Obi-Wan, Vader, and Maul: The Head Canon Contradiction

 The closer it gets to May 25th the more excited I get.  Yes, it's the 45th anniversary of Star Wars, and yes, I'll be at Star Wars Celebration after spending a few days at Disneyland.  But of course, the Obi-Wan series will be premiering on Disney+.  As I've said, Obi-Wan Kenobi is my second favorite Star Wars character next to Luke Skywalker, and I'm looking forward to some possible vindication for both Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen after years of prequel bashing.  When news came that Hayden would be in the series, and as Darth Vader, some fans cried foul.  After their epic duel on Mustafar, Obi-Wan and Vader never saw each other till their fateful meeting on the Death Star 19 years later.  Or at least that is what we thought.

"The circle is now complete. When I left you I was but a learner, now I am the master." -Darth Vader

These are the words Darth Vader said to gives us an indication how long it's been since the once-brothers saw each other.  But let's be honest. The idea of them not meeting for 19 years is Head Canon.  I still remember the 2008 The Clone Wars panel at the Chicago Comic Con.  Someone came up to the microphone and said, "Anakin never had a padawan," and while I don't remember what member of Lucasfilm was fielding the questions at that panel, I do remember his response, "You don't know that."  Because he was right, we didn't know that.  In between Star Wars films laps years and years of untold stories.  So, who's to say Darth Vader and Obi-Wan never saw each other in between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope.

"Obi-Wan once thought as you did." -Darth Vader

 In almost two decades Obi-Wan could have tried at least once to bring back his best friend from the dark path he had gone down.  Especially when the fate of the galaxy depended on it.  Lucasfilm President, Kathleen Kennedy, has said these two will meet again, and another lightsaber battle will ensue.  The facts are that Darth Vader just never knew where Obi-Wan hung his robe in those 19 years.  If Obi-Wan goes off planet in the series, escapes, then just returns to Tatooine and not seen by Vader till nine years later, then it's plausible the two could meet without breaking Canon.  And if it bends Canon a little for the sake of a great story; I'm ok with that. It wouldn't be the first time Lucasfilm, or George Lucas himself, did just that.  

When the Obi-Wan series was announced another rival of old Ben's was brought up, Darth Maul. Those who had seen the Star Wars animated series were quick to refute that Maul could not make an appearance because their meeting one night in the desert of Tatooine was the first time they saw each other since Maul murdered the Duchess of Mandalore (pausing to cry a little).  Now someone can correct me if they want, because I'm just going off my memory here, but don't Obi-Wan and Maul fall into the same Canon facts as Obi-Wan and Darth Vader?  Maul didn't know Obi-Wan was hiding on Tatooine and they hadn't seen each other in years.  But maybe just nine years?

To be honest, I'm going down this rabbit hole to remind everyone that as fans, we only assume what we know.  Head Canon is nice, but when actual Canon is created, we have to let go of what we want to have happened for what actually did happen. 

"Learned to let go of everything you fear to lose."-Yoda

Following me down into this Dagobah cave, will you?  This Obi-Wan series takes place 10 years after Revenge of the Sith.  That is the same time frame that Solo: A Star Wars Story takes place.  In the galaxy at this time the Empire reigns supreme but Maul is also leader of the criminal organization known as Crimson Dawn.  What drags Obi-Wan off-world?  It could be a number of things.  Maybe he has decided to just try one more time to talk to Vader. Maybe an old friend is in trouble (crossing my fingers for a Dexter Jettster appearance).  Maybe Obi-Wan leaving is a way of him trying to keep Luke safe and hidden. With the thuggish Empire tightening its grip on the galaxy it can be more difficult for criminal syndicates to conduct business, unless you do it where the Empire doesn't go, like maybe Tatooine?  Maybe Crimson Dawn puts Luke in peril and Obi-Wan has to follow the source to stop them, and that leads him to another meeting with Maul?

Again, I want to reemphasize I don't expect Maul to be in the Obi-Wan series.  This is just me explaining how he could be.  We're going to get Darth Vader and the Inquistors in this, and I am hoping for Clone Wars flashbacks of Anakin and Obi-Wan. Adding another layer of Maul could crowd the villains and characters in this six-episode miniseries.  But if this series were a non-miniseries it could be an idea for future seasons, or even a tale for a novel or comic book.  But I see enough Star Wars fans barking at each other thinking they know better, when really, we all know bantha doo doo. 

