A Thousand Stars: Episode II, Part 19
Mar. 30th, 2023 09:10 amAs disparate as the two storylines have been thus far -- a romance in paradise and a mystery unfolding in a sterile clone factory -- they've both been building up in tension together. Something has to give, and for our young lovers, it happens in the fireplace scene.

No more sunshine and flowers. It's fully night, in a dark room where the only light comes from fire. Fire is a frequent motif in Anakin's journey, always present when his emotions are dangerously volatile. He and Padmé sit close, locked in each other's gaze, but this cannot last.

In tandem, they both look away, as if the reality of their situation has become too much.

Anakin pours out his feelings with all the melodrama of a young person with Feelings, and Padmé is quite affected. Note the shadow on half her face, indicating her conflict and torn loyalties.

But then she forces herself away, creating distance, denying their connection. He pulls away as well, even putting his back to her...then turns back in desperation. We could keep it a secret, right?

Once again Padmé rejects the possibility. Clearly, though, she is still torn by this choice -- still half shadow, half in light.

Meanwhile, when Anakin acknowledges that it would destroy them, his bleak expression is almost entirely in shadow.
Next time, the other plotline boils over as well....

No more sunshine and flowers. It's fully night, in a dark room where the only light comes from fire. Fire is a frequent motif in Anakin's journey, always present when his emotions are dangerously volatile. He and Padmé sit close, locked in each other's gaze, but this cannot last.

In tandem, they both look away, as if the reality of their situation has become too much.

Anakin pours out his feelings with all the melodrama of a young person with Feelings, and Padmé is quite affected. Note the shadow on half her face, indicating her conflict and torn loyalties.

But then she forces herself away, creating distance, denying their connection. He pulls away as well, even putting his back to her...then turns back in desperation. We could keep it a secret, right?

Once again Padmé rejects the possibility. Clearly, though, she is still torn by this choice -- still half shadow, half in light.

Meanwhile, when Anakin acknowledges that it would destroy them, his bleak expression is almost entirely in shadow.
Next time, the other plotline boils over as well....