The existence of this shirt suggests to me that Cody will likely appear in the Obi-Wan Kenobi show, either as a character with a meaningful role or simply in Clone Wars flashbacks. My reasons:
This shirt is currently on the first page of the Her Universe website Star Wars tag. They haven’t really added Kenobi print on demand shirt designs yet, but they likely will soon (other sites have started), and I feel its presence jumping to the top of the tag likely implies it will be a part of that collection.
2. This graphic itself is not particularly new, and has been available on print on demand shirts and such on multiple sites including Hot Topic and Her Universe for well over a year now. However, they very recently updated the design. Previously, the division number said the “501st,” which is the wrong division, but it’s now been corrected to the 212th. I know this because I agonized over whether I should buy this design for a solid month before deciding if it really bothers me I can probably paint over the 501st. I own the wrong number design on a tanktop. Yeah i know it’s sad i shoulda waited RIP The relatively recent update of this design along with the fact that they care?? about a detail like the 212th being correct?? suggests to me that maybe, a lot more people are going to become more familiar with these characters in the near future.
In combination with this new kids armor that went up on the Disney store around May 4th that provides further evidence for at least Clone Wars flashbacks:
I conclude that the likelihood of Cody and the 212th at least making noticeable named cameos in the show is relatively high.
So I’m sure everyone else has already shared theirs, but now that I’ve had the chance to rewatch a few times, here are mine!
This is rather disjointed, just a ramble of my own thoughts!
Spoilers, obviously, beneath cut.
First of all, I think I found the setting that Obi-Wan was in to be very interesting. It’s simultaneously less reclusive wizard and more reclusive wizard than I think most of fandom/Legends assumes. Less reclusive: he has a job, a minimum wage one for sure but he has one! He commutes! He isn’t just mystery hermit in the sands; I doubt he socializes, but he is in contact with other humans regularly who probably know “Ben.”
At the same time, it’s more reclusive, because he lives in a friggin’ cave. He has a little hut, we know this from Ep IV, and I think most of us assumed he lived there, because why wouldn’t he? He certainly lived there in the Kenobi novel. Ngl I kinda like the cave, it looks less stuffy than I’d imagine a hut to be, but the change is very curious and I can’t help but wonder what was behind the change.
One thing that made me incredibly sad: Nari.
A Jedi who survived all of these years, who looks younger than Obi-Wan and may have been a Padawan at the time of Order 66, like Kanan. One who wasn’t looking for Obi-Wan, but stumbled upon him by chance, and clearly both desperately needed Obi-Wan’s help and was just so incredibly relieved to find someone, especially someone he probably really looked up to. Nari was someone who has obviously been through a lot, but still never stopped helping people. Given how he talks about “the fight,” there’s a chance he was involved in the Rebellion; perhaps not necessarily on the macro scale, but at least in small personal ways, helping where he can.
And Obi-Wan turns him away.
Like, I do get it. I’m not exactly disagreeing with the writers but, it also hurt and definitely isn’t my favorite interpretation of Obi-Wan’s solitude. It’s one thing to protect Luke because of his sense of responsibility to Anakin and Padmé, along with this being his final assignment from Yoda. It’s one thing to say he can’t abandon his post and go out of his way to help people if it means endangering Luke.
But someone literally fell in front of him. Someone who really needs him, a fellow Jedi, a fellow survivor who is actively doing good. That Obi-Wan rejects even speaking with him kindly, to at least tell him he’s done well, to say anything that Nari likely desperately wanted to hear from another Jedi even if they have to later part ways…
On one hand, the positive: it was a good narrative way to show how broken Obi-Wan truly is. Past Obi-Wan never could have done that. This Obi-Wan is barely hanging on, doesn’t have any empathy to give to even other Jedi. It likely also shows how disconnected he is from the Force, which we’ll get to later too. I get it. It’s heart breaking, but I get it.
