grainger said:

Fair point, but it depends what you're saying "I don't know" about. "Are we being attacked?" "I don't know" is a reasonable reply, until you've seen evidence that it's happening. Rather than saying "Yes - let's fire the nukes" when there's no evidence there.

Coming back to Qui Gon, though: I don't remember him saying "I don't know" - if it was in reference to Jedi skills or organisation, then I agree with you, it makes him look incompetent. If, however, it was about what was happening, and they really didn't know, then he's probably being wise. As long as the movie gives him a chance to show his wisdom in other ways - e.g. coming up with a reasonable course of action. Can you give an example of what he said he didn't know/

How many times did Obi-Wan or Yoda say "I don't know" in the OT?