![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
redrikkiJar Jar Binks, secret Sith lord, has long been a joke on the internet. As theories go, it's about as dumb as it sounds, but it might not be that far from the truth. He's not plotting the destruction of the galaxy, but Jar Jar is almost certainly a Force sensitive. What makes me say that? Brace yourselves, kids, it's meta time.
Force sensitivity is a big deal in the galaxy far, far away. The Force flows from and through every living thing. Based on what we've seen, Force sensitives, even untrained ones, have a wide range of abilities. In the films and cartoons, we're shown untrained Force sensitives who can: be drawn to people who will be important to them (Anakin, Ezra); have prophetic dreams and visions (Anakin, Rey); sense danger (Luke, Leia, Ezra); sense the emotions and intentions of others (Ezra, Baby Pepe, Finn); sense shatterpoints (Anakin, Luke, Rey); and have insanely good luck.
Jar Jar may be clumsy, but he has insanely good luck. In fact, nearly every single instance of clumsiness as seen in the films and cartoons actually turns out to be very good luck for him and those around him. Tripping up Qui-Gon in the woods saves both their lives and kicks off a whole series of events leading to the liberation of Naboo. Accidentally throwing his snack at Anakin's racing rival ends up with the gang getting an invite to Anakin's house. During the Battle of Naboo, Jar Jar's seemingly mindless flailing results in massive destruction for the opposing army. Sounds a lot like Anakin accidentally crashing into the droid control ship and accidentally blowing it up, doesn't it? In the Clone Wars episode "Bombad Jedi," Jar Jar's bumbling with the magnetic crane destroys the droids sent to kill him. In "The Gungan General," Jar Jar's inability to buckle his seatbelt saves his life when the ship is shot down.
Trained Force sensitives can use the force to connect with other living things. Anakin uses it to tame his beast in the arena in AotC. Obi-Wan and Anakin both use it repeatedly to gain mounts in the Clone Wars cartoons. Ezra is especially good at it in Rebels. Jar Jar seems to have the same ability. In "Bombad Jedi" he makes friends with a random aquatic monster which saves his life and helps him save the day. In "The Gungan General," he's the one to notice the creatures' reaction to the geysers and use it to predict their eruptions. He's also able to tame the creatures to be used as mounts for their attack on the pirate fortress.
And, for my final bit of proof, during the mission to Bardotta in the "Disappeared I & II," the Frangawl cultist who are kidnapping some of the planet's most powerful Force-sensitives in order to extract their Living Force attempt to do the same thing to Jar Jar.
Despite being around a lot of Jedi, none of them seemed to notice his sensitivity to the Force. That might seem like a strike against, but not really. Qui-Gon failed to notice anything interesting about Anakin until Anakin mentioned he was the only human who could pod race. Darth Vader never noticed that Leia was Force-sensitive and he only noticed that Luke was because he was present when Luke was actively using the Force. Using the Force is an active thing requiring intent. Being sensitive to the Force is like having a really acute sense of hearing. A sensitive will get more information about the world around them than the average person, but there's no way for anyone else to tell unless they mention it.
Agree? Disagree? Am I crazy? Think Jar Jar is the most annoying character ever? Let's discuss.
Force sensitivity is a big deal in the galaxy far, far away. The Force flows from and through every living thing. Based on what we've seen, Force sensitives, even untrained ones, have a wide range of abilities. In the films and cartoons, we're shown untrained Force sensitives who can: be drawn to people who will be important to them (Anakin, Ezra); have prophetic dreams and visions (Anakin, Rey); sense danger (Luke, Leia, Ezra); sense the emotions and intentions of others (Ezra, Baby Pepe, Finn); sense shatterpoints (Anakin, Luke, Rey); and have insanely good luck.
Jar Jar may be clumsy, but he has insanely good luck. In fact, nearly every single instance of clumsiness as seen in the films and cartoons actually turns out to be very good luck for him and those around him. Tripping up Qui-Gon in the woods saves both their lives and kicks off a whole series of events leading to the liberation of Naboo. Accidentally throwing his snack at Anakin's racing rival ends up with the gang getting an invite to Anakin's house. During the Battle of Naboo, Jar Jar's seemingly mindless flailing results in massive destruction for the opposing army. Sounds a lot like Anakin accidentally crashing into the droid control ship and accidentally blowing it up, doesn't it? In the Clone Wars episode "Bombad Jedi," Jar Jar's bumbling with the magnetic crane destroys the droids sent to kill him. In "The Gungan General," Jar Jar's inability to buckle his seatbelt saves his life when the ship is shot down.
Trained Force sensitives can use the force to connect with other living things. Anakin uses it to tame his beast in the arena in AotC. Obi-Wan and Anakin both use it repeatedly to gain mounts in the Clone Wars cartoons. Ezra is especially good at it in Rebels. Jar Jar seems to have the same ability. In "Bombad Jedi" he makes friends with a random aquatic monster which saves his life and helps him save the day. In "The Gungan General," he's the one to notice the creatures' reaction to the geysers and use it to predict their eruptions. He's also able to tame the creatures to be used as mounts for their attack on the pirate fortress.
And, for my final bit of proof, during the mission to Bardotta in the "Disappeared I & II," the Frangawl cultist who are kidnapping some of the planet's most powerful Force-sensitives in order to extract their Living Force attempt to do the same thing to Jar Jar.
