Why didn't Qui-Gon just forcibly free Schmi?

Jean Paul · Post by **Jean Paul** » 2004-10-22 03:07pm

Slavery was illegal under Republic law, and the Jedi are among other things, entrusted with law enforcement to a degree.

Why didn't QG just hold his lightsaber to Watto's throat and say, "listen you slimy scumbag, I'm taking the lady and the boy, and if their transponders blow I'll be back here to take your head."

Come to think of it, what was with the prospect of being "stuck" on Tattoine? The place is full of ships.. can you say mind trick? it would be simple for a Jedi to just wave his hand at some freighter captain and say "you will take us to coruscant".

Post by **Mr Bean** » 2004-10-22 03:12pm

Jean Paul wrote:Slavery was illegal under Republic law, and the Jedi are among other things, entrusted with law enforcement to a degree.

Why didn't QG just hold his lightsaber to Watto's throat and say, "listen you slimy scumbag, I'm taking the lady and the boy, and if their transponders blow I'll be back here to take your head."

Come to think of it, what was with the prospect of being "stuck" on Tattoine? The place is full of ships.. can you say mind trick? it would be simple for a Jedi to just wave his hand at some freighter captain and say "you will take us to coruscant".

Its were the whole morality Jedi thing comes into play and threatening slavers while technicaly legal probably is one of those baad moral things to do

Mlenk · Post by **Mlenk** » 2004-10-22 03:30pm

In the minds of more conservative Jedi, those actions you described would be an abuse of their powers, I think.

JME2 · Post by **JME2** » 2004-10-22 03:47pm

Like Vader, Qui-Gon altered the deal, with Watto praying he wouldn't alter it any further.

Okay, seriously, as I see it, Qui-Gon was more focused on Anakin's Force potential than the rush of feelings Anakin was going through, feelings that would bring down the Jedi Order. You get the feeling that Qui-Gon's own disgust with the Order and the Senate not getting into gear made him long for a salve, a hope for the future and he saw it in Anakin.

Darwin · Post by **Darwin** » 2004-10-22 03:48pm

Seems to me that Tatooine was outside the republic. Shmi seemed to not expect any help from the jedi over slavery isuses.

Utah Jak · Post by **Utah Jak** » 2004-10-22 03:58pm

Darwin wrote:Seems to me that Tatooine was outside the republic. Shmi seemed to not expect any help from the jedi over slavery isuses.

In TPM, Tatooine was dominated by the Hutts and there was no Republic or Jedi presence anywhere nearby. The Hutt kajidics were the de facto rulers on worlds they had a presence on. Even during the Empire, Hutt Space was basically considered a seperate political entity. The Republic was having so many internal problems that taking on the Hutts would be a difficult proposition.

Praxis · Post by **Praxis** » 2004-10-22 04:34pm

But Watto wasn't a Hutt

Post by **LadyTevar** » 2004-10-22 04:49pm

Praxis wrote:But Watto wasn't a Hutt

But he was a merchant on a Hutt-controlled world. Therefore, he had rights under Hutt law.

Mange · Post by **Mange** » 2004-10-22 05:02pm

I don't think a respectable Jedi would back down from a deal. It would be morally wrong (even if it had been for a good purpose).

Utah Jak · Post by **Utah Jak** » 2004-10-22 05:41pm

LadyTevar wrote:
Praxis wrote:But Watto wasn't a Hutt
But he was a merchant on a Hutt-controlled world. Therefore, he had rights under Hutt law.

Any merchant making money for a Hutt has rights on the planet. Remember, the way to a Hutts heart is through his wallet.

Jean Paul · Post by **Jean Paul** » 2004-10-22 06:07pm

What about ANH when the imperial troops land on Tattoine and go house-to-house in Mos Eisley?

Wouldn't the hutts consider this a declaration of war of sorts?

The Cleric · Post by **The Cleric** » 2004-10-22 06:09pm

Jean Paul wrote:What about ANH when the imperial troops land on Tattoine and go house-to-house in Mos Eisley?

Wouldn't the hutts consider this a declaration of war of sorts?

Sure. I'd love to see the Hutts vs. Empire fight.

Spanky The Dolphin · Post by **Spanky The Dolphin** » 2004-10-22 06:16pm

If the Hutts gave the Empire anything more than some lip, they would be torn to shreads.

The Original Nex · Post by **The Original Nex** » 2004-10-22 07:04pm

Jean Paul wrote:What about ANH when the imperial troops land on Tattoine and go house-to-house in Mos Eisley?

Wouldn't the hutts consider this a declaration of war of sorts?

The Hutt's didn't control Tatooine at that point in time.

The Empire took over most of Hutt Space during their expansion. Tatooine WAS an Imperial world by ANH. The Empire had at least two Garrisons on Tattoine one in Bestine, and one in Mos Eisley. Jabba doesn't control the planet, he's merely tolerated by the Empire.

