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Truly Wonderful, the Mind of a Child Is...

by: kyle228

date posted: Mar 17, 2007 1:33 PM

Padmé is the Queen

Hello everyone!

I've been thinking a lot lately over Padmé and her handmaiden that pretended to be her in Ep. I, to protect the real Queen. The question that has been raised in my mind is this: Who knew about this, and more specifically, did Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan know?

When the small band of Nabooians (+ the Jedi) confronted the Gungans in order to form an army to counter the Trade Federation, and Padmé admitted that she was really the Queen, Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon gave each other a very odd look, that could be interpreted several ways.

Some people I've talked to have said that that look indicated that they knew she was the real Queen, but they didn't expect her to say so. This does make sense, but I am reluctant to believe this, for some reason. Considering their attitude towards Padmé (especially when they were on Tatooine), and some of the comments they made, I don't think they knew that the "handmaiden" they had spent so much time with was really the Queen of Naboo.

I think that that look indicated that they had no idea. I'm sure they suspected something was up with her (perhaps that she had a hidden agenda or something), but I don't think they ever suspected she was the Queen. Why would they have any reason to think this in the first place? The look they gave each other, to me, is a kind of, "Oh!! That's why she said, 'you assume to much', and that's why she wanted her way all the time! That really makes sense!"

I may be wrong (as always), but that's my opinion on this subject. Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon realized the error they made, and they put everything together, from the moment they attacked the droids and met Padmé, the "Queen", Panaka (ew... rj_peters, you've really made an impression on me with him!), and the rest of the handmaidens and security forces.

Does anybody else have any other theories? Does mine make sense?

May the Force be with You, and Happy 30th Annviersary! (67 days!)

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From now on, I'm going to put a quote at the bottom of each blog entry I write. I just think this will be a cool little thing (shows how cool I am, eh?!). Hope you like this new addition to my blogs!!

The Earth, that is sufficient,
I do not want the constellations any nearer,
I know they are very well where they are,
I know they suffice for those who belong to them.

- Walt Whitman
Leaves of Grass
"Songs of the Open Road" (1855)

http://blogs.starwars.com/mindofachild/40

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	rj_peters Memos from the Imperial Finance Department
date Posted: Mar 17, 2007 2:01 PM I'll have to go back and look at the novelization. For some reason, I'm thinking that the book says that Qui-Gon knew. It's been a while since I read it, though.

	kyle228 Truly Wonderful, the Mind of a Child Is...
date Posted: Mar 17, 2007 2:09 PM I'm thinking that the book says that Qui-Gon knew Interesting... when the book came out, I was pretty young, so I only read the 'little kid' version. I don't think it said anything in it about this... but as you said, it was a long time ago. Thanks for the comment! MTFBWY, and Happy 30th Anniversary! (67 days!)

	Lord Harald The Council of Evil
date Posted: Mar 17, 2007 2:26 PM I'm pretty sure Qui-gon knew. In the novelization, he notices how "The Queen" only made up her mind after Padmé spoke. Especially when deciding if they should leave Naboo.

	Lord Harald The Council of Evil
date Posted: Mar 17, 2007 2:28 PM Who knew about this I think Panaka did, after all, he's the head of security, and highly trusted.

Just A Simple Man...
Simple blogs from a Simple Man.

date Posted: Mar 17, 2007 2:37 PM

Do you know, I never really thought about it?

Jinn and Kenobi both kind of look sheepishly at each other so I suppose that I thought they were both surprised by the revelation. Thinking deeper though, there were clues for an observent person to pick up and Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan are observent people I suppose.

Next time I watch through I'll pay closer attention to these clues. Meditate on this, I will

	GalacticBabe I Have a Bad Feeling About This!
date Posted: Mar 17, 2007 3:20 PM I'm sure Qui-Gon knew. Or suspected, anyway. He didn't look too awfully surprised at the big reveal. And Obi-Wan had an almost "Ha! I knew it!" look on his face. I think the only ones that knew for sure were the handmaidens. If Panaka knew, would he have let Padmé go with Qui-Gon? I like your idea of quotes at the end!

	darth maul517 Darth Jedi Maul Secura
date Posted: Mar 17, 2007 7:59 PM The decoy thing was Panaka's idea so he knew, as well as the handmaidens. I think Qui-Gon knew and Obi-Wan suspected. It seemed like the only one seriusly surprused was Jar Jar. This is an interesting topic because, like you said, it can be interpreted in different ways. Great blog.

	Darth_Hiram A Journey into The Force
date Posted: Mar 17, 2007 10:00 PM It can be seen in different ways ... in the movie QGJ and Obi-Wan do look surprised at the revelation of Padme revealing herself, as they glance at each other. Or it could be that they look at each other as if to say "ah, she finally reveals herself". Almost like Palpatine ... hmmmmm.

	amidalooine The Emotional Galaxy
date Posted: Mar 17, 2007 10:35 PM Interesting, Kyle. I always assumed they didn't know. The thought that they did never really entered my mind. I'll have to watch more closely next time.

	iamspoturnot
date Posted: Mar 19, 2007 6:43 AM i think your theory is correct. i've never thought for a moment that they knew ahead of time that padme was the queen. hence qui-gons comments to padme "the queen trusts my judgement and so should you" "the queen approves" etc.

Captain Yossarian
Captain Yossarian's Super Happy Fun Place

date Posted: Mar 19, 2007 10:51 AM

The Jedi knew all along that Padme was really the queen, or at least soon after they'd escaped from Naboo. The look they give each other when Padme reveals her true identity is supposed to confirm this. Lucas says this on the DVD commentary for TPM. He states that the Jedi knew but Anakin did not. Qui-Gon's comments to Padme ("the queen trusts my judgement", "the queen doesn't need to know") are his way of getting what he wants. Padme had chosen to pose as a handmaiden so she could accompany him to Mos Espa.

	Captain Yossarian Captain Yossarian's Super Happy Fun Place
date Posted: Mar 19, 2007 10:52 AM As long as she continued the 'deception' she could not give orders to Qui-Gon. That is why she frustradedly says "Well, I don't approve" after Qui-Gon uses this fact to get around doing what she tells him. The tacit implication of such lines from Qui-Gon is "you can't tell me what to do so long as you remain in disguise".

kyle228
Truly Wonderful, the Mind of a Child Is...

date Posted: Mar 19, 2007 3:07 PM

Thanks everyone for your comments!

I always assumed they didn't know
Me too. I never doubted it until a couple days ago.

The Jedi knew all along that Padme was really the queen... Lucas says this on the DVD commentary for TPM
Well, there's the answer!! Thanks for this, Captain Yossarian! (I have to admit, I've never watched the commentary on any of the DVDs...

)

MTFBWYA, and Happy 30th Anniversary! (64 days!)

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