[Thor Joachim Haga]

I was watching through OBI WAN KENOBI again last week, on Disney+. It’s my favourite TV show in the STAR WARS universe, and I’m bummed that it was cancelled after just one season. But there’s one thing I cannot FATHOM with it, and that’s the score. For the first couple episodes, it’s scored by an absolutely atrocious, trailer-like wishy-washy sound (composed by Natalie Holt, I believe). A couple of episodes in, I believe for a light sabre duel, they called upon the talent of William Ross to provide a more orchestral backdrop – which they then follow from thereon out. Not terribly exciting orchestral music, just a lot of movement without any theme or form. But it was at least a small step up. And until the very last episode, there are NO references to the existing John Williams themes.

I mean, yes, it’s fine to do your own thing, and in some cases that’s even preferred. Nobody will reach Williams’ level anyway. But when you’re dealing with so many CLASSIC characters from the CLASSIC films, you’re obligated, I think, to use the existing themes, at least to some extent. Feel free to mix it with our own themes or music, if necessary.

This was a show that absolutely SCREAMED for pastiche and references, and they failed so miserably.

So yes, while this may not be exactly what Graham asked for, this is a score I absolutely cannot fathom.