For nisa. :)

[ladyofleithian]

First picspam -- not sure how good it'll be, but bear with me. :) Images taken from the archives of anakin_icontest (I know, cheap, but I needed them), Google Image Search, Tumblr, Deviantart, Fanpop, and elsewhere.

Also, a bit of a warning: there may be some Anakin fangirling. And A/P fangirling. And fangirling in general. :)






Anakin's first scene in The Phantom Menace, talking with Padme. Definitely one of my favorite scenes in TPM.



Anakin with Qui-Gon. Seriously, this is another one of my favorite scenes, if only because of Anakin's optimism there, in terms of wanting to see every planet and star in the galaxy. "I want to be the first to see them all!"





Anakin during the podrace, racing to get the parts that Qui-Gon and the others need for the hyperdrive.



And he wins. "He was meant to help you", indeed.



And this is an adorable shot of Anakin. Seriously. :3





Anakin saying farewell to his mother, Shmi.



After managing to outrun Darth Maul, Qui-Gon, Anakin and Obi-Wan regroup.




Anakin and Obi-Wan's first meeting.



Anakin's first appearance in AOTC, laughing with Obi-Wan. Definitely one of my favorites, really. :)



Anakin after one of many nightmares about Shmi. One of my favorite shots, if only because of how simple, yet how evocative it is.



"Compassion, which I would define as unconditional love, is essential to a Jedi's life." Not only is this a lovely shot, but also a lovely scene. Not only does it provide a nice moment between Anakin and Padme, but it also gives insight into how the Jedi Order thinks -- and, in a way, shows that Anakin's smarter and more perceptive than some may actually give him credit for. Especially since most Jedi in the EU (not just EU!Luke, trust me -- it's one of those things that's a sort of why-does-this-keep-happening thing) don't seem to get the concept at times.



Anakin during the meadow picnic scene. It's definitely lovely to see him smiling. :)




A deleted section from Revenge of the Sith, during the "I Promise You" sequence -- I always love how tender the picture is, and how absolutely emotive. Especially Anakin looking down at Padme's belly. Honestly, the way they're holding each other -- it really does say volumes about the love that they share. Their relationship definitely is the heart of the prequels -- of the entire Saga, really, because if not for them both, Luke and Leia would not have been conceived, and the Empire wouldn't have been overthrown.





Wouldn't have come across this beauty if not for anakin_icontest and the picture archives. I'm sadly not sure (at the moment) where the original shot is from -- my guess is that it's a deleted segment of Obi-Wan's departure in ROTS. But nonetheless, it's a lovely picture. I especially love how...tender, for lack of a better word, Obi-Wan is with Anakin here, just in that one touch, and the look on Anakin's face, sort of drained, sort of sad, sort of relaxing into that one display of tenderness that Obi-Wan's giving him. *Sighs* So let's say when I came across that pic, I had to snag it immediately, because it's gorgeous. :) *Wishes it had ended up in the finished film*



Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi, wingmates. I especially love the coloring, and the look on Anakin's face in the first shot -- poor boy doesn't smile often enough, IMHO. But when he does, it's a miracle unto itself.



Anakin pulling up to the Senate building to stop Mace Windu from killing Chancellor Palpatine -- now revealed to be Darth Sidious. I love the look on his face there -- he just looks so melancholy there.

Seriously, as much as I love happy!Anakin, I also adore me some moody Anakin. And this pic definitely encapsulates it.



That scene on Mustafar. I'm not going to lie -- when I first read (and watched) that scene in Revenge of the Sith, I hated Obi-Wan. I hated him a lot, really. But over time, I've grown to pity him. Just the look on his face in the bottom pic says volumes, as if he's thinking, "How did it come to this?"

I think if not for Yoda's urging, he wouldn't have gone to Mustafar to try and kill Anakin. He mostly did it because he believed it was his duty. And what transpired at Mustafar all but shattered him (really, it was horrible for everyone involved, and that's putting it mildly).




Anakin and his mother's ghost, in "Overlords". *Sniffles*



Anakin and Ahsoka hugging, "Altar of Mortis". I'll admit, I don't quite know what's going on (I have yet to see the episode, sadly), but it's a lovely scene nonetheless. :)



One of my favorite shots of Anakin. From the scene of Obi-Wan's departure -- I just love his smile there.



