A Thousand Stars: Episode I, Part 31

Things are looking pretty tense as our heroes prepare to return to Naboo. Anakin is worried about being a problem, despite Qui-Gon's assurances. Obi-Wan is pretty miffed at his master's obvious preferential treatment of the boy. And, as Panaka reminds the queen, they are headed straight into Federation-occupied territory without any sort of army to bolster their assault.

Ah, but Amidala has been quietly formulating plans of her own. She has a trick up her sleeve that no one counted on -- least of all, the trick(ster) himself.


See Jar Jar's body language as he responds to the queen's declaration, accompanied by a disbelieving "Meesa?!" She needs his help? Who would ever need the help of a clumsy exiled Gungan, least of all the leader of the Naboo? It's especially amusing to me that he pops his head out as if he were hiding behind Obi-Wan, even though he's way too tall to hide behind a human. And yet he does blend into the background metaphorically if not literally, because everyone underestimates him, discounts his abilities, assumes he's nothing but a dead weight. Here we get to see one of my favorite themes of Episode I: never underestimate the underdog (underfrog, as it were.)

Next time, the power of humility....