Jar Jar Binks: Sith Lord - Evidence from Phantom Menace
So, one of my favorite fan theories at the moment is the "Darth Jar Binks" theory, with some evidence here: http://darthjarjar.com/original-theory-by-lumpawarroo/
My wife and I decided that a fun leisure time activity would be for us to watch the Prequels looking for evidence of Jar Jar's scheming. Here are the results from our viewing of Phantom Menace:
(1) As soon as the Jedi land on Naboo, Jar Jar is there, immediately. He grabs onto Qui-Gon, forcing Qui-Gon to "save his life". He then insists on following Qui-Gon, since it is "demanded by the gods". Might it be that Jar Jar was just there by accident? Maybe. But, it runs against the Star Wars worldview - expressed well by Qui-Gon when he says of Ani "Our meeting was not a coincidence - nothing happens by accident". Might be true of Jar Jar, too.
(2) So, the Jedi go to the Gungan city. Why? Because JAR JAR SUGGESTS IT. But, he does so in a CLASSICALLY manipulative fashion. The conversation is basically "Hey, we should go to the Gungan city." "Oh, can you take is there?" "On second thought, no." [discussion about being banished] "Well, we're going to die if you don't take us there." "Well, okay, but remember, it was your idea." (Obviously, paraphrased.) So, what did Jar Jar do? He just MANIPULATED JEDI into his plan while, at the same time, making them argue very forcefully to him that they should follow his plan. CLASSIC.
(3) On arrival, some of the other Gungans react in fear to JarJar. True, this could be explained if he just caused serious accidents. But, the reaction is a bit more... personal, I suppose... than that. Also, EXACTLY on arrival, Jar Jar is located and taken to the boss Gungan. The timing is... strange. Almost like someone involved could foresee what would happen...
(4) For no clear reason, Qui-Gon asks Jar Jar to serve as their navigator through the core. Jar Jar then proceeds to do EXACTLY ZERO navigating. Why can't Qui-Gon just declare the life debt paid, and move on? Because Jar Jar is manipulating him.
(5) Darth Sidious makes an interesting statement to Darth Maul - he declares that "Queen Amidala is easily manipulated." By whom? Darth Maul doesn't appear to be doing any manipulating at all. Of course, Darth Sidious does some himself - but he's not there, and the Queen definitely feels comfortable calling him out on occasion - though she does basically always come around... But, who is there? Jar Jar. Who is a master manipulator, we see? Ends up, it's Jar Jar. We see Jar Jar near Amidala a LOT - and totally inexplicably.
(6) Jar Jar chats with Padme when she's in her handmaiden disguise - and somehow seems to charm her. Does he know something no one else does? Maybe. But, I would note that a lot of people (and droids) don't like Jar Jar - yet, somehow, those in power DO.
(7) When they go to Tatooine, Jar Jar follows Qui-Gon into the city. Qui-Gon objects to Padme (who he thinks is a simple handmaiden) joining them - but not the utterly worthless Jar Jar. Why? Because Jar Jar isn't as utterly worthless as he seems - he's a master manipulator who has managed to weasel himself into important places.
(8) Jar Jar "clumsily" throws a piece of food at Sebulba - Ani's pod racing nemesis. Obviously, this is an accident. Right? But, Chosen One Force Sensitive Anakin Skywalker declares that "Jar Jar was picking a fight", forcing Jar Jar to backpedal. Might the Force be revealing something that comes out of the mouths of babes? I suspect so.
(9) There are at least 3 significant Ani/Amidala scenes in which Jar Jar appears as a third wheel for basically no reason. Why is he there? They animated him into the scene for a reason, I suspect. The reason? Because JarJar is explicitly pushing the two of them into a relationship. He even suggests to Ani at one point later on that the Queen is very pretty. Why put that idea in his head?
(10) Another inexplicable Jar Jar being somewhere important for no reason scene: Qui-Gon goes to Watto to bargain for Ani's and Shmi's freedom. In this scene, Jar Jar is there - but has no lines. He does nothing that we can see. There is no reason for him to be in that scene - none at all - but there he is. Hm.
(11) Amidala decides to go back to Naboo. Or wait. Does she? Or does Jar Jar send her back? Here's what happens: Jar Jar mentions that the Gungans have a large army that could be used to fight the Trade Federation. Okay, so what? Well, not long after, it is made clear to Amidala that she can't fight the Trade Federation. (In effect, Palpatine provides a "you and what army" challenge.) Jar Jar answered the 2nd part - before the question was asked. That would make sense if he and Palpatine were working together.
(12) At the funeral for Qui-Gon, people are standing around watching his body burn. The groupings, though, are interesting. Fairly prominent are scenes showing Amidala standing next to Palpatine - with Jar Jar on Palpatine's other side. Why? Why not the leader of the Gungans (for example)? What is so important about Jar Jar that he would get to stand next to two prominent Republic politicians? I think we all know. He wasn't standing next to Republic politicians. He was standing next to his closest ally. The Sith Lord Sidious. Hidden in plain sight.
Now, I don't think that "Jar Jar is a Sith" is what George Lucas had in mind. But, it is pretty fun to watch the series through that lens. It proves how much you only see things when you're looking for them.