Updated character write-ups on Kenobi and his love interest. I still just can't bring myself to make her a Tatooine native. I agree with others that it seems a little forced (so to speak). I haven't worked out exactly how she ends up stuck on Tatooine, but I think it is either that she is trying to put out feelers for unrest, or more likely she is in danger of getting "made" as a spy and is trying to flee some Hutt bounty hunters while protecting her cover.
In any case, my writing philosophy is that getting the characters right is paramount. A story can grow organically from there.
I'll edit my last version of this so as not to flood the board with walls of text.
Star Wars: Kenobi"DARK TIMES have engulfed the galaxy. The Republic is gone, and for eight years the invincible Galactic Empire has ruled the stars.
The heroic Jedi have been hunted to the point of extinction by the agents of the DARK SIDE. Obi-Wan Kenobi fears he may be all that remains. The future is uncertain.
In hiding on Tatooine, Obi-Wan Kenobi carries out his final mission, watching over a child who may be the last chance for freedom in the galaxy"
Ben Kenobi"I don't know if I can carry this burden alone."
- Ben to the spirit of Qui-Gon Jinn
It has been eight years since the sun set on the Republic. In its place stands the evil Galactic Empire. Obi-Wan Kenobi, legendary general and Jedi Master, hides away from politics and conflict on the desert planet of Tatooine. Under the alias of Ben Kenobi, he keeps watch over young Luke Skywalker from a distance, allowing him to grow up under the care of Owen Lars, Luke's uncle.
Kenobi knows that he may well be the last Jedi alive. Once renowned for his wit and charm, he is now defined by isolation and guilt. He was in many ways the unwitting architect of the demise of the Order as well as the Republic, and the rise of the Sith.
Ben focuses on his mission to keep Luke safe, but not out of loyalty to his mission or to the now-dead Jedi. Watching over the boy is his penance. He harbors no real hope that the light of the Jedi will ever again shine on the galaxy, and wonders if he is even really still a Jedi, himself. Is there such thing as an Order with only a single adherent?
Ben wears some of the trappings of his old life, but in other ways has adopted the practical dress of desert peoples. He dresses simpler, wearing a basic white tunic and pants, but no boots. He wears his brown hooded cloak as a guard against the sun and for secrecy when needed. His beard is unkempt and starting to gray. He carries no weapons, not even his lightsaber.
When we first meet him at the beginning of the film, he is reticent and rough-mannered. He is accustomed to being alone. After he begins to find his old sense of adventure, particularly where Miar is involved, he finds his old sharp tongue and wry smile.
Miar Ellahul"You will go back to the spaceport and book passage off of Tatooine."
"I will do no such thing."
- Ben Kenobi attempting a Mind Trick on Miar
Miar Ellahul is a wealthy Brentaali noble. She is from a lesser house, it's true, but not one without its merits, such as its staunch support of the Emperor. With her marriage to Count Armand, she came into her fortune and strengthened her family's position. "About time" was the murmur at court; Miar and Armand had been betrothed since the end of the Clone Wars, but gone on for 4 long years before making their vows. The Emperor was unable to attend the wedding, but Grand Vizier Mas Amedda attended in his stead.
After four years of blissful marriage, Miar is taking a break from family to embark on a cruise that will visit a number of distant and exotic worlds. There will be strange foods and wines, and observing of indigenous animal and sentient life from the safety of the starship. In her company will be some of the elite of the Core, all her friends and peers. Industrialists and artists and highly-placed Imperial officers make for splendid company on a month-long vacation. When she returns, she will be rested and ready to take up the mantle of being a mother as well as a dutiful wife.
But, Miar is a liar. She has spent the better part of the past eight years perfecting her lies, in the form of shy smiles and polite laughs and comments on how delicious the Juna berry tart is and how she just couldn't eat another bite. For the past three years she has been improving other skills as well, such as how to eavesdrop on a private com transmission, how to properly conceal a holdout blaster under her skirts, and how to throw a punch.
Miar saw the change in the galaxy in the years following the establishment of the New Order. Even the Core became quickly darker, more stark and bleak. Currying favor and playing for social position was always the pastime of the wealthy on Brentaal IV, but now the games were played on an interstellar scale. Her own marriage to a cold and distant Count had been entirely an effort by Armand to win favor with the Emperor, who had always had a soft spot for Miar's family.
Miar never imagined that anything could change, until after making a dangerous comment in the presence of Breha Organa, she was recruited into a fledgling Rebel Network. The furtive, but like-minded people were just beginning to whisper the idea that the Emperor didn't have to rule forever. Since then, she has prepared to act as an agent of the Empire's destruction. Her mission is to continue to live in her orbit, and to watch and listen. In small circles, among friends, even the Imperial elite discuss trade problems, discontent with the Ruling Council, garrison strengths, and the ugly rumors of scandal in high places. The sort of things that the passengers of the Nova Ruby may all have opportunity to let slip on a long cruise. All things that she can report in detail to her mysterious contact, known only as Fulcrum.
It is during this intelligence gathering operation that she finds herself stranded on Tatooine, in danger of being discovered, where she meets Kenobi.
Parallels and complements between the characters:
- Kenobi is drifting away from his purpose, while Miar is just embracing her cause
- Kenobi has given up everything for his mission to protect Luke, while Miar has dedicated herself to her own mission, even if that means she'll have no happiness
- Miar longs for real companionship, but is trapped in a loveless political marriage. Kenobi has vowed to avoid attachment, but finds that his love for Miar is restorative.
- Kenobi is exiled to a desolate world, while Miar is trapped in a gilded cage.
- Both ultimately get recruited into the rebellion by House Organa
- While not discussed in the film, they both actually know Ashoka Tano. Kenobi knows her as Ashoka, but doesn't realize she's involved in the rebellion. Miar knows her only as Fulcrum, with no idea who she is or that she knows Kenobi.
Also, a timeline for how this works out for ages of the relevant characters in the saga:
(edit: see page 11 for an updated timeline)