A Thousand Stars: Episode II, Part 12
Feb. 9th, 2023 12:28 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
matrilThe meeting with the queen offers further development in Anakin and Padmé's shifting dynamic. They've reached a decent rapport, seeing each other more as equals, but a seemingly innocent question from Sio Bibble has them clashing again. Padmé is ruthlessly quick to point out Anakin's Padawan status and shuts down his attempt to give his input.
This might seem out-of-character considering her usual tendency toward diplomacy and compassion, but let's consider her current situation. She's been the queen of an entire planet, and is now an outspoken voice in the galactic senate -- but a few assassination attempts have reduced her to a fleeing refugee, stripped of her agency and forced to go into hiding. Not too surprising that she's desperate to grab hold of anything she can still control in this situation. Unfortunately, Anakin is himself also coming from a place of feeling undervalued and dismissed, as we've seen in his interactions with Obi-Wan. There are definite parallels here with the Master/Padawan argument in Padmé's apartment, including the use of cutting to various faces for their silent reactions.
Just a Padawan? My first solo mission, the sole Jedi in charge here, and yet she calls me 'just a Padawan'?!
Well, I can assert my authority too, thank you very much. Note the hand on his hip. Poor Anakin, trying so hard.
Padmé's not backing down. This is her terrain, and she's not relinquishing it. Notice how the positioning of the camera minimizes their considerable height difference.
Meanwhile the queen is thinking What nonsense is this?
Something is going on between these two. Do they remember there's about a dozen other people in the room?
Humiliated, frustrated, ready to unleash a hundred other protests....
Or not! He takes a breath, apologizes, and moves on. A significant departure from his sullen responses to Obi-Wan. Is he learning to curb his pride, or is he just more willing to defer to Padmé by reason of "I have a massive crush on her"? Either way, this is a marked improvement. The next time Padmé takes charge, his response will be far more easygoing.
Next, some Jungian imagery....
This might seem out-of-character considering her usual tendency toward diplomacy and compassion, but let's consider her current situation. She's been the queen of an entire planet, and is now an outspoken voice in the galactic senate -- but a few assassination attempts have reduced her to a fleeing refugee, stripped of her agency and forced to go into hiding. Not too surprising that she's desperate to grab hold of anything she can still control in this situation. Unfortunately, Anakin is himself also coming from a place of feeling undervalued and dismissed, as we've seen in his interactions with Obi-Wan. There are definite parallels here with the Master/Padawan argument in Padmé's apartment, including the use of cutting to various faces for their silent reactions.
Just a Padawan? My first solo mission, the sole Jedi in charge here, and yet she calls me 'just a Padawan'?!
Well, I can assert my authority too, thank you very much. Note the hand on his hip. Poor Anakin, trying so hard.
Padmé's not backing down. This is her terrain, and she's not relinquishing it. Notice how the positioning of the camera minimizes their considerable height difference.
Meanwhile the queen is thinking What nonsense is this?
Something is going on between these two. Do they remember there's about a dozen other people in the room?
Humiliated, frustrated, ready to unleash a hundred other protests....
Or not! He takes a breath, apologizes, and moves on. A significant departure from his sullen responses to Obi-Wan. Is he learning to curb his pride, or is he just more willing to defer to Padmé by reason of "I have a massive crush on her"? Either way, this is a marked improvement. The next time Padmé takes charge, his response will be far more easygoing.
Next, some Jungian imagery....
