Obi-Wan Kenobionce contemplated leaving the Jedi Order, but why? Obi-Wan Kenobi has historically been viewed as the model Jedi. He was selfless, wise, steadfast, and sympathetic, taking on a young Anakin Skywalker as his Padawan when he had only just lost his own Master following the events ofStar Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. Obi-Wan and Anakin proved to be a great, albeit unconventional pairing, with the two Jedi becoming as close as brothers; a relationship that would ultimately prove to be the Jedi Order’s downfall.
Though on the surface, it may have seemed as though Anakin and Obi-Wan didn’t have that much in common – as a Jedi, Anakin was impulsive, cocky, and even sometimes selfish – it turned out there was much more to Obi-Wan’s past than we ever thought possible. Audiences didn’t get to know the real Obi-Wan until his character was thoroughly explored in the animatedStar Wars: The Clone Warsseries, where it was revealed that Obi-Wan and Anakin had once hoped to experience the same things: love and romance.
Obi-Wan Fell In Love With The Mandalorian Duchess Satine Kryze
InStar Wars: The Clone Warsseason 2, audiences are introduced to the Mandalorian Duchess Satine Kryze. Though Obi-Wan’s rapport with the Duchess is initially somewhat hostile, it soon becomes clear that there is more to their relationship than meets the eye. As it turns out, Obi-Wan and the Duchess met years ago, while Obi-Wan was still a Padawan, during a long mission with Qui-Gon Jinn. During this time, Obi-Wan and Satine fell in love, though ultimately, they never truly acted on their feelings.
8 Ways The Clone Wars Improved Obi-Wan Kenobi’s Story
Though Star Wars: The Clone Wars was largely focused on Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi’s character was improved by the animated show as well.
Obi-Wan Was Prepared To Leave The Jedi Order For Her
They never truly hid their feelings from one another either, though. As revealed inThe Clone Wars, Obi-Wan would have been willing to leave the Jedi Order behind to be with Satine. Satine, on the other hand, loved him so much she could never compel herself to ask him to sacrifice his life for her, as she knew how much being a Jedi meant to him.
On the whole,Satine and Obi-Wan’s relationshipwas much healthier than Anakin’s relationship with Padmé Amidala. Whereas Obi-Wan recognized that he could never have it all – be in love and be a Jedi – and was selflessly willing to give up his future happiness, Anakin did want to have it all, revealing his selfish – albeit understandable – nature. That didn’t mean Obi-Wan didn’t sometimes regret his decision, though. He says as much to Anakin, and it’s one of the reasonsObi-Wan keeps Anakin’s relationship a secret, despite the Jedi Order’s rules against attachments.
Star Wars: The Clone Warsand Mike Chen’s novelStar Wars: Brotherhoodboth revealed that Obi-Wan knew about Anakin’s secret relationship all along.
What Would Have Happened If Obi-Wan DID Leave The Order?
While Obi-Wan never did go after the love of his life, it’s interesting to think about what might have happened if he had.Though Obi-Wan’s relationship with Anakin was a major part of Anakin’s downfall, not having that relationship doesn’t necessarily mean the galaxy would have been better off. In fact, it may even have been worse off.
For one, Anakin may have never become a Jedi at all. If, hypothetically, Qui-Gon had discovered Anakin on Tatooine on his own, and he had still perished on Naboo, it’s unlikely anyone else would have stepped up to train Anakin.The Jedi Council would have stuck with their initial decision to send Anakin back home, believing he was too old to join the Jedi Order, and he never would have had the chance to be reunited with Padmé. They would never have fallen in love, and Luke and Leia would never have been born.
Of course, one might be tempted to say that if Anakin never became a Jedi, if he’d never become obsessed with Padmé, there’s a chance he’d never have become Darth Vader, either. And yet, that’s not necessarily true. Palpatine sensed Anakin’s power early on. Darth Sidious would never have given up his chance at manipulating a young Anakin to the dark side. He’d probably have had another plan in place, and Anakin would have grown up surrounded by the dark side, with no reason to turn back to the light.If there’s no Luke Skywalker, there’s no reason for Vader to redeem himself.
We mostly focus on what might have happened if Qui-Gon Jinn had survived, butObi-Wan Kenobi’s role inStar Wars’overarching narrative should not be underestimated.
Then there’s the question ofObi-Wan’s future. If he wasn’t a Jedi, what would he be? We have to account for the fact that Satine Kryze was the future ruler of Mandalore. Her relationship with Obi-Wan wouldn’t have changed that. What if they had been married?Would Obi-Wan have ruled by her side? Would Death Watch ever have taken over Mandalore? Would Satine have been killed at such a young age?If Obi-Wan never “killed” Darth Maul, Maul would have had no reason to take revenge against him, and Satine would probably have lived a long and happy life with her husband by her side.
These are all hypothetical situations, but it’s interesting to think about how differently the Skywalker saga might have played out had Obi-Wan never completed his Jedi training. What kind of man would he have become? We mostly focus on what might have happened if Qui-Gon Jinn had survived, butObi-Wan Kenobi’s role inStar Wars’overarching narrative should not be underestimated.
Obi-Wan Kenobi
The Padawan of Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi became a Jedi Knight after his master’s death. Obi-Wan trained Anakin Skywalker as a Jedi, with his own apprentice knighted after the Battle of Geonosis. The Jedi Master became a key player in the Jedi during the Clone Wars, and was heartbroken when Anakin turned to the dark side; Obi-Wan critically wounded Anakin before taking to the shadows, watching over the young Luke and Leia for years. He sacrificed himself for his two charges, becoming a Force Ghost and continuing to mentor them.
