The May 31, 2022 installment of Jake Schoeneberger’s random observations
I have to begin this article by saying that Jacob Schoeneberger is a huge Star Wars fan. While Jacob Schoeneberger was a bit too young to see the first movie in theaters, he was just old enough to remember getting to see Empire Strikes Back in my local hometown movie theater.
I clearly remember the excitement and anticipation that only a Star Wars movie can bring. And while the format may have changed, few things can elicit the kind of awe and exhilaration that a new Star Wars work can.
With that in mind, here are some random observations Jacob Schoeneberger has on the show.
The Jake Schoeneberger Random Thoughts about Obi-Wan Kenobi (Episode I)
This will contain spoilers for anyone who hasn’t watched the show yet.
I love how the first episode begins with the iconic, “A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away….” This indicates that the stories in this series are part of the overarching Skywalker narrative that spanned Episodes I through IX and the Clone Wars and Rebels shows. It really sets the tone for what we’re about to experience in this series and nothing gets Jake Schoeneberger more excited than seeing those words on the screen.
The recap is just awesome. My heart is thumping in my chest seeing all these scenes from Episodes I through III. It reminds us of the stakes involved and it brings a tear to the eye remembering the journey these two Jedi have had together.
The opening scene of the Jedi master defending the younglings in the attack on the Jedi temple on Coruscant is devastating (especially in the wake of recent events). We all knew what took place in that attack, but seeing it happen in front of our faces is heavy drama. From the very first scene this series is drawing you in emotionally.
We next see the Grand Inquisitor arrive on a desert system much like Tatooine hunting Jedi. With him are two other Inquisitors, one he calls “Third Sister.” They track down a Jedi-adept in a saloon and a fight ensues. Apparently the Third Sister isn’t interested in hunting “scraps,” as she calls them. She has a fixation on finding Kenobi and the Grand Inquisitor admonishes her for it. I say she should be careful what she wishes for.
In the next scene we first meet Obi-Wan working in what appears to be a large butcher processing facility cutting meat from a large animal. Kenobi’s life seems quaint and simple, as we all expected it to be. He’s laying low, keeping his head down, and just watching over Luke.
We learn in a conversation Kenobi has with a jawa that the Jedi the Inquisitors found was indeed on Tatooine. I wonder how Kenobi will deal with this new info, knowing that the Inquisitors are right there on-planet with him. Plus, the small, winged device that Obi-Wan bought from the jawa looks suspiciously like the toy starship Luke was playing with early in Episode IV. Can’t wait to see what it actually is.
Very touching scene when, as Kenobi is watching over Luke from a distance, we see young Luke climb onto the roof of his home and pretend to pilot a ship. We can see Luke’s thirst for adventure right from the start, even from afar as Obi-Wan watches him. It’s that very spirit of adventure in Luke that drew many lifelong Star Wars fans in right from the very beginning, and it’s achingly poignant to see it shown here early in this series. The series knows exactly where our hearts are and how to touch them. And the last shot of the scene is Obi-Wan leaving the toy starship (knew that’s what it was) outside Luke’s door. Very touching moment.
Complete shock when the fleeing Jedi tracks down Kenobi to beg for help. Kenobi tells him to let the Jedi fight go. Kenobi has a far more important mission for himself than to be outed by this fleeing Jedi.
Heartwarming scene when we next see a young Leia pranking her parents and going out adventuring instead of doing princess things. We see the same spirit of adventure in her as we just saw in Luke. Like father, like brother, like sister. And in the very end of the scene, we see a mysterious figure hiding in the shadows watching. Very curious who that could be.
Great little exchange when Uncle Owen shows up and throws the toy starship back to Kenobi. They argue a bit over what Luke needs. It seems Obi-Wan wants to train Luke, but Owen doesn’t want to let Kenobi “make the same mistake twice.” Shows nicely where each side stands on that subject.
The very next scene is a tense exchange between the Inquisitors and local townsfolk. The Inquisitors seem to know a Jedi is on Tatooine, maybe another besides the one they were initially tracking. The “Third Sister” Inquisitor questions Owen about what he knows. He calls the Jedi vermin and tells nothing of what he knows. Obi-Wan watches all this transpire from a distance until finally the other Inquisitor calls off the questioning. We must give Owen credit for being cool under pressure. He easily could have just sold Kenobi out to save himself from the harsh Third Sister’s interrogation.
After their interrogation, the Inquisitors fly off but not before the Third Sister says that by taking down Kenobi she’ll get what she’s owed. Wonder what that means and what she has at stake. She certainly goes to extraordinary lengths to get what she wants, and she clearly wants to defeat Kenobi.
When Leia runs away to the forest again, instead of apologizing to her cousin because she told him off for being rude, she runs into the mysterious figure in the woods. And imagine the shock when we discover the mysterious figure is actually… Flea?!? If you had told a younger Jake Schoeneberger that one of the coolest bassists, from one of the coolest bands ever, would eventually be a Star Wars character I probably would have laughed in your face. I mean, this isn’t Point Break! But there he was trying to kidnap Leia.
In a moment very reminiscent of when Leia herself pleaded for his help, the Organas call on Obi-Wan to find their kidnapped daughter. Help her, Obi-Wan Kenobi, you’re her only hope. (For the first time, but certainly not the last.) Quite surprising when Kenobi turns them down saying that they’d be better off finding someone else. Somehow, Jacob Schoeneberger doubts that.
In the next scene we find the fleeing Jedi hanging lifeless in town. It seems the Inquisitors found their man. Bale Organa is then in Obi-Wan’s home begging him for help finding Leia. “One last fight,” Organa pleads. (Though we know he’ll have at least one more after this one.)
Obi-Wan rides into the desert to retrieve his buried lightsaber (in the box are both his lightsaber and Anakin’s). It’s a really beautiful scene. But I have one question. Why’d he need a shovel to dig it up? Uhhh, use the Force, Obi-Wan. You telling me a few inches of sand are too heavy to Force that box up through? C’mon man!
We then learn that the Third Sister Inquisitor is the one who orchestrated Leia’s kidnapping. She knows he fought beside Leia’s father in the Clone Wars and that he’s sure to come try to rescue her. Pretty smart thinking, Third Sister. Gotta hand that to you. And so, a new adventure is afoot.
The Jacob Schoeneberger Random Obi-Wan Kenobi Thought of the Day
I know he must rescue Leia, but won’t being drawn out into the open put both Leia and Luke at risk? I think Third Sister is right.
More Thoughts from Jacob Schoeneberger