Episode I curiosities.

[PeZook]

Well a larger dealer could have connections with the Hutts or with other off world groups which might possibly be able to connect them back to Naboo and then the Trade Federation might find out where they are. Better to try a local nobody then to risk the word getting out.

Some throwaway lines would be good here, though. Just make their ship broken beyond repair and unable to fly without repairs, Watto the only parts dealer in town and have the characters mention how they couldn't find an interstellar ship in that shithole if the fate of the galaxy depended on it.

Presto. Problems solved, story can move out as planned

[Darth Wong]

Why is anyone assuming that anyone on the whole damned planet besides Watto would have what they're looking for? This is the ass-end of the galaxy. Finding a working hyperdrive for a Nubian yacht is probably akin to a fucking miracle.

Imagine in real-life, looking for a replacement control module for a Ferrari after breaking down in Buttfuck, Montana. Even better, imagine trying to do it quietly, while hiding from the Feds. Even better, imagine that you have to do it ASAP, because people are dying and they need your help. If you found a shade-tree mechanic who happened to have the thing in stock, you would be amazed and you certainly wouldn't think "Oh well, if his terms are unreasonable I'll just walk on down to the next guy because he'll have one".

[Isolder74]

Better yet imagine the same thing in Ethiopia or perhaps nowheresville Austrailia?

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

And we care about that...why? The exchange of credits wasn't an issue in this scenario -- it was an exchange of a mostly working ship for one that was fully functional.

Because a ship that was damaged in battle, with a damaged hyperdrive might be insufficient even for barter. Even the hyperdrive from Watto didn't come cheap.

[Pint0 Xtreme]

Because a ship that was damaged in battle, with a damaged hyperdrive might be insufficient even for barter. Even the hyperdrive from Watto didn't come cheap.

To add to that, the ship was probably only worth something to Watto since he was presumably the only one who had the hyperdrive parts. To everyone else, a nice ship without a hyperdrive is a worthless ship.

[Howedar]

Nonsense. You don't think you can order a part from a supplier in the GFFA? The problem was one of time, not one of the part not existing anywhere else. I'm sure that there's a company that would deliver an item to Tatooine, even if it didn't come cheap. The problem is that it would an indeterminate amount of time to get the part.

[Lord Revan]

the thing is that the queen and her delegation (including the jedi) had just blasted their way out of Naboo, they had no reason to assume they wouldn't be captured should the Trade Federation find out where they were (or if the Hutts found out who they were)

this pretty much prevents them from ordering a part from the manufacturer as it would mean they would have to break their cover, not to mention that it might take too much time and/or money to do it.

Watto had the part they needed to get to Corusant (where the part was probably replaced)

As Mike has already said the Royal Naboo Yacht is like a customized Rolls Royce, to find parts for a ship like that in planet that is basically small, insignifigant and middle of nowhere is unlikely at best and selling the yacht would expose them also (or did forget that Qui-gon actually "conned" Watto to pay the entry fee).

[Bounty]

And we care about that...why? The exchange of credits wasn't an issue in this scenario -- it was an exchange of a mostly working ship for one that was fully functional.

Because a ship that was damaged in battle, with a damaged hyperdrive might be insufficient even for barter. Even the hyperdrive from Watto didn't come cheap.

Not just any ship; a perfectly maintained, barely-used, custom-built transport fitted with the latest technologies. Sure, the paintwork's a bit chipped and the engine's sprung a leak, but even then you're essentially trading a brand-new Rolls with a dented fender and a blown gasket for a drivable rusty pickup; it's not a bad deal.

Consider: Luke can sell an old, damaged and, by his own admission, obsolete speeder for 1/5th of the value of a hyperdrive-enabled ship. Are you saying that a spaceworthy Nubian yacht is worth less than five rusty landspeeders?

selling the yacht would expose them also

Qui-gon showed Watto the yacht even though Watto was friendly with the Hutts. Don't you think whoever bought the ship would want to keep the deal quiet?

[PeZook]

Not just any ship; a perfectly maintained, barely-used, custom-built transport fitted with the latest technologies. Sure, the paintwork's a bit chipped and the engine's sprung a leak, but even then you're essentially trading a brand-new Rolls with a dented fender and a blown gasket for a drivable rusty pickup; it's not a bad deal.

