‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’: Inquisitor Reva is the subsequent nice Star Wars villain

It has come to my consideration that some Star Wars followers don’t like Obi-Wan Kenobi‘s antagonist Inquisitor Reva, performed by Moses Ingram. And to that I say: Are we watching the identical present? As a result of Reva completely guidelines.

The backlash towards Reva has much less to do along with her character’s actions than the truth that she is a Black girl within the Star Wars universe. Following the discharge of Obi-Wan Kenobi‘s first two episodes on Could 27, Ingram posted examples of the racist vitriol she has been receiving on Instagram. This prompted the official Star Wars social media accounts to situation an announcement telling viewers: “There are greater than 20 million sentient species within the Star Wars galaxy, don’t select to be a racist.”

Obi-Wan himself, Ewan McGregor, additionally posted a video condemning poisonous followers’ actions in direction of Ingram, saying, “when you’re sending her bullying messages, you are no Star Wars fan in my thoughts. There is no place for racism on this world.”

There is no such thing as a doubt that the vocal hatred of Reva and Ingram’s efficiency stems from racism. Racist trolls within the Star Wars fandom have notoriously attacked solid members of colour previously, together with sequel trilogy stars John Boyega and Kelly Marie Tran. Now they’ve turned their wrath on Ingram. It is proof of the ugliest aspect of fandom, one which refuses to consider that individuals of colour, and particularly Black girl, have a spot in huge franchises like Star Wars.

Racism and misogynoir — anti-Black misogyny focused at Black girls — are vile constants in fandom. Simply have a look at reactions to the casting of Leah Jeffries in Percy Jackson and the Olympians or DeWanda Clever in Jurassic World: Dominion. Jeffries and Clever deserve far, much better, and so does Ingram.

Though it could actually by no means make up for the racist assaults on Ingram, or the racist historical past of the Star Wars fandom generally, each Ingram and Reva have fortunately obtained lots of well-deserved reward. When you look by means of the Reva hashtag on Twitter, you will discover fancams, fanart, and appreciation posts celebrating the character and actor as an alternative of tearing them down. And it is no marvel individuals love them: Ingram’s efficiency is superb, bringing Reva’s depth and dedication to life. As an intriguing new addition to the Star Wars universe, Reva is hands-down essentially the most attention-grabbing aspect of Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Who’s Inquisitor Reva?

Reva Sevander (aka, the Third Sister) is a member of the Imperial Inquisition, that means she’s a Jedi who turned to the Darkish Facet and now hunts Jedi herself. She’s the youngest member of the core group of Inquisitors we meet, which incorporates the Grand Inquisitor (Rupert Good friend) and the Fifth Brother (Sung Kang).

To be completely sincere, I am not accustomed to Star Wars Rebels, so I went into Obi-Wan Kenobi with little data of the Inquisition. However as quickly because the trio of the Grand Inquisitor, Fifth Brother, and Reva first appeared, I used to be obsessed. They ooze menace with simply the correct quantity of theatricality — one of the crucial necessary qualities of a Star Wars villain — and their presence instantly ups the stakes of the present.

As a lot as I like the Grand Inquisitor and the Fifth Brother (they’re simply so completely sinister), Reva instantly stands out from the trio. Whereas the Grand Inquisitor and the Fifth Brother are caked in gaunt, disfiguring make-up, Reva nonetheless seems to be human, setting her aside from her compatriots. It provides her a larger sense of vulnerability inside the group, which is then paid off by the Grand Inquisitor dismissing her as lesser than them. From there, we all know she has one thing to show.

However her clear humanity is not the one factor distinguishing her from the others. Reva’s method to searching Jedi varies drastically from the Grand Inquisitor’s. She’s brash, she defies authority, and he or she’s keen to cease at nothing till she reaches her aim of capturing Kenobi. Her fellow Inquisitors, whereas nonetheless clearly evil, have a extra scientific method. To them, this hunt is a vital job. To her, it is private. It is so private that she’ll do something to realize her aim. She’ll absolutely minimize off individuals’s palms and threaten harmless households simply to search out one man. Once you attain some extent the place even the Grand Inquisitor must go, “Whoa there, too far,” you understand you have reached top-tier villain standing.

We do not know why, precisely, Reva is so hellbent on discovering Obi-Wan herself but — though I believe it has to do with that opening Order 66 flashback — however the stress and the thriller are half of the enjoyable of Reva’s character. We do know that Reva, like the opposite Inquisitors, was as soon as a Jedi or at the least coaching to be one earlier than becoming a member of the Inquisition. What prompted her to defect and hunt her personal form? Was it self-preservation within the face of Order 66? Or was it due to a vendetta towards one Jedi specifically? These are such fascinating motivations to play with, getting on the present’s core thriller of why Obi-Wan issues a lot to Reva.

In truth, as a lot as I like the dynamic between Darth Vader (Hayden Christensen) and Obi-Wan, the present’s predominant relationship thus far is that between Reva and Obi-Wan. It is the driving drive behind all of the motion, together with the kidnapping of Princess Leia (Vivien Lyra Blair), and all of it comes again to Reva’s singular obsession.

In a present that feels so just like different Star Wars properties, Reva stands out

Don’t get between Reva and her targets. Credit score: Lucasfilm Ltd.

Look, the present could also be referred to as Obi-Wan Kenobi, however I discover myself paying much more consideration when he is not round. Do not get me mistaken, I like the character and McGregor’s take. Nonetheless, his “lone wolf has to move necessary little one” plotline feels far too near what we’re already seen in The Mandalorian.

Between seeing younger Luke (Grant Feely), Uncle Owen (Joel Edgerton), and Alderaan, Obi-Wan Kenobi feels partly like a Star Wars nostalgia fan service tour. That feeling even extends to scenes that includes Vader. We already know these characters. Greater than that, we all know how their tales finish. That data diminishes a lot of the present’s stakes transferring ahead.

However you understand whose story we do not know? Reva’s. As one of many few new characters launched in Obi-Wan Kenobi, Reva is a wild card. I get extra invested when she’s round as a result of I do not know if I am going to get one other episode along with her, or what she may do subsequent. Take her homicide of the Grand Inquisitor in episode 2. I completely didn’t count on that, however I liked it as a show of her ruthlessness. Let Reva be as evil as she desires at any time when she desires. It makes for nice villainy.

Talking of nice villains, Reva undoubtedly shows traits of different well-known Star Wars unhealthy guys. Her ambition and frustration with the Inquisition recall to mind Anakin’s journey within the prequel trilogy, and her killing her evil boss is pure Kylo Ren in The Final Jedi. However regardless of these similarities, Ingram makes Reva her personal. She performs her with the boldness of somebody who has a badass lightsaber and is aware of how you can use it, but additionally with the vulnerability of somebody who’s been damage earlier than and has spent her complete life making an attempt to avenge that damage.

So whereas we do not know why Reva is so dead-set on capturing Obi-Wan herself, Ingram’s efficiency provides us greater than sufficient info to know that Reva has been ready her total life for this. As soon as Obi-Wan and Reva lastly conflict head-on, we’re in for one hell of a showdown. And I can not wait to observe.

Obi-Wan Kenobi is now streaming on Disney+, with new episodes each Wednesday.