On the other, the negative: I was defintiely not fond of the implication that “Luke is more important than all other Jedi, likely because of the Prophecy, or some weird extra expectation that he is Super Special.” Like I had admittedly thought that that was in the back of Obi-Wan’s mind, but that he’s mostly protecting Luke because he’s a young, helpless Force-sensitive whose parents were dear to Obi-Wan, and that Luke’s life is not, intrinsically, more valuable than that of anyone else, especially not other Jedi. From Obi-Wan’s rejection, I got some, “My passive duty to protect the Chosen Child is more important than the pressing and immediate help that could save this other Jedi’s life.” I don’t know if anyone else felt that, but I was not a fan.
Moving on, Leia. Honestly I absolutely adored her, and I think her dialogue and actress were incredibly spot on. Clever, smart-mouth, sassy, hyper, disobedient, rude but eloquently so, and probably drives all the adults around her up the wall. I could literally feel Obi-Wan gaining more white hairs just being in her vicinity, and I think that’s very fitting. Also has a great stranger-danger sensor, I’m proud of Bail and Breha’s way of educating her.
I also adore that it adds to canon stories: the fact that Leia immediately trusts Luke when he comes to rescue her on the Death Star because he names “Ben Kenobi.” The fact that she named her son Ben; I always hated the idea that she named her son after Luke’s pseudo very short term mentor. But her own savior, who left a lasting impression on her? That makes far more sense.
And lastly, it gives far more depth to Leia saying, “Obi-Wan Kenobi, you’re my only hope.” I didn’t predict that Leia would be in this, but in hindsight, I should have. I really, really appreciated all the ways in which her presence, and her meeting Obi-Wan really just gives so much meaning to all of these things.
Iloved the bittersweet Padmé reference. Because gods, Luke and Leia aren’t just Anakin. And Obi-Wan was there, when Padmé’s tried so hard to talk to Anakin but he broke her heart. He was there when she gave birth, when she named the twins, and she spoke her very last words to him. Their past friendship aside, I think it obvious that he would be reminded of Padmé when he sees Leia again for the first time in ten years, when the last time had been beside her dead mother. And regardless of whether Padmé makes any actual appearances in flashbacks, I’m grateful she is recognized in this way.
Another thing I was grateful for, jumping back a bit: Bail telling Obi-Wan, “She’s just as important as [Luke] is.” We know this, but it’s so cathartic to hear someone say it so bluntly. Bail and Breha’s love for Leia is so bright, and I’m so glad we get to see it, even if it makes their deaths and Alderaan’s destruction that much more heartbreaking. We don’t get to explore much of how devastated Leia was in the OT, so I’m really glad they’re doing that here.
I have to take a moment to talk about the one interaction that absolutely gripped my clone-loving heart: the clone veteran interaction.
That…was a 501st veteran. There’s no way Obi-Wan wouldn’t recognize his paint, though with his weakened connection to the Force he may not have been able to tell with that. It’s heartbreaking enough to see a clone as a presumably homeless veteran begging for credits on the streets, especially with Tem playing him–but the fact that he’s 501st, means that he very likely was one of the men who stormed the Temple. Obi-Wan saw the recordings, likely stepped over the bodies of his fellow Legion-members. So many thoughts must have gone through Obi-Wan’s mind…but he still gives the man credits.
Just…that small gesture, there is so much to interpret there.
I don’t know if the clone was still chipped, or if he broke free. It’s been ten years, but he’s still wearing clearly painted clone armor. I don’t know if he recognized Obi-Wan. But even though Obi-Wan likely saw in him the men who slaughtered the Jedi at the Temple, his own 212th who tried to kill him, he still gives the man credits…still shows that he is worthy of life and simple comfort.
I am still hoping there will be more clones in this show, but this small moment was still incredibly precious and meaningful. It’s a sharp contrast to how Obi-Wan treated Nari (perhaps even affected by guilt for how he treated Nari?), and that’s something to ponder over too.
