Obi-Wan Kenobi episode 2's shock moment might have broken Star Wars canon

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Rebels without a cause

Obi-Wan Kenobi
(Image credit: Lucasfilm)

Obi-Wan Kenobi episode 2 features a surprise twist that some fans think might have irreversibly changed Star Wars canon.

Spoilers for Obi-Wan Kenobi episode 2 follow. If you haven’t seen the episode, look away now!

During the episode’s closing moments, Obi-Wan and Leia are cornered on Daiyu by the Grand Inquisitor (Rupert Friend) and Reva (Moses Ingram). Reva’s ambitions go far, far beyond her station however and, as the Inquisitor takes over, she stabs him with her lightsaber, seemingly killing him.

Obi-Wan Kenobi

(Image credit: Lucasfilm)

What gives? The Grand Inquisitor is very much alive and well in animated series Star Wars: Rebels, which take place after the events of Obi-Wan Kenobi. While his fate is still up in the air in the Disney Plus series, some viewers are worried that Star Wars: Rebels has now been deemed non-canon.

"I’m sorry is Rebels decanonized now or something?" one viewer asked, probably not without justification. Another wrote, "He's alive in Rebels so.....what? I'm so confused."

One said, "So I guess the Grand Inquisitor in Rebels is either another Grand Inquisitor or they bring him back," adding that it’s “melting their brain.”

Our take? Wait until next week. Once the dust has settled, the Grand Inquisitor could be back on his feet – and on a one-way trip to appearing in Star Wars: Rebels. If not? Then we can ask some serious questions about whether one of Star Wars’ most beloved spin-offs is canon or not. Gulp.

For everything else coming soon from the galaxy far, far away, see our guide to all the upcoming Star Wars movies and TV shows.

In the meantime, read our interviews with Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen on their favorite memories filming the show and how their characters' relationship has changed, as well as Christensen on why he didn't speak to George Lucas before returning as Darth Vader and Moses Ingram on playing the galaxy's newest villain, Reva.

Bradley Russell
Bradley Russell
Senior Entertainment Writer

I'm the Senior Entertainment Writer here at GamesRadar+, focusing on news, features, and interviews with some of the biggest names in film and TV. On-site, you'll find me marveling at Marvel and providing analysis and room temperature takes on the newest films, Star Wars and, of course, anime. Outside of GR, I love getting lost in a good 100-hour JRPG, Warzone, and kicking back on the (virtual) field with Football Manager. My work has also been featured in OPM, FourFourTwo, and Game Revolution.