Let's continue down the cave, shall we?  A meeting of Maul and Obi-Wan would add more tension and possibly give us an appearance by one former lover of Han Solo, Qi'ra.  Maul went from the leader of Crimson Dawn at the end of Solo to stranded in the tombs of Malachor in Rebels.  Some fans speculate Qi'ra may have played a part in Maul being marooned on the deserted planet.  Sounds cool, but, what if Obi-Wan helped her?  What if, once again, Obi-Wan cut down Maul in his prime? That would only fuel his hatred for Kenobi even more.  

I think Star Wars fans can debate who is Obi-Wan's true rival, Darth Vader or Darth Maul?  Both have handed General Kenobi much heartache in his life, which is why I think they both would be fitting foes for him to see in his transitional period.  I think this Disney+ series is going to see Obi-Wan dealing with the past, learning to let go of his grief, and focus on the future. 

"Don't center your anxiety, Obi-Wan.  Keep your concentration here and now where it belongs. Be mindful of the living force." -Qui-Gon Jinn 

I'm excited to see what Deborah Chow, Ewan McGregor, and everyone else working on the project gives us.  But my wallet is not looking forward to all the Obi-Wan merchandise I will want to buy in the coming months.  Whatever we get, it will be Canon, but we will still have years of untold Obi-Wan, Darth Vader, and Star Wars story holes to fill in. And we as fans will continue to speculate what kind of adventures encompass those untold tales, but when the day comes that Lucasfilm contradicts my Head Canon I will do as Obi-Wan Kenobi instructed 45 years ago.

"Let go, Luke."  -Obi-Wan Kenobi

Iron Fist: Marvel's Mystical, Martial Arts, Nut To Crack

 In the last few days, I've been thinking a lot about Iron Fist. Last week, it was announced that the Netflix Marvel series are leaving Netflix at the end of the month.  I've taken that as a prompt to try and rewatch all three seasons of Daredevil and skim through The Defenders before time runs out.  I have no worry that these shows will find a new home on either Hulu, Disney+, or some other streaming service.  It's 13 seasons, and hours upon hours of content any company would want.  But when will they be available again to watch is the real question?  As I am rewatching Daredevil, I keep thinking about Iron Fist.  Danny Rand and the mythology of the Iron Fist has been a Marvel favorite of mine since The Immortal Iron Fist published back in 2006.  It's the quincuncial modern take on the character, and one that other IF titles, in my eyes, have failed to live up to since.  Because of that book I see the potential of Iron Fist outside of comic books, and that's why I was so disappointed about the Netflix series.  This is the curse of the Iron Fist.

Iron Fist has been around since the 1970's and has mainly teamed up Luke Cage.  And I think the two play great off each other.  He's been a Defender, an Avenger, and was even Daredevil for a bit while Matt Murdock was in jail.  A new IF series has just been released.  This is one of many Iron Fist titles that have come out in recent years.  All of which didn't last very long.  In it, Danny Rand is no longer the Iron Fist.  In the previous series, Heart of the Dragon, Danny gave up his powers to help save the world.  Now a new Iron Fist has emerged, Lin Lie, a young Asian man who was once the Sword Master, and the chi of Shou-Lao the Undying saved his life.  I was curious and skeptical about this new IF series by Alyssa Wong.  Like I said, I'm a fan of Danny Rand, and wanted him to continue being Iron Fist.  After reading the first issue I feel that, though Lin will be the center of this title, Danny will still be around, and, eventually, will once again be some version of the Iron Fist. A lot of IF titles don't keep my interest for too long.  Like most books, it's more about the author than the character.  Superman can be great in the right hands, but a writer who doesn't have a good angle can make him seem boring.  I'm not too familiar with Wong as a writer, but I just hope Lin Lie isn't a product of the fandom menace.

