Connection is a big part of the Skywalker saga – Obi-Wan’s journey in his titular television series has seen him leave Tatooine for the first time in a decade to rescue a young Princess Leia. As a result, there has been constant talk online regarding the connection between the former Jedi Master and the future mother of Kylo Ren. While some fans question why Luke isn’t more involved with the story, others have found it refreshing to see Old Ben bonding with Leia.
That’s what we’re going to explore here. We do have to warn everyone that there will be spoilers ahead.
Obi-Wan’s longtime connection to Anakin would’ve had him somewhat prepared to deal with a young Leia. But, meeting her for the first time since her birth, Old Ben sees that she is a Skywalker. She has the same spitfire attitude as her biological mother, Padmé and has a sense of humour similar to her birth father.
Leia’s vast intelligence shows her to be highly capable of defending herself in a verbal fight, a skill she will use later as a senator. Moreover, this goes against the Fandom Menace’s complaints that she’s too intelligent for her age. What more do they want? Her father won a Podrace at nine or ten, and her mother was Queen of Naboo at fourteen.
References To Anakin And Padmé
Throughout the three episodes we’ve seen so far, Obi-Wan has bought up Anakin and Padmé without referring to them by name. From an in-universe perspective, it would be a continuity thing as Leia knew she was adopted from an early age, and she learned her biological father’s identity from Luke. It would’ve also been difficult for the former Jedi Master as he has to mention his lost friends.
Obi-Wan sees Padmé in Leia more than he would probably like. He didn’t spend as much time with her as Anakin did, but he greatly admired her. Not to mention, he knew her before Anakin did.
Do we think Obi-Wan was in love with Padmé? No, we don’t. However, there was an implication in the now-Legends Revenge of the Sith novelisation, where Anakin became somewhat paranoid that his best friend and his wife were having an affair. This may have been hinted at in the film when Obi-Wan saw Padmé off-screen, and Anakin is far from happy about it.
However, given the vibe in the movie, it only showed that Obi-Wan was worried about Anakin and nothing more. So honestly, we’re glad it was removed from the storyline.
Going back to Leia and Obi-Wan’s connection, we believe that the constant mentions of her biological parents are giving her a small insight into who they were without revealing the whole truth. That way, it keeps within continuity.
Why Did Leia Ask If Obi-Wan Was Her Biological Father?
Leia has formed a connection with Obi-Wan that she can’t seem to shake. She guesses that he knew her birth mother. While her assumption is correct, she says she wished she knew her biological father.
This mirrors what Luke will say in A New Hope, where he expresses the same desire. It’s clear during this moment that Obi-Wan wishes the same thing. He wants nothing more than for things to go back to how they were. Ben misses Anakin terribly, and it shows, though it escapes Leia’s radar.
Going back to the question of why Leia asks Obi-Wan if he’s her father, she is unconsciously using the Force to sense the connection that once existed between her mother and her saviour. She can feel his affection for Padmé and makes assumptions through this small piece of intel.
Obi-Wan feels a closeness to Leia because of how much she resembles her birth parents, who were two of his dearest friends. If Owen allowed him near Luke, he would’ve had the same connection with him much sooner.
Future Connection
In conclusion, we need to address Leia’s future appearances from A New Hope onwards. We have assumed that the princess names her son “Ben” after the man who reunited her with Luke and bought her and Han together, though she hadn’t met him personally. But, having her interact with Obi-Wan at a younger age solidifies our theory as to why she names her child after him.
Obi-Wan must leave enough imprint on her even after their adventure together that she decides to honour him.
