Qui-Gon Jinn
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Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn (92 BBY - 32 BBY) is a Jedi Master and the mentor of Obi-Wan Kenobi in the fictional Star Wars universe. Qui-Gon is played by Liam Neeson in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace.
He is a major character in The Phantom Menace, when he and his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi are sent to Naboo to broker a resolution in a dispute between that planet and the Trade Federation. After rescuing Queen Amidala and escaping to Tatooine, they meet Anakin Skywalker, at the time a young slave boy with an extraordinary talent for podracing that Qui-Gon discovers is due to his alignment with the Force. Learning of Anakin's atypical birth and record-level midi-chlorian count, he is convinced that he is the Chosen One and opposes the Jedi Council in training the young Skywalker as a Jedi.
Qui-Gon is known as a maverick amongst the Jedi order (at the end of Episode I, Yoda tells Obi-Wan Kenobi "Qui-Gon's defiance I sense in you") probably due to influence from his former master, Count Dooku. In the film, it is suggested by Obi-Wan that Qui-Gon could be a member of the Jedi Council if he was to heed the advice of that body.
George Lucas uses Qui-Gon's revered wisdom to introduce many important concepts to the Star Wars Universe, including midi-chlorians, the Prophecy and the Living Force.
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The Living Force
One puissant force power is the ability to sense the future. Darth Sidious seems to be the most accurate with this ability, but Yoda is also a very capable practitioner. Qui-Gon encourages Obi-Wan to concentrate on the moment (the Living Force) rather than contemplating the future (the Unifying Force). In the Star Wars storyline, there is an everpresent conflict between present and future (the Republic Senate has been bogged down in procedure, so that they are incapable of reacting once they realize that they are being manipulated into raising Palpatine to the position of Chancellor).
Glimpse of Defiance
Qui-Gon's character illustrates that within the Jedi order there is defiance, impatience and rebellion. This helps lead the audience to Anakin's betrayal of the light in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.
After Skywalker uses his talents to win a podrace, and thus his freedom and the parts necessary to continue to Coruscant, after political maneuverings there the party returns to Naboo to battle the Trade Federation and the mysterious Darth Maul. Qui-Gon is fatally injured in a duel with Darth Maul, and as he dies he makes Obi-Wan promise to train Anakin in the ways of the Jedi. He receives a hero's funeral, as his body is ceremonially burned in the manner of a Jedi before several mourners.
Influence
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Although by the time of the Clone Wars he has been dead for over a decade, Qui-Gon is not forgotten, particularly by those who were close to him. In particular, Count Dooku uses Obi-Wan's memories of Qui-Gon in an attempt to gain the young Jedi's assistance to "destroy the Sith". Qui-Gon's spirit—now one with the Force—tries unsuccessfully to communicate with Anakin when the latter goes on an anger-fueled rampage intent on killing the Tusken Raiders responsible for his mother's death. Later, in a scene at the end of Revenge of the Sith (which does not appear in the final cut of the film), both Yoda and Obi-Wan apprentice themselves during their exile to Qui-Gon's spirit in order to learn the secret of preserving their identities after becoming one with the Force.
Abilities
The philosophical warrior Qui-Gon Jinn possesses knowledge of the architecture and engineering of various space transports and large capital vessels. He also has a subtle attention to detail, as he wears a moisture farmer's poncho to blend with the Mos Espa locals. Venerable Qui-Gon brandishes his lightsaber with consummate grace (apparent in his Form IV mastery: see seven forms of lightsaber combat), often having sparred with Master Windu.
Qui-Gon Jinn eventually discovers the secret of immortality, and he shares this enigma with Yoda, who entrusts it to Obi-Wan Kenobi in turn. This is apparently achieved through extreme compassion, a rejection of selfishness and personal attachment to the point that the physical self fades away, but the consciousness remains as one with the Force.
Personality and Appearance
The headstrong sixty-year old Qui-Gon possesses a penetrating gaze and craggy features. A noble Jedi Master, he also has a great understanding as well as a compassionate nature. That compassion for all life forms leads to his saving Jar Jar Binks from his punishment at the hands of his fellow Gungans, and contributes greatly to his freeing of Anakin, to which Obi-Wan would exasperatedly comment, "Why do I get the feeling that we’ve picked up yet another pathetic lifeform?"
Trivia
Qui-Gon appears only in The Phantom Menace though his voice is heard in Attack of the Clones. (His voice can be heard while Yoda is meditating). George Lucas planned to have Qui-Gon appear as a Force ghost, similar to how Obi-Wan appeared in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, however Neeson broke his leg prior to filming the planned scenes and the idea was shelved.
As a nod to Neeson, one of the younglings in Episode II: Attack of the Clones is named "Liam".es:Qui-Gon Jinn fr:Qui-Gon Jinn it:Qui-Gon Jinn nl:Qui-Gon Jinn ja:クワイ＝ガン・ジン pl:Qui-Gon Jinn fi:Qui-Gon Jinn