Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace
Summary
The opening move minute ofStar Wars : Episode I - The Phantom Menacecould have changed the franchise forever as they prove that Obi - Wan Kenobi smell Emperor Palpatine ’s emergence . While little is known about theStar Warstimeline beforeThe Phantom Menace , the events after George Lucas ' first prequel movie have been widely chronicled by Lucasfilm . The Skywalker Saga lead off withThe Phantom Menace , mean that - despite the film ’s factious reception - it apace became one of the more important entries into the entireStar Warsfranchise .
Although it ’s classically reviled by Star Wars fans , The Phantom Menace is sincerely the most significant entry from the prequel trilogy .
One of the rationality behindEpisode I ’s importance was its introduction ofStar Wars’titular Phantom Menace : Emperor Palpatine himself . The first prequel movie saw the first stage of Palpatine ’s master plan being enacted , making the case ofPalpatine’sStar Warsbackstorybefore the film even more mysterious in the process . Despite the architectural plan that finally spiraled into the Empire ’s geological formation , The Phantom Menacehints thatStar Warscould have been changed forever when Obi - Wan Kenobi tease that he smell Darth Sidious ' presence .
Obi-Wan Sensed The Sith Presence In The Phantom Menace
In a scene shortly afterStar warfare : Episode I - The Phantom Menace ’s opening front crawl , Obi - Wan Kenobi and Qui - Gon Jinn are shown exploring the Trade Federation ’s ship . As shortly as they are introduced , Obi - Wan recountsStar Wars ' iconic production line of"I have a big feeling about this,“telling his master that he sense something unrelated to their deputation , something elusive . These are the first hint thatObi - Wan Kenobi is sensing the danger that Palpatine poses to the galaxy .
Qui - Gon respond to Obi - Wan ’s incertitude by severalise his Padawan to keep his thoughts center on the present rather than his anxiousness . Obi - Wan replies with Yoda ’s teaching that the Jedi should be aware of the future , further proving that Obi - Wan is sensing a remote threat loomingbeyond the events ofThe Phantom Menace . However , Qui - Gon once again shuts these anxieties down by telling Obi - Wan to not overleap the moment in front of him and to be mindful of the Living Force .
How Different Would Star Wars Have Been If Qui-Gon Listened?
This scene beg the question of how differentStar Warswould have been if Qui - Gon had taken Obi - Wan ’s anxieties more seriously . The realism is that Qui - Gon likely would have set out to smell Palpatine ’s danger too , if he had only focalise on what was interest Obi - Wan more intently . However , Qui - Gon is a much more go - with - the - flow kind of Jedithan most in the parliamentary procedure , meaning he often skirts the dominion of the Council .
As such , telling Obi - Wan to live more in the moment is fitting of Qui - Gon ’s character . That said , if Qui - Gon had hypothetically entertained Obi - Wan ’s feelings , the two could have uncovered Palpatine ’s presence almost 20 old age before the Empire ’s formation . This would have changed not only the life of the Jedi but every single person in the wandflower who lived through the Empire ’s dictatorial convention in the decades afterStar Wars : Episode I - The Phantom Menace .
