The Bold and the Beautiful

Note: This post was part of 'Padme Week', one of a series of themed weeks I posted where I explored each character with essays, limericks and drawings. This was an attempt by me to address some of the criticism of the films' dialogue, and also to write something sensible for a change. Neil.

date posted: Nov 14, 2006 4:04 PM 
 
OK, put that down before reading this... no seriously.
And wash your hands.

Well, we made it to day two, and I don't believe pidluk has read yesterday's entry yet otherwise my typing finger wouldn't be quite so nimble.

I got the slack-jawed, wide-eyed slobbering out of the way yesterday, and now I can focus on Padme's inner strengths.

If ever there was doubt over Padme's resolve, courage and intelligence, just remind yourself of some of the things she said.

I will not condone a course of action that will lead us to war.

Such resolve from a young girl. This is an unenviable position to be in, as in any monarchy. Oh sure, one might be surrounded by all the trappings of wealth and security, but this is counterbalanced by the weight of decision making, decisions that could mean life or death for entire populations. Padme/Amidala knows her responsibilities, and will not be swayed by others into making hasty or ill-conceived choices.

I'm sure Qui-Gon doesn't want to put your son in danger. We will find another way...

Padme's compassion is quite evident here, but also her diplomatic skills. On the one hand, she knows that her party needs Anakin's help, but she also understands the bond between a mother and her son. However, by addressing Shmi's concerns she has gained her respect, and this prompts Shmi into cooperating with them. A form of gentle manipulation you might say.

I was not elected to watch my people suffer and die while you discuss this invasion in a committee.

When Padme needs to be forceful, she really puts her foot down. She has no time for fools or politicians working to serve themselves, and demonstrates her decisive nature, preferring to act on her own beliefs rather than rely on the ponderous blathering of her peers.

Ani?? My goodness you've grown.

She's not just a senator, she's a young woman, with all the instincts and desires of a young woman. Her words to Anakin are loaded with meaning. On the one hand she's reminiscing about their time together on Tatooine, on the other she's teasing him, and for teasing read flirting with him.
On the third hand (anything's possible in the GFFA), she's having her own, personal, phwoar moment.
There's a zing of instant attraction, and her inner conflict begins.

You're a good friend, Jar Jar. I don't wish to hold you up. I'm sure you have a great deal to do.

Another perfect example of compassionate manipulation.
How to get rid of an annoyance without hurting their feelings? Pander to their ego, make it seem as if they are making all the decisions for themselves. Her diplomatic skills are finely honed, and she can make her aides do whatever she wants without bullying or condescension. You see her work people like this throughout the trilogy, but don't mistake this for a negative trait, this takes great cunning and integrity.

Then we'd be living a lie - one we couldn't keep even if we wanted to.

She's trying to listen to reason, even while she is saying this to Anakin. She is already resigned to the idea that she wants to spend the rest of her life with Anakin, but still, she is trying to put others before herself. She is trying to give Anakin the option of calling things off, in the vain hope that he will be stronger than she. Ultimately though, she knows her desire for Anakin is a battle she cannot win.

I'm going to save Obi-Wan. So if you plan to protect me, you will have to come along.

A perfect example of her decisiveness and manipulation rolled into one. The ultimatum she gives Anakin here is a foregone conclusion, they are in it together for the long haul now, but she still feels the need to make it seem like it is his decision. Again, her selflessness dictates the method by which she reaches her goals.

I truly, deeply love you, and before we die I want you to know.

Finally, the curtain fully drops and she can reveal her true feelings to Anakin.
I wonder if she really did think they would die out there?
I prefer to think of her saying this to him at a time that looked extremely bleak, but with a glimmer of hope that they would survive the encounter and be able to take their relationship to the next level, with all pretense dispelled.

Something wonderful has happened.

Her fear and joy mingled together at this moment is quite palpable, and I get the feeling that she did not know how Anakin was going to respond to this news. His joy at hearing this lifted a heavy burden from her shoulders, and offered the promise of a golden future as the war neared its conclusion. At this point she was a mother and a lover, nothing more - a young woman who needed to be held and loved.

Hold me . . . like you did by the lake on Naboo, so long ago . . . when there was nothing but our love ... No politics, no plotting ... no war.

Padme's joy is short-lived, and she reaches out to Anakin using one of her most powerful tools, the memories they shared together. Despite her words, we are still aware that she is actively involved in the political machine which is mired in the Clone Wars, yet she is attempting to distance herself from her professional life in an effort to strengthen their bond.
Her husband and child(ren) are more important than anything else right now.

So this is how liberty dies, with thunderous applause.

The moment when she realizes her political career is at an end.
Padme has played all her cards, and the forces at work in the new Galactic Empire are much stronger and sinister than she can handle. However, her desire to see democracy and peace triumph pushes her closer to Mon Mothma and the infant Rebellion, and it would appear that her future is sealed as a freedom fighter. Her distaste of the senate is all too apparent in this sentence, which is laden with disappointment and new resolve.

Come away with me. Help me raise our child. Leave everything else behind while we still can.

Her last, desperate plea to Anakin. Anakin can see right through her though. He knows that she could never leave everything behind, she could never abandon her political beliefs. Padme knew this also, but she had run out of ideas. Her world was collapsing around her, and she had to make hollow, emotionally charged statements in a last effort to keep her family unit intact. With Anakin gone, she would truly be alone.

I'll never stop loving you, but you are going down a path I can't follow.

At first this seems to be her actual, last desperate plea, but I think that she knew Anakin was already lost to her. In a way, I think she is trying to convince herself, trying to come to terms with the fact that she has lost him. Her words are falling on deaf ears, Anakin's mask of hate appears impenetrable, and this is her way of acknowledging her loss.

Obi-Wan . . . there . . . is good in him. I know there is ... still . . .

Selfless to the end. Padme lives long enough to give birth to her twins, and to implore with Obi-Wan to help Anakin.
And so ends a life dedicated to others.

Through resolve, manipulation, compassion, love and intelligence, Padme helped steer the events of the trilogy to their conclusion.
A tragic conclusion?
I think not.
Her life is extinguished as hope is born, the ultimate sacrifice from a selfless mother.

The mother of the Rebellion.


Phew! You still here?

No doubt you will disagree with some of the stuff I've written here, but hey, I'm a boy, and not very knowledgeable about these things :)