TPM is not as pointless to the series as some say, not like it even takes much reading between the lines when viewing the ending “celebration”.
And if one hasn’t picked up on it:
I’m also saddened we didn’t get into the metaphysical aspect of midi-chlorians and the Force or Darth Maul returning like George intended in his Sequel Trilogy as it would’ve made the case for The Phantom Menace being not important pointless. As it stands though it’s essential as there’s lots of connective layers between it and Return of the Jedi if one knows where to look. The Podrace and Speeder Chase on Endor sync up as the explosions and shots align completely for starters at the same minute mark in both films.