"This is not a good idea." - Qui-Gon Jinn

In Episode I, Padme says that Queen Amidala wants her to go into Mos Espa (we learn later on that it was the queen herself). Qui-Gon replies with "This is not a good idea." What did he mean by that? My theories:

-he knew that Padme was the Queen and did not want her to get in to trouble (probably what everyone thinks)

OR

-There was something in the Force telling him not to bring her. Why would the Force tell him that? Because that means she will meet Anakin and be his downfall, sending the galaxy into the harsh rule of the Empire. Qui-Gon felt this warning and the sense of doom, making him not want to bring her.

Thoughts?

 

Heres the full context of that phrase :

EXT. TATOOINE - DESERT - SPACESHIP - DAY

They start their trek across the desert toward the city of Mos Espa. In the
distance, a strange looking caravan makes its way toward the spaceport.

JAR JAR : Dis sun doen murder tada skin.

From the spaceship, CAPTAIN PANAKA and PADME run toward them.

CAPT. PANAKA : Wait!

QUI-GON stops as they catch up. PADME is dresses in rough peasant's garb.

CAPT. PANAKA : (Cont'd) Her Highness commands you to take her handmaiden
with you. She wishes for her to observe the local...
QUI-GON : No more commands from Her Highness today, Captain. This spaceport
is not going to be pleasant...
CAPT. PANAKA : The Queen wishes it. She is curious about this planet.
PADME : I've been trained in defense... I can take care of myself.
CAPT. PANAKA : Don't make me go back and tell her you refuse.
QUI-GON : I don't have time to argue. But this is not a good idea. Stay
close to me.

He gives PADME a stern look.


The key words are "This spaceport is not going to be pleasant..." Qui-Gon probably didnt feel like playing body guard to the queen or her handmaiden in that situation. He knew the most important thing was to quickly get the parts to fix the ship so they could resume the trip to Coruscant.

 

I thought he said "Dis sun doin murdah to mesa skin."

 

No one knew that Anakin Skywalker would become Darth Vader one day. Qui-Gon and the Jedi didn't even know that the Sith were back at that point, anyway. When Qui-Gon brought Anakin to Coruscant and had him evaluated by the Jedi Council, Yoda just says the boy's future is clouded. And possibly that he has a mild fear of loss. But they chalked that up to Anakin just recently being seperated from his mother.

 

But the Force did, so isn't it possible that the Force warned Qui-Gon (without giving anything away to him) that taking Padme to the shop was dangerous to the fate of the galaxy?

 

I agree with voodoo. Qui-Gon doesn't want to have to look after and protect one of the queen's handmaidens (or the queen). He knows that the Mos Espa will most likely be unpleasant and dangerous and he'd rather secure the parts himself and in a timely manner.

 

Or, something more simple like she is just someone else he as to look after.

 

Personally, I don't think so. There's nothing to suggest in the films or EU that Qui-Gon had some insight into Anakin's future of becoming a Sith Lord. In fact, it's just the opposite, as Yoda says, "Always in motion, the future is". Right up until Anakin cut off Mace's hand, it wasn't a sure that Anakin would become Darth Vader.

 

I agree with you guys. Qui-Gon's plate was pretty full and being asked to look after a handmaiden seemed unnecessary.

 

Indeed.

 

OK. It was just a theory, though.

 

Yeah, its from an older version of the script. Here the section before that one :

EXT. NABOO SPACECRAFT - MAIN AREA

OBI-WAN is hoisting the hyperdrive out of a floor panel. JAR JAR rushes up
to him and falls to his knees.

JAR JAR : Obi-Wan, sire, pleeese, no mesa go!
OBI-WAN : Sorry, Qui-Gon's right. You'll make things less obvious.

JAR JAR walks back to ARTOO in the hallway as QUI-GON (dressed as a farmer)
enters the main area.

OBI-WAN : (Cant'd) The Hyperdrive generator is gone. We will need a new one.

QUI-GON moves closer to OBI-WAN and speaks quietly to him.

