the far more frequent lows were a joke. The interminable and boring pod race scene, the racist caucus caricature aliens, the stilted and awkward dialogue...it was just bad. But the best parts of it were outstanding, so I choose to focus on those.

[@RaistlinLives]

Wonderful analysis. Very well done.

[@trollonme]

This was SO good. Wow 👍👍

[@nimbusgalleon9701]

Fantastic!

[@TheAntagonistx]

Obi Wan is my favorite character. Really wished if Rey was his grand daughter. A Obi Wan teaching a Skywalker then a Sky Walker teaching a Obi Wan would’ve made things connect better.

[@blessanabey8386]

That wouldve made sense he did had a lot past lovers even though he is sworn Jedi but I don't think he lets his emotions take over his vows, Rey could've been their daughter. But sadly they didn't have any plan for her or the new trilogy at all.

[@ARCtrooperblueleader]

I adore this channel.

[@tammerahanes1792]

Very Well Said, Love Star Wars

[@jordanfreedman5895]

Excellent video. Bravo

[@criskity]

3:02 I like to call that series of laser shields a Parallel-Laser Oscillating Threshold (P.L.O.T.) device.

[@seanwolpin4017]

Wonder insight. Love this!

[@TreborPaulson]

4:29 “This amazing moment” Cut in half…. By a commercial

[@bjarnerost2002]

Incredible video!

[@ryancrowder4752]

Love the vids

[@1225Media]

Bravo! This episode was Awesome!