Warning: SPOILERS for Obi-Wan Kenobi episode 6.

Obi-Wan Kenobi’s emotional finale has once again highlighted the Jedi’s biggest failure. Obi-Wan Kenobi’s final episode tied up its narrative threads, including young Leia (Vivien Lyra Blair) finally being reunited with her parents on Alderaan, and ending Reva’s (Moses Ingram) misguided pursuit for justice. Most importantly, Obi-Wan’s (Ewan McGregor) and Vader’s (Hayden Christensen) final confrontation before their duel in A New Hope offered Obi-Wan the closure he needed. As a result, he was able to open himself back up to the Force completely and was rewarded with a reunion with his old Master Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson), who appeared before him as a Force ghost for the first time.

Obi-Wan’s and Vader’s duel highlighted just how strong they both are. Vader was daunting, determined, and aggressive, while Obi-Wan was swift, precise, and steadfast. The duel in Obi-Wan Kenobi’s final episode paralleled their disastrous clash on Mustafar and provided Obi-Wan closure for his most traumatic memories. Obi-Wan, after he subdued Vader to such an extent that even his iconic helmet has been destroyed, told Vader he was sorry for everything that had happened between them. Vader responded “I am not your failure, Obi-Wan. You didn’t kill Anakin Skywalker. I did.” This allows Obi-Wan to finally accept that Anakin is truly gone and that there was nothing he could have realistically done to save him.

Related: Darth Vader's Anakin Voice Break Was Kenobi's Most Heartbreaking Moment

Before this heart-wrenching moment can take place at the end of the duel between Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader, however, there is another moment with just as much significance for Obi-Wan. Vader, in a fit of rage, has trapped Obi-Wan under an enormous pile of rocks. For a moment, it looks as though Vader may have won. Until then, Obi-Wan had been afraid to open himself up to the Force again. At first, it looked like Obi-Wan might succumb to his grief. But then, Obi-Wan remembers everything he’s been through, both the bad and the good. Memories resurface of his time with Leia, how she made him smile for the first time in years, and how her courage and kindness reminded him of both her parents. He remembers Luke pretending to be a pilot. He remembers who he’s fighting for, and that gives him the strength to escape and face Vader one last time. His attachments, not only to Luke and Leia but to Anakin and Padmé as well, are what saved him in the end, despite attachments being forbidden for the Jedi.

obi-wan and leia on alderaan kenobi finale screenshot

The philosophy behind attachments being forbidden for the Jedi is often justified. Unhealthy attachments can lead to overwhelming grief, despair, anger, and hatred, which is exactly what happened to Anakin Skywalker. His devastating love for his wife Padmé prevented him from seeing clearly and led him straight to the dark side. Unhealthy attachments are a vital concern, especially for those who have power and have been sworn to uphold the peace.

There is something to be said for healthy attachments, however, and Obi-Wan himself has proven time and again that having attachments, even strong ones, isn’t a straightforward route to the dark side. His attachment to his own Master Qui-Gon Jinn gave him the strength to defeat Darth Maul, his love for Satine Kryze was powerful enough for him to have considered giving up the Jedi Order, and his care for Luke, and now especially Leia, reminded him that they aren’t just the galaxy’s last hope: they are people too, reminders of those he loves, and they are worth fighting for. His attachment to them makes his sacrifice in A New Hope all the more affecting: these people he cares for are together now, he trusts them, and his work is done, leading to the galaxy being saved from Vader’s and Palpatine’s wrath.

Obi-Wan is not the only proof of healthy attachments making certain Jedi stronger and more compassionate. Kanan Jarrus’ relationship with Hera Syndulla in Star Wars Rebels is another example. Though the no attachment rule may have had some merit in the past, the Obi-Wan Kenobi series is just the latest in a long line of examples that prove the Jedi might have benefitted from reconsidering that policy.

Next: Obi-Wan Kenobi Sets Up 4 Unannounced Star Wars TV Shows

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