Star Wars fans have always loved Leia Organa's iconic quotes whenever she appeared in the film saga or supporting works and animated series. Vivien Lyra Blair's Young Leia, as depicted in Disney+'s Obi-Wan Kenobi miniseries, is the latest in a long line of Leia's with truly iconic dialogue.
As one of the strongest characters in the entire Star Wars franchise, in terms of everything from emotion to integrity to wit, Leia comes out of Obi-Wan Kenobi as one of the series' strongest assets. Much of that is due to Blair's performance of course, but a great deal of it has to do with the strength in the writing, and her truly unique gift of always knowing the right thing to say (even if not at the right time).
"The Senate's Boring. It's People In Itchy Clothes Arguing."
Young Leia Is Not A Fan Of Her Future Career
Leia has never been one to mince words, which is what makes her such an incredible diplomat. She definitely has a real knack for getting to the gist of something, even when it might not be what people - including her father, Senator Bail Organa - want to hear.
Although she has no way of knowing, Leia is already unimpressed with the potential of becoming a Senator one day. "The Senate's boring," she insists to her father, further explaining her opinion by observing, "It's people in itchy clothes arguing." She makes many valid points and she's not afraid of who knows them.
"Since I Met You, I've Been Chased, Shot At, I Almost Fell To My Death, And Now There Are Inquisiting People After Us."
Leia's Unique Summary Of Events
Leia has a real talent for saving herself and her loved ones, to the point that she might be the original trilogy's true hero. However, ten-year-old Leia isn't so thrilled about having to do all the saving when it comes to her newly developed relationship with Obi-Wan.
"Since I met you," she starts, already accusing, "I've been chased, shot at, I almost fell to my death, and now there are inquisiting people after us." She might be a young girl who loves adventure, but this is not at all the kind of escapade she expected when her day started.
"Are You My Real Father?"
That Time Leia Broke Obi-Wan's Heart Without Knowing It
Leia is all too aware of the fact that she is not biologically an Organa. But just because she knows she does not hail from the Organa line, that doesn't mean she understands what her true origins are (something the series makes painfully clear in one memorable scene between Leia and Obi-Wan).
"Are you my real father?" she asks him, uncharacteristically quiet and fearful when she does so. The look in Obi-Wan's eyes, when he is forced to tell her that he is not but that he wishes he were, is one of the most heartbreaking things in the entire series.
"Is This A Staring Contest?"
Leia Isn't Fazed By The Empire At All
As a teenager, Leia is about as defiant and fearless as they come, taking everything that the Empire sends her way in stride and facing off bravely against Darth Vader, Grand Moff Tarkin, and countless other threats.
That complete composure in the face of the Empire's threats is something that also begins quite early in Leia's life. When Reva tries to interrogate her, using the Force in the process, Leia cheekily quips, "Is this a staring contest?" She isn't scared of the dark side tactics used during their confrontation, even though she is just ten years old.
"Then I Guess I Don't Need Manners When I'm Talking To You."
Turns Out, Leia's Always Been A Sarcastic Icon
Leia might be a gifted politician later in her life, but that doesn't necessarily mean that she isn't willing to make enemies either. When interacting with her incredibly rude and elitist cousin in the first episode, Leia learns just how classist and judgmental he is when he fails to understand why she would show decency to a droid.
In his world, manners aren't required when interacting with people or beings he deems as "lower life forms." Little does he know, he perfectly sets himself up here, as Leia wins the argument by pointing out, "Then I guess I don't need manners when I'm talking to you." Not even the tundra of Hoth could cool off that burn.
"I Read That Jedi Can Make Things Float. Make Me Float."
That's Not How The Force Works, Leia
The original trilogy of films hints at Leia being Force-sensitive, with the sequel trilogy explicitly showing her using it after being trained. But, in Obi-Wan Kenobi, ten-year-old Leia hasn't exactly mastered her understanding of how it all works just yet.
In a rare moment of childish glee, Leia excitedly informs Obi-Wan of her reading about "Jedi [being able to] make things float," further imploring him to "make [her] float," too. Years later, Luke Skywalker rejects the notion of the Force being about making rocks and the like float, but it's really not that far off.
"Granddaughter, Maybe."
Nothing Humbles A Jedi Master Quite Like A Child
Obi-Wan was once a revered Jedi master, but times have certainly changed for him by the time the miniseries begins. Yet, Obi-Wan faces a new source of unexpected humility any time he interacts with Leia in one of her sassier moods.
Obi-Wan comes up with the idea of the two of them posing as father and daughter, in case anyone asks too many questions about their identities while they are traveling quasi-incognito. "Granddaughter, maybe," Leia snarkily mutters, half disbelief and half judgment, before cheerily assuring Obi-Wan she never said anything at all.
"I Think You Should Sleep."
Leia Is Ruthless WIth Obi-Wan
Obi-Wan has many incredible traits and being a man who is true to his word is definitely one of them. He fulfills his duty by returning Leia home to her family on Alderaan, and the two of them share a heartwarming farewell scene that is only made all the more poignant in hindsight.
But even through their tearful farewell, Leia manages to get one last jab at Obi-Wan, telling him that he really should get some sleep in now that he is no longer responsible for saving her (because he sure does look exhausted).
"You're A Jedi? It's Just... You Seem Kind of Old And Beat Up."
A Quasi-Reference To The Original
Just like Obi-Wan, Leia has many defining traits that have made her so beloved. But her wit has never been sharper than it is in Obi-Wan Kenobi, even when she definitely says things that would be better kept unsaid.
Thankfully, Obi-Wan doesn't take offense to every jab she levels him with. When she meets Obi-Wan, Leia's initial impression of him is hardly a glowing one. "You're a Jedi?" she asks incredulously, before explaining, "It's just... you seem kind of old and beat up." If only she knew the full story.
"How Does It Work? The Force. What Does It Feel Like?"
Even In Her Young Age, Leia Is Beginning To Understand
While Leia interpreting the Force as being about "floating" is played for laughs, a later scene finds her reflecting on the nature of the Force in a more serious manner. Wrapped in a blanket and desperate for comfort, she asks Obi-Wan explicitly, "How does it work? The Force. What does it feel like?"
Obi-Wan explains it to her in terms of the comfort of finding light in the dark, but his answer isn't as important as her initial question. Even though Leia isn't a Force user yet, she is already beginning to wonder about the true nature of what she has had within her all along.