This doesn't change anything if there aren't any starships (or rusted pickups) for sale.

[Bounty]

Not just any ship; a perfectly maintained, barely-used, custom-built transport fitted with the latest technologies. Sure, the paintwork's a bit chipped and the engine's sprung a leak, but even then you're essentially trading a brand-new Rolls with a dented fender and a blown gasket for a drivable rusty pickup; it's not a bad deal.

This doesn't change anything if there aren't any starships (or rusted pickups) for sale.

True. However, I would be surprised if there weren't, since Tatooine seems to be something of a local black-market trade hub and there's bound to be people desperate enough for cash to sell their ships.

[Lord Revan]

Well Bounty have you forgotten the Hutts?

Having a space worthy customized yacht apear in the market would surely draw their attention (notice that Qui-Gon never shows anything but a hologram of the ship), which is something the Naboo and the Jedi want to avoid.

after an old beat up and obsolite land speeder is certainly alot easier to sell then a customized luxury yacht (or how many Rolls Royces you've seen in used cars stores?

[PeZook]

True. However, I would be surprised if there weren't, since Tatooine seems to be something of a local black-market trade hub and there's bound to be people desperate enough for cash to sell their ships.

Yeah, but Qui-Gon could only pay in republic credits, and if nobody on Tatooine accepts republic credits, then the guy who sold his hyperdrive-capable ship is stuck.

Of course, they could probably hire somebody to ship them to Coruscant, but I guess Qui-Gon would be more than a little anxious at the perspective of letting a smuggler transport the Queen.

[Bounty]

after an old beat up and obsolite land speeder is certainly alot easier to sell then a customized luxury yacht (or how many Rolls Royces you've seen in used cars stores?

The movie itself contradicts this, as Watto is more than happy to accept the yacht as collateral for the race. Obviously, he has some means of selling it either whole or in parts.

Well Bounty have you forgotten the Hutts?

Qui-gon apparently did. Besides, what good would it do for Watto to run off to the Hutts? They're just as likely to take both the queen and her ship. Once he - or any other dealer - accepts the ship as payment it's in their best interest to keep quiet.

Having a space worthy customized yacht apear in the market would surely draw their attention (notice that Qui-Gon never shows anything but a hologram of the ship), which is something the Naboo and the Jedi want to avoid.

And by the time Watto takes delivery of the ship the whole party will be well on it's way to Coruscant. They never intended to stick around.

Yeah, but Qui-Gon could only pay in republic credits, and if nobody on Tatooine accepts republic credits, then the guy who sold his hyperdrive-capable ship is stuck.

Forget the credits; sell the ship for local currency and use that to buy a new one. Or better yet, swap the ships and you don't even leave a paper trail.

[Isolder74]

Why would someone want to swap, other then Watto who can fix it right away, their working ship for a nice one that can't get them anywhere? It seems that most people on Tatooine who might have a working ship would likely refuse said trade because they don't want to end up stranded on the sand hole either.

In SW IV when told 10,000 for the trip Luke says that they can almost buy their own ship for that. Of course this is 20 years later and likely prices may have gone down in that time. 10,000 was mostly likely not the price orf a new ship and Luke and co only need enough space for Luke, Obi Wan and 2 droids. How many people did Qui Gon have to worry about again?

[Lord Revan]

first off like I said Qui-Gon never showed Watto anything but a hologram (which btw is the SW equilevant of a photo).

and further what makes you assume that only person who would ever know about the deal would the seller and the buyer, trying to sell something like that would attract attention, so people like Jango Fett or another bounty (aka a person who has no use for a ship) might hear about it.

not mention that time was at the essence so while trying to get Watto to sell the hyperdrive to them was needed, I dout neither the queen nor the Jedi would want to wait for some willing to sell them their ship.

the people in Tattooine who have ships tend to smuglers or other trades to whome having a ship (preferbly a ship that doesn't draw too much attention) is pretty much vital.

[Bounty]

Why would someone want to swap, other then Watto who can fix it right away, their working ship for a nice one that can't get them anywhere?

Because the parts alone are worth more than Watto's whole shop?

How many people did Qui Gon have to worry about again?