The prequel trilogy OT3 on Geonosis.



From Renny08 on Deviantart. :) I just love this picture -- it really does sum up R2 and Anakin's relationship well. :)



Anakin marching on the Jedi Temple. I love this scene -- it's so epic. Even the Nostalgia Critic, in his list of "Top Eleven Coolest Cliches", couldn't help but gush over the awesomeness of the scene (probably due to the line of clone troopers behind him).



Anakin hugging Padme before going off to find Shmi. And of course...what happens later. :/



Anakin fights Dooku on Tatooine, Clone Wars movie. Definitely one of my favorite scenes from the movie, really. :)



An alternate concept for ROTS, with Anakin actually being there with Palpatine to confront Mace and the others. And now I really want to write a fic about that...



Little Anakin in his element. (Awwww... :3)



Little Anakin working on C-3PO. Another classic picture of him in his element. :)



Anakin and Artoo, post-landing of the Invisible Hand.



Little Anakin and Kitster. (Awwww...)



Anakin and his piloting skills through the years. :3



Anakin and Padme, reunited post-Invisible Hand.



Anakin and Padme, during the meadow picnic scene.



Anakin and Obi-Wan, ROTS promo.



Even with Palpatine blatantly trying to manipulate him into leaving Obi-Wan behind (and considering one scene in the Revenge of the Sith novelization with Palpatine and Dooku thinking of killing Obi-Wan to make Anakin fall to the Dark Side -- obviously a ruse for the real deal, but still...let's say the scene gains a new, creepier meaning, really), Anakin's response is, quite clearly, "His fate will be the same as ours." In other words, "I'm not leaving Obi-Wan to die on the Invisible Hand. Deal with it." (There's even a bit in the novelization where he momentarily dislikes Palpatine, only to try and justify Palpatine's suspicious wording as the Chancellor not being used to combat, and his bravery really being based on principle, and ohdearGodAnakinyoupoornaivelittlething -- *Hugs*) It really does say volumes about their friendship, really. And Anakin's sense of loyalty. :)



Anakin, Obi-Wan and Palpatine (not pictured) attempting to escape Invisible Hand shortly after Dooku's death.



Anakin, post-nightmare, speaking with Padme regarding their baby (or babies, as it later turns out). Even that phrase, "Our baby is a blessing" says volumes, really. :)



Luke and a dying Vader. Definitely one of my favorite scenes in ROTJ, even though it's quite sad, really.



Anakin crying after killing the Separatists.



Anakin expressing his worry to Padme about his mother, and the nightmares he's been having about her being tortured.



Luke and Vader on Endor, while Luke's trying to convince his father to turn away from the Emperor.



Very much like Padme on Mustafar. Like mother, like son, really.



Anakin cover art for Jedi Trial. Another one of my favorites. :)



Anakin confronting Palpatine, now revealed to be Darth Sidious. Considering the prior bond that he had with the Chancellor, who was very much like a father to him, the revelation definitely hurt him. Indeed, in the Revenge of the Sith novelization, when he goes to tell Mace Windu the bad news, he's practically shattered by it. The idea that he's condemning Padme to death, basically, doesn't help either.




And in the end, ultimately, Anakin's salvation. Because really? After everything he went through...he more than deserves a happy ending. Or some degree of it.

Comments

[estora.livejournal.com]

*sigh* Lovely pictures, I'll give you that, but honestly? I just find myself hating Anakin more and more with every passing day. *shakes head* I don't know why. I just can't stand him any more. I love the shots of him with Obi-Wan though, particularly the one from RotS where Obi-Wan is gently touching his shoulder.

[forcewatcher.livejournal.com]

As an old school Vader fan, I said the same thing about Anakin originally. I wanted the hero they claimed, and didn't really get it. Clone Wars helps me immensely. Do you watch it?

[estora.livejournal.com]

I used to, but when it started turning into The Anakin And Padme And Ahsoka Show (With Jar-Jar As Well!) I stopped. I couldn't even really get into him there.

