SYNOPSIS
The queen's royal starship approaches Tatooine, where Qui-Gon Jinn hopes they will be able to find a new hyperdrive. As Qui-Gon sets off towards the local settlement with Jar Jar and Artoo, Captain Panaka ask him to take Padmé, one of the queen's handmaidens with him.

They strange group makes their way into the town and finds a junk dealer named Watto, that has the piece they need. While Watto takes Qui-Gon into the junkyard, his slave Anakin Skywalker watches the store.

Anakin strikes up a conversation with Padmé explaining how he came to be owned by Watto, which Padmé does not fully understand.

Watto discovers the T-14 hyperdrive generator that is needed, and Qui-Gon attempts to use a Jedi mind trick on him to force him to take Republic credits. Watto scoffs at Qui-Gon, wondering if he is trying to be a Jedi, and lets him know that mind tricks do not work on him, only money. Qui-Gon returns to the junk shop and collects Jar Jar, who is busy knocking things over and they, and Padmé leave to discover a way to raise the necessary capitol to purchase the hyperdrive.

Being overcome by his hunger, Jar Jar snags a grog off a nearby vendor's stand with his long tongue. It snaps off the line, out of his mouth and into the meal of a surly Dug podracer named Sebulba. He confronts Jar Jar, but is rebuffed by Anakin, who distracts the dug by talking trash about the upcoming podrace.

Back at the queens' ship, a sandstorm begins to pick up as a message from Naboo comes in. While in town, Anakin takes the outlanders to his home to ride out the storm. He introduces them to his mom Shmi, and the protocol droid he is building, See-Threepio.

The Governor of Theed contacts Queen Amidala aboard her ship, imploring her to return to help her people. Obi-Wan, sensing a trap, orders the crew to not respond. On a balcony on Coruscant, Darth Maul informs his master that he has traced the signal to Tatooine and they will soon reveal themselves to the Jedi.

As the storm worsens, Qui-Gon, Jar Jar and Padmé join Anakin and his mother for an evening meal discussing how they will raise the money to purchase the hyperdrive. Anakin says that he can enter the podrace and with the prize money, Qui-Gon can purchase his hyperdrive. The next day, Qui-Gon negotiates with Watto for Anakin's entry into the podrace. He will put up his ship for collateral, and Watto will give him the parts he needs if the boy wins.

Qui-Gon contacts Obi-Wan to tell him of his plan and watches Ani get his pod ready. That night Qui-Gon draws some blood from Anakin to test for 'infection', but actually sends the samples to Obi-Wan to test for midi-chlorians, which he informs his master are off the chart. The next day as everyone prepares for the Boonta Classic, Darth Maul has released some dark eye probe droids to find his prey. Qui-Gon manipulates Watto in a wager to free the boy while Ani admits that he's never actually won a race.

As the announcers introduce the racers, Qui-Gon give Ani a few final pointers and wishes the Force be with him. The race begins, but Anakin's podracer stalls. He gets it started and quickly makes up the distance, avoiding natural obstacles and Tusken snipers. He manages to be tied with Sebulba during the third lap, when he is forced off the race course. Anakin regains control and knocks Sebulba into a rock formation, finishing the race and winning. But he is observed by one of Mauls dark side probes.