Danny Rand is a Caucasian male who was stranded and raised in an Oriental world (K'un-Lun). He was picked on and ridiculed by his peers.  Danny rose up and become the one person in K'un Lun worthy to take on Shou-Lao and earn the powers of the Iron Fist.  When the Netflix series was being released, some people were angry that a white male was the center of a martial arts show.  Those people, to me, had no idea who Iron Fist was, and probably never read an Iron Fist comic in their lives.  When casting Danny Rand, you could make him anything but Oriental descent.  He could be black, Middle Eastern, Native American; anything but Asian.  Rand was bullied because he was different.  Do you see the disconnect with people yelling online that they should have casted an Asian actor as Danny?

Now, I'm not sure if Lin is in response to that vocal (and confused) fanbase, or if Marvel is just trying to add more diversity to the universe.  If it's the ladder, I'm ok with it.  Mainly because I know everything always goes back to the status quo.  Danny Rand will be Iron Fist again. Much like how Captain America will always be Steve Rogers, Batman will always be Bruce Wayne, and Spider-Man will always be Peter Parker.  Along the way these characters have gained young partners that compliment them.  Falcon and Bucky, Nightwing and Robin, Miles Morales and Spider Gwen.  That's what I see Lin Lie as, a new apprentice for Danny Rand to train as AN Iron Fist, but not be THEE Iron Fist.  But let's always make sure Luke Cage is around somewhere.  Forget a second season for both Iron Fist and Luke Cage, they should have done a Heroes for Hire series.

In the IF myth, Danny hasn't been the only Iron Fist. In the final scene of the Netflix series Danny and Ward were looking for a man known as Orson Randall, who in the comic books is a former Iron Fist.  The intro to the TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer says, "In every generation a slayer is born."  And that's what Iron Fist became in 2006.  In every generation there has been an Iron Fist, going back to the beginning of Earth according to Jason Aaron's The Avengers. And also, you have the Immortal Weapons of the Seven Cities.  Like Iron Fist, they are the protectors of their realms.  My disappointment in the Netflix series came because the last scene of the series teased the potential of what it could have been.  And hopefully will be, under Kevin Feige.

I love that it looks like Charlie Cox is going to continue to play Daredevil in the MCU, but I've also stated the problems with keeping him as The Man Without Fear and the Netflix baggage that comes with it.  I have no problem with Finn Jones as an actor.  I did have a problem with his portrayal of Danny Rand, but I knew that was mostly in the shows writing. I want a better Iron Fist.  We've gotten a taste of what a fully potential Iron Fist could be on screen in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.  On TV (and sometimes in comics) Iron Fist has failed to live up to its potential.  I truly believe, if done right, I think Iron Fist's potential is Immortal.

Obi-Wan Kenobi Prep Material

Well people, we have our release date! The Disney+ Obi-Wan Kenobi series will be debuting on May 25 (45th anniversary of Star Wars) on the streaming service.  Aside from Luke Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi is my favorite Star Wars character.  He has so much tragedy in his life, yet through it all he proceeds with nobility, hope, and snark. From what it seems we'll be getting, I am psyched! On top of the Obi-Wan vs Vader rematch we're being promised I'd love to see some Clone Wars flashbacks.  Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen are back, and both actors have barely aged, so it wouldn't take too much CGI to give us some moments back when they were brothers-in-arms.  

Joel Edgerton and Bonnie Piesse are also coming back as Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru.  Maybe we even get a little Luke Skywalker too?  Concept art shows Obi-Wan could be going off world, some Inquistors, and more!  As I mentioned, I'm super excited for this Deborah Chow directed-series and I can only imagine all the Obi-Wan merch I will be buying when the show premieres (and at Star Wars Celebration). 

With all that in mind, I figured I'd suggest a few Obi-Wan based materials leading up to the timeline of Obi-Wan Kenobi.  Just some things to possibly check out in the next few months to dive deeper into the character.  Obviously, the prequels are a must review, but here are a few novels, comics, and The Clone Wars episodes I think are great to learn more about Obi-Wan Kenobi.  

*I only included current Canon stories*

Master & Apprentice

This novel by Claudia Gray sees Obi-Wan and his master, Qui-Gon Jinn, years before Episode I. You get to see more of their relationship as they take on a Jedi assignment, more about Qui-Gon's intrigue with "The Prophecy", and the epilogue flashes forward to Obi-Wan's thoughts during Qui-Gon's funeral.

