The new Obi-Wan Kenobi series is fast approaching, and fans are rabidly awaiting what has the potential to be one of the best and most emotional pieces of Star Wars canon ever. Another Star Wars series that falls into that category is The Clone Wars, which is full of incredible Obi-Wan stories and characterization, with a lot of it being must-see, especially before Obi-Wan Kenobi gets released.
From single episodes that are important to Obi-Wan's character journey and history to whole arcs that showcase his dynamics with other figures in his life, The Clone Wars is a vital viewing experience for Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Honorable Mention: The Clone Wars (2008)
The Clone Wars movie may well be the worst movie under the Star Wars banner, but knowing where The Clone Wars series goes and what happens to all these characters, it is still worth a watch.
In terms of Obi-Wan, what audiences get here is a look at his dynamic with Anakin and the kickoff of his relationship with Ahsoka (who many hope pops up in Obi-Wan Kenobi), and his skills as both a Jedi General and a negotiator. The whole Battle of Christophsis series of episodes following this are worth watching, as they build further on these ideas.
The Second Battle Of Geonosis
Season 2 Episodes 5-7
Obi-Wan Kenobi looks destined to have awesome Star Wars flashbacks to the Clone Wars, so it may be beneficial to have good knowledge of the events of the war, including how there was a second Battle of Geonosis.
This is a great arc, and Obi-Wan shines alongside Anakin. Like most essential arcs and episodes with Obi-Wan near the center, fans get to see the different personalities and the bond between Obi-Wan and Anakin. Obi-Wan's dynamic with his clones was also on show, and the slight chance for the likes of Cody to appear in the upcoming show has many fans excited.
Zygerrian Slaver Arc
Season 4 Episodes 11-13
There are numerous underrated storylines in The Clone Wars, and the Zygerrian slaver arc is right up there. Anakin and Ahsoka take, arguably, more of the focus, but this seems like an incredibly unique and important look at Obi-Wan.
Their side of the story sees Kenobi, along with Rex, captured and enslaved, and sees him powerless, unable to help anyone around him. In fact, it even sees him become a detriment to others by being a Jedi and by trying to help. Obi-Wan's will is tested to the limit here, as is his faith in the Force. He sees everyone around him dislike him for being a Jedi, and that is an idea that will come up in the Obi-Wan show through Owen.
The Mortis Arc
Season 3 Episodes 15-17
The Mortis arc is one of the most imaginative stories told by Star Wars and one of the best looks into the Force and prophecies fans have ever got. It also looks into Obi-Wan's trust in the Force and Anakin as the Chosen One.
This is a more Anakin-focused arc, but it dives into crucial elements of Obi-Wan's story that will be or could get brought up in the Obi-Wan Kenobi show. His faith in Anakin as a person and as the Chosen One, his relationship with Qui-Gon, his own relationship with the Living Force, and the pressure on him as Anakin's Master are important narrative beats that could be significant parts of Obi-Wan Kenobi.
"Innocents Of Ryloth"
Season 2 Episode 21
The Ryloth arc is one of the best in Clone Wars' first two seasons, but not all episodes focus on Obi-Wan or have him at the forefront. "Innocents of Ryloth" does, though.
Obi-Wan and a small team of clones enter an occupied village to sabotage a Separatist weapon. What shines here is Obi-Wan's skill as a leader and his bond with the clones, layers of the character that will not be at the forefront of Obi-Wan Kenobi but that are great to watch in this contained chapter of a grander story.
Ahsoka Framed Arc
Season 5 Episodes 17-20
The likelihood that Ahsoka Tano pops up in Obi-Wan Kenobi is small, but the arc that sees Ahsoka framed for terrorism and murder is more than just a showcase of her, but of Obi-Wan's relationship to her, Anakin, and with the Jedi Council.
Obi-Wan is arguably at his most unlikeable in this Ahsoka-focused story. He does not fight for Ahsoka's innocence and shows no resistance to having her kicked out of the Jedi Order, which permanently fractures their relationship and creates further tension between Anakin and the Jedi. This event could well be referenced in Obi-Wan Kenobi. On top of that, it is another story that highlights the Jedi Order's downfall and the decreasing faith the people have in them both through the public and Barriss Offee betraying the Order (potentially becoming an Inquisitor).
"Old Friends Not Forgotten" & "The Phantom Apprentice"
Season 7 Episodes 9-10
The final arc of The Clone Wars is pretty much wholly focused on the show's two main characters, Ahsoka and Rex, but Obi-Wan has a couple of important moments that are worth seeing before Obi-Wan Kenobi.
In only a few conversations between the two episodes, audiences see the tension between Obi-Wan and Ahsoka, Obi-Wan's admitted doubts in the Jedi Council, and the dynamic between him and Bo-Katan. Ahsoka is a massive part of Obi-Wan's life and deserves mention in the upcoming show; this arc is key in understanding their history together.
"Revenge"
Season 4 Episode 22
Outside of references that fans will eat up, there is little chance Maul will appear in Obi-Wan Kenobi, but that does not mean that this essential part of Obi-Wan's character should be ignored before the show.
"Revenge" sees the return of the brilliant villain and the reunion between him and Obi-Wan. It kicks off a new phase of their rivalry, a crucial piece of Obi-Wan history that finishes after the time of the Obi-Wan Kenobi show. "Revenge" is also just one of The Clone Wars' best episodes with Obi-Wan at the center.
The Deception Arc
Season 4 Episodes 15-18
The Deception arc of season 4 delves into so many aspects of Obi-Wan's character that will pop up in Obi-Wan Kenobi. It truly showcases how deep and multifaceted of a character he is.
Going undercover as Rako Hardeen to get close to a plot to assassinate the Chancellor, Obi-Wan fakes his death and does not tell Anakin about it. It is a major moment in Anakin's downfall, as it chips away at his trust of the Jedi Council and in Obi-Wan. Audiences get to see Obi-Wan's immense skillset, and how seamlessly he can blend in with the scum of the Galaxy, an element of his character that fans have long been excited to see from an Obi-Wan Kenobi series.
The Mandalore Plot
Season 2 Episodes 12-14
Obi-Wan's most important relationship outside of Maul and those within the Jedi Order is with Satine Kryze, who sees him act as her protector as Death Watch looks to takeover Mandalore, introduced to audiences as the love of his life.
Fans can only hope that she gets mentioned in the upcoming show, but even if she is not, it does not take away from the importance of this story. Knowing as much about Obi-Wan's life as possible will only make the viewing experience of Obi-Wan Kenobi more visceral and emotional, and this arc shows a vital part of that life.
"The Lawless"
Season 5 Episode 16
Whereas the Mandalore Plot arc is sweet in its showcase of Obi-Wan's capability to fall in love and how he did so, "The Lawless" and the Shadow Conspiracy arc overall is nothing but pain for audiences and Obi-Wan alike.
The importance of this episode in regards to Obi-Wan Kenobi is threefold. For one, it is perhaps the most personal moment in Obi-Wan and Maul's rivalry. Secondly, it sees Satine murdered in front of Obi-Wan, a traumatic moment that will stay with him forever. Lastly, it highlights Obi-Wan's faith in the Force, how his dedication to the light is so unwavering that nothing can turn him, not the murder of Satine, not torture from Maul, and not the testing conditions that Obi-Wan Kenobi will put him through that would see weaker Jedi crumble.