(although, ngl, given the context of the clone veteran speaking was directly after Obi-Wan says, “Master Qui-Gon, if there was ever a time I could use your guidance, it’s now,” or something like that don’t remember exact quote…I was really expecting the clone veteran to show up later in the episode to help them out, RIP)
Which, speaking of the Force: I think it’s really interesting how they’re showing how difficult it is to reach for Obi-Wan. It’s most obvious when we see how much effort it takes for him to catch Leia (the almost-Spiderman scene), but other things too, like I feel like he should have known that the dummy wasn’t Leia. He’s out of shape physically, getting beaten by thugs in a way that General Kenobi or even Knight Obi-Wan likely never would have. He punches dirty and uses a blaster and is more physical than he was before. He lacks a certain Jedi grace, which I have a hunch we’ll see gradually return to him (perhaps). Perhaps his lack of empathy to Nari is also related, as well as how he had separated himself from his lightsaber by burying it.
(tho speaking of lightsaber can i just say–Obi-Wan, my dude, get a holster or something with deep pockets man, you’re just letting it swing around out there for everyone to see. Also cover your dang face and Leia’s too, that’s more important than a coat maybe. I appreciated the Leia costume call backs, but in terms of common-sense, ahhhhh……)
Next, Haja. Gosh, I actually really enjoyed his character and his scenes. Given the lack of real Jedi, it’s interesting to see how the public, non-Jedi people have perceived their absence, and his little gig shows that people still remember the Jedi (at least on Daiyu), even if he’s using the title to take advantage of people. Him pretending to “use the Force” to close the shutters is like, that thing that I’m sure everyone has done with automatic doors (that Ewan himself has confessed to doing) where you pretend to use the Force, and it was hilarious to see that in universe. His trick levitating things with magnets reminded me of how Jango uses that trick in the Open Seasons comic, and momentarily baffles Count Dooku.
The moment where Obi-Wan pulls a freakin’ blaster on Haja just made me laugh so hard, along with the line, “Goodness, that light is unforgiving.” That sass. Like on one hand, ok gangster Obi, but on the other, just gosh idk what I meant to say but I found it hilarious.
Then, of course, it turns out that Haja has at least a bit of a conscience. I’m not sure if he just saw that Obi-Wan’s a Jedi, or if because of his “job,” he was actually a genuine fan of the Jedi and remembers names like Obi-Wan’s specifically. Either way, what a great way to show that some people, even those with dubious ethics, still remember and genuinely believe in the Jedi. Facing down Reva was no easy feat. I really do hope that’s not the last we see of this character.
And lastly, oh, Reva.
I have…I want to say I have mixed feelings about her, but that wouldn’t be true. I wanted to like her, so badly, but I was wary ever since she was announced, because I’m always wary when a POC is cast as the face of the Empire. There’s an excellent post herethat puts it in words better than I could why I feel that way.
Moses Ingram looks amazing, and from what I’ve seen of her in this show, she’s an incredibly skilled actress who can project a phenomenal aura. I’m glad she’s part of the Star Wars universe, and always think it’s great when there’s more black women on screen–but again, her specific role as an inquisitor made me wary,and watching the first 2 eps unfortunately did nothing to dispel that worry.
I get that they wanted to write a “strong woman character.” A character who takes no shit, who is ruthless, who does what needs to be done. But at the same time, the way Reva is in the first two eps, made the other inquisitors look kind??? in comparison. Made child kidnappers seem like they have more of a conscience. There’s strength, and then there’s going too far to the point of cruelty, and I kept thinking yikes. And I get that she probably doesn’t have a great relationship with the Grand Inquisitor, and he says some pretty shitty things too…but generally speaking, I think he was established as a cool antagonist in Rebels, one with dignity and to a degree, honor, and the dynamic she has with him really made me cringe.
I think it’s likely that Reva was the first Initiate we see at the very beginning Order 66 scene, and I’m sure we’ll get backstory as to why she’s so fixated on Obi-Wan and why she knows Anakin’s identity. I hope they will explain if not necessarily justify her actions.
