To this day, Watto remains one of the most confusing scientific anomalies in the Star Wars franchise. The idea that a creature so potbellied is able to stay afloat for so long is astonishing. Surely it would take an alien of his density far more than just two little batwings to keep him elevated. That is of course unless his stomach is filled with helium (which is admittedly conceivable in the Star Wars universe), or unless he has a repulsorlift engine stuck up his butt (also conceivable).

Nevertheless, this permanently five-o'clock shadowed Toydarian junk dealer does know how to pinch his pennies and strike a deal, and that's something we can all respect.

Also worthy of note is Watto's immunity to Jedi mind tricks, a profitable trait in a world where amoral strangers can easily swindle you out of your hard-earned money with the mere wave of the hand. Honestly, what gives Qui-Gon the right to think he can just steal from a hardworking, "blue"-collar (forgive the pun) salesman trying to make his way in the world? Not only that, but the Jedi Master goes on to flat-out cheat on a dice roll. Who's the real victim here?

Having said that, Watto's no prince either. Harboring human slaves and forcing children to compete in life-threatening podraces, Fat Boy Blue here's got a few issues of his own. But without his junk-scavenging savvy, the Queen might have never found a T-14 hyperdrive generator, so who are we to judge? *Puffs on inhaler, tucks self in under Star Wars sheets.*

Previous  |  Next