WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Episode 6 of The Book of Boba Fett "Chapter 6: From the Desert Comes a Stranger," streaming now on Disney+.
During the most recent episode of The Book of Boba Fett, Luke presented Grogu with a choice reminiscent of the Japanese films and literature that inspired much of George Lucas' vision for Star Wars at its inception. On one side was Yoda's lightsaber, an artifact that has known a thousand lifetimes and an heirloom of a bygone era that stretches back to the Jedi's golden age. If the young Padawan chose that weapon he would continue his apprenticeship beside Jedi Master Luke Skywalker.
On the other side was a shirt of beskar woven chainmail gifted to the youngling by Din Djarin, The Mandalorian bounty hunter who kept him safe and placed him in the care of the Jedi. Beskar is the universe's most durable material and its lightweight design would still allow for maximum maneuverability. A precious gift that would help keep Grogu safe in a ruthless galaxy where he is hunted by powerful enemies. If he chose the chainmail then he would be removed from his new home and renounce the fledgling rebirth of the Jedi Order. In allowing Grogu to make this choice, Luke gave him something that Obi-Wan never gave his father.
The manga series Lone Wolf and Cub chronicles Ogami Ittō, a former executioner for the Shogun who becomes a fugitive and uses his skills to serve as an assassin, seeking vengeance against those who sullied his name and stole his honor. His three year old son Daigorō accompanies him on his missions, but he too was given a choice, though his was more brutal. In one of the many film adaptations of the comic, Shogun Assassin, its most iconic scene is recreated. Ogami sits crosslegged with a sword in one hand and a ball in the other. He tells Daigorō that if he chooses the sword he will stay by his father's side on his quest for blood and if he chooses the ball then he will join his mother in Heaven. He also makes it clear that although the boy does not understand his words, he must still make the choice.
During his tenure as Anakin's master Obi-Wan Kenobi constantly ignored this responsibility. During Attack of the Clones as Master and Padawan are en route to the Senator's personal chambers Obi-Wan takes note of Anakin's discomfort and rising tensions and Anakin admits that anxiety surrounding Padmé Amidala is the cause. Moments later when they are reacquainted with the former Queen of Naboo Obi-Wan lays out the purpose of their mission when Anakin directly contradicts him in the presence of the Senator and her retinue. During a conversation later when they are alone, Anakin describes being in her presence as intoxicating and Obi-Wan chides him about the commitments that has made to the Jedi order that cannot be easily severed before segueing into his overall personal distaste for politicians in general.
In Season 6 Episode 6 of The Clone Wars, "The Rise of Clovis," Obi-Wan confronts Anakin about how his feelings for Padmé are clouding his judgment and attempts to use his relationship with Satine Kryze of Mandalore as an analog so that he might distance himself appropriately from the influence of his emotions. Anakin denies having anything romantic inclinations toward the Senator and Obi-Wan essentially lets his counsel rest on those grounds. Later, in Season 7 Episode 2 "A Distant Echo" it is established that Anakin routinely calls Padmé while on mission and deploys Captain Rex as a lookout while doing so. The two fall into a familiar cadence until Obi-Wan goes looking for Anakin to discuss the mission. Rex attempts to stall, knocks a code through the door to tell Anakin to wrap it up but Obi-Wan is not fooled and publicly makes it clear that he knew what he was doing and who he was talking to within the barracks.
In Revenge of the Sith when Yoda tasks Obi-Wan with finding the nascent Lord Vader and destroying him, he offers a flimsy excuse that he doesn't know where to look for him but Yoda, who also bears some culpability, tells him to follow his feelings. Obi-Wan immediately goes to Padmé and after failing to get any information out of her about Anakin's whereabouts he bluntly asks her if Anakin is the father of her unborn child. She is coy, but he knows and apologizes for what must happen next, or perhaps for what he has allowed to happen that brought them to this point. Whether or not he knew for a certainty who the father was, he did know that any man holding an interest in the Senator would have set Anakin into a tailspin and if his pupil had made peace with his emotions in regard to her then that would also be an area of instruction that as his master he should have kept himself apprised.
Obi-Wan was observant and intelligent and Master Yoda was also in his ear about misgivings surrounding Anakin and where he thought those concerns sprung from within the young Jedi's psyche. Obi-Wan was willfully blind to what was happening with Anakin either because he wanted him to be happy and was willing to take the risk or because he didn't want the Jedi Order to lose him. As the child of prophecy Anakin held a special role within the Jedi, a destiny that would bring balance to the Force. In his lifetime Obi-Wan had seen Dooku separate from the Jedi Order without rancor or ill will, so much so that his character was still being defended by Mace Windu when Senator Amidala had the temerity to suggest he may have something to do with the attempts on her life. He knew that leaving the Order was a viable option for Anakin and knew that his connection to Padmé was dangerous but never gave him the choice. Perhaps it is because he knew, perhaps subconsciously, that he would not have chosen the sword.
To see Luke be a more mindful mentor than Obi-Wan, The Book of Boba Fett is streaming now on Disney+.
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