Did Qui-Gon cause Anakin to beat Sebulba in the pod race?

I was re-watching TPM on HBO last night and I noticed something for the first time. On the last lap, just as Sebubla's and Anakin's pods collide and become hooked together, they show a shot of Qui-Gon and the rest watching on the datapad. At that moment, if you watch Qui-Gon, he inclines his head and closes his eyes. It is quick, as it cuts back to the actual race pretty fast. Is he trying to use the Force to influence the outcome of the race? It may be nothing but it looked like he was trying to do something through the Force. This would actually possibly change the whole concept of the series. Anakin may have never beaten Sebulba. The Chosen One would have remained nothing more than a slave boy on Tatooine. Darth Sidious plans may have never come to fruition... or at least they would have been setback somewhat. What do you guys think?

 

I think it was more of a "force meditation" kind of thing, sort of calming himself and trusting in Anakin. In my opinion, if we were meant to feel that Qui-Gon directly influenced the outcome of the race through the force, something less subtle would have been shown.

 

Nah. Qui-gon was probably meditating, since we see him do the same thing during the fight with Maul. Anakin got free on his own.

 

Meditating? You mean he was trying to sense Anakin's thoughts on what was going on in the race, right? If you notice, a shot of Qui-Gon is shown of his expression right after he opens his eyes, a look of fear of what might happen.

 

I like the idea of Qui Gon connecting with Anakin and soothing him like Obi Wan does to Luke in ANH.

 

Did Qui-Gon cause Anakin to beat Sebulba in the pod race?

I would say indirectly yes, but not at that scene. Qui-Gon gave Anakin confidence and hope, something he never had in his previous races. And that can go a long way.

 

Perhaps! I'd venture to guess that since Anakin was so strong with the force, once Qui-Gon knew his 'signature' it would not be difficult at all for him to 'connect' with Anakin. We have plenty of examples in the saga of Jedi being able to sense or even influence others.

Anakin, on the other hand, likely would not be able to 'reach out' to Qui-Gon, since he had not been initiated into the ways of the force. The path would seem to be one way.

 

No. I think he was just in heavy meditation, hoping that the will of the Force would act in his favor. Ani won it on his own!

 

It just kind of caught my eye. I thought Anakin had won it on his own... it just seemed like a "He didn't just do that did he?" kind of moment. I like the idea that he was trying to connect with Anakin to possibly calm his nerves.

 

I can buy reaching out to his mind and maybe attempting to send encouragement. But not actually using the Force directly to separate them.

 

I agree with, Sinister. He definitely didn't interfere, but I would think he tried to feel Anakin's thoughts. The look of uncertainty after he try to do so tells us Anakin was in trouble.

 

Qui Gon did enough to influence Anakin's freedom. Knowing Anakin won the Podace on his own (perhaps with a little force-guidance from Qui Gon ala Ben and Luke-ANH) rings truer for me.

 

No the Force did.

 

(perhaps with a little force-guidance from Qui Gon ala Ben and Luke-ANH) rings truer for me.

Nah, we havent seen any live Jedi do that. A Jedi has to be struck down dead to become more powerful than you can imagine.

 

I dont think Qui Gon had anything to do with that, but that's interesting... i hadnt noticed this before... i usually get caught up in the podrace, i didnt really pay much attencion to Qui Gon's gestures

 

After rewatching the podrace, and pausing at all the shots with Qui-Gon, all I could see was him intently watching the race, basically with the same facial gestures as Shmi. His hand gestures though, consisted of putting his hands all over Shmi's body. At one point he does close his eyes and tilt his head back. Its hard to tell if that was from him trying to see the future or Shmi kicking him in the groin.

 

I didnt need that visual

 

Although I agree with this, isn't there a possibility that QG could have influenced the race? We know QG had no difficulties using the force for his advantage - he tries to mind-trick wattoo, he uses the force on the dice... He WAS quite certain that Anakin would win...