Two: Qui-gon and Amidala. The rest could get on a regular transport or wait to be picked up by the Republic. Their capture would be unfortunate (if unlikely since they'd be protected by a Jedi), but it wouldn't be a tragedy in the grand scheme of things.

first off like I said Qui-Gon never showed Watto anything but a hologram (which btw is the SW equilevant of a photo).

Which doesn't change the point that Watto was willing to accept the ship as collateral.

trying to sell something like that would attract attention, so people like Jango Fett or another bounty (aka a person who has no use for a ship) might hear about it.

True; my objection depends on the idea that they can find a replacement ship in a few hours. But then again, I'm apparently the only person here who thinks it's ridiculous you can't buy a *spaceship* at a *spaceport* when it's not a problem 30 years later.

not mention that time was at the essence so while trying to get Watto to sell the hyperdrive to them was needed, I dout neither the queen nor the Jedi would want to wait for some willing to sell them their ship.

They were happy to piss away 36 hours for an ass-backwards plan that relied on Watto not squealing to the Hutts and an 8-year-old winning an unwinnable race.

[Coyote]

At most, the folks only needed to get Qui-Gon and the Queen to Coruscant, maybe they'd need a pilot (ie, Ric Olie).

Obi-Wan stays behind with the rest of the Naboo crewers and handmaidens, and they can rely on Anakin who has obviously befriended them to give them insider's knowledge on who to avoid, who can help, shops to buy from, etc. It sucks to be those guys, probably staying at a local roach motel, but its only for a couple days.

Or even if they buy passage off the planet, with Qui-Gon and Padme in her humble handmaiden disguise, they get passage on a smuggler ship (which won't deal with nicities like passenger manifests). We found out in Ep-II that there are "unregistered transports-- [people] travel[ing] as refugees" (Mace Windu's advice to Anaking and Padme going to Naboo).

Even if some underworld contact discovers some oddballs from Naboo hanging around, the place is controlled by the Hutts, the Trade Fed has no prescence there. By the time a Hutt puts 2 & 2 together and contacts the Trade Fed, chances are a retrieval team from Coruscant will already be there or on the way. And if the Trade Fed shows up, they discover that the person they're looking for --the Queen-- isn't among the group of people on Tatooine, so its moot.

[Darth Wong]

Of course they can buy a ship, Bounty. But who the fuck says it won't scatter their atoms all over the galaxy? It's a fucking spaceship, not a pickup truck. If part of the body falls off and you're travelling a thousand light years per hour, you don't just slow down, pull over, and call AAA. You die.

[Isolder74]

Bounty, it was obvious that Qui-Gon was not willing to leave anyone behind and with the queen in her Padma disguise he still needs to take along the entire group. The movie makes it clear that getting the parts they need from Watto was their quickest option. If what Watto says is true then Watto is the only person to whom the ship is worth anything. So the parts of the ship are worth alot but they are only worth alot to someone who has a ship just like it. A customer that only Qui-Gon fits as.

Why swap a Rolls Royce with a broken intake manifold in the middle of nowhere Utah town of 50 for your junker of a truck unless you have a way to replace the broken parts right away. The Truck is likely said persons only means of getting around there and would then strand them there.

Watto seemed to be the only person in Mos Espa with the parts they needed and Qui-Gon seemed to have the foreknowledge of who would win the race making the deal not that much of a gamble anyway. He said to Obi-Wan when asked what if it doesn't work and how we could be stuck here a long time that a ship without a working Hyperdrive is not worth much to them at all. Watto having the parts means that the ship is really only worth anything to him. If anyone else bought the ship off them then that person would have to go to Watto to get the parts they need to fix it.

So we have a nowheresville place where they are lucky enough to find a dealer who just happens to have a working intake manifold for their rare Rolls Royce and they find a quick way to arrange with him to get the parts but the way includes risking the car in order to get the parts. If they lose the bet then all they are out is a broken car that is almost no use to them now anyway.

[Coyote]

The idea that Wattoo was the only dealer around with the needed drive doesn't seem so odd. Obviously a hyperdrive for a J-type Nubian would be valuable, so if any other dealer had one, it would be in their advertisements. A Star Wars equivilent of the Google Search from the ship's computers would allow them to confirm Wattoo's story.

