Post by Seeker of the Whills on Sept 1, 2023 19:32:42 GMT
Did you ever notice that Qui-Gon touches (or gestures towards) almost every major character in TPM on the shoulder?
There is a huge importance to this fatherly habit that Qui-Gon has with all the followers, or apostles, he gathers on (arguably) his adventure. He is literally connecting with the Living Force of other beings (The Force was originally called "The Force of Others" in the early SW scripts). In the case of Jar Jar, he freed him because he thought they needed a guide to get through the planet's core. Did we ever see Qui-Gon or Obi-Wan asking Jar Jar for directions? No. I believe Qui-Gon tapped into Jar Jar's life force and used him like an organic hyperdrive. Just after Qui-Gon's touch puts Jar Jar to sleep, he gestures to an opening and tells Obi-Wan to go there. He got the information, unwittingly, from Jar Jar.
This habit of Qui-Gon's is in stark contrast to Obi-Wan's conduct towards Anakin, which is much more business-like and confrontational. Compare the scene with Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan above to the one in AotC where Obi-Wan confronts Anakin outside of the night club. Qui-Gon always has a paternal warmth to him, a reassuring belief that everything will be alright. Obi-Wan, on the other hand, is much more of a stern taskmaster. Consequentially, Qui-Gon's absence is sorely felt in the following two prequels. The scene in the original Tartakovsky Clone Wars, where Anakin says to Obi-Wan "As far as your wisdom goes, you're no Qui-Gon Jinn," reverberates through the latter two prequels. Obi-Wan almost assumes a Qui-Gon-like demeanor in his last scene as friends with Anakin, but doesn't quite go the distance to embrace him like his master would. When you think of it this way, Obi-Wan's words "I have failed you, Anakin. I have failed you" are all the more heartbreaking.
There is a huge importance to this fatherly habit that Qui-Gon has with all the followers, or apostles, he gathers on (arguably) his adventure. He is literally connecting with the Living Force of other beings (The Force was originally called "The Force of Others" in the early SW scripts). In the case of Jar Jar, he freed him because he thought they needed a guide to get through the planet's core. Did we ever see Qui-Gon or Obi-Wan asking Jar Jar for directions? No. I believe Qui-Gon tapped into Jar Jar's life force and used him like an organic hyperdrive. Just after Qui-Gon's touch puts Jar Jar to sleep, he gestures to an opening and tells Obi-Wan to go there. He got the information, unwittingly, from Jar Jar.
This habit of Qui-Gon's is in stark contrast to Obi-Wan's conduct towards Anakin, which is much more business-like and confrontational. Compare the scene with Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan above to the one in AotC where Obi-Wan confronts Anakin outside of the night club. Qui-Gon always has a paternal warmth to him, a reassuring belief that everything will be alright. Obi-Wan, on the other hand, is much more of a stern taskmaster. Consequentially, Qui-Gon's absence is sorely felt in the following two prequels. The scene in the original Tartakovsky Clone Wars, where Anakin says to Obi-Wan "As far as your wisdom goes, you're no Qui-Gon Jinn," reverberates through the latter two prequels. Obi-Wan almost assumes a Qui-Gon-like demeanor in his last scene as friends with Anakin, but doesn't quite go the distance to embrace him like his master would. When you think of it this way, Obi-Wan's words "I have failed you, Anakin. I have failed you" are all the more heartbreaking.
I really like this particular gesture that Qui-Gon has. I wonder if it came directly from George or if it was something Liam brought to the role. Either way, it really gives him that extra bit of character.