The Surprise Star Of ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’
After much anticipation, the first two episodes of Obi-Wan Kenobi finally aired. We have all assumed this series will focus on Obi-Wan’s watch over young Luke Skywalker. Then comes the question of Obi-Wan’s appearance on a planet that is clearly not Tatooine. What is important enough to call the Jedi away from his self-imposed exile on the desert planet? It appears the rumors are correct. Obi-Wan Kenobi will instead center around Leia, played by the talented Vivien Lyra Blair.
“It’s like raising a glor-ag.”
The scene opens on the picturesque image of Alderaan, previously shown in Star Wars: The Old Republic game. Then, the camera focuses on our little princess in the common trope of running away from her princess duties to climb trees and watch spaceships. However, we quickly learn there may be more to her rebellious nature as she pickpockets the L0-LA59 droid while hugging her mother.
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After her cousin insults her, telling her that she is not a real Organa, little Leia looks straight into her cousin’s eyes and quite accurately deduces that her cousin Niano is afraid of his father and is only repeating everything he says in order to gain his affection. Now think back to when you were ten. How many of you would have analyzed your bully and delivered such words that cut them so?
The stubborn and headstrong princess gets reprimanded by her parents for her behavior, and how she should rise above the situation. Instead of apologizing to her cousin, she runs into the woods, where she is quickly pursued by a group of kidnappers led by Vect Nokru (played by Flea of Red Hot Chili Peppers). This is perhaps one of Leia’s first brushes with danger. Earlier, we have learned that Leia is not allowed to leave the safety of the Alderaanian palace. When she sees the Alderaanian guard getting shot down by the kidnappers, she realizes that she must rely on herself first and foremost instead of waiting for rescue. This will be seen in her actions during the rest of the two-episode premiere.
At such a young age, she is not one to sit and wait for rescue. She goes to work getting L0-LA59 to cut the rope binding her. When Vect damages the droid and seemingly dashes her only chance at escape, she defiantly tells him, “I’m not afraid of you.” She is not the one to sit and wait for rescue either. She lies in wait and strikes the first person to walk through the door of her holding cell on Daiyu (even though it is Obi-Wan).
While Leia reluctantly goes with this “old and beat up” man, she senses that he is hiding something, commenting, “You think the less you say, the less you give away, but, really, it’s the opposite.” I think we all share Obi-Wan’s sentiment when he asks her “How old are you?” We do not see too many children at that age effortlessly psychoanalyzing someone. When she sees the bounty on Obi-Wan, she accurately determines that her kidnapping was used lure Obi-Wan. It is only after he uses the Force to slow down her fall to the ground that she finally believes that he really is a Jedi (because anyone could have just stolen a lightsaber).
“Look, since I met you I’ve been chased, shot at, I almost fell to my death, and now there are Inquisiting people after us. If somebody is offering us help, I think we should take it.”
Despite Obi-Wan’s hesitation in using the cargo transport to Mapuzo, Leia makes the decision to trust Haja Estree and follow his direction to escape Daiyu. Is it just youthful innocence? Or is it something more? You would agree that her belief in the good of the people reminds us (and Obi-Wan) of a certain strong female leader from the past.
These two episodes explain her calm and fearless demeanor on the Death Star as she faces Grand Moff Tarkin and Darth Vader. Now we know the event at the beginning of A New Hope is not her first time being kidnapped. They also illustrate how she would come to take matters into her own hands, making the decision to jump into the trash compactor when Han and Luke’s rescue attempt goes awry. She would also come to realize that she can use her value as a princess and turn a hindrance into an advantage. In Season 2 of Rebels, she would tell the Ghost crew to “kidnap” her so as not to blow her cover while they “steal” the Alderaanian ships for the Rebel cause. The writers of this series will show how the little princess will grow up to become the strong leader of the Rebel Alliance and the Resistance. In a saga primarily based on Anakin and Luke Skywalker, it is refreshing to see the focus finally shift to Leia.
Ewan McGregor is spectacular in displaying Obi-Wan’s emotions after learning that Anakin is alive. We can see all the thoughts and nightmares playing in his eyes. Vivien Lyra Blair is also another star to watch. The talented ten-year-old actress has flawlessly portrayed the young precocious Princess Leia. We will all be watching her career with great interest.
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