Plus, if Wattoo was lying, and others had the necessary parts, Anakin would have spoken up later, when they were at his house.

[Bounty]

But who the fuck says it won't scatter their atoms all over the galaxy?

Good point; it depends on what sort of risk they're willing to take. Betting their only item of any value on a race isn't exactly risk-free either, premonition or not.

Why swap a Rolls Royce with a broken intake manifold in the middle of nowhere Utah town of 50 for your junker of a truck unless you have a way to replace the broken parts right away. The Truck is likely said persons only means of getting around there and would then strand them there.

Where did this one-ship-per-person rule come from? You don't think traders would be bringing in ships to sell? Idiots won't gamble away their ship? Some guy won't get stabbed in an alley leaving his ship to be sold by the guy who runs the hangar bays?

If anyone else bought the ship off them then that person would have to go to Watto to get the parts they need to fix it.

Or they can take it to a chop-shop, sell the parts and melt down the hull for scrap. Even then it should make them a profit.

If they lose the bet then all they are out is a broken car that is almost no use to them now anyway.

The yacht, working or not, is the only item of value they have. That's why they bet it on the race, remember? Qui-gon only has the yacht to barter with and instead of trading it in (which is possible thanks to Watto) for local currency, passage on a transport or a working ship, he decides to gamble. If he's certain he'll win, it's a sensible move. If he isn't, it's extremely foolish.

[Darth Wong]

But who the fuck says it won't scatter their atoms all over the galaxy?

Good point; it depends on what sort of risk they're willing to take. Betting their only item of any value on a race isn't exactly risk-free either, premonition or not.

Would you rather risk losing a valuable item, or being killed?

[Bounty]

But who the fuck says it won't scatter their atoms all over the galaxy?

Good point; it depends on what sort of risk they're willing to take. Betting their only item of any value on a race isn't exactly risk-free either, premonition or not.

Would you rather risk losing a valuable item, or being killed?

But the odds aren't exactly even, now are they? The chances of Anakin losing the race are extremely high, since he'd never won anything before even with his Force powers. The chances of the replacement ship breaking down and killing the crew are minimal, especially with an astromech droid and a ship crew to give it a check-up first.

Besides, the same goes for the new engine Qui-gon was trying to win; he had no guarantee that wouldn't blow up in his face, either.

[Isolder74]

But who the fuck says it won't scatter their atoms all over the galaxy?

Good point; it depends on what sort of risk they're willing to take. Betting their only item of any value on a race isn't exactly risk-free either, premonition or not.

Would you rather risk losing a valuable item, or being killed?

The valuable item.

The point of the thing is that the ship was only worth something to Watto.

In a Town of 50 in the middle of the Desert in Utah will not likely have many Automobiles laying around that work. In such a place a rare car like Rolls Royce will be worth nothing unless they can get it to say Salt Lake City in order to sell it off. So whoever buys it will want to be able to get it in enough of a working condition to get it there. A town of 50 in the the middle of nowhere Utah is NOT going to have anything close to a chop shop.

[Darth Wong]

But the odds aren't exactly even, now are they? The chances of Anakin losing the race are extremely high, since he'd never won anything before even with his Force powers. The chances of the replacement ship breaking down and killing the crew are minimal, especially with an astromech droid and a ship crew to give it a check-up first.

You're full of shit. Not only does Qui-Gon have some foresight that he will win, but the idea that you can buy a junk ship off some disreputable, unregistered operator in the middle of nowhere and trust it to be reliable after giving it a quick once-over is absurd. Do you really think that just because they have a competent crew there, they can actually reliably scan the entire frame, body, mechanics, and electronics of the ship for potential problems?

Besides, the same goes for the new engine Qui-gon was trying to win; he had no guarantee that wouldn't blow up in his face, either.

If the hyperdrive fails, the ship falls out of hyperspace. If the ship falls apart, they're fucked. And even if Anakin loses the race, at worst, they can go look for a smuggler pilot who will take Republic credits and ferry them to Coruscant. They obviously wanted to avoid dealing with more people than they had to, or even going through a spaceport at all (no surprise, since people might be watching the spaceports). But under your scheme, they have to go that route right away. At least this way, they get a chance to get off the planet without ever having stepped foot in a spaceport.