The death ofQui-Gon JinninStar Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menaceis no doubt one of the most pivotal moments in the Skywalker saga, but I still think it was a big mistake forStar Wars. Qui-Gon’s death is perhaps one of the most analyzed moments in theStar Warsprequel trilogy, due to how influential this event was on Anakin Skywalker - particularly his eventual fall to the dark side. TheDuel of the Fatesis named for this reason, as it’s a duel over the fate of Anakin’s destiny - one that Qui-Gon, unfortunately, loses.
As pivotal as it is, however, I still think it was a mistake to lose a character like Qui-Gon. After all, he’s portrayed by Liam Neeson, an iconic star who brings such a fresh perspective to Qui-Gon’s character and that particular era ofStar Wars. As the former Padawan of Count Dooku, Qui-Gon also has key character connections and relationships that no other character really has. While I do wholeheartedly understand the reasoning behind his death, this is why I thinkStar Warsshould have let Qui-Gon live instead.
Qui-Gon Is Still One Of Star Wars' Most Interesting Jedi
After 26 Years, He Still Has The Freshest Perspective On The Jedi
26 years after the release ofThe Phantom Menaceand thus the introduction of Qui-Gon himself, he’s still one of the franchise’s most interesting Jedi to date.His perspective on the Force was, at the time, unlike anything else, and his calm willingness to bend the rules of theJedi Codein order to do what he thought was right was very refreshing in an era where the Jedi were less lenient than ever before. As the Jedi tasked with introducingmidichlorians (also known as M-count), Qui-Gon truly stood apart from the rest of the Jedi.
Qui-Gon Jinn
Viewed as a maverick Jedi, Qui-Gon Jinn was willing to learn from other Force traditions - and some of those lessons taught him how to retain his consciousness after death, becoming the first Force Ghost. Qui-Gon discovered Anakin Skywalker on Tatooine, recognizing him as the Chosen One, and swore to train the boy. This oath was passed to Qui-Gon’s apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi, after Qui-Gon was killed by Darth Maul. He remained influential from beyond the veil, however, teaching others how to follow in his Force Ghost footsteps.
Unfortunately, no other Jedi introduced in this era has really set themselves apart the way Qui-Gon did, and that leaves me wondering what more we could have seen from Qui-Gon. I think Qui-Gon being this way is what helped to make Obi-Wan a more versatile (and, though he would never admit it, a more relaxed) Jedi, as the Obi-Wan we know in the latter two prequel movies and inStar Wars: The Clone Warsis vastly different from the rule-following Padawan inThe Phantom Menace. I would have loved to see how Qui-Gon influenced him like that.
The Jedi Could Have Used Qui-Gon’s Voice During The Clone Wars
He Wasn’t Afraid To Face The Council
It’s no secret that the Jedi Order was very flawed even before the Clone Wars broke out, but their heavy participation in said war led even further to their eventual downfall duringOrder 66. Much of this had to do with them focusing on the wrong things, which were things that Qui-Gon no doubt would have voiced and advocated for without restraint.The Phantom Menaceproved that Qui-Gon was not only willing to face the Jedi Council directly, but also that he was willing to defy them if necessary, and the Jedi needed more people like that during this time.
Star Wars Confirms What We’ve Known For Years: Qui-Gon Really Was Wiser Than The Jedi Council
Star Wars' newest novel further confirms Qui-Gon Jinn held great wisdom as a Jedi Master, surpassing many members of the Jedi Council.
As a Jedi who yearned to help rid the galaxy of its slavery problem, as seen in Claudia Gray’sMaster and Apprenticenovel,Qui-Gon would have been very vocal about the wrongness of the Jedi’s actions during the war. While one voice may not have been enough to dissuade the Jedi from every bad decision they made, Qui-Gon’s would certainly have carried more weight than others. As Count Dooku’s former Padawan, it also would have been both fascinating and interesting to see how Qui-Gon reckoned with his former master’s actions - though Qui-Gon’s death played a key role in that, too.
So Much Potential Died Along With Qui-Gon Himself
There Was So Much More Left To Explore With This Character
All in all, there was so much potential in Qui-Gon’s character that I would have loved to see beyond his tenure inThe Phantom Menace. Thankfully, we have gotten some bits and pieces of his life before then, in the aforementionedMaster and Apprenticenovel, the animatedTales of the Jediseries, and more, butI can’t help feeling sad that he wasn’t around for events as major as the Clone Wars. It could still have been the case that Qui-Gon died before Anakin’s fall to the dark side, but that it happened later on, after bonds were formed.
10 Ways Qui-Gon Jinn Changed The Jedi Forever In Star Wars Canon
Qui-Gon Jinn may just be one of the most underrated Jedi in the Star Wars franchise, since he was one of the most influential Jedi of his time.
Of course, it’s also the case that Qui-Gon’s training of Anakin could have prevented his eventual fall altogether, but it’s difficult to say. Either way, I honestly just would have loved to see the potential we really had with Qui-Gon inThe Phantom Menacego on. His character has always been a fan-favorite, and I think getting more of his perspective within the Jedi Order over time would have been really fascinating. I get whyThe Phantom Menacemade this decision, but I still think that wasting Qui-Gon’s potential was a big mistake.
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace
Cast
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace is set in a galaxy facing political turmoil, as Jedi Knights Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi seek peace while encountering Anakin Skywalker, a slave with great potential in the Force. Meanwhile, the Sith begin their resurgence, threatening the stability of the Republic.
