Alright, so the last time we see Jar Jar on-screen is during Padmé’s funeral. But what happens after that? Turns out, he ends up as a street performer on Naboo. Yep, the guy who gave Palpatine emergency powers—the one move that led to the fall of the Republic—is doing clown shows in Theed.
There’s more to this story, though. Let me break it down for you, including how he got exiled and his unexpected redemption arc.
Let’s get into it.
Table of Contents
Why Jar Jar Binks Faced Exile
Here’s where it all starts: Jar Jar’s big mistake. If you’re not familiar with the details, here’s a quick recap.
During the Clone Wars, Jar Jar was manipulated by Palpatine into proposing emergency executive powers in the Senate. This move let Palpatine create the Grand Army of the Republic and, well, eventually turn into Emperor Palpatine.
It didn’t take long for the galaxy to figure this out, and Jar Jar became public enemy #1. Everyone blamed him for the Empire’s rise. His career? Over. His reputation? Shredded.
Want the full backstory? This video covers it:
A Performer in Exile
After Padmé’s funeral, things went from bad to worse for Jar Jar. People on Naboo blamed him for everything that went wrong. It didn’t matter that he became Senator of Naboo—he was still hated.
Eventually, they exiled him and replaced him with Pooja Naberrie (Padmé’s niece). Fast forward to after the Battle of Endor, and Jar Jar’s back on Naboo, but not in politics. Instead, he’s doing street performances in Theed.
Kids loved his silly, clumsy antics, but the adults? Not so much. Both Gungans and the people of Naboo couldn’t forget what he’d done. They wouldn’t even say his name. Imagine being that infamous.
Jar Jar and Mapo: A Redemption Arc?
If you’ve read Empire’s End: Aftermath, you’ll know this part of the story. Jar Jar’s life takes an unexpected turn when he meets a kid named Mapo, a refugee who’s been through some rough times.
Mapo’s disfigured, orphaned, and feels totally out of place—kind of like Jar Jar. The two bond over their shared sense of isolation. Mapo even points out that neither of them seems to belong anywhere.
In a bittersweet twist, Jar Jar decides to teach Mapo how to be a clown, giving the kid a sense of purpose. For Jar Jar, it’s a small chance to make up for everything he’s done.
This little subplot is honestly kind of touching. Jar Jar doesn’t get a hero’s redemption, but he finds a way to bring smiles to people—even if most adults can’t stand the sight of him.
So yeah, that’s where Jar Jar ends up: from senator to outcast to street performer. It’s a weird, tragic, yet oddly hopeful arc.