Spanky The Dolphin · Post by **Spanky The Dolphin** » 2004-10-22 07:14pm

Hutt Space is actually within the Empire. It's just that as long as the Hutts don't try to be difficult or anything, the Empire doesn't care.

The Original Nex · Post by **The Original Nex** » 2004-10-22 07:16pm

Spanky The Dolphin wrote:Hutt Space is actually within the Empire. It's just that as long as the Hutts don't try to be difficult or anything, the Empire doesn't care.

I agree, but wasn't Hutt Space much bigger during the Republic than it was during the Empire?

Spanky The Dolphin · Post by **Spanky The Dolphin** » 2004-10-22 07:17pm

Not that I recall.

The Original Nex · Post by **The Original Nex** » 2004-10-22 07:20pm

Spanky The Dolphin wrote:Not that I recall.

So Jabba was still the de facto ruler of Tatooine just so long as he didn't interfere with the Imperial presense?

Elfdart · Post by **Elfdart** » 2004-10-22 07:36pm

StormtrooperOfDeath wrote:
Jean Paul wrote:What about ANH when the imperial troops land on Tattoine and go house-to-house in Mos Eisley?

Wouldn't the hutts consider this a declaration of war of sorts?
Sure. I'd love to see the Hutts vs. Empire fight.

It would last about as long as Bambi vs. Godzilla

Elfdart · Post by **Elfdart** » 2004-10-22 07:40pm

Qui-Gon's first mission was to get Queen Amidala to Coruscant. He made it a point to hide his Jedi powers because he didn't want to attract attention to himself. If he had threatened Watto with a lightsabre, there's a good chance Watto would squeal to anyone who would listen that he was accosted by a Jedi in a Nubian ship with a damaged hyperdrive. How long would it take for the Sith or the Federation to find out? Even with Jinn's subterfuge, Darth Maul still found them.

consequences · Post by **consequences** » 2004-10-22 09:21pm

Because the mother would only have been an emotional tie that would have hampered Anakin's Jedi training, and gotten Qui-Gonn into even more trouble with the Order at the time. Given Qui-Gonn's issues with the Jedi Order, he may have been intending to return later to free Shmi, but his death kind of prevented that.

Kurgan · Post by **Kurgan** » 2004-10-22 09:41pm

The trouble with the "emotional tie" thing is that Anakin will still love his mother even if he leaves her on the planet. He pines for her years later and this is another cog in the machine of his downfall.

Even from a moral perspective it defies logic why someone like Queen Amidala, or Obi-Wan couldn't borrow some money, or sell a speeder or something, take a ship over to Tatooine and buy her freedom.

They wouldn't necessarily have to bring her back with them to Coruscant to take care of Anakin, but they could have freed her and let her seek her fortune on Tatooine as well. As to the Qui Gon thing, fair enough, but I'd be shocked if Anakin never once in 10 years said "hey Obi-Wan, how about we free my mom, so I stop having these nightmares?"

But no, for some reason 10 years later his mom would still be a slave if Clieg Lars hadn't decided to free her and marry her after he bought her from Watto.

Tychu · Post by **Tychu** » 2004-10-23 12:32am

heres the reasons why he didnt force Watto
1) hes a Jedi
2)The Republic has no sway on Tattooine

and i could just see the conversation in the Jedi Council on why Shmi is with them

Mace: so howd you come across the prophecies mother?
Qui: ...um... i found her
Yoda: see through you we can
Qui:....um....:;sweats::..i love her ok :;runs way and cries::

Kurgan · Post by **Kurgan** » 2004-10-23 03:03am

Still, why couldn't they have sent some fool down there with a bucket of gemstones (or whatever people like Watto would accept as currency) to buy Shmi's freedom?

What would be so difficult in that? They've got hyperdrive for crying out loud! Padme's got a heart, she can raise the money or dip into her own coffers for it if necessary... it's in character.

The fact that nobody did anything for 10 years just screams 'plot hole.'

; )

consequences · Post by **consequences** » 2004-10-23 03:16am

Kurgan wrote:Still, why couldn't they have sent some fool down there with a bucket of gemstones (or whatever people like Watto would accept as currency) to buy Shmi's freedom?

What would be so difficult in that? They've got hyperdrive for crying out loud! Padme's got a heart, she can raise the money or dip into her own coffers for it if necessary... it's in character.

The fact that nobody did anything for 10 years just screams 'plot hole.'

; )

Actually, to me it screams "Mindwiped Anakin". Presumably his growing strength in the Force is what led to him recovering his memories, and the revelation that the Jedi mind-fucked him contributes to his decision to kill all of them.

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Why didn't Qui-Gon just forcibly free Schmi?

Why didn't Qui-Gon just forcibly free Schmi?

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