Squee Challenge, Day One: Picspam.

[ladyofleithian]

Bit of an Anakin/Padme picspam. Started out simple before becoming a bit more...complex and everything. Have to warn you beforehand for possibly upsetting content being discussed, so...yeah. (Also, me rambling)

Their first meeting. It's really one of my favorite scenes between the two of them.



During one of Jar-Jar's antics. I love Padme's smile, and Anakin's annoyed look -- his annoyed looks are priceless. XD



He's just met them, and Anakin's hitting it off with Qui-Gon and Padme nicely. (Also, I love Jira. She's probably one of my favorite minor characters in STAR WARS. :)



"Come on! I'll show you Threepio!" I just love Anakin grabbing Padme's hand. It's very cute. :)





Padme meets Threepio for the first time. Also a character that will be very important in both Anakin and Padme's lives later. :)



Something that was sadly cut from the final product. I've only seen it as read in the novelization (not sure about the DVD, really), but it's a very cute scene (at least in the novelization). Also, includes some pretty nifty foreshadowing and characterization.






A bit of goofing around prior to the podrace. Most adorable expressions ever, y/y? :)



Unamused Anakin and Padme are unamused. (Also, amazing expressions, am I right? :)



Padme hugging Anakin after the podrace.



Padme comforting Anakin about being separated from his mother. Honestly, this is one of many things I love about Padme; just the fact she's a very young, competent Queen with a lot of empathy. I think her empathy is one of her best qualities, really. :)



The japor snippet. Seriously, I think that might be one of my favorite scenes between them in THE PHANTOM MENACE, because they're both comforting each other in a way: Anakin over the matter of Naboo, Padme over Anakin having to leave his mother. That and I really like seeing the japor snippet again in REVENGE OF THE SITH.



The team together, working to retake Naboo from Separatist control.



During the celebration. I just love their smiles there. :)



Anakin and Padme on Tatooine. I just love this promo shot. <3



Anakin, Padme, and Qui-Gon Jinn. I love this shot too. (And on a sidenote, I miss Qui-Gon a lot. :( )




Anakin meeting Padme again for the first time in a while. (Also, Anakin, you adorable dork you. <3) I also love Obi-Wan's expression here. XD



Also, Padme's reaction. I just love her smile. :3



Anakin saving Padme from an assassination attempt. (And geez -- this looks terribly awkward, doesn't it?)











The packing scene.





I just love their expressions, once again. And Padme's trust in Anakin to protect her.



Having a laugh while leaving Coruscant. I especially love Anakin's admission that he's a bit nervous in regards to leaving Coruscant (it's a very human trait, really. :) and his "We've got R2 with us." Oh, Anakin. <3 And I just love how relaxed the two of them seem after the initial tension of the packing scene.







Oh, Anakin; why do your eyes just say so much? Ahem.

Anyway, I love this scene. Besides the natural ease around one another, I really like how we get some degree of insight into how being a Jedi works. Also, I find it pretty telling that Anakin seems to have a better understanding about what it means to be a Jedi than...I dunno, most of the Council?

Seriously, I love that scene. :)





Also, love their smiles. Seriously. :)



Having dinner at the Naberries'. Funny Aneurysm Moment aside, this is a lovely scene. :)





Anakin and Padme, just hanging out in Padme's room, having some nostalgia moments.



Escorting Padme from the boat.







Varykino, and temptation.



And the subsequent awkward.








The meadow picnic scene. First of all, those waterfalls -- they are just so gorgeous. I also love Padme's gown; it's one of my favorites for her. And how at ease they seem together, just having a chat and everything. A bit of friendly ribbing as well. :)



Troll Anakin is very much a troll. (Granted, it does become a Funny Aneurysm Moment later, but still...)







And priceless and adorable Padme reaction is priceless and adorable. :3 (Seriously, I just love her laugh. <3)





Same with Anakin's. :3 "I'd be too frightened to tease a Senator!" Sure, Anakin. XD









That part. <3 Seriously, I love just about everything about it, but I think there's something about their laughter and playfully wrestling in the grass that's...well, for lack of a better word, it's very endearing, really. :)










BRB, grinning like an idiot. <3







More having fun together at the dinner table. Honestly, I love this scene -- Anakin defining "aggressive negotiations", not to mention playing a bit with Padme's shuura fruit.



And the fireside confession. Anakin loves Padme dearly, and Padme loves him in turn, and yet at the same time, she's afraid.



Padme and Anakin on the veranda on Naboo, after Anakin has a nightmare.



Anakin escorting Padme from the cart. (Also, much love for Padme's clothing here)







Padme and Anakin hugging prior to Anakin going to find Shmi.



