A Thousand Stars: Episode III, Part 40

[matril]

Anakin and Padmé will never reunite in life, but their circumstances are represented thereafter in stunning intercut visuals. Both are rescued by someone who puts a concerned hand to their brow. (Palpatine's gesture is also reminiscent of the older Obi-Wan checking on an unconscious Luke in Episode IV, showing that even the most selfish man can have a glimmer of caring when it concerns his valued apprentice).

Then the two damaged patients are rushed to medical care, where they lie prone for their treatment.

While Padmé bears her twins, Anakin receives the final touches of the iconic Darth Vader garb. And his first mechanized breath is presented alongside her last.

What does it all mean? Some have postulated that Padmé's life force is somehow being siphoned way to preserve Anakin, perhaps by a Dark Side power of Palpatine's. I do not care for such postulations. I don't think the Dark Side really has the power to preserve or extend life, even in such unnatural ways -- it's antithetical to life in every way. No, I think it's more of a spiritual metaphor. Padmé is the avatar of everything good and selfless about the Republic and its ideals, as well as the symbol of Anakin's heart's desire. His fall marks the end of everything she represented; her death is the death of the Republic and the death of his hope.

Next time, a classic film reference....

Comments

[krpalmer]

After your preview for this post I'd just been thinking of "Palpatine's gesture" (with a thought or two that we shouldn't just think of "Episode IV" on seeing it). Being reminded of all the parallels between Anakin and Padme's final moments is almost humbling, somehow.

The theories you allude to about "Padme's death being Palpatine's fault" don't appeal to me either, although I have to admit to having responded to some immediate reactions recoiling from the thought of "Padme's death being her own fault" with the personal theory that the parallels could be seen as building on the earlier sequence implying wordless, long-distance contact to offer the further implication that she and Anakin have become "entangled through the Force" and his injuries are somehow fatal to her, too. I suppose it's still more "literal" than what you bring up; it also might be made to support those who insist "the Jedi were right" (as opposed, of course, to those who insist "the Jedi were wrong.")