A Thousand Stars: Episode III, Part 13
Jan. 18th, 2024 11:31 amAnakin's in a pretty bad state of mind by the time he comes home -- not only from being denied the Master rank, but from the covert, off-the-record assignment to spy on the Chancellor. And surely it would help to confide in someone like his beloved wife. Unfortunately, his growing tendencies of suspicion and distrust aren't limited to the Jedi. It doesn't take much for him to accuse Padmé of "sounding like a Separatist" and assume the worst when she appeals to his connection to Palpatine. Watch their positioning as the tension heightens.

They start out very close -- in fact, a snippet deleted from the beginning of this scene has Anakin feeling the baby's movements as they speculate whether it's a girl or a boy. (Sob)

"Don't ask that of me," he growls, pulling away, pointing an accusing finger in a very Vader-like pose, putting his back to her. (Not for the first time, I'm really appreciating how Hayden fully embodies a proto-Darth Vader, with all the looming presence and power of his performance.)

Alone, confused and concerned. The shot frames her as small and vulnerable compared to the previous shot of Anakin.

Padmé tries with all her might to reach out to Anakin, physically and emotionally.

And maybe it's working? Certainly they're close again. And gah, I just want to point out how pretty this shot is. The glow of a Coruscant sunset in the background, highlighting their stark figures like living silhouettes. Yet in the same way that Anakin says nothing in response, his physicality is distant as well. Consider this final shot:

His face is distant, troubled. And the dark city is closing in on them.
Next time, a night at the opera....

They start out very close -- in fact, a snippet deleted from the beginning of this scene has Anakin feeling the baby's movements as they speculate whether it's a girl or a boy. (Sob)

"Don't ask that of me," he growls, pulling away, pointing an accusing finger in a very Vader-like pose, putting his back to her. (Not for the first time, I'm really appreciating how Hayden fully embodies a proto-Darth Vader, with all the looming presence and power of his performance.)

Alone, confused and concerned. The shot frames her as small and vulnerable compared to the previous shot of Anakin.

Padmé tries with all her might to reach out to Anakin, physically and emotionally.

And maybe it's working? Certainly they're close again. And gah, I just want to point out how pretty this shot is. The glow of a Coruscant sunset in the background, highlighting their stark figures like living silhouettes. Yet in the same way that Anakin says nothing in response, his physicality is distant as well. Consider this final shot:

His face is distant, troubled. And the dark city is closing in on them.
Next time, a night at the opera....