Padme comforting Anakin. I just love this scene because of how well-acted it really is. Chilling, yet heartbreaking at the same time. (Also, apparently Hayden's performance made the film crew start crying. Bit of an interesting fact)



I love that scene if only because of Padme convincing Anakin to snap out of his Heroic BSOD and go to Geonosis with her. I think Anakin was feeling such guilt about what happened in the Tusken camp that he thought that he couldn't go to Geonosis because...well, what if I fail again? Sort of being paralyzed by fear -- that and worrying about Padme getting hurt. (After all, if she got hurt because of him -- or so he'd see it -- I don't think he would be able to bear it) Padme...I think she's important to him not just as a means of someone to stop him, but someone to keep him going.



Behind the scenes at Geonosis. It feels a little odd, I will admit, seeing all this before the polishing was put in place.



Geonosis, behind the scenes again.











Behind the scenes pics from Geonosis: I just love them because...well, it's good to know that Natalie and Hayden were having as much fun behind the scenes as they were on set. (They were pretty close, which I think leaked into onscreen. :)



And a seriously badass-looking behind the scenes pic. Seriously.





Two Geonosis promos. (Awesome promo pics are awesome. <3)



Additional promo pic, this time with the Prequel Trilogy Big Three.



Sort of part of a deleted scene where...well, there was apparently supposed to be an argument between Anakin and Padme before heading out to Geonosis.




Part of the gag reel for the scene in question. I just find those caps pretty cute. :)



A sadly deleted scene from AOTC (still in the novelization, fortunately. :): Anakin and Padme being put on trial by the Separatists.



Let's have a moment to appreciate how badass Padme is. :3 And Anakin as well.





Padme giving Anakin a quick kiss on the cheek before they get down to business. Also known as a pretty nifty parallel to the "For luck!" scene in A NEW HOPE. :)



Anakin and Padme on the reek at the Geonosis arena.





Having a banter in the arena. I just love this because...well, it's an Anakin/Padme thing. That and I think a bit of back-and-forth banter during a battle is...well, it's one of my favorite tropes, I will admit. :)



More ass-kicking!



Anakin, Padme and Obi-Wan in action.



Well, prior to Padme falling from the speeder. (Oh dear...)





I also love Anakin's reaction to this scene. It's just really well-done. And I love how he was willing to give up everything in order to get Padme back all right. Like I said, a very human response. Probably not very responsible considering the possible long term consequences, but still...




Padme giving Anakin a much needed hug after the battle with Dooku.







Anakin and Padme's wedding. I just love this scene. The music, the lighting, the way it's staged, the fact that Artoo and Threepio are really the only ones witnessing them...there's something very poignant about it, IMHO.











That scene! Seriously, I love that scene. And how Anakin just straight up *runs* to her. Because really, he hasn't seen Padme in a long time, and she thought that he was dead (ouch. ;.;). I mean, if one were in a position like that...well, of course you'd start running.

(And Padme's *face*! ;.;)



Also, love Padme's buns, on a bit of a more "costume-oriented" note. It provides a really nice link between the Prequel and Original Trilogy.







Because these caps are absolutely adorable. And Anakin sort of burying his face in Padme's shoulder... <3



And that smile! :D





I also liked how they introduced some conflict as well, what with Anakin not wanting to hide their relationship (after all, they love each other! That's nothing to be ashamed of), while Padme's...not really ashamed of their relationship, but just worried about what will happen if it's revealed. Add in the matter of the pregnancy and...yeah. Lot of trouble, really.

On a lighter note, I love their expressions.









First off, I love how close they are together in this scene. I also love Anakin's gentleness when he asks Padme if she's all right.





"What are we going to do?"

"We're not going to worry. This is a happy moment. The happiest moment of my life."

Just...gah, Anakin's grin there. And him trying to reassure Padme that everything's going to be all right.



And cap it off with more hugs and such.





Just having a moment on the balcony.



Let's take a moment to appreciate how absolutely goddamn gorgeous Padme's hair is.



And her nightgown. (And yes, the japor snippet is back! :D) And her grin.



And I love Anakin's expression in that scene. I think I might have had that picture in an Anakin defense post...well, two years ago or something. Anyway, I love the way he looks at her. Because after being away from her for that long, being with her again...well, just listening to her talk, watching her, in a sense, just be alive is one of the best moments he can experience.



Also, wyncatastrophe's more enhanced version of the pic, because she is awesome. <3



And much love for Anakin's laugh as well. Seriously, he has such a gorgeous smile. :)

And for your viewing pleasure, in GIF form:



Unfortunately, let's say that late at night takes a very dark swerve...







