‘Star Wars’: Did Obi-Wan Kenobi Having a Love Interest Ruin Anakin’s Character?

Whenever Star Wars fans think of the Jedi, they think about loyalty and leadership. The Jedi were known to fight loyally for what they believed in. They also fought to preserve peace within the galaxy and were known to be honorable warriors.

The Jedi were known for many things, but love wasn’t one of them unless the subject of conversation is Anakin Skywalker. The reason why the Jedi never fell in love was because of the Jedi Order. The Jedi Order outlawed any attachment. The Order believed that love brought attachment, which would lead the Jedi astray from their mission.

Anakin, however, wasn’t the only one who went against the Jedi Order. Obi-Wan Kenobi also had a love interest in the show, Duchess Satine Kryze. Fans speculate that his relationship with Satine could have ruined Anakin’s character.

Who was Obi-Wan Kenobi

Obi-Wan Kenobi was a Jedi Master and a member of the Jedi High Council during the Republic Era’s last years. He was also known as Ben Kenobi, an alias he adopted to hide from the regime that almost annihilated the Jedi. Kenobi was known for his nobility and skills.

He trained Anakin and served in the Grand Army of the Republic as a Jedi General. Before he died, he mentored Luke Skywalker. Kenobi was born in 57 BBY on the planet Stewjon and became a member of the Jedi Order at an early age.

After his training with Grand Master Yoda, he was appointed a Padawan. Kenobi defeated the Sith Lord Darth Maul and was honored as a Jedi Knight. Following Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn’s death, Kenobi began training Anakin.

Although he considered his adventure-seeking apprentice as arrogant and overly confident, he considered Anakin, a good friend. He also believed that Anakin was the chosen one. Kenobi died in 0 BBY at the hands of Darth Vader on the Death Star.

Obi-Wan Kenobi and Satine’s relationship might have been more profound than they let on

The Clone Wars provided a more in-depth insight into the Star Wars prequel era. Although it mainly focused on battles and alliances, it also introduced fans to memorable characters such as Duchess Satine Kryze of Mandalore.

In season 2 of Clone Wars, Kenobi and his apprentice Anakin are deployed to Mandalore to protect Satine as she makes a motion in the Senate. Her stance as a pacifist in the Clone Wars exposed her to threats and extreme opposition.

When Anakin and Kenobi first meet Satine, there is tension between the Duchess and the Jedi. It is later revealed that they had a preexisting relationship. Satine and Kenobi met when he was a Padawan. Kenobi and his then Jedi Master Jinn had gone on an almost similar mission to protect Satine.

The two ended up falling in love, but they decided to pursue their callings: Kenobi as a Jedi and Satine as a politician in Mandalore. As their story progresses, it is evident that the two shared more than just a political relationship.

Kenobi even tells Satine that if she had asked, he would have abandoned the Jedi Order. The Duchess and the Jedi seemed to have deeper feelings for one another that never went away. As Satine died in Kenobi’s arms in season 5, she confessed that she always loved him.

‘Star Wars’ fans think that Kenobi’s relationship with Satine ruined Anakin’s character

As mentioned above, the Jedi Order forbade any romantic relationships. Kenobi was a Jedi who had always advised Anakin against developing romantic feelings for anyone. Fans on Reddit think that Kenobi’s love interest, therefore, undermines Anakin’s story arc.

Unlike Anakin, who had begun his Jedi training much later, fans argued that Kenobi knew and understood the Jedi laws. His warnings against Anakin were, therefore, almost hypocritical. Others speculated that his past involvement with Satine was the basis for Kenobi’s stance against love.

Most of the show’s fans agreed that Kenobi’s criticism and failure to tell Anakin why he disapproved of his apprentice’s romantic affiliations led Anakin toward embracing the dark side.