More meme responses!

[ladyofleithian]

January 5: Do you think Lucas could have handled Padme's character better in the last prequel? If so how?





To be perfectly honest, that's a very good question. I know that when I first got into the Star Wars fandom, I was a little bit confused in regards to the matter of people saying that Padme had been weakened in the third prequel film, if only because I'd read the REVENGE OF THE SITH novelization, where Padme was definitely a fleshed-out character. Definitely not like how they were describing her in that moment. But really, it's a question that leaves a lot to ponder, honestly. There are some that have said that she was pretty strong in that film, such as going to Mustafar to try and save Anakin (which I think takes a lot of guts. Any female character in fiction can kill something, or destroy something *, but it takes real courage to spare and show pity. I mean, look at Rose Tyler, for one thing. ** ). And then there are others who said that she was reduced in terms of just being someone who was defined by Anakin, if I remember it all correctly. (See, this is why having the memory of an elephant is a blessing and a curse at the same time) But that said...

I think if there's one thing that George Lucas could have done in terms of improving Padme's character, it's this: he really should have put her scenes with the Senate back in. I mean, I know there were some people who said that it was the fanbase's fault that he cut the scenes, but really, at least if the commentary for Darths and Droids is any indication, Lucas cut them out to make more room for Anakin and his fall. Honestly, I can understand wanting to focus on Anakin and his fall, but seriously, there really wasn't any need to sacrifice Padme's scenes. Hell, it would be a wonderful way to sort of get into her head and find out what she's thinking. Dealing with the fact that the Republic isn't what she thought it was, and that perhaps Count Dooku, in a way, was right -- a good way to add some shades of gray into the whole proceedings, in my opinion. That and the matter of her dealing with the fact that in a sense, she put Palpatine into power, all to save Naboo. Perhaps have her making little logs of her concerns away from Anakin (it's not that she doesn't trust him, but...well, she doesn't trust him because he's blinded by loyalty to Palpatine) and expressing her worry over what's happening. And in the meantime, having to watch the man she loves slip further away before her eyes, as well as run into bumps in their marriage that might destroy them (not the ordinary ones, but the more significant ones). And all the while, Anakin's trying to find a way to save her. Sort of making a deal with Faust himself to save her. Maybe also elaborate on how the Clone Wars are getting to him as well as Padme. After all, Padme lost two friends of hers in the war in two different ways -- Satine was murdered by Maul for no other reason but to spite Obi-Wan, and Ahsoka had to leave. So Padme herself is also frightened of losing someone else. Perhaps talking with Anakin, confiding in him that she's running to him before he fades from her (basically), and Anakin promising that he won't fade. (Which he does)

I think another purpose the Senate meetings could have is explain how the Rebellion came to be. And a sort of juxtaposition between Anakin and Padme: the man who birthed the Empire (or helped, at least) and the woman who birthed the Rebellion. Maybe add in the matter of Padme working behind the scenes to sabotage the inner workings of what's becoming the Empire the best she can, what with Palpatine becoming all the more determined to take her down just because of the threat she poses. And meanwhile, Anakin's all the more torn between his wife, his sort of father figure, and his duty. And Padme's more than worried about her husband. Fights start occurring more and more, but it doesn't mean they don't love each other still: they love each other, more than anything. It just means they've run into a challenge that might be too big for the both of them. And the both of them are hoping they can overcome it, but still they have their doubts.

On another note, have lighter moments for the both of them, things like wondering what to name their children, Padme talking about the life they could have back on Naboo with their family, almost like a whole fantasy world she's created for the both of them, away from the worst of the Clone Wars. And a sort of reassurance to the both of them that no matter what happens, there's nothing that they can't overcome together.

Then, of course, Order 66 hits. Padme's already in shock from what happened, terrified, and is already worrying about whether or not Anakin (as well as Obi-Wan -- also include scenes of her and Obi-Wan, just to establish how close they are. As friends, that is. And leave out that whole issue of the love triangle that was kinda sorta in the novelization; it really does add nothing) is okay. And in the meanwhile, she's preparing to pack her bags and run off just in case because she knows full well that Palpatine will come for her, and she's not scared for herself, but for her unborn child (or children). She doesn't want to think of what Palpatine would do to her unborn child(ren). Then Anakin returns, fresh off carrying out Order 66 at the Temple (and no doubt shaken from what happened, although Padme doesn't really know the real reason why until Obi-Wan tells her), Padme's relieved, but also confused, and Anakin's answers just confuse her all the further. And even as he heads off to Mustafar, she's still confused, and more than anything, worried for him.