The Phantom Menace

Every Saga has a beginning.  Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi and his master, Qui-Gon Jinn, travel to Naboo to settle a trade dispute.  The whole thing turns sideways and before they know it, they're battling the first Sith Lord seen in a millennia.  

Obi-Wan and Anakin

Several years into his training, young Anakin Skywalker is doubting his choice to become a Jedi. He ventures with his master, Obi-Wan Kenobi, on a mission that may be their last.  To be honest, the assignment isn't really important. It's the epiphany of Obi-Wan knowing that if Anakin leaves the Jedi Order, Obi-Wan must go with him.

Attack of the Clones

Padme Amidala is in trouble.  On the verge of a Senate vote to create an army for the Republic her life is in danger.  Obi-Wan and Anakin have been tasked to protect her.  Their investigation leads Obi-Wan to Kamino and the creation of a secret clone army. But what are Anakin and Padme doing on Tatooine while he's getting shot at by Jango Fett and his bratty son, Boba?

Brotherhood

This book isn't going to be released till May 10, and I'm sure it will be a great read right before Obi-Wan Kenobi premieres, being that it deals with the relationship of he and Anakin.  From what we know, it takes place right as The Clone Wars are starting.  Anakin is now a Knight, and Obi-Wan a Master.  Their roles have changed, so how will their relationship change?

THE CLONE WARS

Below are various episodes of The Clone Wars animated series where Obi-Wan plays a pivotal role and each is a step in his Star Wars journey.  We learn about his past with a possible former love, as well as see an old foe come back into his life seeking revenge.  In one storyline, Obi-Wan goes undercover as a bounty hunter and tangles with Cad Bane, and in another he, Anakin, and Ahsoka land in the middle of a mystical family squabble that has deep ties to The Force and Anakin's future. 

Season 2: The Mandalore Plot, Voyage of Temptation, Duchess of Mandalore

         Season 3: Overlords, Altar of Mortis, Ghosts of Mortis

         Season 4: Deception, Friends and Enemies, The Box, Crisis on Naboo, Revenge

         Season 5: Revival, Eminence, Shades of Reason, Lawless

         Season 6: The Lost One 

Revenge of the Sith

The Clone Wars are winding down. Anakin and Obi-Wan's rescue of the Chancellor ended with the death of Count Dooku.  Obi-Wan is off to take down General Grievous and end the war while Anakin starts to make trouble back on Coruscant. Order 66 changes the galaxy and everything Obi-Wan knows.  

                      From the Journals of Obi-Wan Kenobi

From the pages of Marvel's Star Wars title, After Luke Skywalker has blown up the Death Star, he returns to Tatooine and finds the journal of Obi-Wan in hopes it will help him continue his Jedi training. In various tales we see Obi-Wan take on the scum of Tatooine, keep little Luke out of trouble, and even have a run in with the wookie bounty hunter, Black Krrsantan.

Obi-Wan

Another piece of literature set to help ramp up for the Disney+ series, all we know about this miniseries is that is supposed to come out in May and follow Obi-Wan through various parts in his life.  I believe it is supposed to be a 5-issue miniseries so I would recommend youngling, padawan, knight, master, and then hermit.  Either way, I'm in!

Who Likes Star Wars? Book of Boba Fett, Chapter 6

WARNING!! CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR THE BOOK OF BOBA FETT: CHAPTER 6: FROM THE DESERT COMES A STRANGER.   

The problem with living in an age where information can be shared in an instant is that spoilers for media can also be shared in an instant.  I was online this morning for less than five minutes before I saw spoilers for The Book of Boba Fett: Chapter 6: From The Desert Comes A Stranger. But, I only blame myself.  I know better than to look at Twitter or YouTube before watching a new episode of a popular series.  

I also now know the title of this episode refers to the mysterious man who walks in from the Tatooine desert and shoots Cobb Vanth.  For the "Knight fans" of Star Wars and above (I have a system for levels of SW fandom) we know this blue alien is Cad Bane, the best bounty hunter in the galaxy.  His name was never said, but anyone who's seen The Clones Wars or even The Bad Batch know he's one hombre not to be messed with.  That was my favorite scene in this episode.  Because it served the story of the series.  It gave us a new player who is working for the Pykes, he has a history with both Boba and Fennec, and is going to be someone who will be a problem for Boba and his crew.  That is, if we ever get back to Boba Fett.  

