1. The Jedi Need Some Love In Their Lives
Anakin is set to bring balance to The Force but what is that exactly? Two Sith = Two Jedi? Maybe but probably not. For me its more than that. Lucas goes deeper into this in Revenge of the Sith but as at Episode I its already clear that the Jedi need some love in their lives. My take on the Jedi in Episode 1 is that they are so distanced from nature and the living force that they are lost, at least in a spiritual sense. Qui-Gon knows it and its hinted that he picked that up from his Master Count Dooku, who became so disillusioned with the Jedi way that he left the order because of it (but of course that comes later). Jumping forward to how this relates to the original trilogy, Lukes defiance of Obi-Wan and Yodas warning about saving his friends in Empire highlights just how the Skywalker clan are here to change things. Luke and indeed Anakin are willing to put responsibility aside for love and of course knowing what we know about Anakin Skywalker now, we can see why Yoda and Obi-Wan were so worried (more on that when we hit Episode III) There will be more examples as we head into Episode II and III but for now we know Luke, like Anakin, isnt like those around them. They see a greater importance in friendship than they do logic and the both of them will do anything for their loved ones. They also see droids as more than just machines and even bond with them (a trait we all loved Luke and Anakin for, right?), unlike those around them who see droids as things to help with their lives This theme of love being the tipping element to either bring down a Jedi or bring back a Jedi is very much the core to Star Wars for me and going forward with these articles, I will explore this a lot more. Sadly as at Episode I, we see a loveless set of Jedi and Sith with only Qui-Gons legacy pushing Obi-Wan to make the choice to take on Anakin. This in itself is an act of love in honour of Obi-Wans fallen master and its this act of love that springboards us into the real story. Of course, as a side note, Anakin and Padme also make a love connection in Episode I (however odd that may seem given their ages) but make no mistake, it's love and the love of those around him that took Anakin down his path and it will play a key part in all of his major events through both trilogies. I'll see you again with more prequel articles , where I'll cover the all knowing R2-D2, the C3-PO / Vader connection and of course the continued strengthening of the original trilogy as the prequels rolled in from 1999-2005. See you soon and may the force be with you.