"Padme's here? Oh, thank the Force..."



Oh, Anakin. :(





Worried Padme is very worried.

(Sidenote: I can actually really sympathize with Anakin in regards to nightmares and such, considering that last year... *Sighs* Last year seemed to be the Year of No Sleep. Or at least really bad sleep. And though I'm better than I was, I'm still having nightmares. For example, dreaming that the "Midnight" monster -- DOCTOR WHO, BTW -- was a vampire parasite trying to kill everyone. So Anakin's nightmares? Kind of the story of my life, really)



I love her putting her hand on Anakin's shoulder to try and reassure him.







Anakin, meanwhile, prefers to try and distract himself with more pleasant times. (Sort of like I do after nightmares)



"I won't let those visions become real, Padme." Yeah...that's going to backfire really horribly on you, Anakin. :(



Padme wonders if Obi-Wan can help them.



Anakin isn't as optimistic. It's not that he doesn't care about Obi-Wan, exactly, but he isn't sure if Obi-Wan isn't going to somehow rat them out to the Council. Obi-Wan's a good friend, but he sort of puts his being a Jedi first. And if Obi-Wan tells the Council...well, they'll both be screwed, to put it mildly.

It doesn't really stop Anakin from in-a-sort-of-roundabout way from asking Yoda for advice in regards to his visions. Unfortunately, pretty much every door seems to be closed to Anakin. Go to Yoda? Yoda's pretty much no help at all. Get on the Council? They're using him against Palpatine (someone he considers a father figure to add to the knife-twisting). In the end, Palpatine's really the only person that Anakin feels he can rely on. Which, knowing Palpatine...yeah, Anakin, you poor bastard.







And to offset the depressing elements, some face snuggling. I like it also because in a way, it's sort of Anakin trying to comfort Padme -- and perhaps reassure himself that it's all going to be all right. "Our baby is a blessing", he says, and I think...well, that and the "happiest moment" really make the Original Trilogy one of those Harsher In Hindsight moments because Anakin...he really did love Luke and Leia both, and he really wanted to have them. And he loved Padme. And he sort of had that belief that they would all be living happily together, all three (or four, rather) of them -- and it all gets shattered thanks to Palpatine's manipulations.

*Sighs* And I think I just made myself sad. :/



Anakin coming home from a long day (mostly involving Yoda not being of any help, and Palpatine and the Council using him as a pawn against one another). I love the way they're holding one another in this shot, and I can only assume it's part of a scene in the novelization with Anakin believing that the baby will be a girl. "A kick that hard? Definitely a girl." It's one of those moments that really adds a lot of punch to what happens later.





Far away shots: Anakin, Padme and the baby.





The first hint of conflict in this scene: the matter of the Senate and the Clone Wars. I think where Anakin may be coming from is a misguided sense of loyalty to the Chancellor (and the shadow of the Council's rather ambiguous-if-understandable behavior is still hanging over him. He doesn't hate Obi-Wan, but he's lost his faith in him. No doubt the same for the Council), and Padme, meanwhile, just wants to end the war and have the meddling with the Constitution and such end as well. That and as she says, "This war is caused by a failure to listen!" I think they're both coming from understandable viewpoints, really.





Fed up with today Anakin is very much fed up with today.



Padme, meanwhile, is very much bewildered. (Also, on another note, I really love her dress. And her hair. Especially her hair)









"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..."

Seriously, this is another one of my favorite scenes. I love when they get close to touching foreheads before Padme finally snuggles into Anakin's arms. And I love Anakin's expression in the last picture. Sort of like he's saying to the galaxy: "Take Padme from me. I dare you." Or, "I'll protect you, Padme. No matter what it takes." With a shade of restlessness in him as well, sort of like he's...not entirely calm. It's something that I've felt at times, I will admit -- that sense of restlessness and frustration, and it's something that makes me identify with Anakin all the more. I guess that's one of many reasons why I love him -- because he's just so human and emotional and real, and in a way...well, he seems to be sort of written in a way that makes one look at what being human is all about.







Palpatine, of course, knows what's happening between Anakin and Padme. Mostly because he's pretty much...I dunno, a trillion steps ahead of everyone? Anakin, meanwhile, wouldn't normally take Sith advice, but considering Padme's life is on the line...well, he's curious, at least.





And Palpatine continues to be sort of a wedge between both Anakin and Padme. Although there is the matter of Anakin telling Palpatine that he doesn't sense betrayal in Padme. They haven't really turned against one another, but they don't approve of the side the other's on.



And in a slightly lighter moment...



