This archive report was first published on 12 October 2019.
Published on October 12, 2019, a Reddit user's theory has sparked a new discussion about Obi-Wan Kenobi's character in the 'Star Wars' prequel trilogy. The user, wesskwalker, points out that Obi-Wan's reaction to Qui-Gon Jinn's death in 'Episode I: The Phantom Menace' is often overlooked.
When Darth Maul kills Qui-Gon Jinn in front of Obi-Wan, the young Jedi fights back out of pain and rage. This is a stark contrast to the typical portrayal of negative emotions leading to the dark side. However, Obi-Wan is able to harness his emotions and defeat Darth Maul.
"Anger gets the best of Force users (Jedi included) time and time again in the saga, but Kenobi mastered the Force and the Jedi teaching of suppressing his emotions, even as a Padawan," wesskwalker writes. "This enabled him to not take a dark turn after seeing his master die before his very eyes."
According to wesskwalker, Obi-Wan's ability to control his emotions sets him apart from other Jedi, including Anakin Skywalker. While Anakin is hailed as the "chosen one" due to his innate Force abilities, Obi-Wan's strength lies in his personal control and ability to channel his anger without succumbing to the dark side.
This theory also lends credence to the idea that Rey, the protagonist of the newer 'Star Wars' installments, may be a descendant of Obi-Wan. This would explain her exceptional strength in the Force and her mysterious past.
Whether this theory will be explored in future 'Star Wars' projects remains to be seen. However, Ewan McGregor's return as Obi-Wan Kenobi in the upcoming Disney+ series suggests that the character's story is far from over.
