Why Jar Jar Binks Received Blame for Palpatine’s Ascent to Power
The character of Jar Jar Binks from the Star Wars prequels has garnered significant criticism and hatred from fans, often for his perceived role in the rise of Emperor Palpatine. Here’s a breakdown of the reasons behind this sentiment and the timeline of events.
Event Breakdown: The Timeline of the Rise of Palpatine
Padmé Amidala Initiates the Vote of No Confidence: The pivotal moment leading to Palpatine’s ascension is when Padmé Amidala initiates a vote of no confidence against Chancellor Valorum. Valorums inability to handle the crisis with the Trade Federation prompts this vote, showcasing the political maneuvering that sets the stage for Palpatines manipulation.
Why the Hatred for Jar Jar Binks?
Characterization and Humor: Many fans found Jar Jar’s comedic and clumsy nature off-putting. His slapstick humor and perceived lack of intelligence clashed with the more serious tone of the overarching narrative, leading to frustration among audiences.
Perception of Responsibility: Fans often blame Jar Jar for his role in empowering Palpatine, viewing him as a catalyst for events that lead to the fall of the Republic. The idea that a character they dislike played a role in such significant events adds to the animosity.
Cultural Representation: Some critiques of Jar Jar also delve into discussions about racial stereotypes. His speech patterns and behavior have been interpreted by some as problematic, contributing to a broader discourse on representation in media.
Additional Context: Blaming Jar Jar for Palpatine’s Rise to Power
Episode I: A Mess of a Movie: In Episode I: The Phantom Menace, Jar Jar Binks was introduced as a bumbling idiot, and Anakin Skywalker was a silly little kid pretending to be a pilot. We were distracted by the amazing lightsaber duel between Obi-Wan and Maul and Queen Amidala turning into Queen Badass. Jar Jar simply never got a chance to redeem himself the way Amidala did.
The Role and Manipulation: In Episode II: Attack of the Clones, numerous Senators were tricked and manipulated by Palpatine. The seed was planted by Palpatine when someone says, “This is a crisis. We need to vote to give the Chancellor Emergency Powers…”, and then “if only Senator Amidala were here.” It cuts to Jar Jar looking thoughtful. This scene is often cited as the reason for Jar Jar’s lasting animosity.
The Perception of Redemption: Jar Jar was probably sent off of Naboo because no one wanted him around. The Gungans essentially told him, “Vote exactly the way Senator Amidala votes and do not deviate.” He was just a puppet. Then he sees his chance. The chance to be the big damned hero because instead of Amidala getting the glory of being the one to make the hard decision, Jar Jar Binks would be the one to call for the vote. He would get to be the big damned hero. Just as Palpatine wanted him to do.
Conclusion
In summary, while Padmé’s vote of no confidence against Valorum is a crucial event in the political landscape of the prequels, Jar Jar Binks embodies a moment of comedic relief that inadvertently leads to serious consequences. His characterization and the way he was utilized in the story have cemented his status as a polarizing figure within the Star Wars franchise.
Further Reading
Want to delve deeper into this topic? Explore articles and discussions on how characters like Jar Jar Binks shaped the narrative and reception of the Star Wars prequels. Dive into fan theories, character analysis, and the broader discussions on representation and storytelling in entertainment.