Padme telling Anakin that Obi-Wan's been worried about him and his stress level. (Sort of alluding to a bit of a deleted scene where Obi-Wan has a chat with Padme prior to the news about Grievous) Which...why wouldn't Anakin be?



"I feel lost." In which Anakin manages to start venting to Padme about the Council and such. (Also one of those "You and me both, Anakin" moments)





Padme comforting him. And in turn, Anakin trying to comfort her.



D'awwww... <3

Also, some sadly cut stuff:





Still, Anakin can't help but worry. Even catching the Sith Lord has kind of put him into a sort of morally gray area, a murkier area, because...well, he could stop the Sith Lord and yet, he worries, condemn Padme to death. Which leads to the feeling-each-other-across-Coruscant scene:





And in GIF form:



Just...dammit. ;.;

I think it's really why Anakin joined Palpatine in the end. Well, one of many reasons. I don't think he would have been there if not for his fear of condemning his wife to death. Which really makes Anakin's rampage on the Temple all the more frightening because he believes, more than anything, that he's doing the right thing. It's really those who have their reasons, I think, that are the most frightening.



Also, Anakin's eyes in this GIF are really striking. There's something about it...sort of like he's bracing himself for what's to come.



And Padme's face...dammit. ;.;





I just love them running towards one another. And a bit of a darker overtone to all of this. There's something sweet about it, and yet at the same time, considering the circumstances, really, really creepy.



Even after all this, he still tries to reassure Padme that it's going to be all right. I think it's what lends a new layer of heartbreak/horror to the proceedings. He wasn't like Palpatine who was doing all of this for the sake of it; he genuinely believed that he was doing the right thing. I remember someone once saying that the key to a great antagonist/villain is a normal person who happens to be on the wrong side -- someone portrayed with enough good traits and bad traits, basically -- and I think Lucas did a wonderful job with Anakin/Vader here.







This is another one of my favorite scenes, really. Because it's sort of like...after everything Obi-Wan's told her, Padme won't betray him. I don't know what I would have done in her position, but if nothing else, it's a very human response to hearing about something like that. And then after all that, she decides to go to Mustafar and see if she can talk to Anakin. (Which...well, it goes wrong. :( )

And meanwhile...



It's long after Anakin's killed the Separatists on Mustafar. I don't think it's a stretch to think that after everything that happened, this was kind of his "breaking down" point. I just love this moment because...well, there are people who would handle this moment by straight up bawling (which isn't bad either, mind you), but Hayden Christensen manages to communicate so much with only his eyes. (Goddamn, those eyes are so expressive...)





I just love Anakin just plain pulling his hood down and going to face Padme, and Padme just abandoning all sort of composure and running towards Anakin. (Or Vader, at least)







And the hug. It's one of those moments where...well, it's heartwarming and creepy at the same time.

Unfortunately...yeah, to say it goes south is an understatement.



Padme just wants Anakin to go back to Naboo and raise their child...





...and meanwhile, Anakin has grander plans.

(Sidenote; I quite like his facial expressions there. Really chilling)

And Obi-Wan showing up doesn't really help anything either, really.



I think what's the most tragic about what happened is how Anakin was doing all this, all of it, to save Padme, Padme was trying to save Anakin, and Obi-Wan...well, he thought he was doing what was right. And Padme couldn't comprehend what was happening or why her husband was acting like this. It just all...well, it just all blows up.



And I like Obi-Wan carrying Padme back to the shuttle as well. Sort of like, "I couldn't save Anakin, but at least I can save you".



Even after all this time, Padme wonders if Anakin's all right. It's her first words waking up. "Obi-Wan...is Anakin all right?" Oh, Padme. ;.;



And Vader, too, asks if she's all right. *Sniffles more*

And because Palpatine's a lying liar who lies (well, sort of. :/), he tells Vader that he killed Padme. Which...yeah.



While Memetic Mutation has ruined it for me a little, the scene does get me a little...well, it hurts my heart, really. I think it's something about Vader, who we typically associate with as The Stoic, doing that, that's really powerful. And the fact that the woman he loves is dead, along with (seemingly) their child(ren), and he thinks it's his fault. (The real truth is more than just that) I think it's this event that pushes Vader from the emotional Anakin we see in the Prequels to the more stoic figure we see in the Original Trilogy -- because he's genuinely broken. He's not the same as he was -- betrayed, failing to save his wife, doing horrible things because of trying, in a way, to do the right thing. It's really not just the level of terror in regards to "doing the right thing", but also a level of pathos, in a way. And it applies to the both of them also because these people, who deserved so much, got nothing in the end.







Yet at the same time, it's not entirely nothing. Because in a way, the best is still yet to come.