Star Wars - K, Jedi - Qui-Gon Jinn

Qui-Gon Jinn: History

I don't see Liam as being Qui-Gon, he just plays him in one movie (more if we are lucky.) Qui-Gon is a deeper character who is a Jedi Master, but trusts his instincts rather than the views of the Jedi Council, which makes him seem like a bit of a rouge. He may get into messes doing it this way but he gets the job done and learns from his mistakes, he is attune to the living force around him and evaluates the situation before jumping into things. If Qui-Gon didn't trust his instincts then he would've never taken on Anakin, who does bring balance to the force. (Even Lucas says that Anakin brings balance by letting evil have its turn, but destroying an evil Sith lord, thus destroying that part of the order (for a while), and it his son and daughter who bring the galaxy back around again, if Anakin was not picked up by Qui-Gon, Palpatine would've found a different ally that wouldn't have had the same Light side as Anakin did.)

Qui-Gon Jinn is said to be an imposing figure and inspires respect from other Jedi's, especially his Padawan, Obi-Wan. He had great empathy for all living creatures (and would shudder at the Emperor's use of slavery), and this makes his lightsabre skills finely tuned because he relies on superior harmony with the Force. I believe he judged Darth Maul wrong, because the Sith, lured Qui-Gon into a non-living place and deceived his instincts, putting Qui-Gon off edge. Quite often when Qui-Gon is upset he visits a garden that is full of life to get him to his Force centre, to claim down and think things through.

Obi-Wan is the opposite to Qui-Gon, helping balance and give Qui-Gon a different opinion of situations, he respects his Master's ways as shown by the similar lightsabre design and is very loyal to Qui-Gon, through their Padawan bond. Many Jedi and apprentice teams look up to Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan as a model to follow.

It is unknown at this time where Qui-Gon came from, but it is known that he returned after becoming a Jedi and discovered Force sensitive rocks in the River of Light, one of which he gives to Obi-Wan for his 13th birthday. This means that the world was most likely full of the living Force (much like Dagobah) which could be the reason why Qui-Gon was so sensitive to it.

It is undefined as to who was Qui-Gon's Master when he was a Padawan, Brooks mentions a Knight with superior fighting skills who taught him, whilst the Jedi Apprentice novels mentions Yoda. But as you all should remember, Obi-Wan tells Yoda how impulsive and impatient his was when he was learning in Empire Strikes Back. I believe that Qui-Gon's Master was this blade master and not Yoda as Yoda is the superior teacher at the temple and he teaches many of the students and Knights that reveres him the name of Master from all, I don't think Qui-Gon was his Padawan, but rather that all students are Yoda's Padawan.

Qui-Gon Lightsabre:

It has multiple power cells in the handgrip that is an unusual design as most have a single power cell. It has a highly elaborate internal design that was most likely built within the temple and shows his sensitivity to the force. His development of a unique lightsabre design was most likely modeled off his unknown Master's to aid in his development of his fighting skills that so many Jedi's look up to. (See Links for the Lightsabre page, where the author speculates that green means living force and that the circuitry of this lightsabre is what Luke uses in Return.)

Qui-Gon's comlink (which is actually a women's Gillette shaver for all the Australian's out there) allows him to keep in contact with Obi- Wan as well as send sample transmission, it's small compact design becomes hidden in Qui-Gon's large robe. Qui-Gon's pouches contain endless Jedi field gear such as grappling hooks, holoprojectors and his comlink, he is equipped for action.

As most will know, Qui-Gon has had three apprentices, when his first became a Jedi Knight (this person is unnamed) he became a Jedi Master and took on Xanatos, but when Qui-Gon encountered Xanatos' father and killed him, Xanatos became outraged and left Qui-Gon and vowed to take revenge (The Jedi Apprentice novels outlines this.) For years Qui-Gon refused to allow another Padawan to take Xanatos' place, that is until he meet Obi-Wan.

(Here I will outline what happens in the Jedi Apprentice novels - read them for more information as they are a wealth of information on Qui-Gon.)

Qui-Gon watches Obi-Wan fight at the temple, but doesn't take him on because of the boys anger, but they end up on the same transport to a farming planet where they encounter the Offworld company, headed by Xanatos. After a series of events, Obi-Wan is about to sacrifice himself to save Qui-Gon and others, that is when Qui-Gon takes Obi-Wan on as his Padawan Learner. After a saving some planets from war and saving a Queen from death, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan go to Melida/Daan to save another Knight, Tahl, but Obi-Wan gets wrapped up in the politics and leaves Qui-Gon. Qui-Gon returns to the temple and discovers with the help of Tahl and Bant (a young student) a series of thefts in the temple before he has to restore peace at Melida/Daan, upon leaving Obi-Wan comes with him. Uncovering Xanatos behind the attacks on the temple, Qui-Gon leaves to go and find Xanatos on Telos, Obi-Wan volunteers to help. They uncover my of Xanatos' plots and brig the rouge Padawan to justice, Qui-Gon realises Obi-Wan's worth and takes him back as his Padawan, where they led some more truth uncovering and peace protecting missions. Qui-Gon gets to love being around Tahl and confuses his love for her only moments before she is kidnapped and tortured he and Obi-Wan try to save her only to find that she is past saving and dies in his arms. Qui-Gon goes for vengeance seriously close to the darkside but stops just short of the mark and mopes for a while before taking on new and exciting missions with his now much more mature Padawan, they even have a short stint with some Sith Holocrons.

A cut scene involving Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan's Lightsabre:

In the distance, two STAPS burst out of the mist at high speed, chasing OBI-WAN.
QUI-GON : I have no time for this now...
JAR JAR : Say what?
The two STAPS barrell down on OBI-WAN.
JAR JAR : (cont'd) Oh, nooooo! Weesa ganna....
QUI-GON throws JAR JAR into the mud.
QUI-GON : Stay down!
His head pops up.
JAR JAR : ...dieeee!
The two troops fire laser bolts at OBI-WAN. QUI-GON deflects the bolts back, and the STAPS blow up. One-two. OBI-WAN is exhausted and tries to catch his breath. >>>

OBI-WAN : Sorry, Master, the water fried my weapon.
OBI-WAN pulls out his burnt laser sword handle. QUI-GON inspects it, as JAR JAR pulls himself out of the mud.
QUI-GON : You forgot to turn your power off again, didn't you?
OBI-WAN nods sheeplishly.
QUI-GON : (cont'd) It won't take long to recharge, but this is a lesson I hope you've learned, my young Padawan.
OBI-WAN : Yes, Master

As all fans know what happened at Naboo, (read Terry Brooks' novelisation of the story or watch the movie on video) and Qui-Gon dies, fans are left with the question of why didn't Qui-Gon fade away? (See my Kirana story Part 2 Qui-Gon Jinn for my reason.) I only hope that Lucas clears this up in either of the following movies and who knows, maybe Qui-Gon will still be Obi-Wan's mentor like Obi-Wan becomes to Luke, we can only hope.

Attack of the Clones brought to light some new facts about Qui-Gon as Dooku his Master was (HAD to) and Dooku was a powerful Jedi who was a great swordman who taught Qui-Gon his skills but was able to be over powered by Yoda himself (Yoda's kewl). Qui-Gon even makes a brief (okay his voice did) appearance in Episode 2 as screaming out to Anakin to stop his vengeance, obviously it didn't work. Will we get more insight into Qui-Gon in Episode 3? Just have to wait and see.

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