Qui-Gon is probably my favorite PT character! I think Neeson is a great actor, and I like that Qui-Gon is noble and good, yet often does things that are considered less than perfect: he lies, cheats, steals (in the book, though never explicitly on film--didn't you ever wonder where he got that power source for Anakin's pod?), resists the council's ruling and encourages Obi-wan to do the same, manipulates, belittles, attempts to use the Force to make a purchase using unacceptable to the seller, and imposes his will on those whom he protects. Yet he remains a good guy, and really most of his actions were noble and saved or bettered lives. I think he was completely unnecessary, and if they were to use him, why not make better use of him instead of killing him, but I think he is actually a very interesting character