Despite being around a lot of Jedi, none of them seemed to notice his sensitivity to the Force. That might seem like a strike against, but not really. Qui-Gon failed to notice anything interesting about Anakin until Anakin mentioned he was the only human who could pod race. Darth Vader never noticed that Leia was Force-sensitive and he only noticed that Luke was because he was present when Luke was actively using the Force. Using the Force is an active thing requiring intent. Being sensitive to the Force is like having a really acute sense of hearing. A sensitive will get more information about the world around them than the average person, but there's no way for anyone else to tell unless they mention it.
Agree? Disagree? Am I crazy? Think Jar Jar is the most annoying character ever? Let's discuss.
no subject
Date: 2018-12-17 06:01 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2018-12-17 01:21 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2018-12-17 06:19 pm (UTC)I had stumbled across the idea of Jar Jar Binks being a secret Sith Lord, but never read into it - always dismissing it as silliness.
However, I think your meta is quite interesting with good supporting evidence. Jar Jar is extremely lucky and while a lot of this can be argued for comic relief, the fact remains that much of Jar Jar's clumsiness does actually help or even saves the day.
The Jedi as we see them - and the Sith - are actually quite arrogant and sure of their abilities. It wouldn't surprise me that they do not notice Force Sensitives in general, unless said sensitive individual mentioned it passing (and why would they if the individual is unaware of Force Sensitivity or wishes to hide?).
So, my long winded way of saying that while it can be argued that Jar Jar is mere comic relief and/or clumsy, I think your meta has shown that there is an alternative take with some strength to it. I think it would make for excellent fanfic prospect!
no subject
Date: 2018-12-17 06:56 pm (UTC)The thing that really gets me the most about Jar Jar and all the Jar Jar hate is that his character is designed to be underestimated in order to highlight Jedi arrogance.
In TPM, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan dismiss him as a pathetic being and bully and drag him around like a piece of baggage. Only Padme takes the time to listen to him and take him seriously and it literally saves the day. Qui-Gon mindtricks the Gungan leaders into helping him and almost gets eaten by giant fish for his troubles. Padme kneels in the swamp before them, humbly asking for their help and saves her planet. The importance of listening to the powerless and treating them with respect as opposed to arrogance is intended viewer take away from Jar Jar's character and, instead, most viewers regard him with the same annoyance and disdain as the Jedi.
The pattern continues in every one of Jar Jar's cartoon appearances. Hardly anyone takes him seriously at first, he saves the day directly as a result of acting like a buffoon, and his contribution is largely dismissed. Poor guy.
no subject
Date: 2018-12-17 07:30 pm (UTC)I wholly agree. A major aspect of the prequels is highlighting the Jedi's arrogance and disregard for beings they consider 'beneath them' / non Force Users. I say "non Force Users" due to the fact that while they are meant to protect the Republic they evidence an alarming lack of insight to how the beings of the universe work and even a sincere lack of compassion, (Jar Jar is a poignant illustration and really...who thought Anakin wouldn't miss his mother?).
I do need to watch the cartoons as I missed those, but I am pleased that Jar Jar continues to save the day despite most not taking him seriously.
The importance of listening to the powerless and treating them with respect as opposed to arrogance is intended viewer take away from Jar Jar's character and, instead, most viewers regard him with the same annoyance and disdain as the Jedi.
This perfectly encapsulates how Jar Jar should be seen, but unfortunately by the majority of viewers is not.
Edit: Lovely Padme and Anakin icon!
no subject
Date: 2018-12-17 08:18 pm (UTC)The main problem, I think, with the prequels is that people went in with a preconceived notion of who the Jedi were and who a young Darth Vader should be and what they got was not what they were expecting. The story in the OT is a fairly straight forward story of good guys vs. bad guys and that's not the PT. The PT is the story of good intentions plus arrogance paving the road to hell. The PT Jedi are better than the bad guys, but they're not really the good guys either and a lot of fans struggle to accept that.
You should really check out the Clone Wars cartoon if you have an opportunity. Not only does it have some great Jar Jar episodes, it also has some neat OCs, and really hammers home that point about the Jedi being morally grey at best, or at least heavily morally compromised.
no subject
Date: 2018-12-18 03:23 pm (UTC)True, I was fortunate that I did not have any preconceived notions going into the prequels. While I had watched the Original films I read more of the Expanded Universe (now Legends) books, so was open to the prequels and loved them as a result. The reaction of fandom as a whole was disappointing and disgusting in many ways. Dislike something yes, but the pure hatred was and is horrifying.
I agree with your analysis re the fans finding difficulty in the Jedi not being purely good and Anakin not fitting their personal notion. The prequels are complex, showing the political background to the Republic, the corruption and unease and as you say, Jedi who are morally grey at best. Fans dismissing this complexity means they ignore characters such as Jar Jar who are more than their clumsiness.
I will definitely check out the Clone Wars cartoon - the prospect of great Jar Jar episodes and OCs with emphasis on the grey morality of the Jedi is very exciting.
Thank you for the fun conversation!
no subject
Date: 2018-12-19 09:36 pm (UTC)I appreciate both your theory and the Sith Jar Jar theory, because they work on micro and macro ĺevel and force (heh) me to take the character more seriously. I don't see the Sith Jar Jar theory as silliness. I believe that the most insightful part of the Sith Jar Jar theory is the recognition that in some action scenes, Jar Jar moves like a practitioner of drunken fist wushu. You can watch the comparison here.
no subject
Date: 2018-12-19 09:42 pm (UTC)Jar Jar is so much more than what most people see him as, and that was another fine example.