This article contains spoilers for Obi-Wan Kenobi episode 6.

Obi-Wan Kenobi episode 6 saw the Jedi Master defeat Darth Vader in a spectacular duel - and he accomplished this feat by breaking the same rules as Anakin Skywalker. Obi-Wan Kenobi and his Padawan, Anakin Skywalker, were more alike than they knew. Both knew the pull of attachments; Obi-Wan had fallen for Duchess Satine of Mandalore, and even at the end of his life he went by the name Satine had given him, "Ben," signifying he never really got over her.

Indeed, there is a sense in which Obi-Wan's attachments caused as many problems as Anakin's did. Recent Star Wars tie-ins have established that Obi-Wan knew about Anakin and Padmé's secret marriage since shortly after they returned from their honeymoon on Naboo. He chose not to do anything about the marriage, hoping Anakin could have the happiness he had been denied with Satine. Obi-Wan knew Anakin was living as a hypocrite, pretending to align himself with the Jedi Code while breaking his vows in secret, and yet he was too attached to Anakin to betray him for it.

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It is striking, then, that Obi-Wan only triumphed in his duel against Darth Vader in Obi-Wan Kenobi episode 6 as a result of his attachments. Darth Vader initially seemed to have won, walking away leaving Obi-Wan buried in rubble, but Obi-Wan focused on the Force. His mind went to those he loved - the young Princess Leia and Luke Skywalker. Those thoughts gave him the strength to blast his way out of the rubble using the Force. Able to refocus himself, Obi-Wan swept in for a rematch, and left Darth Vader beaten. His mentors would have watched that battle in surprise, and they would have concluded he had crossed the line between love and attachment. In their view, Obi-Wan's serenity should have been the source of his strength, not his feelings for others.

Obi wan kenobi Changes How You See Lukes Origin leia

In truth, the Jedi of the prequel era had failed to differentiate properly between love and attachment. Recent stories set during the High Republic Era, some 200 years before the events of Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, have revealed the Jedi used to have a much better balance. These Jedi understood the importance of connection, and believed Jedi could and should love. They considered love to be different from attachment in Star Wars, arguing the latter is a selfish love that is unable to let go.

Ironically, there is a sense in which Obi-Wan never really did let go of Luke or Leia. As seen in the original Star Wars movie, he sacrificed himself on the first Death Star to allow them to escape, and subsequently became a Force ghost. Obi-Wan initially met only with Luke, but according to Rae Carson's novelization of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, he subsequently appeared to Leia as well, even helping her as she figured out how to lead the Resistance against the First Order. By becoming a Force ghost, Obi-Wan ensured he would be with the twins until the day they died, and, because they too were taught to become Force ghosts, they will have eternity together. All this is possible through the light side of the Force - suggesting the line between love and attachment really isn't where the prequel era Jedi thought it to be. Obi-Wan Kenobi proves the Jedi Master's love was his strength, not his weakness.

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