An episode of Star Wars: The Clone Wars helps explain why Obi-Wan (Ewan McGregor) was initially unable to hear the voice of his Force ghost master Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) in the Obi-Wan Kenobi series. Though he eventually succeeds, it took Kenobi years to even begin the process. Having been first taught to Jedi Master Yoda, who in turn told Kenobi how he could commune with his late master through the Force, Obi-Wan still struggled to hear Qui-Gon’s voice, and the animated Clone Wars series holds the answer as to why.
Despite being given training from Yoda at the end of Revenge of the Sith, Obi-Wan Kenobi was unable to speak with Qui-Gon during his exile on Tatooine, watching over young Luke Skywalker while being tormented about what happened to his father Anakin, Obi-Wan’s corrupted apprentice who became Darth Vader. It’s not until the end of the Obi-Wan Kenobi series that Kenobi can both see and hear Qui-Gon’s Force ghost. As such, it has everything to do with an inherent requirement when it comes to Force ghosts as revealed in The Clone Wars.
Clone Wars Revealed A Jedi Needs To Attune Themselves To Hear Force Ghosts
As seen in the Clone Wars season 6 episode entitled “Voices,” Master Yoda begins hearing the disembodied voice of Qui-Gon Jinn. This comes as a major surprise, as Yoda did not yet know about the existence of Force ghosts and a Jedi’s ability to retain their identity after death through the Living Force. Determined to uncover the mystery behind the voices, Yoda undergoes deep meditation experiences, which in turn results in unusually high activity in his brain beyond any other Jedi, confirmed via a medical scan from a doctor at the Jedi Temple.
The clear implication is that a Jedi must attune themselves to hear the voices of Force ghosts. As such, the best means of doing so seems to be through meditation, affecting their brain on a biological level through the experience, as well. However, attunement could also come from a deeper understanding and connection in moments where the Living Force opens itself up to Jedi such as Luke Skywalker and Rey, who had their own experiences being tutored by Force ghosts just as Yoda was initially guided by Qui-Gon. It seems as though it’s much easier for Force ghosts to commune with living Jedi, rather than the other way around.
Obi-Wan Needed To Meditate Deep Into The Force To Hear & See Qui-Gon
Just as Yoda had to deeply meditate and embark on a spiritual journey to commune and hear Qui-Gon’s voice, Obi-Wan needed to also meditate to hear his late master whom he so desperately wanted guidance from in the Obi-Wan Kenobi series. However, Obi-Wan had effectively cut himself off from the Force due to his guilt and grief. He was able to reconnect with the Force as a Jedi Master once more after facing Vader and getting young Princess Leia to safety, rediscovering himself in the process.
This in turn allowed Kenobi to both hear and see Qui-Gon by the series’ end. Case in point, Qui-Gon himself says he’d always been there, despite Obi-Wan’s prior inability to see. While Qui-Gon could have perhaps revealed himself earlier had Obi-Wan not cut himself off from the Force, the idea of attunement still plays a key factor should a Jedi seek to commune with those of the past who’ve retained their identities through the Living Force.
Yoda & Obi-Wan’s Experiences Foreshadow Rise Of Skywalker’s Force Ghosts
The idea of attunement as seen with Yoda and Obi-Wan is great foreshadowing for Rey in The Rise of Skywalker. As seen at the beginning of the final chapter of the Skywalker saga, Rey tried meditation to seek out the voices of the Jedi who’d come before. As a result, Rey could later see Luke’s Force ghost, as well as the voices of the Jedi during the final battle with the resurrected Emperor Palpatine (though the moment would have been better had their Force ghosts been seen as well).
At any rate, the concept of attunement seems to play a key factor in relation to the purpose of Force ghosts in Star Wars. While they’re clearly capable of making themselves known to Jedi who are in need, Force ghosts can be conversely contacted by Jedi who are incredibly attuned and connected to the Force itself, especially those who are involved in critical moments of destiny and fate. It’s very satisfying to see the set-up happening in The Clone Wars before being paid off in Obi-Wan Kenobi and subsequently The Rise of Skywalker.
