Left to my own devices

May 27th saw the debut of the Obi-Wan Kenobi series on Disney+. For the uninitiated, it is about the fallen Jedi master, and what he gets up to between the events of Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope . If that doesn't mean anything to you, then you probably won't get much from this blog post. If you're curious, however, keep reading. Just know that there are spoilers ahead. We're now five episodes into what has been presented to us as a six episodes limited series. The finale drops tomorrow, hence the timing this particular entry. I've very mixed feelings about the show, and  some strong opinions about it, as well as the overall direction of the Star Wars franchise in recent years. The end of Obi-Wan 's fifth episode left us on a fairly major cliffhanger, with several plot threads dangling. I have doubts as to how well they can wrap it all up, coupled with a theory as to whether or not Episode VI is truly the last one. Again, spoilers.

Obviously, Star Wars didn't teach me everything there is know about life, but it certainly helped. I can recall watching the Darth Vader / Luke Skywalker clash in Return of the Jedi and thinking of my own problems with my father. The older I get, the more I identify with Obi-Wan Kenobi, particularly when he's urging caution at following the supposedly stray tie-fighter, but the younger, impetuous Han Solo won't listen. And, the sequel trilogy struck me with the already-creeping realization that the vicious circle of good vs. evil is cyclical, rather than final, in nature.

A week ago I saw the new Star Wars movie, Rogue One , at an IMAX theater with a group of friends and a crowd of adoring fans. There were laughs, whoops, hollers and applause. It was a great experience, including the post-film discussion at BW3. That night, I gave the film a 9 out of 10. A few days later, I went back for a second viewing, and now give it a 7.5 I still quite like it, but the lowering of the rating was deserved. It's a good movie, but not without faults. Allow me to explain (spoilers ahead).