QUI-GON : Don't let them send ant transmissions. Be wary...I sense a
disturbance in the Force.
OBI-WAN : I fell it also, Master.

QUI-GON goes into the hallway to meet up with ARTOO and JAR JAR. They head
to the exit ramp.


I guess that explains why they dragged Jar-Jar along too, though I think its a lame reason. I mean come on, Jar-Jar making things less obvious ???????

 

I think that Qui-Gon knew about Padmé being the Queen. I think he understood that he was under her orders when he allowed her to come with them. If you'll notice, it's always the Queen calling the shots in the other scenes, so Qui-Gon was just acceding to her authority.

 

Qui-gon knew that Padme was Queen Amidala. That's why he said it was not a good idea having her accompany him. It wasn't because of Anakin. It was because she was being stubborn about wanting to go sight-seeing on a planet where if they're discovered, it will be just as bad as if they were on a Federation controlled world.

"Through out the film, I have been playing with the fact earlier on that Qui-Gon knows that Padme is the queen, and he uses that, especially when they go on Tatooine, he taunts her a couple of times, and in the podrace he taunts her a couple of times because he is having fun with her because he knows she?s the queen but the others around her don?t. So he?s been waiting for her to step forward and reveal herself. Anakin is completely surprised but Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon aren?t."

--George Lucas, TPM DVD Commentary.

 

Qui-Gon Jinn probably knew that in him being a jedi, he would be responsible for those he had around him. "Watch yourself, this place can be a little rough." Qui-Gon knew this to be true of Mos Eisley/Tattoine. I don't think he wanted to take a chance of risking more then he had to, that includes the handmaiden (or queen as we found out).

 

While I think that Qui-Gon simply meant that he didn't want Padme along because it might complicate things, your theory that the Force was warning him is an interesting one. It's always possible.

 

They knew that Anakin had a destiny to fufill, and with that much pressure and power can lead to a monster. They knew his potential was dangerous, and I do agree with Anakin that the council never fully trusted him. I say they had a feeling he was unstable and could turn but put their complete faith into Obi Wan's guidance to help him get better.

As to this is not a good idea quote, I never really thought of it that way. I always just considered that Mos Eisley is known for its 'scum and villany' and Qui Gon just wanted to go in, not attract attention, get the part and leave. With a young beautiful female around theres more danger seeing as most of the smugglers station around the area. Qui Gon could do with one less person to protect when she could easily stay on a nice safe ship.

 

I disagree with most of you that are immediately dismissing this idea. I kind of like it.

I would guess that Qui Gon himself thinks he is talking about the dangers of bringing the Queen out into the Tattooine world...

However, sometimes Jedis have "bad feelings" about things that even they themselves can't put their fingers on, things that are "elusive."

It's very possible that Qui Gon's force instincts told him that Padme coming along was not a good idea, and he could not see it for what it was.

Nice call, my young Padawan!

 

Nobody wants to drag a woman around when you're conducting business, especially in a seedy spaceport. Besides, he knew Padme was Amidala, and they were supposed to be keeping a low profile.

 

So this is why Qui-Gon & Obi-Wan share one of those "all knowing" glances at one another, when she reveals herself.

 

Thank you!

 

In the grand scheme of things it was a good idea...if Padme hadn't gone, she wouldn't have spent time with Anakin, who wouldnt have become infatuated with her and so they wouldn't have fallen in love and had children who would one day save Anakin from himself and help him bring balance to the Force. (I think Anakin would have turned whether he had any feelings for Padme or not)

Of course everything can be traced back to jar Jar Binks but that's for another thread.

 

Yes. It was a look of "You owe me five credits", "Bite me old man". That's how I took it.

 

So he dragged JarJar around instead???? I'd think he'd rather have a woman around than a clumsy Gungan. Jeez....

 

Sinister's post sums it up nicely.

At this point Qui-Gon knew the living force was moving them toward something, but he was not quite sure yet just what that 'something' was.

The space port already has a reputation as an Outer Rim beehive of lawless baddies. Knowing that Padme was really the queen meant that Qui-Gon had more responsibility placed upon him than just getting some parts for the space ship.