The Star Wars universe is a vast canvas unto itself spanning the course of decades and the lives of hundreds of characters. The stories never turn dull even for a moment as history is revisiting multiple times along the way. And with every turn, a new side of that history is witnessed, and a new tangent of the story unfolded. Even though the characters remain the same, the years spanning their lives are revisited at different times which keeps the plots fresh. The latest Obi-Wan Kenobi series is doing exactly the same. Keeping the characters from the original Star Wars prequel, the creators are revisiting a time in Star Wars history still left mysteriously untouched. The Disney+ miniseries will span the discourse of the time in between the events of Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope.
The Tragic Heroes of The Clone Wars
The Clone troopers were armored soldiers fighting in the famed, historical Clone Wars. The legions of soldiers were however tragically brainwashed, mindlessly controlled, and forced to commit genocide against the Jedis. That came later though.
During the Clone Wars, the famous 501st Legion had marched under the command of the young general Anakin Skywalker and Captain Rex alongside the 212 Attack Battalion. These men saved countless lives while fighting shoulder to shoulder with the Jedis, including Obi-Wan Kenobi. Following Order-66, the troopers marched on the Jedi Temple where the residents of the latter were mercilessly slaughtered. The period would result in decades of hunting for the few remaining Jedi scattered across the galaxy.
Once these men reserved no use for the Empire, they were discarded for the new and improved stormtroopers. The ghastly actions committed by the Clone troopers during the Purge demanded nothing other than hatred of the people and after overcoming the control over their minds, as was shown possible in Star Wars: The Bad Batch, they soon realized the blood that was now marked forever on their hands.
Surprise Cameo in Obi-Wan Kenobi
The story and experience of the soldiers who had overcome years of shunned living, abuse, self-reflection, and guilt have not been explored enough. However, the new Disney+ miniseries does tilt a bit into that hurt to bring forth one of the veterans from the Clone Wars.
In a desolate and harrowing setting, a homeless trooper (played by Boba Fett actor Temuera Morrison) asks Obi-Wan for credits enough for a hot meal. The inhumane condition that the troopers were subjected to is instantly invoked in the second episode of the series. Although the soldier does not recognize Obi-Wan from their shared time during the Clone Wars, it remains unclear as to whether the action was intentional or otherwise.
Even though the fate of these men has been made apparent, the cameo only brings forth the heart-rending memories of what they were subjected to and then lived to remember for the rest of their lives.