It's more... I don't know. I went through a stage of actually liking him from the PT, but then... something happened. I can't stand him. It was like, Vader was the awesome villain, right? And then he became a whiny teenager. :/ I don't know. Vader, I love - but Anakin Skywalker? *sigh*

[forcewatcher.livejournal.com]

*nods* Sounds like you didn't make it past season 1. Too bad. The series keeps evolving by leaps and bounds each season. If you can get your hands on season 3, start with the Mortis trilogy and go to the end. I think you'll find a lot there to love.

EDIT: I forgot the Nightsisters trilogy is before Mortis. Start there, then Mortis, then the Citadel, and then the 2-part season finale. Some of the best Star Wars since 1980, guaranteed.

[estora.livejournal.com]

No, I made it all the way to the end of Season 2. I liked the Obi-Wan episodes, but then Season 3 started airing and it was like Dave Filoni decided Obi-Wan was MIA and that his character was actually a hologram who popped up to give five seconds of advice every now and then. I was excited about The Clone Wars because in "A New Hope", it was said that Obi-Wan and Anakin were a team. I wanted to see them doing Teamly stuff together, and I've waited two and a half seasons for it. It's not happening. I heard about Nightsisters and Mortis and they sound interesting, but absolutely not what I think of when I think of Star Wars.

[forcewatcher.livejournal.com]

That explains it. The first half of season 3, they held back, then pulled out all the stops starting with Nightsisters. Mortis is a bit out of the box, but I can't speak highly enough about it. The rest of that season is pure Star Wars. The Citadel trilogy sounds more like what you're looking for, for certain.

[estora.livejournal.com]

I really do want to go back to SW, believe me - but I've been a dedicated fan for a long time and it just feels like every single time I raise my hopes, Lucas & co. just crush them over again. I've had too many disappointments from SW. I might try the Citadel trilogy, to see if it's more my thing, but honestly... I'm just over it. I'm over Anakin-apologists, I'm over Ahsoka (who I liked as a character on her own but not as Anakin's padawan), I'm over the lack of Obi-Wan, I'm over the awful EU books...

I'll give the Citadel trilogy a try, though.

[forcewatcher.livejournal.com]

Believe me, I hear the frustrations. The EU... that's it's own thing. I cherry pick there at best, but the thing to remember there is that those writers do not have the guiding hand of Lucas & Co. They're generating money, that's it. Clone Wars is working from the same notebook as the films. And since we already know how Anakin and Obi-Wan's story unfolds, Ahsoka and Rex are there to give us a new perspective.

But enough preaching the Gospel of George. I just hate to see fans drop when their prayers have been answered. Few things live up to the promise of Star Wars. Thankfully, Star Wars does, more often than not. At least to me. Hopefully after you see the Citadel trilogy, you'll agree.

[estora.livejournal.com]

Ye gods, the EU. I can't even cherry pick anymore because I'm sure I've done it all. I can count on one hand the number of EU books I've enjoyed. I just think it's... painful, you know? Even though the writers don't have Lucas's guiding hand, there's still no reason for it to be so awful.

[forcewatcher.livejournal.com]

Couldn't agree more. I don't even try to explain it, other than to say the money from that gives us more Clone Wars. :P

Honestly, I actually enjoyed many of the prequel era books, especially the Clone Wars era stuff (been waiting all my life for this!), but as a 1st generation fan, I just cringe for most of the post-Jedi novels. The only writer that seems to have successfully captured the voices for the original characters is Tim Zahn. Easy to do when you recycle the dialogue straight from the movies. *shakes fist at Zahn*

[estora.livejournal.com]

I LOVED Matthew Stover's novelisation of RotS. I enjoy Karen Miller's stuff (more or less) and I have a particular fondness for the old Dark Horse TCW comics.

After suffering through Legacy of the Force, I can no longer bear to read anything post-movies. It's just like... argh. I enjoyed "Death Troopers" if you took it more as a zombies-in-space book than a Star Wars novel, but yeah, I agree with you.

[forcewatcher.livejournal.com]

Stover's ROTS is wonderful, as is Luceno's follow-up, Dark Lord. That's my personal fave in the EU lineup.

For all ye who suffer through Legacy of the Force... I'm so sorry. I'm so very sorry. But... that's not Star Wars. *shakes head*

[estora.livejournal.com]

IKR! Stover's ROTS, I actually read before I saw the movie, but it was all kinds of amazing. I based a lot of my own SW fic writings off his style. *swoons* Stover is a SW God. Haven't read Luceno's follow-up, I'm afraid, but I hear good things about it.

