I wasn't expecting much from this series, especially after
"Book of Boba Fett", which for me was a total disaster, even in areas I didn't expect. But I must admit that, despite some unfortunate flaws, I pretty much enjoyed these first two episodes !
One of the complaints I had with the previous series was that the writing was a bit shy and often stretching a
(sometimes) weak plot while trying to compensate with fan service.
Here, I don't feel
ripped off by the end of the episode as there's imo a better density to the story and its pace is adapted. In some way, I feel like I've seen a little movie after these first two episodes. Hopefully the rest of the series will follow this trajectory when it comes to the rythm.
On the writing in itself, without going into details, there's a lot of inconsistencies. I can close my eyes on it for now but I hope there won't be much more because that could quickly become a
deal-breaker.
More generally, it's a real pleasure to see Ewan McGregor back in the role. He definitely still has it and it immediately feels like finding that character again. I personnaly found Vivien Lyra Blair pretty convincing as a young Leia Organa. She has the right energy and I think she captured that commanding and somewhat defiant attitude perfectly. Her chemistry with McGregor also seems pretty good.
About the Inquisitors though, I'm not really convinced... Without wanting to say anything bad, I find the actor playing the leader to have a head a bit too round and breaking the
"corpse/cadaveric" spirit of the character. Coupled that with a bit of overacting and he seems to me a bit like something out of an old show like
Hercules or
Stargate... Still visually, I also think The Third Sister could have had a bit more of a distinctive sign but I understand that it's also a way to distinguish her from the rest of the group that challenges her
membership. Otherwise, she's also very one note, and some of her action just doesn't make sense... There's room for her to evolve into something a bit more
meaty but I think the charisma is quite lacking.
Anyway, for the moment, I'm enjoying the show. But on an other a hand I still think it's a "clunky" idea to have Obi Wan and Leia go on an adventure together that will inevitably invalidate somewhat the wording of the cult's call for help from
Episode IV.
Another thing, more anecdotical but that made me laugh is how when Obi Wan decides to finally go back into service, he immediately adopts an outfit that screams Jedi while still trying to keep a low profile...
