Same thing happened with Yoda when he died, and I think it comes from a concept that Lucas takes from Buddhism, where a being that has attained enlightenment in this life disappears with no “remainder,” signifying that their life was completely cleansed, leaving nothing behind to rot. Becoming even stronger, well, he didn’t really do a whole lot did he, just reappears and talks to Luke. Maybe he meant that he would be able to influence the Force on the other side of existence (the hidden afterlife of the Star Wars universe). This too could be taken as a Buddhist interpretation. The Bodhisatva is a being who has attained enlightenment but remains in this world rather than going off to nirvana (paradise) because the being has a strong urge to eliminate suffering. Yoda took off, but Obiwan stuck around to help Luke.
Actually, Yoda just didn’t reappear to Luke straight away, but he DID reappear.In fact, you’ll notice that after Yoda’s departure, Ben didn’t appear again until the very end of ROTJ (or did he? I can’t recall).
SPOILER
After the Death Star has been destroyed (by Wedge, GO WEDGE!) we see the celebrations, and we see Ben, Yoda and
Anakin (he’s no longer Vader at this point). Which ties in with the Buddhist concept; Vader’s body was consummate evil, but Anakin’s ‘soul’ was purified when Luke turned him back to the light side of the Force. So the body was burnt on the funeral pyre (a venerated Jedi tradition, see how the body of QuiGon was disposed of) while the spirit lived on in a higher form.
Georgie-boy has said he’ll explain aspects of this in ATOC. Let’s hope it’s not like the Mideclorian thing… YIKES!
I’d also like to add that the story for Star Wars is based on a Kurosawa Akira film. The Jedi path is VERY heavily pinned to Buddhism. The name of the film is The Dark Fortress, and I haven’t seen it because I can’t find it because Lucas detroyed all copies of it so nobody could credibly say he had copied Kurosawa. :mad:
and who knows, Qui-gon might come back in Episode 3 (somehow I doubt it)
I can’t begin to say what’s wrong with this statement…well, OK, let’s start with the fact that its called The Hidden Fortress in English (Having the correct title will help some), and thatit’s available on DVD (And VHS).
Qui Gon was not prepared for his death - he did not expect it to happen.
Qui Gon did not know how to reach the spiritual enlightenment required to attain the next level - becoming one with the Force. Indeed, he was something of an impure Jedi, being somewhat rebellious and controversial, so perhaps would never be capable of reaching that level even if he had tried.
Always remember what we learn about Obi-Wan in ‘Return of the Jedi’ - he’s a lying SOB. Nearly everything he told Luke was a lie. He lied about his dad and he lied about Yoda (“The Jedi master who instructed me.”)
It’s pretty clear that when ANH came out, Darth Vader was NOT Luke’s father. This was later retrofitted onto the existing movie by having Obi-Wan be a prevaricatin’ sumbitch.
So yeah, unless going to Happy Jedi Land is becoming ‘more powerful than you can possibly imagine,’ Obi-Wan’s just spinning yarns.
As for why Qui-Gon didn’t go blue, well, we’ve been told that will be answered. I have my own pet theory - that Qui-Gon is a bad Jedi, but it’s not overly popular, even though I can defend it.
I’ve always personally given Num-Num more credit on the Death Star kill than Lando for his superior navigation skills. Lando is just a fancy-pants, poofy-shirt wearing pirate willing to capitalize on his friends’ success. Num-Num was the true hero of the Battle over Endor, and don’t you forget it!*
I believe that you’re referring to Nien Nunb, kind sir. But I do think you have something in saying he should be the hero!
I wonder if Nien Nunb would leave a blue ghost?
Wow, Qui-Gon as a bad Jedi… I don’t think that’d happen, but man, it’d be a cool plot twist!
And wouldn’t it be bad-ass if the Sith could be ghosts after they die and influence people? Ah, su much possibility that will most likely never be explored.
As far as I know, Yoda as Obi-Wan’s instructor is STILL canonical. Best as I remember (this might be in Obi-Wan’s bio at the SW official site), Yoda trains the really young Jedi, and they get passed on to the fill Jedi Knights when they reach Padawan level. AOTC will apparently verify this, tho I shan’t say how for fear of spoiling anything.
Yes, but Wedge destroyed the power regulator on the north tower. He should at very least be credited with an assist in the destruction of the second Death Star. I think this helps make up for him bailing out on the attack on the first Death Star like a wuss.
My theory is that the return-as-a-ghost skill is some higher level technique not taught to all Jedi. Yoda, being a 900 year old fart, eventually learned it – then passed it on to Obi-Wan, who passed it on to Anakin. Since it’s a Good side of the force skill, Anakin’s ghost returned as a friendly ghost. Ergo, Qui Gon ain’t bad, he just never learned how to do it. Has Lucas said he’ll reveal the answer in Ep. 2? I’m itchin to have this answered…
QuiGon as a bad Jedi is the very discussion our little Jedi-cell was having this weekend past. Mind you, it was not that QuiGon was a BAD Jedi, just that he wasn’t very GOOD at being a Jedi (cos if he was, maybe ObiWan would have had a little more respect for him, and in turn, Anakin would have had a little more respect for ObiWan! -‘I’m sorry master, I forgot how you hate flyng’ -little shit!).
Anyways, I’m inclined to beleive QuiGon didn’t blue-ghost, cos he hadn’t reached that level of Jedi-purity, and he probably never would have…
Qui Gon was filled with ambition, revealed by his race after Darth Maul when he should have waited for Obi Wan. He already knew from his first encounter with Darth Maul that he would get very tired very quickly. Being filled with ambition and self, he died like the rest of us.
That brings up another question. Why did two jedis gang up on one Sith Apprentice? Isn’t that a bit unfair? Isn’t there a Jedi code of ethics or something.
From what I’ve read, the next movie will also have a 2-on-1 battle.