Caution: spoilers ahead for Obi-Wan Kenobi episode 1
Here are all of the subtle (and not so subtle) McGregor's Obi-Wan Kenobi comeback began looking inevitable.
Following The Book of Boba Fett in the live-action Star Wars TV stakes, Obi-Wan Kenobi has now premiered on Disney+ with a one-two punch. The story catches up with our Jedi-in-hiding 10 years after battling Anakin Skywalker on Mustafar, but still 9 years out from A New Hope. Something tells us those 9 years will take their toll... Watching over Luke Skywalker from afar, Obi-Wan Kenobi lives alone on Tatooine keeping the lowest profile possible to elude the Empire's ever-tightening grasp.
Obi-Wan Kenobi episode 1 is a thrilling introduction to this untold chapter in Star Wars history, and neatly sets up the Jedi's coming rematch against Darth Vader. The episode - simply titled "Part I" - also launches a volley of Star Wars nods for fans to enjoy. These are the Obi-Wan Kenobi Easter eggs we found in episode 1.
Obi-Wan Kenobi Shows More Of Order 66
Obi-Wan Kenobi's Disney+ premiere opens with a flashback to the Jedi Temple massacre from Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith. A previously unseen Jedi called Minas Velti dies valiantly protecting a class of younglings from the clone trooper onslaught. Palpatine's "Order 66" command can be heard echoing in the background. The scene adds another tragic perspective to the Jedi Purge.
Youngling Helmets From Yoda's Lightsaber Class
The bulky helmets worn by Obi Wan-Kenobi's younglings in this flashback were previously seen during Yoda's lightsaber training session in Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones. The idea is to enhance a padawan's reflexes by limiting their sight, and derives from Obi-Wan's first training session with Luke Skywalker in A New Hope.
Alien Species & Droids In Obi-Wan Kenobi Episode 1
Predictably, there are plenty of Obi-Wan Kenobi Easter eggs scattered in the form of familiar species and droids. "Part I" includes plenty of Jawas and a red-colored R2 unit roaming Tatooine, while Kenobi himself rides an Eopie - first seen in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace. A Scurrier appears as Obi-Wan crosses the desert, then Breha Organa compares her daughter to a "Glor'ag" - a creature from Star Wars' Legends canon. Later in the episode, Leia thanks a silver protocol droid called YO (C-3YO?) while her father re chasing purrgil - hyperspace creatures from Star Wars Rebels. The feisty young Leia also its she'd rather be digested by a jakobeast - first included in the Dawn of Rebellion source book - than apologize to her obnoxious cousin. The green pirate who helps kidnap Leia seems to be a Falleen.
The Saloon's Mos Eisley Cantina Nod
When Rupert Friend's Grand Inquisitor rolls into a Tatooine saloon demanding information on the local Jedi situation, most of the establishment's beverages are being drunk from chunky translucent white beaker cups. These props were first used in A New Hope - most memorably during the Mos Eisley cantina sequence.
Reva Is Obi-Wan Kenobi's Third Sister
After shaking down the saloon goe awry, the Grand Inquisitor refers to his assistant Reva as the "Third Sister" in Obi-Wan Kenobi episode 1. Inquisitors are typically known by their "brother" and "sister" titles in Star Wars Rebels, but trailer footage made Reva seem like an exception.
John Williams' Force Theme Strikes Back
John Williams' "Force Theme" debuted in A New Hope and has evolved into one of the most famous compositions in Star Wars, nay, movie history. Obi-Wan Kenobi's score pays tribute to Williams by incorporating strains and allusions to the "Force Theme" - a slower, slightly altered rendition the first time Ewan McGregor appears, then a more familiar reprisal towards the end once Obi-Wan rediscovers his heroism. Obi-Wan Kenobi's soundtrack is composed by Natalie Holt, who expertly weaves touches of old into the newness.
Teeka Mentions A New Hope's Anchorhead
Obi-Wan Kenobi smells funny, apparently. The Jedi's Jawa friend, Teeka, says, "I could smell you from Anchorhead." This Tatooine outpost town was first mentioned by Luke Skywalker in A New Hope. Teeka also name-drops the Dune Sea - mostly known for harboring Jabba the Hutt's infamous Sarlacc pit.
Obi-Wan Kenobi's Gift Is From A New Hope
After secretly watching Luke Skywalker through binoculars, Obi-Wan decides to send the child a gift (it's not as bad as it sounds) and purchases a starship toy from Teeka the light-fingered Jawa. If the plaything looks familiar, there's a good reason - this is the very same spacecraft toy Mark Hamill's probably-too-old Luke Skywalker plays with at the beginning of A New Hope.
A Mysterious Jedi Lightsaber Belt
Aside from kids' toys and stolen vaporator parts, Teeka's salvaged wares include a Jedi lightsaber belt. These leather accessories were worn by most Jedi during the Star Wars prequel era, including Obi-Wan Kenobi, Qui-Gon Jinn and Anakin Skywalker. This particular garment was taken from the ship of Nari - a Jedi introduced in Obi-Wan Kenobi episode 1
Obi-Wan Kenobi's Flashbacks Explained
Like Star Wars fans during the 2000s, Obi-Wan Kenobi is having nightmares about the prequel trilogy. These flashbacks include the lightsaber battle on Mustafar, Anakin Skywalker breaking bad, Kenobi's "you were my brother, Anakin" line, Qui-Gon Jinn's death, swashbuckling missions from Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones, Anakin's burning body, Yoda, Pé, the birth of the Skywalker twins, and Jake Lloyd's young Anakin piloting a starfighter.
