Star Wars architect George Lucas knew how to utilize classic archetypes to create strong, interesting characters. As far as wise mentor characters go, you really can't get more iconic than Obi-Wan Kenobi. However, Lucas didn't quite know how to plot out a massive franchise.
As wise as Obi-Wan may seem, the end result is that he seems like a compulsive liar whenever he talks to Luke Skywalker about the past. Maybe years of being a hermit addled his weary mind, but that doesn't excuse some of his actions. Let's take a look back at Obi-Wan's biggest fibs in Star Wars.
DARTH VADER'S IDENTITY
This is perhaps Obi-Wan's most famous lie, as it actually gets addressed on-screen in Return of the Jedi. During the scene, the Force Ghost of Obi-Wan explains that when he earlier told Luke that Darth Vader murdered his father, it wasn't a lie, but the truth "from a certain point of view." Not only was Darth Vader Luke's father, he certainly did not betray or murder Anakin. Maybe Obi-Wan really was just trying to protect Luke, but if the rest of this list is considered it seems like most of Obi-Wan's "protection" involved some deceit.
THE OBI-WAN NAME
Given how familiar audiences are with the Prequel Era, this one definitely jumps out as a lie. Obi-Wan very decisively went into seclusion after Luke was born, with the comics and shows more than willing to show the brief moments of the Jedi coming out of retirement to aid the galaxy. This moment also sticks out as a time when Luke's birth comes up and Obi-Wan completely neglects to mention his twin sister Leia. Hiding the siblings' relationship didn't seem to protect Luke from anything, and lead to a pretty awkward kiss well after this lie.
REMEMBERING R2-D2
The plot of A New Hope sprung out of R2-D2's determined mission to find Obi-Wan and enlist his help in saving Princess Leia. Not only was the little droid's part in the film's plot crucial, but the prequels revealed R2 had been pivotal in galactic matters for decades. It's true that he was Anakin's and Obi-Wan was not technically his owner, but for Obi-Wan to play dumb and act as if he had no definite recollection of R2 is a little hard to believe. Again, there doesn't seem to be any usefulness in intentionally lying about this, so either Obi-Wan really is a liar or his mind isn't all there.
ANAKIN
Unfortunately for young Luke, most of his life was built on lies when it came to learning about his parents. His Uncle Owen who raised him told him that his father was not involved in the Clone Wars and only worked on a spice freighter. It was Obi-Wan who helped Luke discover the truth, telling him about how Anakin was a Jedi Knight who fought alongside him in the Clone Wars. But even then, it's like Obi-Wan could not help himself, saying that Owen tried to urge Anakin to stay home and not get involved. Obviously, no conversation ever took place between Owen and Anakin regarding that topic because they barely knew each other.
PASSING DOWN THE LIGHTSABER
Like any kid would be, Luke was too distracted by his cool new space sword to ask any follow-up questions. Obi-Wan told Luke his father wanted him to have it and that was good enough for the farm boy. But Anakin never told Obi-Wan any such thing, with the former being far too caught up in the affairs of the Dark Side to discuss his last will and testament. When Obi-Wan took the lightsaber Anakin certainly wasn't saying to bequeath it to his son. To be fair, Anakin's last words were hard to make out given that he was burning alive.
MASTER YODA
The last one on the list actually occurred in Empire Strikes Back after Obi-Wan's death in the previous film. Still lying beyond the grave, Obi-Wan directed Luke to Dagobah to train with "the Jedi Master who instructed me." But early in The Phantom Menace, fams learn that Obi-Wan's master was not Yoda, but Qui-Gon Jinn. Maybe at some point in the past, Yoda offered Obi-Wan some instruction, but there really was no point to tell this lie. It seems like Obi-Wan just couldn't resist telling some more stories from his "certain point of view."
Premiering Friday, Feb. 21, on Disney+, Star Wars: The Clone Wars stars Matt Lanter as Anakin Skywalker, Ashley Eckstein as Ahsoka Tano, Dee Bradley Baker as Captain Rex and the clone troopers, James Arnold Taylor as Obi-Wan Kenobi, Katee Sackhoff as Bo-Katan, and Sam Witwer as Maul.