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.

Shit’s going down and he doesn’t really want to get involved just yet (everyone else has got it, no sense getting his ass kicked, right?).

I promise I will do a serious drawing of his armour someday but I feel like this would be the average experience with New York’s firemaster (tell me he wouldn’t go buy hot dogs in the middle of a fight).

Bonus points if Podcast starts running commentary.

(Generally not too proud of how this came out but at least it’s a practice before I properly draw his armour. I could not be assed with a background I’ve just bloody done 2 hours of Physics.)

I think this is actually the best frame of the movie.

His EBay account got reported for scamming (he’s devastated).

I actually quite like how this one came out!

He didn’t get his own proper jumpsuit, just a jacket.

Capturing faces is hard enough in physical art let alone digital lmao. Sorry Mr. Nanjiani.

So. Was Nadeem the only one that actually inherited pyrokinesis? Because he definitely had a much more successful and responsible brother, but it was him that got his Nana’s flat and Ray wasn’t exactly chasing his brother down to try and get him to save the world.

Do you reckon his Nan knew the whole time? I like to think that he was the kid that always got compared to his sibling(s?) growing up, aka his parents’ least favourite, but that he was always his Nana’s favourite and spent a lot of time at her place.

I imagine that when he ended up as a shitty unemployed ebay scammer or whatever he did for a living his parents just sorta went “Yeah that seems in character for you.” but his Nan actually encouraged him to be better. She might not say “I’m disappointed in you.” but would definitely say stuff like “You can do better than this.”

Do you see my vision guys?

Small detail I liked in Frozen Empire

That little bit where Ray gets mad at Nadeem for trying to ‘sell his heritage for 50 bucks’ or whatever is so in character for Ray. (I know they referenced TRGB for this movie, I’m citing that as canon here.)

Ray is very much proud of his ancestry and heritage. Buddy has encyclopaedic knowledge of what his family were doing when at the forefront of his memory. He tried to preserve all his nan’s shit from when their family fled Russia way back when. There are a not insignificant amount of TRGB episodes about Ray’s ancestry. Of course he’s going to be offended when this idiot shows up and tries to sell his Nana’s priceless historical artifacts for a couple of dollars, and that’s not even TOUCHING the firemaster bit.

I like seeing what actually gets on Ray’s nerves since he’s usually a really chill guy, and him getting snippy with Nadeem made me smile. (As well as Podcast’s disapproving head shake lmao he’s just like his dumbass ghostbuster bonus dad).

This is going in the list of top Ray Stantz moments alongside ‘You’re my one listener on Soundcloud!’ or whatever the quote was from Afterlife.

I had this glorious mental image of Lars, Nadeem and probably Trevor and Lucky in a dark tunnel when the torch goes out so somebody whacks Nadeem on the back of the head and uses him instead. Enjoy this illustration that does not do it credit.

Guys, this team would abuse the hell out of having a pyrokinetic at their disposal. Not that Nadeem wouldn’t join in (him and Trevor would definitely take time out during missions to go roast marshmallows in the corner), but the others definitely take advantage of the situation.

One day I’ll learn how to draw James Acaster but it looks like it’s not today.