I was never a big Boba Fett fan.  I quote Windows from the movie Fanboys, "All style.  No substance."  All Boba ever did in the movies was track down Han Solo, deliver him to Jabba, and then he goes out like a punk in the Sarlacc Pit.  In the Expanded Universe he starred in multiple books and comics that make him a seem like a badass.  But he still ain't no Jedi.  So far in this series we've seen Boba get out of the Sarlacc Pit, get taken in by a group of Tusken Raiders, rescue Fennec Shand, and then take over Jabba's old business.  I honestly think the series has been a snore fest.  However, last week's episode, catching up with Din Djarin, woke me up!  I loved it!  But that's because we know Din, like Din, and can't wait for The Mandalorian season 3! I still don't know who Boba Fett is.

This week we see Mando finally join Boba's clan.  But that was the one scene Boba appeared in the whole episode and I don't think he even spoke!  Again, I'm not a fan of Boba Fett, but in a seven-part season the main character will go almost a quarter of the season without a line of dialogue. And this doesn't set good with me because, aside from his flashbacks, I don't think Boba has had any character growth, or have any sense of character to him at all.  Not even the second lead, Fennec Shand, has had a decent storyline to care about.  In any action movie, you can make the sky fill with people falling off buildings, but if I don't care about those people, it won't be as emotional.  And that's what good storytelling does, try to get an emotional response out of us. Whether it be happy, sad, anger, excitement, or dread.  With one episode left in the season, and a big action sequence coming up, I feel nothing for Boba or Fennec.

Meanwhile, on a planet we have no idea what it is; some droids are building a future Jedi school.  We can assume it's going to be the place that we see get burned down in The Last Jedi, but we don't know that because the episode never told us.  So again, no emotional connection.  Din is going to give Grogu his Beskar chainmail but decides not to give it to him after a brief talk with Ahsoka about Jedi not having attachments.  Did we learn nothing from the Star Wars franchise up to this point?  It was the Jedi's outdated rules that lead to their own destruction!  And it was Luke's attachment his father, Anakin's attachment to his son, that saved the galaxy and brought down Palpatine (for a while). Grogu's relationship to Din, like any relationship, could be a good thing.  Just like any relationship that anybody has, Jedi or not.  

Luke Skywalker is my favorite fictional character ever.  The day Mark Hamill passes, I will cry.  I have no doubt.  Ahsoka Tano is my wife's favorite Star Wars character.  Sure, I liked seeing these characters. But the Grogu training scenes seemed unnecessary in a Boba Fett show. They belong in The Mandalorian season 3.  I liked that Grogu felt he had to choose between being a Foundling or a Padawan.  But after all Luke has gone through would he make Grogu choose just one role? Perhaps it's that narrow view that leads to Luke's own downfall with his nephew.  But what was Ahsoka doing there?  "I'm a friend of the family."  It was a cute line but doesn't explain why she was there. I don't go over to my good friend's house without a reason. Was she there to ask Luke something?  Was she there to check on Grogu?  There was no practical reason for her to be there other than, "Hey, it's Ahsoka!"  Luke could have easily shared those few lines with Din about letting go of Grogu.  SIDENOTE:  The Luke CGI looked WAY BETTER than at the end of The Mandalorian season 2.

It just feels like the storytellers are not focusing enough on its story.  Grogu and Din's journey belongs in their show; The Mandolorian.  This is Boba and Fennec's show.  So why isn't it?  All this diversion away from them is making the audience more against Boba when we need to spend more time with him to care actually about he and Fennec.  This episode had great cameos and moments, but to me it's sideline fan service.  The Mandalorian season 2 had a lot of guest stars and cameos, but the focus was always on Din's journey.  For two great storytellers like Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni, they are better than what they're giving us.

I will end on this quote that I think sums up my feelings on Boba and Mando. I forget where I heard this last week, but someone said, "Din Djarin is who we wanted Boba Fett to be all these years."  And I think it's true.  Favreau wanted to do a Boba Fett series.  And he made a great one, and then some with The Mandalorian.  But now what does Boba Fett become? I'm still waiting.