The following contains spoilers for Obi-Wan Kenobi Season 1, Episode 6, "Part VI," now streaming on Disney+.
Liam Neeson was the most well-known and notable casting choice when the Star Wars prequels were released. The Phantom Menace may have had poor writing and lackluster direction, but the Taken actor utilized every second of screen time to create a fan-favorite character in his only live-action appearance as Qui-Gon Jinn. Even his character's heroic death was important.
Star Wars fans have always hoped that the franchise would find a way to bring back Qui-Gon. And finally, thanks to Obi-Wan Kenobi, that wish was granted. The revered Jedi Master appeared very briefly at the end of the series in a very heartfelt moment with his former student. But was his appearance in the final episode flawed? Should the Disney+ series have made him a more important character?
What Obi-Wan Kenobi's six episodes should cover was heavily debated prior to the series' release. Some fans hoped to see "Old Ben" confront his former apprentice Darth Vader, while others wanted to see his journey through the desert while communing with his Master's Force ghost. The latter seemed unlikely since Neeson had spoken about only wanting to play Qui-Gon in another feature film.
But an online leak suggested in March that Qui-Gon would appear at some point, getting fans' hopes up to see more of the character. That pre-release anticipation may have set the standard too high. Neeson's appearance in Season 1, Episode 6, "Part VI" lasted less than a minute and left some viewers feeling that it wasted his potential. But in actuality, the cameo was the only correct way to weave Qui-Gon into the story that director Deborah Chow and her team were trying to tell.
The show was about Obi-Wan and his journey, coming to terms with his grief and the destruction of his way of life. At the start of the series, fans found Ben depressed and unable to commune with the Force. Throughout the first several episodes, he would call out to his Master almost as if he were calling out to a higher power. It wouldn't have made sense for him to see Qui-Gon until his arc was completed and his journey a success. Chow understood this narrative structure and left Qui-Gon's return for the end.
This led to her favorite moment in the show as it was an emotional conclusion and a true full circle moment. Neeson's presence carried the weight of Obi-Wan's experiences since Qui-Gon's death at the hands of Darth Maul. And while it would have been great to see the two share more scenes, fans will have to wait for those in a possible second season of Obi-Wan Kenobi -- or if Neeson gets his way, another feature film. There was no room for more of Qui-Gon in a story centered on who Obi-Wan became without him.
The Obi-Wan Kenobi finale is now streaming on Disney+.