A Thousand Stars: Episode III, Part 27

Most serious fans of the saga are familiar with the sequence of deleted scenes from Episode III, detailing the quiet efforts of Senators like Padmé and Bail to curtail the Chancellor's powers, giving us a glimpse of what will eventually become the Rebellion. It's a shame that they didn't end up in the final cut, though I understand why Lucas felt the story needed to be more tightly focused on Anakin's arc. But once we get into the final third of the film, there's plenty of proto-Rebellion to appreciate.

Take this shot, for example. There's the interior of the blockade runner that we all know so well, but much shinier. And there's Leia's father, purposefully taking steps to protect whatever Jedi have survived Palpatine's edict.

He gets in contact with Obi-Wan, and then we have this very satisfying image. The two surviving Jedi Council members, and the founder of the Rebellion. Endings and beginnings. It gives me goosebumps.

Next time, the subtle signs of corruption...