Bingowings said:

Replace the escape pods with 1950's fridges.

lol!

I was pondering how the prequels could have been worse. I came up with the idea that Palpatine was inhibiting the connection with Midichlorians thereby preventing the Jedi from using common sense the Force. Qui Gon discovers Jar Jar who is very strong in the force and has such a unique biology that Palpatine cannot disrupt his Midichlorian Connection. But of course nobody takes Jar Jar seriously and the prequels pay homage to Chicken Little in that regard. So basically, more Midichlorians and more Jar Jar.