Ewan McGregor’s recent plea for fans to petition Disney for a second season of the Obi-Wan Kenobi series on Disney+ at Megacon Orlando has sparked renewed debate among Star Wars enthusiasts. While McGregor’s passion for the character is evident, the call for a continuation of the series comes at a time when the show’s reception has been less than stellar.
“The sixth [episode] really got me, you know?” McGregor expressed to the crowd at Megacon. “I was just sitting there with tears rolling down my face, watching. I was so touched by it. I was so pleased. So happy.”
“I’m just so happy that we managed to do it and also that we did it like that,” McGregor continued. “It was originally going to be a movie and I’ve often thought ‘Should it be a movie?’ and I kind of think it’s great that we did it that way, it’s a longer story and hopefully it’s more satisfying as a result. We got more screen time to weave a story.”
Despite months of anticipation and speculation surrounding McGregor’s return as the iconic Jedi Master, the final product left many disappointed. Critics and viewers alike have highlighted several issues with the show’s execution, raising doubts about the need for a second season. The lukewarm reception, indicated by its Rotten Tomatoes audience score of just 62%, further underscores these concerns.
One of the key criticisms of the series was its handling of beloved characters like Qui-Gon Jinn and Darth Vader. Qui-Gon’s appearance as a Force Ghost in the final episode felt undeserved and lacking in narrative justification, leaving some fans feeling that it was a cheap ploy to set up potential future storylines. Similarly, Darth Vader’s portrayal was underwhelming, lacking the depth and development expected of such an iconic character.
The direction of the series also came under fire, with many noting a lack of inspiration and originality in the cinematography and choreography of the lightsaber battles. Unlike the visionary approach of George Lucas, the series failed to capture the same magic and spectacle that made the original Star Wars films so memorable.
Moreover, the show’s six-episode format was criticized for limiting the story’s scope and resulting in filler content that felt unnecessary. Scenes like the chase sequences involving Princess Leia were particularly problematic, with many viewers finding them hard to believe and poorly executed.
Lazy writing was another significant issue, with moments that felt forced and contrived, seemingly designed to stretch the story to fit the six-episode limit. This, combined with inconsistencies in character motivations and plot developments, made the show feel long and slow at times.
Despite these criticisms, McGregor’s recent plea for fans to petition Disney for a second season demonstrates his commitment to the character and the series. “Can everyone write to Disney?” the actor asked. “If we just – I’ll give you some email addresses at the end – Just say ‘Dear Disney, let’s have another. Let’s have a bit more of Obi-Wan Kenobi, please.”
However, it’s essential to prioritize quality storytelling and creative integrity over commercial interests or personal preferences. Instead of doubling down on a flawed series, perhaps it’s time for Star Wars to explore new narratives and characters that resonate with audiences in a more meaningful way.
NEXT: Jonathan Majors Accused Of Abuse AGAIN, After Filing To Get Guilty Verdict Set Aside
Tony says
How about no, Ewan?