In the 17 years since “Revenge of the Sith” graced theaters in 2005, many fans were certain they had seen the last of beloved characters such as Obi-Wan Kenobi, played by Ewan McGregor, or Anakin Skywalker, who is portrayed by Hayden Christensen.

Yet, patience seems to favor those who wait.

Announced in 2020, the two years leading up to “Obi-Wan Kenobi” repleted fans’ love for the franchise after a disappointing end to the sequel trilogy in 2019.

As a longtime fan of all things “Star Wars,” I held high hopes for the “Kenobi” debut, so much so that I even primed my alarm for its 2 a.m. launch time to avoid spoilers. While I may not be well-rested, I am pleased to say that the premiere of “Kenobi” delivered on nearly all fronts.

Told through three interconnected plotlines, “Kenobi” offers fans a glimpse into Obi-Wan’s despondent yet mundane life after escaping the clutches of the fledgling empire. Nipping at Kenobi’s heels are the strained yet menacing effort of Vader’s inquisitors, crafting a grim outlook for the handful of remaining Jedi who managed to escape the Order’s downfall at the clutches of Emperor Palpatine. Lastly, character introductions allow for an essential balance between Obi-wan’s struggles and his unaccounted-for years.

Beginning in the arid deserts of Tatooine, initially, I was worried “Kenobi” would veer too far down the path of its sister show “The Mandalorian,” which highlighted the honorable deeds of bounty hunter Din Djarin in the face of adversity.

Fortunately, “Kenobi” doesn’t run from the realities of survivor’s guilt or grief when crafting the portrait of a once brilliant Jedi, now reduced to a brutal daily existence with the singular goal of protecting ten-year-old Luke Skywalker.

Perhaps one of the most notable aspects of the show’s back-to-back premiere was the application of tension between the fan’s last memory of Obi-Wan’s self-imposed exile at the end of “Revenge of the Sith” and his mystic yet wise mentorship during “A New Hope.”

For the duration of the premiere, fans are left waiting, expecting Kenobi to rise to the occasion and run toward whatever impending danger is lurking behind the Dune sea. Yet, Obi-Wan has become a shell of himself, haunted by the ghosts of a past that remain irreparable.

There is a certain humanity in Obi-Wan’s hesitation and blatant refusal to help those in need. His struggle reflects the essence of a man who has been forced to give up, surrendering his confidence in others and himself.

Kenobi’s seemingly endless despair is tangible, proving that the franchise still has it when manipulating viewers’ heartstrings.

“Kenobi” highlights the ruined Jedi’s path 10 years after his apprentice Anakin Skywalker fell to the dark side and became feared Sith apprentice Darth Vader. It crafts an essential link between the trilogies, strengthening the notions we thought we once knew.

New characters, such as Inquisitor Reva, played by Moses Ingram, introduce a woman neither satisfied nor stated in her quest to prove her worth amongst the elite ranks of the Empire. Her unflinching determination in delivering Obi-Wan to Vader is alluring and refreshing, captivating viewers every time she enters the frame.

Admittedly, as the first episode powered onwards, the gnawing notion that a misplaced cameo could sour “Kenobi’s” vital yet needed simplicity slipped into my mind. Despite the powerful effect of a cameo within an aged yet beloved franchise, such as with Luke Skywalker within  “The Mandalorian” finale, their ability to overshadow a show’s main lead is more than apparent.

Yet when Vivien Lyra Blair, portraying a 10-year-old Leia Organa, graced viewer’s screens, it was more than a relief. For far too long has the franchise solely favored Luke Skywalker, often chaining Leia, initially played by the late Carrie Fisher, to her painfully unnecessary gold bikini in “Return of the Jedi” rather than treating her equally as a hero.

While the performance of child actors is often a gamble, Blair perfectly encapsulates Leia’s sharp wit and bravery in the face of the unknown. Young Organa offers a breath of well-composed nostalgia that merely enhances McGregor’s performance, allowing for a moving yet well-crafted sequence to unfold.

With four episodes remaining, it is evident that “Kenobi” will continue to deliver an emotional yet satisfactory resolution to a fan-favorite character. “Obi-Wan Kenobi” can be streamed through Disney+, where new installations are released every Wednesday.