"Be mindful of the Living Force."

I made myself emotional over their tags. Good grief. Why do I do this to myself? 😭 Qui-Gon's tag for Tahlia: || ' unforeseen but not a mistake; you are my daughter & you are your mother's daughter & you are loved ' || { r; tahlia } Tahlia's tag for Qui-Gon: || the one who loved too much to leave || { r; qui gon jinn } Tahlia's tag for Tahl: || the one who loved too much to remain || { r; tahl } The worst part? I think that, after he and Tahl finally admitted the truth and swore themselves to each other—which was about twelve-ish years after Tahlia's birth—they had planned to leave the Order. They had planned to go to live where their daughter was, and to be involved in her life, if she wished it. Tahl had even spoken with a cautious sort of joy and nervous anticipation about getting to finally meet their daughter after last knowing her as a baby held in her arms for far too short a time. But there was one final mission she needed to accomplish, even as Qui-Gon objected. And, on that mission, Tahl was killed. And Qui-Gon remained in the Order because he could not bear to have the life that he and Tahl had planned to share. He continued to visit Tahlia. But he would not stay. And then he was killed, too.

Obi-Wan: It's not disrespect, Master. It's the truth. Qui-Gon: From your point of view. Obi-Wan: The boy is dangerous. They all sense it. Why can't you? Qui-Gon: His fate is uncertain. He's not dangerous. The Council will decide Anakin's future. That should be enough for you. Now get onboard.

Qui-Gon: I'm not allowed to train you, so I want you to watch me and be mindful. Always remember: your focus determines your reality. Stay close to me, and you'll be safe.

THIS MAN. 😂😂😂

But also, with that first quote, my point stands about Qui-Gon and Maul.

Obi-Wan: Do not defy the Council, Master. Not again. Qui-Gon: I shall do what I must, Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan: If you would just follow the code, you would be on the Council. They will not go along with you this time. Qui-Gon: You still have much to learn, my Young Apprentice.

OBI-WAN.

YOUNG MAN. THE FACT THAT YOU CONTINUE TO TRY TO PARENT YOUR OWN MASTER.

HOW HAVE YOU NOT LEARNED BY NOW THAT THIS IS A LOSING GAME???

AGAIN?!

Qui-Gon: I'm going back. Some unfinished business. I won't be long. Obi-Wan: Why do I sense we've picked up another pathetic lifeform?

OBI-WAN KENOBI.

YOUNG MAN.

THAT WAS NOT KIND.

If Qui-Gon had survived Phantom Menace:

He would have trained Anakin, and good luck, Palpatine, because the whole Jedi Council couldn't manage Qui-Gon; I don't know how you could short of succeeding in killing him.

I absolutely believe that he would have found a way to free and rescue Shmi. Not to raise Anakin, as that would not have been possible with the Council's oversight. But to have her near enough to Anakin that the boy could see her. [ And, honestly, I kind of ship Qui-Gon and Shmi. ]

But here's another thing that may be an unpopular opinion...

If Qui-Gon had survived the Phantom Menace, and everything else went the same, including Maul surviving in the manner he did... I genuinely think that when Maul appeared later, when the damage became evident and/or when Maul attempted to give warning... I think Qui-Gon would not automatically have discounted what he had to say simply for the fact of who was saying it.

Maul successfully killed perhaps one of the few Jedi who might have heard him, who might have heeded him, who might have, belatedly, answered a child Maul's question from the comics—If the Jedi exist, why have none of them brought him out of his torment at Sidious' hands?

And the answer he would have found via Qui-Gon is: had they known of him, had they been able to sense him without Sidious obscuring them, had the Jedi who discovered him been Qui-Gon... his life might have been very different.

Because even then, I can see Qui-Gon reaching out to him, trying to get through to him beyond just having a shared enemy in that moment.

Maul is every bit as connected to the Force as Qui-Gon, every bit as attuned, but he's working with the wrong tools, the wrong understanding, the wrong concept of the world and the galaxy and the Force as a whole.

No one will ever convince me that Qui-Gon wouldn't have sensed that with more exposure and that he wouldn't have tired to get through to him.

The Living Force would have told the truth of Maul.

And Qui-Gon would have heard it.

And, as events unfolded, Maul killed the one person who might have seen more than a Sith, more than a monster.

Anakin: You're a Jedi Knight, aren't you? Qui-Gon: What makes you think that? Anakin: I saw your laser sword. Only Jedis carry that kind of weapon. Qui-Gon: Perhaps I killed a Jedi and took it from him? Anakin: I don't think so. No one can kill a Jedi. Qui-Gon: -looks sad- I wish that were so.

WHEN YOU CONSIDER THE FACT THAT THE LOVE OF QUI-GON'S LIFE—ANOTHER JEDI, THE WOMAN HE SWORE HIMSELF TO DESPITE THE DOGMA OF THE ORDER—WAS KILLED. 😭😭😭

"Her Highness commands you to take her handmaiden with you." "No more commands from Her Highness today, Captain..." Side eye and disbelief from the Captain. "This spaceport is not going to be pleasant." Qui-Gon tries to continue walking. "The queen wishes it. She's curious about this planet." Qui-Gon, weighing the benefits of winning this argument versus the cost of dragging it out further. "... This is not a good idea. Stay close to me."

The sheer amount of Tired Dad Energy possessed by this man.