Assorted thoughts about Haja Estree and the legacy of the jedi

Obsessed with the idea that Obi-Wan Kenobi comes to terms with the fact that ‘jedi’ is more of an iconography/idea in the Kenobi series than it is a religion, and begrudgingly accepts that Haja Estree kind of counts because he’s doing basically all the same social functions as a jedi and people don’t see any difference between the two of them.

Haja Estree is a conman and a loser, who has no force abilities. But he’s clearly shown embodying the same thing as other jedi in Kenobi when he has his moments of self-sacrifice. He’s given a remarkably similar scene to the ACTUAL jedi guy from episode 1. If Haja had died, he’d be mourned like a jedi because the general public isn’t going to know the fucking difference.

I think Haja Estree being technically an honorary jedi of sorts is equal parts hilarious and significant for canon. Because all he is is flashy and self-sacrificing but that’s ENOUGH for people to believe. Haja’s shitty pretend costume game brings people actual hope. What would it matter if he was a real jedi to the people of his system? They wouldn’t give a shit because they wouldn’t see a difference. There’s not a lot that sets Haja’s showmanship apart from a lot of actual jedi interactions with outer rim shithole planets.

As far as the wider galaxy goes, the imagery and supposed behaviour of the jedi is kinda way more significant than the actual Force that sets them apart from everyone. The average person can’t see that! And with basically all the jedi gone, the definition of who ‘counts’ is more… loose.

Also come on guys I need Haja to be part of the jedi’s lasting legacy it would be too funny.

Like “Oh wow, I met a jedi once back on Daiyu.”

“Did you now? -_-“

Like yeah. This completely non-force sensitive guy who used to scam people for a living and specialises in entertainment is actually just as legit of a jedi to everyone else in the world as you, one of the only survivors of Order 66, are. Deal with it.

I don’t think Haja ever FULLY drops the role because sometimes people in horrible situations NEED a jedi. Even if he’s just a guy in cheap shitty robes with a couple of magnets and some pizzazz. He’s their jedi. He still counts in their mind.

The Kenobi series was silly and I consider much of it non-canon (more like a What If?) but it’s up there with some of my favourite Star Wars media because it captures the idea of average people so well.

Sorry for the incoherency of this rant I just have a LOT of thoughts and can’t be assed forming a proper thesis.

On an Owen Lars high so I drew this. Excuse the shit quality. I’ve not taken Graphics courses yet.

I know Owen can’t come back as a ghost but the idea of him and Obi-Wan reaching solidarity in death over not being able to do anything for Luke anymore just GOT ME.

It’s always so heartbreaking to me that every time we see Owen display how he really feels about Luke in canon (the books, and Kenobi) Luke is never there to hear it.

When Owen faces down the inquisitor and declares that Luke IS his son, Luke is already way out of earshot (even though I do sort of consider the Kenobi show non-canon). When Owen talks to Beru after the argument with Luke on the day they die, telling her he feels bad about having to squash Luke’s dreams and wanting to find some way to make it up to him, he never hears it.

Owen’s relationship with Luke WAS complex, and it was rocky sometimes. I’ve always read this as Owen having difficulty being emotionally open, at least as far as the ANH novel and Kenobi show have shown. Owen loves Luke DEEPLY, right to his core. But he doesn’t know how to put that into words. He’s an awkward man! He’s been raised on nightmare hell planet where becoming too attached to someone might end up in them being killed or sold into slavery and you being miserable! Look at what happened to both of his mothers!

When someone you love dies, you look at all their actions with a new light and deeper introspection. Can you imagine the absolute world-shattering thoughts Luke must have had after Owen and Beru died?

Realising he was more deeply loved than he could have ever realised, even if Owen had a harder time showing it.

And Owen’s parental anxiety is shown in Kenobi! Owen Lars, one of the most dedicated fathers in the galaxy, probably died wondering if his son would ever know how much he really loved him.

Owen probably died with so, so many regrets. Owen probably died wondering if he deserved to raise Luke (which he DID) and if he had done enough to prepare his son for the world (HE DID).

Owen Lars has always been a heartbreaking character for me.

Owen Lars appreciators this post is for you.

One of the few things I really liked about Kenobi was the time to shine it gave Owen and Beru Lars. I know that scene with the inquisitor was absolutely ridiculous in every way possible but it was so in character for those two that frankly I didn’t even care like the whole show is non-canon to me anyway.

It shows the people Luke gets it from, and why. And it gives me all the feelings, especially because I know he probably only realised all of this once they were already dead and he couldn’t make it up with Owen anymore.

Luke deciding to die with his training unfinished and face Vader head on is the most Owen Lars move he could have ever made. He’s a simple man - not stupid, just has a simple worldview - if you’re one of his, you’re his and he’ll go to the ends of the earth (or galaxy) for you. (Yes, I was very affected by “He IS my own.”)

He is the son of OWEN LARS. The man who faced down an inquisitor with a fucking farming pole so Luke could get away. Facing up to an enemy you know you can’t possibly defeat, assuming you’ll die? In the hopes of protecting those you love? Lars family shit.

Owen is stubborn and loyal and despite his rough exterior he’s kind to his enemies. The way Kenobi acted surprised that Owen would defend him, that to me is a big part of Luke’s worldview. Owen hates Obi-Wan’s guts but he won’t sell him out to the Empire to be killed. Luke learned kindness and forgiveness from Beru, and he learned respect, loyalty and mercy from Owen.

Luke grew up on the biggest galactic shithole in all of Star Wars, and he came out of it being the kindest beacon of hope for the Galaxy and restarted the Jedi Order that had failed Anakin. And he learned it from his aunt and uncle, the parents that did their goddamn best to raise their son. He learned it from Biggs Darklighter, his childhood best friend with revolutionary fervour who he buried before he was even out of his teen years. He learned it from the stubbornness of a group of people that settled and farmed in a stupidly harsh environment where they were constantly in danger of being sold into slavery or killed by sand people.

Luke may have inherited Anakin’s midichlorians, but what made him Luke was his upbringing. He’s Owen and Beru Lars’ son. And they raised him well.

God throwback to the time me and my mum were on a 5 hour flight and tried making a timeline of Star Wars. We hadn’t seen Andor yet but it was the newest thing to come out. Literally everyone on the plane was watching it.

Black - Main timeline

Red - Main plot events

Green - Villains of each piece of media

Purple - Era divisions/which war

Enjoy this mess.