In an intriguing review, Rogue 8 argues that The Magic Lamp is a story about how the evil forces of the Old Republic Jedi, in the person of Qui-Gon Jinn, are released from the holochron and subsequently come to control Luke. It's strongly implied that this is a bad thing.

Much is made of Qui-Gon's small joke (misquoted in the review) "I would be a very inaccurate copy if I only did what I was supposed to do." Rogue 8 claims that 'Humor in this story symbolizes the forces of the old jedi. First the fact that they disliked humor and then the fact that they can't be stopped.'

As the author I have to say that I find the review fascinating, but I never intended the story to be read in such a way.

Out of all the Old Republic Jedi in the series so far Qui-Gon has been the only one I've been able to admire. Both Qui-Gon and Luke, in the films, demonstrate a compassion and a concern for the individual which is sadly lacking in Obi-Wan and Yoda. I felt that Luke, who is left with the task of building up the new Order, would very much benefit from Qui-Gon's somewhat heretical point of view. In particular the emphasis Qui-Gon lays on 'the Will of the Force,' a concept neither of the other Jedi had even mentioned to Luke.

At no point did I intend Qui-Gon to represent anyone or anything other than himself - a maverick of the Old Order, with an unusual but important insight to convey. If Luke responds to that it's because (as I see him) Luke is also moved by compassion. Which turned out to be a good thing in the end - since it was his love for his father, not the warrior training Ben and Yoda gave him, which redeemed Anakin and led to the death of the Emperor.

As for the humor, it wasn't intended as symbolic. It was just Qui-Gon being himself. I felt sure that the man who displayed such a roguish sense of humor, teasing Padme with that 'The Queen doesn't need to know,' line, wouldn't be able to resist finding a certain amount of amusement in his own postdate situation.

Far from being sinister, I wanted to show that in letting the Jinn out of the lamp, Luke was letting out a kinder and more humane influence than he had previously experienced in his training. It was meant to be a hopeful story. That is why it ended with a new dawn.

Marnie