The Star Wars universe exploded into the pop culture scene back in 1977 with A New Hope, but the original movie was set partway through the entire Skywalker saga. Already, Anakin Skywalker had turned to the Dark Side and the Galactic Empire ruled the known galaxy with its Stormtrooper legions. But years after the original saga, George Lucas created the first prequel film, The Phantom Menace, which laid the groundwork for the next eight films. In between its rather silly scenes of Jar Jar Binks or Obi-Wan's one-liners, the movie contained some serious plot points that led directly to the next two movies and all kinds of spin-off material. Ultimately, these twists changed the course of the Star Wars universe forever.
When Senator Palpatine Was Elected As Chancellor Of The Republic
During the Naboo crisis, the Senate and Chancellor Valorum were largely paralyzed by indecision, and Queen Padme Amidala and her body double alike were frustrated by the lack of progress being made to help their people. Senator Palpatine, a fellow Naboo native, urged the false Queen to choose a more powerful, decisive leader to take charge, and who else should fulfill that role but Palpatine himself? Sure enough, the Sabé moved for a vote of no confidence against Chancellor Valorum, and before long, a smug and falsely humble Palpatine took his office. Now he was one step closer to becoming not just a chancellor, but a true emperor.
When Anakin Was Set Free
When Qui-Gon's squad arrived in Mos Eisley, Anakin Skywalker was a slave owned by the junk dealer Watto, and the Toydarian made it clear the boy was not for sale. However, Qui-Gon craftily made a bet with Watto: if Anakin won the race, Watto would free him. Anakin indeed won, thrilled to escape Tatooine. However, this meant leaving his mother Shmi behind, and Anakin's bitter, conflicted feelings nudged him subtly in the Dark Side's direction. Ten years later, the Jedi lost his mother, and his path towards becoming Darth Vader was further set in stone.
When Darth Maul Killed Qui-Gon Jinn
Qui-Gon and company took Anakin to the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, where the Jedi Master requested to take on the boy as his apprentice. The Council took their time deciding, especially since Qui-Gon already had Obi-Wan as an apprentice. Later, Qui-Gon lost his life in a duel against Darth Maul, which paved the way for Obi-Wan to become a full-fledged Jedi and take on Anakin as an apprentice. However, Qui-Gon might have done a better job than Obi-Wan at keeping Anakin away from the Dark Side, given how wise and experienced Qui-Gon was. But he was gone, so Obi-Wan took over Anakin's training. In the next two films, their relationship developed into more of that between brothers; however, what Anakin really needed was the guidance of a father figure, which he would have gotten if Qui-Gon hadn't died.
When Boss Nass & The Gungans Agreed To Help Padme
The Gungan people were amphibian humanoids who lived underwater, mainly keeping to themselves. They did nothing to help when the Trade Federation captured Theed, the capital, but Padme appealed to Boss Nass later. She was running out of options and needed to turn to the Gungans.
Padme's natural charisma and genuine need for help overrode Boss Nass's general dislike and mistrust of the Naboo people. This meant that the Gungan army diverted the Federation's army, clearing the way for Padme's team to capture Viceroy Nute Gunray.
When The Jedi Accepted Anakin
Qui-Gon's death was the first step in Anakin's journey to becoming a Jedi Knight, and when Obi-Wan heroically defeated Darth Maul, the Jedi Council was deeply impressed. Obi-Wan then went from Padawan to Jedi, and Yoda informed him that the Council agreed to let him train Anakin. Young Skywalker was then accepted as a proper apprentice at last. By the time the Naboo people were celebrating their victory in Theed's streets, Anakin was already sporting the haircut and uniform of a Jedi Padawan. Now, the Chosen One was immersed in the world of the Force, Jedi and Sith, and this would shape the entire Star Wars galaxy in the coming decades.