matril

So we watch Qui-Gon bargain with Watto, subtly maneuvering him into an agreement. Note that Anakin has very few lines in this scene (just a defense for how the last pod got destroyed, I actually saved the pod *adorable little gulp*...mostly) but he is a vital part of this exchange. He's frequently positioned right in between Qui-Gon and Watto, a clear symbol of his metaphorical position. And Qui-Gon exchanges a lot of silent looks with him as if they share a private secret.

With the deal done, Watto is left to taunt Anakin about his foolish friend. But his body language says otherwise. Notice how he flutters down to Anakin's eyeline instead of hovering threateningly over him. Anakin meets his gaze calmly, even beginning to fold his arms in another trademark pose we've come to associate with Vader. No indulgent lingering on this moment, as the sand quickly sweeps us away to a different scene. Still, something important has shifted in Anakin's situation.