I really wanted to like her…but given what we’ve seen of her so far, I’m baffled how, with the way she is written, she is supposed to be a likable character. You can write likable antagonists, you can write compelling but evil people in the Empire. Reva’s character has left me feeling baffled, because I don’t think this is it.
I’m trying to keep an open mind, and it’s only been two episodes (or already a third of the show…). I’m hoping future episodes will change my mind. (But also, I can’t help but wish they had written a different character for the actress.)
Oof that reveal at the end of Episode 2 though, oof. I’m not surprised he didn’t know about Anakin, and am glad we got to see that moment. (I’m now pretty convinced that “oh no we have to delay 2 days but we’ll air 2 eps at once instead!” was a bullshit excuse to just do a premiere 2 episode showing that gives a first glimpse at Hayden at the Star Wars Celebration, just for maximum hype)
I’m very curious what Ep 3 will bring. Other than Inquisitor Island, I think we’ve already seen most of what was in the trailer, so I’m curious whether we’ll return to Daiyu/Tatooine or see new places, and what other new characters we’ll see before we inevitably reach Vader.
…is just a pre-ep 3 ramble! Do let me know if you had any thoughts about the show so far!
Edit: Also wanted to give a shout out to the Asian Jedi who died at the very beginning. Couldn’t see her face, and she dies a few moments in, but that’s still the most we’ve ever seen of a live action Asian Jedi so. That’s something ^ ^;
You know how Atlas was against Zeus when he sided with the Titans during the Titanomachy, promptly found out that, “Oh, so this is a mistake.” when the gods won, and thus was cursed to hold up the heavens for an eternity as his divine punishment?
Okay, so, we switch it up a bit and have Obi-Wan trying to make amendments for his failure to prevent Anakin from Falling by taking care of Luke, who now he considers his whole galaxy, in the ass crack of Tatooine. Obi-Wan goes into seclusion and is hiding away from everyone else, making this his punishment.
He has the new armour, the pauldron he wouldn’t wear, the new blaster — it’s none of the bright oranges of a new day, none of the heavy weight of the DC-15s that are carefully cradled in his steady hands.
But Obi-Wan knows him, all the same.
The familiarity of Cody’s presence is a burning furnace against the back of his mind, a reminder of how he walks and talks and commands the troopers of their battalion; and even if the Empire has sharpened him to become what they want him to be, to be the hilt of their crimes, Obi-Wan can feel the oozing warmth of his existence, smothered and buried and shackled in their cage.
Even blind, even with Death’s scythe against his throat—
Obi-Wanknowshim.
He doesn’t move, the weapon aimed at him doesn’t waver, and the helmet’s visor doesn’t look away.
Obi-Wan merely gazes back at him.
Cody, still as the air above their heads, doesn’t shoot.
On Tala saying that NED-B “wasn’t allowed to talk”, that was a poorly explained way of her saying that he’s a 5th class droid- the simple ones that do manual labor. They don’t get language programs. However, all droids gain sapitence over time by not being memory wiped. And from NED’s behavior, we can infer that he’s fully sapient, he’s not non-verbal.
my only complaint about the kenobi show is when he went out into the desert to get his lightsaber he found that thing IMMEDIATELY, first place he dug. i wanted him to have to dig hundreds of holes like he was stanley yelnats.
WHAT AN EPISODE! The tension, the oomf of every moment was just so pleasing! Deborah you are an absolute Queen and cannot wait to see more of your vision!
Another absolutely wild episode! The chemistry between the characters is amazing, the quiet moments where we get a little more insight into their minds is always my favourite, love the tension that built throughout leading to that final incredible moment. Just *chefs kiss!* Check out my reaction!
What a long wait it’s been for this show and it’s finally arrived! So many incredible moments from episode 1 alone and incredibly nostalgic! However it didn’t feel forced, and the slow pace is really helping this story so much! Absolutely in love! Check out my reaction!
