What if… Episode I

Interesting discussion on Quora that popped into my inbox today. What would be the best way to restructure and improve the Star Wars prequels? It’s one of those fandom questions that crops up occasionally and always takes my interest.

I have a lot of time for the Prequel Trilogy. There’s a lot that I like about it. One day, I’ll write a list for those who disagree. But I acknowledge that a handful of errors create massive flaws. I could actually accept the wooden acting, reliance on special effects and whimsy if the story had been given more care.

Personally I think the general outline of the Prequels is sound. I think with a revised draft by a good writer (say, for example, Lawrence Kasdan), The Phantom Menace could have been great. So, for what it’s worth, he’s my list of revisions that would immeasurably improve it for me:

1. Anakin is the same age as Luke. I’ve never seen this not featured. Having Anakin as between sixteen and eighteen solves a lot of problems. Immediately. His relationships with Obi-wan and Padme are more believable. Being too old to be trained makes more sense. Him being a great pilot is actually plausible.
2. Obi-wan is the one who meets Anakin. Again, a common choice. But having Obi-wan fill the Han Solo role is exactly what is hinted at in The Empire Strikes Back. Qui-gon gets injured when escaping Naboo and his reckless apprentice (sidenote: Apprentice, not Padawan) takes off with Padme and gets mixed up in freeing slaves and rescuing Anakin. It’s Obi-wan’s impulsiveness and bond with Anakin that sets the ball of Darth Vader rolling.
3. Darth Maul is the face of The Sith. Maul should be the fuzzy hologram, giving orders to the Trade Federation and pulling strings. Sidious doesn’t even appear. This allows both Maul to be a credible villain, whilst leaving some mystery around Palpatine. Then, at the end, the Master and Apprentice debate at most drops a little hint that Palpatine might be involved (non-Star Wars fans in the audience gasp!), but then, which was he? It’s more ambiguous.
4. No handmaiden for Padme. The character arc of Padme should be a stuffy Queen with a superiority complex is exiled and forced to face the potential of poverty. She learns about normal folk and realises her isolationist principles must end. She returns to Naboo, signs an alliance with The Gungans and wins back her throne, only to abolish it and turn Naboo into a Republic. Democracy is born for Naboo at the same time The Empire is born for The Galaxy. And what is responsible for her populist sensibilities? That would be meeting the earnest slave, Anakin Skywalker, whose selflessness shames her, and earns him her respect. Possibly affection, too.
5. Qui-Gon sacrifices himself for Anakin. Like the rest of the Jedi, Qui-Gon thinks training Anakin is a mistake, but puts up with him on the mission back to Naboo, as he’s in Obi-wan’s care. But Obi-wan’s bravado puts Anakin’s life in danger, and Qui-Gon takes the brunt of Maul’s lightsaber for him. Obi-wan, racked with guilt, is forced to grow up and accept responsibility. Anakin becomes mentally scarred at facing death so quickly, already sending his Jedi training off the rails.
6. Yoda wants to train Anakin. Anakin is somehow more instrumental in the overthrow of the Trade Federation, in the same way that even Luke’s rudimentary Force powers took down The Death Star. Yoda realises that leaving the boy is more dangerous than training him, and tells Obi-wan he will take over the boy’s instruction. But Anakin, after Qui-Gon’s sacrifice and Anakin’s attachment, claims he has a connection to him. That Anakin will do better with him. That he thinks he can train the boy, just as well as Yoda. Disagreeing entirely, but bound by tradition that a Jedi Knight can take on an apprentice of his choosing, Yoda reluctantly accepts.