One Qui-Gon Jinn Scene In The Phantom Menace Takes On So Much More Meaning Thanks To Star Wars Legends

One notable line from Qui-Gon Jinn in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace is so much more meaningful in the original Legends continuity. Although Legends went from the official Star Wars continuity to an alternate timeline in April 2014, the original and prequel trilogy films are part of both the Legends and modern canon timelines. For this, the two continuities retroactively give different context to moments in the original six saga films, with one Phantom Menace line being especially somber in the initial timeline.

When Qui-Gon Jinn confirms his Jedi Knighthood to Anakin and Shmi Skywalker in The Phantom Menace, the young Anakin states that “no one can kill a Jedi,” to which Qui-Gon responds with a melancholic “I wish that were so.” The simple line alludes to Qui-Gon’s long and often grim career as a Jedi, with the experienced Jedi Master having witnessed the loss of many other great Jedi. The Legends continuity shows many of these losses, including one particularly devastating death.

One Particular Death Affected Qui-Gon More Than Most

As shown throughout Legends-era properties set before The Phantom Menace, there were many small, often regional, wars before the onset of the full-scale Clone Wars. These included conflicts like the Stark Hyperspace War, the Mandalorian Civil War, and the Yinchorri rebellion, all of which included the deaths of Jedi. One conflict resulted in the loss of Jedi Master Tahl, who was particularly close with Qui-Gon Jinn.

Qui-Gon's Relationship With Tahl Is The Key To His Character In Legends

Jedi Master Tahl was a close friend and colleague of Qui-Gon Jinn’s since the two were only Jedi initiates. Moreover, Qui-Gon and Tahl shared romantic feelings for each other. In Tahl’s final, heartbreaking moments, shown in Jude Watson’s Jedi Apprentice: The Death of Hope, she and Qui-Gon confessed their love for each other, and her passing nearly led Qui-Gon to fall to the dark side in his pursuit of Balog – the Chief Security Controller of New Apsolon.

Related 13 Ways Star Wars Legends Changes The Way You See The Phantom Menace The Star Wars Legends continuity's non-movie material greatly enhances the viewing experience of The Phantom Menace in a multitude of ways.

While it is not clear if Qui-Gon and Tahl might have broken the Jedi Code and pursued a romantic relationship with each other had the latter lived, their feelings for each other do express their mutual status as mavericks among the old guard Jedi. Qui-Gon Jinn was known to frequently disagree with the Jed Council, favoring his interpretation of the will of the Force over the Council’s collective judgment, so perhaps the two might have broken this tradition. Nevertheless, the tragic loss of Tahl makes Qui-Gon’s line in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace far more powerful.

Upcoming Star Wars Movies Release Date The Mandalorian & Grogu May 22, 2026