*sobs* *curls up into a ball* Not Star Wars. Not Star Wars. *sobs* I figured that out the hard way - by reading ALL 9 OF THEM.

[forcewatcher.livejournal.com]

Read Dark Lord. If you ever want to truly see the transition from whiny Anakin in the Vader suit to true Vader, that's the read for you. Awesome incarnate.

You're a braver soul than I, that's all I can say... You deserve a freebie or something for sitting through that slush.

[estora.livejournal.com]

LOL. Well, at least you admit that he was whiny. ;) I might give it a go. I always loved Vader as the villain - he was *cool*. (See, this is me: I LOVE villains. All kinds of villains. Over-the-top, subtle, ridiculous, singing, Machiavellian... I sort of specialise in writing them, too. :D ) So maybe I'll check Dark Lord out, if it's a good transition from irritating "I hate sand" Anakin to Awesome Darth Vader.

LOL, thanks. Freebie? Ye gods, I deserve a medal. *snort* See, I went to get through LotF in order to get to the (seemingly) more interesting "Fate of the Jedi" series. The only reason I got through all 9 books was because of Ben Skywalker, who was the only single redeeming factor of LotF.

...AND THEN THEY RUINED HIM IN FOTJ. THEY RUINED HIM. *sobs* Damn you, EU writers. Just damn you...

[forcewatcher.livejournal.com]

First memory at age 3: Vader's entrance on the Tantive IV, big screen, opening day. He sets the standard, which honestly is why I can't stand Harry Potter. Hate Voldemort... But that's another story. Dark Lord, I defy you to hate it!

Yup... and that's why I steer clear of the EU, folks. It's bad things, and I want to love Star Wars forever.

[estora.livejournal.com]

WOAH THAT'S EPIC! :D :D No such memory, I'm afraid... I wasn't born until 1992, *snort*. The only SW movie I got to see in cinema was ROTS.
:O Can't stand HP? :( Oh well, it's not for everyone. I admit, Voldemort never really did it for me as a villain (I kept on thinking, but he could be so much more awesome if... etc.) but I loved the story. Big, BIG part of my childhood, HP was. I grew up with Harry! :D

*sigh* I wish, I WISH someone had warned me off the EU before I went diving for SW stuff...

[estora.livejournal.com]

WTF happened to my post?? LJ ate it! Argh! Here's the other half of it. :P

I know, I know... we already know Anakin's and Obi-Wan's story, but I never felt like Ahsoka added anything at all. I really like Rex, but for me the interest in the PT has always been the Obi-Wan and Anakin story, which just refuses to be told time and time again. Obi-Wan is extremely underused, which is upsetting because they guy is a freakin' GENERAL. He must be in some AWESOME battles. Like Jabiim! And we're not seeing them! We saw C-3PO and R2-D2 buying fruit and Padme and Anakin organising a dinner together. At this point, I'm pretty sure that everyone in the galaxy knew they were secretly married!

I don't want to give up on SW entirely - I had some great years there, and I still have some really long SW fics in progress. Thing is, I've also moved on to other fandoms, particularly Doctor Who and Star Trek and The Hunger Games and a return to Harry Potter. Emotionally, these other ones are fulfilling me in a way Star Wars stopped a long time ago. I will watch the Citadel trilogy, and maybe some of S4 (since I hear that, oh look, Obi-Wan gets more than 3 seconds of screen time).

On that note, though, I admit I'm heavily biased. The only thing that really kept me sitting through the PT was Ewan McGregor's portrayal as Obi-Wan. (Which you... probably might have guessed from my previous comments, though.) I like the clones (Cody and Rex in particular - and my favourite TCW episode would have to be "Rookies"), but I don't find myself emotionally invested in Anakin or Padme. Ahsoka I like on certain occasions, but at the end of the day it's always going to be Obi-Wan I'm sticking around for...

[forcewatcher.livejournal.com]

Back half of season 3 and the current "Slaves of the Republic" storyline they just ended in season 4 - there's your Obi-Wan madness! More than makes up for the one-off episodes they keep pulling with the droids. That's the nice thing about weekly Wars. We don't have to wait 3 years (or 16) between films anymore! If they misfire, watch the next one.

