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Star Words: Episode II, Part 18
Jan. 25th, 2018 02:10 pmThere some great scenes between the last quote and this one, but dialogue is hardly the priority in Obi-Wan's fight with Jango. And the emotions conveyed in Anakin's reunion with Watto, while compelling, are primarily nonverbal. So we're going to move ahead to his and Padmé's arrival at the Lars homestead. We are only given a glimpse of this family of moisture farmers, but we can imply plenty.
At first Anakin, regarding them all with a wary and guarded demeanor, doesn't know what to think of these strangers who were the last people to see his mother before his nightmares started. But by the time he's leaving to look for her, he tells Padmé she'll be safe with these "good people." Other than feeling this through the Force, how could he know this?
It couldn't have been easy for a poor farmer like Cliegg to pay for Shmi's freedom, so we can assume he's very devoted to her; hard-working, dedicated and loyal. They all take Anakin and Padmé into their house without a moment of hesitation or questioning, offer them drinks, and encourage them to make themselves at home. Cliegg breaks the news about Anakin's mother with gentle kindness in spite of his own grief. In short, you can assume that Shmi was very happy here as a part of the Lars family before the sandpeople took her, aside from missing her son.
Cliegg is also a man of wisdom. When Anakin gets up to search for his mother, Cliegg quietly tells him the words that Anakin will never fully understand as his stepfather does.
"Your mother is dead, son. Accept it."
Now, at this point Shmi is still clinging to life and Anakin can sense it, so of course he's not going to rest until he finds her. But she must die eventually. Ideally a child should outlive their parents, and even if Shmi lived a long and easy life it still must end at last. While it's deeply unfair that she will die in his arms mere moments after their reunion, the healthy course is to learn to accept it. Cliegg isn't happy that his wife was taken by the sandpeople; obviously not. He's taken every reasonable measure to rescue her. But now he is coming to terms with her loss, and working through his grief. Anakin would have done well to follow his example, but alas. This will be his downfall.
Next, a cabal of conniving confederates....
At first Anakin, regarding them all with a wary and guarded demeanor, doesn't know what to think of these strangers who were the last people to see his mother before his nightmares started. But by the time he's leaving to look for her, he tells Padmé she'll be safe with these "good people." Other than feeling this through the Force, how could he know this?
It couldn't have been easy for a poor farmer like Cliegg to pay for Shmi's freedom, so we can assume he's very devoted to her; hard-working, dedicated and loyal. They all take Anakin and Padmé into their house without a moment of hesitation or questioning, offer them drinks, and encourage them to make themselves at home. Cliegg breaks the news about Anakin's mother with gentle kindness in spite of his own grief. In short, you can assume that Shmi was very happy here as a part of the Lars family before the sandpeople took her, aside from missing her son.
Cliegg is also a man of wisdom. When Anakin gets up to search for his mother, Cliegg quietly tells him the words that Anakin will never fully understand as his stepfather does.
"Your mother is dead, son. Accept it."
Now, at this point Shmi is still clinging to life and Anakin can sense it, so of course he's not going to rest until he finds her. But she must die eventually. Ideally a child should outlive their parents, and even if Shmi lived a long and easy life it still must end at last. While it's deeply unfair that she will die in his arms mere moments after their reunion, the healthy course is to learn to accept it. Cliegg isn't happy that his wife was taken by the sandpeople; obviously not. He's taken every reasonable measure to rescue her. But now he is coming to terms with her loss, and working through his grief. Anakin would have done well to follow his example, but alas. This will be his downfall.
Next, a cabal of conniving confederates....
