Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan’s relationship was relatively short-lived on screen, but other Star Wars stories have provided more context for their somewhat strained but ultimately rewarding partnership. While Obi-Wan was a stickler for the rules when he was younger – though even he’d had doubts about his future with the Jedi – Qui-Gon Jinn was much more of a free-thinker, especially compared to the rest of the Jedi Council.

Obi-Wan often wondered why his Master never ed the Jedi Council, and now, a new Star Wars reference book, the Star Wars Encyclopedia: The Comprehensive Guide to the Star Wars Galaxy by Dan Brooks, Megan Crouse, Amy Richau, Amy Ratcliffe, Brandon Wainerdi, Dan Zehr, and Kelly Knox, has revealed the following:

"After a mission on Pijal, Qui-Gon chooses to stay as Obi-Wan's teacher rather than the Jedi Council."

It’s been established that of the Jedi Council are allowed to train Padawans and often do – Depa Billaba trained Caleb Dume, for instance – so why was Qui-Gon so reluctant to the council? Obi-Wan believed that it was because Qui-Gon was a nonconformist, and thus both Qui-Gon himself and the Jedi Council were hesitant to include him, but instead, Qui-Gon Jinn explicitly chose to dedicate himself to Obi-Wan’s training because he believed in his Padawan’s future.

What Qui-Gon's Decision Means For Star Wars

Not only does this information change how we see Qui-Gon’s relationship with Obi-Wan, but it also changes how we see the Jedi Council. Often, when speaking of the Jedi’s downfall and their role in the Clone Wars conflict, the Jedi Council is seen as too rigid, so obsessed with sticking to the rules and what they think they know, they can’t see the darkness building in the shadows.

Claudia Gray's Star Wars novel Master & Apprentice provides an in-depth look at Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon's relationship.

In that context, it made sense that Qui-Gon never ed the Jedi Council – he was too outspoken and unwavering in his own beliefs, and that would have threatened the natural order of things. Obi-Wan certainly believed that was the reason Qui-Gon never officially ed their ranks. However, since this confirms the Council specifically asked him to , and he was the one to turn down the offer, it shows that the Council was not as inflexible as we believed them to be.

Our Take On Qui-Gon's Decision

Anakin, Qui-Gon, and Obi-Wan with R2-D2 on a ship in The Phantom Menace

While Qui-Gon’s decision proves just how much he believed in Obi-Wan, it has also made us re-examine Qui-Gon’s devotion to Anakin’s training. In Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, Qui-Gon is adamant that Anakin should be trained, despite his advanced age and the Council’s objections. Qui-Gon even declared that Obi-Wan was ready to complete his training and take the Jedi trials so that he could focus on training Anakin instead.

Clearly, in Qui-Gon’s eyes, training Anakin was more important than anything he could ever do with a seat on the Jedi Council.

Clearly, in Qui-Gon’s eyes, training Anakin was more important than anything he could ever do with a seat on the Jedi Council. Qui-Gon believed that Anakin was the Chosen One. Perhaps he saw the danger of Anakin being left alone, perhaps he could sense the darkness brewing in the distance, intent on staking its claim on the young boy. Whatever the case may be, Qui-Gon Jinn’s belief in Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, and the future of the Jedi Order was more important to him than being a member of the Jedi High Council in Star Wars.

The Star Wars Encyclopedia is now available for pre-order.

  • Liam Neeson as Qui-Gon Jinn in Star Wars The Phantom Menace
    Qui-Gon Jinn
    Created By
    George Lucas
    Died
    Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace
    Alliance
    Jedi
    Race
    Human

    Viewed as a maverick Jedi, Qui-Gon Jinn was willing to learn from other Force traditions - and some of those lessons taught him how to retain his consciousness after death, becoming the first Force Ghost. Qui-Gon discovered Anakin Skywalker on Tatooine, recognizing him as the Chosen One, and swore to train the boy. This oath was ed to Qui-Gon's apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi, after Qui-Gon was killed by Darth Maul. He remained influential from beyond the veil, however, teaching others how to follow in his Force Ghost footsteps.

    Franchise
    Star Wars
  • Ewan McGregor as Obi Wan in Obi Wan Kenobi TV show
    Obi-Wan Kenobi
    Created By
    George Lucas
    Died
    Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope
    Alliance
    Jedi
    Race
    Human

    The Padawan of Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi became a Jedi Knight after his master's death. Obi-Wan trained Anakin Skywalker as a Jedi, with his own apprentice knighted after the Battle of Geonosis. The Jedi Master became a key player in the Jedi during the Clone Wars, and was heartbroken when Anakin turned to the dark side; Obi-Wan critically wounded Anakin before taking to the shadows, watching over the young Luke and Leia for years. He sacrificed himself for his two charges, becoming a Force Ghost and continuing to mentor them.

    TV Shows
    Obi-Wan Kenobi
    Franchise
    Star Wars