A Thousand Stars: Episode II, Part 40

As the battle rages, it happens that our heroic trio are in the transport best positioned to follow Count Dooku. Alas, they're out of weapons and Dooku directs his minions to attack the transport. So this mishap occurs:


Another long fall from a high place, just like in the droid factory. (I admit this shot looks a little more comical. Whoops-a-daisy!)


We see Padmé stir slightly so we're assured that she's still alive, but definitely unconscious. Anakin is understandably distressed, and ready to fling himself to her rescue just as before. (With perhaps just as disastrous results.)


It's a fairly natural gesture, reaching toward her in desperation. But doesn't it bear a chilling resemblance to the choking grip that will become Vader's signature move -- first used upon Padmé herself? Shudder. The irony is so painful. In his zeal to protect her, he loses his goodness, his ability to love, and ends up endangering her himself.

That's one bit of foreshadowing. Here's another. Anakin's terror at Padmé's peril throws all his other priorities out the window. He and Obi-Wan have a shouting match, he declares that he doesn't care if he's expelled from the Order, he only wants to save Padmé -- and what brings him back from the brink? Padmé herself, or at least her sense of moral duty.


A simple pose, but that lowered head marks the shift from frenzied rebellion to sober resignation. This war of ideals, playing out among the three of them, will reach its tragic conclusion on Mustafar. For now it's more of a stalemate.

Not that Anakin is easy and content with his current decision to follow his duty. We'll see that in the next segment....