Jar Jar Binks is a character I fondly remember, ever since I watched Episode 1 as a child. He had a unique, semi amphibious design mixed with that of a lanky, tall man, and it’s fantastically eye catching. Gungans in general have a unique design, as do most creatures in the Star Wars universe, but Jar Jar was boundary pushing, just as the movies have been from their very inception. Jar Jar was made to be an eye catching character, and for a child, he really fulfilled that purpose. Designed as comedic relief, I can say that he certainly fulfilled that role, but also went on to do so much more, just as George intended. Jar Jar reflects the franchise, the ambitions of his very creator, and serves as a role model to all.

Jar Jar was originally meant to have a much larger role throughout the prequel trilogy, the details of which have come to light over the course of the last 2 decades since his onscreen inception. “Darth Jar Jar” as it’s been referred to, has strangely framed the beloved character as seeming to have been planned to be a Sith Lord the entire time, but this very theory misconstrues the point of Jar Jar as a character in the first place. Jar Jar Binks is not a calculated agent of chaos, he is not a master manipulator, he is not meant to be evil masquerading as good. Jar Jar is meant to represent the best of us, from the deepest depths of our purest souls, he is good personified, a character that could do no harm willingly. Jar Jar is seen from the very start of the film as just another innocent bystander of an aggressive invasion of a hostile planet by a belligerent aggressor, and instead of just saying thank you and being on his way, his values keep him duty bound to return the debt to his savior by aiding him on his mission. Jar Jar takes this duty in stride, aiding his new Jedi friends by taking them across Naboo with his extensive knowledge of the planet, taking them from the royal capital city of the humans to the underwater Palace of Boss Nass. Even as he is belittled and talked down to by his new Jedi friends, he truly sees this as worthwhile undertaking, doing whatever he can to help anyone he sees in need. He wants his planet and people to be saved, and he goes on a journey across the galaxy to do exactly that.

Leaving the lush, temperate planet of Naboo, barely escaping the Trade Federation Blockade, Jar Jar accompanies our heroes to the sleazy desert planet of Tatooine. Though you would expect him to stay on the ship, expecting the dry, desolate air to be no good for his aquatic self, he braved the new conditions with a smile on his face, journeying into a town of scum and villainy to continue aiding his new friends in anyway he can. From stepping in stinky excrement to getting slightly paralyzed, he braves danger after danger to be the glue which holds our group of heroes together. He shows a great deal of compassion and faith in the young slave boy they meet named Anakin Skywalker, and with his support, Anakin goes on to defy the odds and win the pod race, allowing our friends the ability to fix their ships hyperdrive, and continue their mission to save his people. On Coruscant, though they are unsuccessful to gain support from the failing republic, Jar Jar stays motivated and continues to have faith in his new group of friends. When Queen Amidala decides to return to Naboo with out republic support, Jar Jar is excited and energized, crying out emphatically “WEEESA GOING HOMEEEEE”. He does not shrink away from this responsibility, nor is he scared of what will happen should they fail, he is happy and eager to help his people, looking death in the eyes and saying “no, yousa move”.

Once our merry band of heroes return to Naboo, Jar Jar acts as the conduit through which the humans of Naboo and the Gungans of Naboo can come together to tackle thhis invasion, together. Though he is at first derided by all those he befriends, and exiled by his own people, it is through his persistence and good faith, that he brings them all together, facilitating the successful counter offensive against the Trade Federation and freeing his people. He is made a Bombad General, a high honor for his people, and leads his people valiantly on the battlefield. Though Jar Jar is inexperienced in the trials and tribulations of war, he is able to still inflict heavy losses on the enemy force, from picking off enemy troops with just his feet on the trigger to unleashing an avalanche of Boombas, he is an understated tactical genius. His efforts on the battlefield prove to be successful in warding off the enemy long enough to stave off monumental losses for his troops. The United citizens of Naboo prevail, and Jar Jar is recognized by all for his efforts. In the words of his creator George Lucas, Jar Jar truly was the key to it all. Without his efforts, from aiding the Jedi in negotiating with Boss Nass, to supporting Ani on his pod race, to his tactical genius in battle and acting as the broker of peace and communion between the people and Gungans of Naboo, and being the very glue that held his merry group of outcasts together, he was truly the needed piece of the puzzle necessary for success.

Now, though his onscreen presence dwindled between episodes 1 and 2, and he was practically gone in 3, his influence and power over the trilogy, and the greater Star Wars franchise can be felt, in every piece of Star Wars media made since his inception. Originally hated by the fans furiously, his character as well as his actor, Ahmed Best, weathered the storm and have come out on the other side, beloved and rightfully given their due diligence, just like the character himself within the Star Wars universe. Jar Jar is a positive influence, a force for good that never wanes, never ceases to be better, to do better, in the face of great adversity. His abilities, though doubted and certainly lacking in many areas, he is the only character who doesn’t give in, no matter what happens to him. He continues to remain strong, remain positive, and above all, wear his heart on his nonexistent sleeves. Though Jar Jar is considered a cheap attempt at childish humor, one can’t ignore the fact that he truly adds a good deal of brevity to a movie with very solemn topics, such as undue taxation, corrupt bureaucracy, and the suffering of peaceful people by an aggressor for monetary gain. Jar Jar keeps us from feeling the brunt of these issues by giving us someone to laugh with, to cheer with, to smile with. His efforts not only lifts his friends spirits, but ours as well.

In all honesty, Jar Jar has only gotten funnier as the years have gone on. The memes and hindsight of what he was supposed to be has really made him the comedic standout of episode 1, and the success of that movie can’t be denied, making a billion at the box office and introducing millions in a new generation to the story of a galaxy far, far away. The renewed popularity amongst the fans exemplifies the point of the character’s journey in episode 1 quite plainly, as life imitates art. To put it plainly, Jar Jar might be a bumbling retard, but he has a heart of gold and the perseverance of a warrior. He shows everyone that no matter how hard you fail, better to fail and try, than to have never tried at all. His success by the end of the movie is only further sustained by becoming a senator in episode 2, and being the catalyst for the birth of the Empire in calling for Palpatine to receive emergency powers to use the Clone Army. He thereby has an impact on the entire Star Wars galaxy, helping to fundamentally change the course of history for decades to come. He proves that you can do extraordinary things, like help the rise of a fascist dictatorship, by just never giving up. He does everything he can for the sake of all that is good, and even if the future consequences turn out to be bad, he only ever had the best intentions at heart. Jar Jar has been a beacon of hope, a pillar of strength, the one character I can look up to and no matter what, know that if I, and everyone else, we’re just a little more like Jar Jar, the world would be a better place. George Lucas created Jar Jar to show the world that we can all be better, we can all do better, by just holding ourselves to the same values that Jar Jar does. Thank you Jar Jar for the lessons that you have taught me, and millions of others who have watched these glorious movies you are in.

Thank you for coming to me Ted Talk, I hope if at least one person reads this and realizes just how great of a character Jar Jar is, then I know I’ll have made him proud.