Jedi master Qui-Gon Jinn returns for final episode of Obi-Wan Kenobi

Star Wars fans were treated to a blast from the distant Jedi past this week as the final episode of spin-off series Obi-Wan Kenobi aired on Disney+. 

The show, which sees Ewan McGregor dust off his cape and reprise his role as the titular Jedi master, finally came to an end on Wednesday evening after a tentative six-episode run. 

And viewers, who have been unanimous in their praise of the science fiction show, were treated to the return of the fabled lightsaber wielding Qui-Gon Jinn, played by Liam Neeson. 

Surprise: Star Wars fans were treated to a blast from the Jedi past this week as the final episode of spin-off series Obi-Wan Kenobi aired on Disney+

The ponytailed character, who helped train Obi-Wan in the ways of the Force and haplessly sought to do the same with a young Anakin Skywalker, was memorably slaughtered during a duel with Darth Maul in 1999 blockbuster Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. 

But he was back to guide his old comrade, albeit as a ghostly presence, as Obi-Wan paid a visit to Luke Skywalker, the son Anakin sired before his turn to the Dark Side and subsequent transformation into Darth Vader.   

‘I was beginning to think you’d never come,’ a unperturbed Obi-Wan quips as Qui-Gonn’s apparition emerges during a journe across the deserts of remote planet Tattooine.  

Familiar face: Viewers, who have been unanimous in their praise of the science fiction show, were treated to the return of the fabled Qui-Gon Jinn, played by Liam Neeson

‘I was always here, Obi-Wan,’ he replies. ‘You just were not ready to see.’ 

The sudden appearance of Neeson’s legendary character prompted inevitable hysteria from die-hard fans of the long-running Star Wars franchise, with many sharing their thoughts across social media. 

Taking to Twitter, one raved: ‘AFTER 23 YEARS, MY FAVORITE PREQUEL ERA JEDI IS BACK!! LIAM NEESON AS QUI-GON JINN OMG!!’ 

 

The Force is strong in these ones: The sudden appearance of Neeson’s legendary character prompted inevitable hysteria from die-hard fans of the long-running Star Wars franchise

While a second added: ‘When I thought the series were out of surprises then pulled out Liam Neeson as Qui Gon Jinn at the end of the ep I SCREAMED.’

A third excitable fan remarked: ‘I’m so happy that Liam Neeson came back as force ghost Qui Gon Jinn.’ 

The return of Qui-Gon also sparked feverish talk of a potential second series, and the direction it could take as a consequence. 

Open-ended: Disney+ is understood to be keen on developing a second series of the show, but to date there has been no official confirmation regarding its return 

One wrote: ‘Now that Obi Wan can presumably commune properly with Qui-Gon, give us season 2 of some teachings and Obi Wan helping other Jedi.’ 

‘He could be a part of things now that get paid off long after the Skywalker saga, in a new part of the galaxy that we haven’t seen yet.’

A second added: ‘The finale was wonderful. But it begs for a season 2. There is room in canon for it. And have Liam Neeson be a bigger role!’ 

Disney+ is understood to be keen on developing a second series of the show, but to date there has been no official confirmation regarding its return.