Such an emotional testament, almost an earth-shattering plea from Padme in regards to her once devoted, forthwith estranged husband; Anakin Skywalker. Her denial of the pain-staking truth is apparent by her shocked expression and the sheer fear that fills her heavily distraught eyes.
Yet she remained poised and resilient (at first), regardless of Obi-Wan’s serious accusations against the father of her unborn children. Really, what choice did she have? After all, he’s her husband and as one of the oldest covenants of marriage, most absolute vows state … So that they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God (in this case, the Force) hath joined together, Let No Man Put Asunder.
Put it this way, if Padme didn’t have faith in Anakin, they didn’t have much of a marriage; or vice versa. Again, the rational Padme already knew this and she made a statement testifying to this in the Clovis Arc of the Clone Wars. Still by this time, Padme is heavy with child (children), the galaxy is in complete turmoil, and her entire personal world has been tipped over on its axis. All rationality is gone and replaced by pure raw emotions that ultimately leave her stripped of her typical, well masked, politician visage. So when Obi-wan questions Anakin’s whereabouts, she immediately goes into defensive mode; safeguarding that little boy she once knew on Tatooine.
“I don't believe you. I can't…”-Padme
“Padmé, I must find him.”-Obi-Wan
“You're going to kill him, aren't you?”-Padme
“He has become a very great threat.”-Obi-Wan
Considering all that they have been through and all the events that are yet to take place, can you blame her for wanting to believe that this was all a lie or even a possible case of mistaken identity? I, for one, can completely empathize with Padme here. Maybe not to the same degree as hearing that my husband was guilty of committing murder(s), but facing a jury or trial for a crime of severe amplitude, absolutely!
When I was five months pregnant with my second daughter, my then husband was arrested for a nasty entanglement with a local detective’s son and I had to be present for his arraignment. Emotionally, you are torn apart and can’t believe in the truth, even though the undeniable evidence is staring you in the face. So I totally understand and side with Padme’s decision to withhold any or all information from Obi-Wan at that given time. In fact, this leads me into my whole reason for this blog …
Not too long ago, a friend of mine and fellow Coffee with Kenobi blogger, Jeff McGee (AOG/Marvin dog Media/Talking Toys) had me on his newest endeavor, the Bantha Banter Podcast and he posed a specific question that left me … speechless. Ok not really, but I was in a silent, contemplative state for a few minutes. The question, you ask? Well … we were having a discussion on Anakin and Jeff has always been intrigued (probably a bit more confuddled) on my strong feelings for the unorthodox Jedi Knight turned Sith. So, he asked …
“Why are you so protective over Anakin?”
To be honest, I don’t have a direct or definitive answer as to why; I just am. When I first saw him, he was already Vader and I was only four. My first impression wasn’t that he was evil, not necessarily, but that he was … lonely. Being four, your mind doesn’t register on the in depth or intricate facets of particular character traits; only the obvious. As I’ve mentioned many times, I like to connect when it comes to Star Wars, especially with characters and cinematic scenery or imagery.
Lonely or Alone; yes, this is Vader. Think about the Original Trilogy in its entirety, as far as Vader is concerned, he has no connections … no one that is like him in any way. Well, not until we meet the Emperor in ROTJ. Even then, besides their ability to conjure the force how similar are they, really? Based solely on appearance, there’s no comparability, but I digress … “The Jedi are extinct, their fire has gone out of the universe. You, my friend, are all that’s left of their religion.”-Governor Tarkin
… Rewind to the beginning, to the Prequel Trilogy …
“I miss her,”-Anakin
“Afraid to lose her I think, hmmm?”-Yoda
Even as a small child, Anakin was … different, he stood out amongst his peers and in a sense, (figuratively speaking) he stood alone. In a lot of ways, he was misunderstood. Sound familiar? Think back to your own childhood days, have you ever felt … out of place, that you didn’t quite belong? This is the genius in his character, it makes him that much more relatable to the viewer IMO.
“Childhood is not from birth to a certain age. And at a certain age the child is grown and puts away childish things. Childhood is the kingdom where nobody dies.”-Bella (BD Part 1)
Just as young Anakin believed no one could ever kill a Jedi, Padme held on to her faith. Believing there was still good in him, even as life escaped her. Eventually the unstoppable sands of time reels its ugly head, submerging every snippet of childhood dreams in its grainy path and dousing the fire of fantasy that once burned so brightly. “That is the way of things … the way of the force.”-Yoda
I can relate to him, to Anakin. Like him, I am emotionally driven, intoxicated on the romantics, and fiercely loyal to my loved ones. And yes, sometimes this leads me down a path I should not go, but one must take risks in life … or what’s the point of living?
He has intrigued me from the start of my Star Wars fandom and I’m sure he’ll continue to consume it, even into the Sequels and beyond … Anakin, like the force, lives on.
As always, this IS the Podcast you're looking for!
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