So, for those of you who don't know me very well (which is pretty much all of you...), I love to theorize about the prequels. A LOT. The other night, I was thinking about how awesome Qui-Gon looks after seeing Episode III. He is suddenly respected as having known the truths of pretty much everything: the Senate, the Jedi Order, even the Force. If you've read the novelization, you know that Yoda even lowered himself to become Qui-Gon's apprentice in learning the secrets of the netherworld of the Force at the end of ROTS.

So just how is it that a lackey like Maul was able to strike him down?

Enter my favorite theory to date: Qui-Gon let himself be killed.

It really all makes sense, unless there's something I'm overlooking or misquoting (please feel free to correct me on anything you think is wrong here).

First of all, I don't know about any of you, but in Anakin's home on Tatooine after Anakin has offered the group shelter from the sandstorm, it seems to me Qui-Gon knows something everyone else doesn't. When Anakin does his little know-it-all act and proclaims that no one can kill a Jedi, Qui-Gon gets this faraway look in his eyes and simply says "I wish that were so". It would seem he has become saddened at the memory of a Jedi who was close to him that died, right? Well, let's explore that for a moment. Who could he possibly be thinking about? In the Jedi Apprentice book series, set before Episode I and detailing the events of Obi-Wan's apprenticeship, Qui-Gon has a Jedi friend he seems rather close to named Tahl. Needless to say, she died close to the end of the series. However, as is apparent with the whole Sifo-Dyas thing in Episode II, Lucas tends to not refer to EU plot points in his movies. Plus, the Jedi Apprentice series was written, and most likely conceived, AFTER Episode I was released. So this is probably not the case.

I prefer to believe that Qui-Gon has foreseen his own death, and that is why he reacts as he does to Anakin's proclomation. The import with which he acts before his death emphasizes this point. He seems intent on training Anakin as much as he can before his fatal trip to Naboo, when in all fairness he could have dealt with Anakin after the whole blockade issue was settled. Even the Jedi Council diverts the conversation from Anakin's training to the situation on Naboo after they forbid his training. True, this was also to avoid conflict since the conversation was getting a little testy (Qui-Gon basically ditching Obi-Wan for Anakin..), but I think it is also to emphasize the perhaps strange importance Qui-Gon is placing in his personal training of Anakin, and the speed with which he intends to make him a Jedi.

Back to the main point. So Qui-Gon has foreseen his death before he meets Anakin. As events progress, aka Anakin is discovered, Qui-Gon sees how he can manipulate his death to ensure Anakin's training.

Theory: Qui-Gon allows his guard to drop long enough for Maul to stun him and inflict a fatal wound, but one he can survive for a few moments. He knows that Obi-Wan will be intent on avenging his Master's death, and therefore, that Maul will be killed. He also knows that he can stay alive long enough to request that Obi-Wan train Anakin. He stays alive no longer than is necessary to request this, and dies no sooner than to make sure his point is taken. Qui-Gon knows that Obi-Wan will fulfill the dying wish of his beloved Master, and therefore, will train Anakin, even if it means defying the Council, something Obi-Wan was never famous for doing, but that Qui-Gon knew would be necessary to get Anakin trained.

Now back to the fact that he foresaw his own death. This is where the lines between fate and decision get blurred, as is seen in pretty much every Star Wars movie, and, in fact, any discussion involving fate. Did Qui-Gon foresee his death because he would later decide to allow himself to be killed? This is similar to the question: Did Anakin foresee Padme's death, and just not the fact that he killed her? It's a dicey issue, with no real answer. Anakin, in trying so hard to defy his dream's prediction, killed Padme. But she died in his vision. Because he acted on the vision to save her. Foresight and fate are tricky issues.

Anyway, so my main theory still stands. Qui-Gon induced his death to ensure Anakin's training. Wouldn't it be funny if his first words to Obi-Wan from the netherworld after ROTS was "Man, you SO fell for it...."?

MTFBWY!