Star Words: Episode II, Part 14

The dual storylines in Episode II carry tensions that rise in tandem with each other. Anakin and Padmé's growing feelings for each other are heading inexorably toward the moment of crisis when they must confront them and weigh their worth against the conflicting pressures of career and duty, while Obi-Wan is coming closer and closer to a confrontation with the bounty hunter he has been pursuing. Before the actual moment of crisis, however, Obi-Wan must have an encounter with the bounty hunter that still carries the veneer of civility. It's not the Jedi way to charge directly into a violent attack. Jango is probably, almost certainly, the one who arranged for Padmé's assassination attempt and then killed Zam, but until he's done a thorough investigation, Obi-Wan cannot simply arrest him.

What a great scene this is. Obi-Wan is almost positive he knows who Jango is, and Jango must know that he knows, but neither of them will say it openly. Taun-We, meanwhile, is blissfully unaware of any underlying tension at all, and Boba keeps giving looks that say, "Who is this nosy guy, Dad? What's his deal?"

Obi-Wan's strategic questioning, and Jango's evasive answers...the momentary glimpse of Jango's armor, as you wonder whether Obi-Wan saw it, but really it makes little difference because it's obvious Jango is hiding something...and then the marvelous pay-off we get later when the pretenses are gone and they engage in an awesome fight.

But what about Jango's response to Obi-Wan complimenting his clones?

"I'm just a simple man trying to make my way in the universe."


Everything Jango says could carry a certain degree of duplicity. Maybe not outright lies, but he's definitely hiding a lot. We'll find out later that the "Tyrannus" who recruited Jango is actually Dooku, and it would be surprising indeed if Jango didn't know his boss's true identity. He's being deliberately misleading in many regards. However, I suspect that how he describes himself here is really how he sees himself. Just a simple man. Just trying to make his own way. And just like Zam, he sees nothing wrong with making his way by any number of morally dubious occupations, as long as they pay well. And just like Zam, this lifestyle will lead to a violent end. The difference for him is the son he leaves behind, carrying on this particular legacy of how to "make your way" in the universe.

Next, a tortured profession of love that is rife with foreshadowing...