Doctor Who? I tell ya, I love Tennant and Smith - they are amazing. But the writers on that series need to be shot in the knees and dragged before the awesomeness that is Big Finish Productions to learn how to write for Doctor Who. Have you heard these audios? Return to GREATNESS! But then, I'm an older fan. Ditto with Trek. I was around before Picard, so I've got a different take on these things. Which brings us back to Clone Wars. The man in charge is the one who gave it to us. It feels right to me.

[estora.livejournal.com]

*grabby for Obi-Wan* Want want want! I was so upset when they kept on *not using* JAT, who is an amazing voice actor. Such talent that they didn't even utilise! I look forwards to catching the episodes with Obi-Wan in them.

LOVE LOVE LOVE your DW icon. <3 <3 <3 Tennant and Smith, *happy sigh*. Smith was actually my first Doctor - I'm a newbie fan. ;) I actually really enjoy a lot of Stephen Moffat's episodes, and I ADORE Smith as 11. There aren't too many complaints from me about DW or its writing - I have Matt Smith to stare at. :P [/easily pleased with DW] I guess it's because like you said with SW:TCW - if they strike out on one episode, just tune in the week after. :D

[forcewatcher.livejournal.com]

Oh, they use JAT. Even if he's not Obi-Wan, he's about a hundred other voices on that show. But trust me, Kenobi is all over the map the last few episodes, and if the back of season 4 is anything like the back of season 3, be prepared to be blown away.

I have a friend of mine who spent years getting me into Doctor Who, and watching the original run all the way through was some of the greatest and most painful experiences of my life. Much of what Matt Smith has done is a testament to his skills as an actor. But for true storytelling, those Big Finish audios with Doctors 5-8 blow both the old and new TV series out of the water. These made me a fan, before the new series started up. In all fairness, Doctor Who does have that quality about it. If you don't like something, they axe a companion, regenerate him, or just get rid of a writer here and there. It's practically a new show every few years. I'm told they're doing a return to the old-style storytelling on the show, so we'll see how that pans out.

[estora.livejournal.com]

Well, true, can't argue there. ;) I just wish they'd used him more as Obi-Wan! But apparently they have, so I might... skip over the episodes in between and cheat and jump to the end.

LOL! Well, you've watched a lot more than I have! I'm strictly New Who at the moment, but I'd love to go back and catch some of the older episodes. (I do watch some on TV sometimes, but I - I couldn't stop laughing. It was great, though.) A friend got me into DW as well - mate from work. She freaked when she heard I hadn't seen a single episode of DW and immediately lent me S5, which is a very decent introduction to the series. (Fell in love with Matt Smith as soon as fish fingers and custard came up. :P )

DW is clever that way. Don't like the Doctor or it's time for a new one? Regenerate! Companion is getting stale/audience doesn't like him/her? Death/trapped in alternate universe/memory wipe! The style of the 11th Doctor arc (as opposed to a season-by-season arc) is interesting, so I'm looking forwards to seeing where that goes. Although I have SO MANY QUESTIONS...

[forcewatcher.livejournal.com]

Skip around if you think you need to, and if you're hooked, you can come back to the others later... slowly. :)

It took YEARS of the odd all-day Saturday marathons to watch all the old Doctor Who episodes, and sadly, there are so many missing from the first 2 Doctors, that it's hard to be a fan now and know what you've missed.

As for questions, I'll certainly be glad to answer 'em anytime. Just send me a message or whatever. Now comes the part where I jump off LJ for awhile. But it's been fun!

Don't give up on the Force!

[estora.livejournal.com]

Well, thing is, I'm not hooked by now, then I don't think I will be... but I'm always up for a good episode with Obi-Wan in it. :D

LOL! Oh, dear. I'm not sure I'm quite so patient as you, but I'd love to go back and see some of the old episodes.

Will do. If you want to friend me, you can friend me on this account or on e-s-tora (which is where I put my original stuff). Thanks for the discussion! It has been fun.

;)

[forcewatcher.livejournal.com]

Consider you friended. :)

I didn't think I was that patient either, but it's like anything else - if you love it, you make time, no matter how goofy the journey may be at times.