What If Anakin Lost the Podrace in Star Wars?

The iconic moment when Anakin Skywalker won the podracer competition on Tatooine in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace was pivotal in shaping the course of the galaxy. If Anakin had lost, numerous events would have unfolded differently, altering the fate of several key characters and the overall narrative of the saga. Let’s explore the consequences of Anakin’s failure.

Effects on Freedom and Training

No Freedom from Slavery: Anakin’s victory over Sebulba in the podrace secured his freedom, allowing Qui-Gon Jinn to transport him to the Jedi Temple for training. If Anakin had lost, he would have remained a slave to Watto, impacting his future development and his eventual rise as a Jedi. His absence from the Jedi Order would mean that he would not become a Jedi Knight, nor fulfill the prophecy of bringing balance to the Force.

Impact on the Clone Wars and Darth Vader’s Rise

Impact on the Clone Wars: Anakin’s role in the Clone Wars and his eventual fall to the dark side as Darth Vader would not occur the same way. This could lead to a different outcome in the war, potentially prolonging the conflict or allowing other Jedi to rise in prominence. The timeline of events would be dramatically altered, affecting the trajectory of the galaxy far, far away.

Alternate Relationships and Heroes

Different Relationships: Anakin’s relationships with key characters, such as Padmé Amidala and Obi-Wan Kenobi, would be fundamentally changed. He might never meet Padmé or if he did, it would be under very different circumstances. The dynamics between the Jedi Order and the Galactic Republic would also be altered, with other characters like Obi-Wan or Ahsoka Tano potentially taking on more significant roles in the fight against the Sith.

Fates of Royalty and the Rise of Palpatine

The Rise of Palpatine: Palpatine’s plans may have been affected as Anakin’s eventual fall to the dark side was a crucial part of his rise to power. Without Anakin’s transformation into Vader, Palpatine might have faced greater challenges in consolidating his power. The timeline of events would shift, potentially leading to a galaxy where the Sith remain hidden longer or where the Jedi face different challenges altogether.

Altered Escapes and Missions

Let’s delve into a particular scenario where Anakin loses the podrace. If Anakin had lost, Qui-Gon, Jar Jar Binks, and Padmé would be stuck in Mos Espa trying to figure out what to do. In the meantime, Darth Maul, who had discovered the location of Padmé’s ship, would board the Nubian and slaughter the crew, leaving Qui-Gon, Padmé, and Jar Jar as the only survivors. The ship now belongs to Watto, so they can’t use it to escape, even if it weren’t broken.

However, on the plus side, Darth Maul would believe that he had killed Padmé by killing her decoy, thus presenting no further threat to Qui-Gon and co. Qui-Gon would find a way to get a signal out to the Republic for help. Meanwhile, the group stays in the humble home of Shmi Skywalker, and Qui-Gon grows closer to the Skywalker matriarch in that time.

The Republic sends a ship to pick them up, but since Watto won’t take Republic credits, they are forced to leave Anakin and Shmi on Tatooine. Qui-Gon will have every intention of freeing them both at a later date. Padmé makes her case to the Senate, similar to the original story, but with the slaughtered crew as evidence, the bureaucratic machinery of the Senate would still get in the way. Palpatine still becomes Chancellor, and Padmé still decides to go solve her problems on her own.

Qui-Gon reports on the death of his apprentice, Obi-Wan, at the hands of a lightsaber-wielding assassin, mentioning Anakin and the Council’s need to investigate his worthiness to be a Jedi. They file that away for later. Padmé, Qui-Gon, and Jar Jar return to Naboo to take the planet back from the Trade Federation. Jar Jar mobilizes the Gungans, and fighters are scrambled to fight the droid ships. Padmé corners Nute Gunray, and Qui-Gon fights Darth Maul, who is now a more formidable enemy, while another Jedi serves as backup (Jedi tend to go in twos).

The Naboo fighters fail in destroying the control ship, but once Padmé corners the viceroy, he is forced to deactivate the droid army. Qui-Gon is killed in this battle, and the other Jedi ultimately kills Darth Maul. The Council follows up and deems Anakin unfit to be a Jedi, leaving him and his mother as slaves on Tatooine.

These outcomes illustrate just how significant Anakin’s victory in the podrace was to the overall Star Wars universe. Altering that event would have far-reaching consequences, reshaping the narrative and destiny of numerous characters and the galaxy at large.