Then, of course, she has to bear witness to the Republic as she knows it crumbling. And Palpatine crowning himself Emperor. And even watching the others applauding, Padme just wonders what the galaxy in general has done -- and what they've done. Still, she can't afford to give up. She never has. Even in the worst parts of the Clone Wars, she's never given up. So she tells Bail Organa and the others to keep doing what they're doing. It's only later in her apartment that she gets a visit from Obi-Wan, and even her relief that he's okay is crushed by his news: Anakin's become a Sith. Of course Padme denies it -- he's had his moments of straying towards the Dark Side, but he'd never betray his own comrades. Unfortunately, seeing the recording footage that Obi-Wan's retrieved from the archives (perhaps an early scene with Obi-Wan taking them to Padme because he feels she deserves to know), it's hard to deny what's right in front of you. Of course Padme and Obi-Wan argue about what to do with Anakin -- Obi-Wan is a soldier at heart, and he wants to take down Anakin however he can, if he has to. Padme of course calls him out, saying that there has to be a better way. They, of course, agree to go together, with Obi-Wan agreeing to wait in the fresher, and strike when things get too bad.

The confrontation on Mustafar, of course, doesn't go well. Padme tries to vainly persuade Anakin to go back with her to Naboo to raise their children, but Anakin is too far-gone at this point, excitedly going on about ruling the galaxy in Palpatine's place and making it all right. Padme listens, and it just occurs to her that whatever happened to Anakin -- this isn't her husband. This is just a monster wearing his face. And all the while Anakin's being very gentle towards her and caring towards her but Padme knows, just looking into his eyes, that it's started. She begs him to come back, that she loves him -- unfortunately, it's ruined when Obi-Wan emerges, misinterpreting what's happening, and it only makes Anakin angrier. He and Obi-Wan duel, and though Padme tries desperately to stop the fight, it's really no use. In the end, she has to intervene, and she and Obi-Wan both stop Anakin, but at the cost of Padme being badly wounded in the duel. Obi-Wan looks down at his former friend, burning in the lava and all but cursing the both of them, and he wants to help Anakin, but there isn't enough time, and the clonetroopers and the Emperor are already closing in. Anakin seems to realize that as well, because he orders Obi-Wan to go -- the last time that Obi-Wan will hear him speak as Anakin Skywalker. On Polis Massa, Padme's already dying, and they're trying to keep her alive as long as possible, but in the end, they have no choice but to do an emergency C-section if only to deliver the children. As she lies dying, Padme names her children, the same names that she and Anakin had once discussed in their happier moments: Luke and Leia. She asks Obi-Wan to protect the children however he can, and to save Anakin ("There is still good in him. I know there is, still..."). Obi-Wan isn't certain about if he can save Anakin/Vader, but he will try and protect the children, and save her husband. He promises Padme that. Padme thanks him, and then dies, smiling all the while. It's later in Theed that they hold the funeral for Padme, Obi-Wan watching in disguise, and Vader watching from a distance, newly suited, grief and guilt-stricken at the loss of his wife. It's later that Obi-Wan manages to narrowly evade Vader, and drops off Leia with Breha and Bail, and Luke with Owen and Beru. He then goes off into the desert to train under Qui-Gon's spirit, and, in time, train the children when they're ready. Cue credits.

That's one interpretation, at least (also, I really didn't know that this could be that massive. Almost a rewrite in general of ROTS; I definitely wasn't expecting that). Maybe Lucas had his reasons for what he did with Padme's character, but yeah, I think he could have done better. It would have been good if he gave her more Character Development, maybe a better end -- because Padme as a character definitely deserved a better end -- and not cut out most of her scenes that weren't with Anakin. That's how I'd do it.



* And maybe I'm overanalyzing a bit, but I don't get some mentalities in our culture that in order to be strong in general, a character has to kill things. I mean, I think it takes more strength to spare lives, not take them.

** I mean, she showed pity to a Dalek and even briefly had it reconsider a life outside killing (I say briefly because the Dalek destroyed itself. It's a sad episode), and she talked the Doctor out of shooting the Dalek even at risk to her own life. Seriously, I dare you to say that Rose Tyler doesn't have some serious guts in that moment. But I digress.

Comments

[lady-leia-solo.livejournal.com]

I totally agree about the Senate scenes. In the third film Padme scenes seem to me to be more about being Anakin's motivation. I think if the Senate scenes were shown she would have been more proactive.

[aikaterini.livejournal.com]

/he really should have put her scenes with the Senate back in/

I agree. At the very least, it would’ve shown that she was doing *something* other than sitting home. The queen of Naboo can’t find out that Padme and Anakin are married or that Padme is expecting a child because otherwise Padme will get fired, but apparently Padme can take all this time off from work and nobody cares or asks why?

/And a sort of juxtaposition between Anakin and Padme: the man who birthed the Empire (or helped, at least) and the woman who birthed the Rebellion. Maybe add in the matter of Padme working behind the scenes to sabotage the inner workings of what's becoming the Empire the best she can, what with Palpatine becoming all the more determined to take her down just because of the threat she poses./

Yes, that would have been awesome. ^^

/have lighter moments for the both of them, things like wondering what to name their children, Padme talking about the life they could have back on Naboo with their family/

YES! Show some indication of how Luke and Leia got their names, show *some* involvement on Anakin’s part when it came to his children.

/And leave out that whole issue of the love triangle that was kinda sorta in the novelization; it really does add nothing/

Exactly, it was *not* needed. All it did was give fuel to the Obidala shippers.

/Of course Padme denies it -- he's had his moments of straying towards the Dark Side/

I hope that this version doesn’t include Anakin’s slaughter of the Sandpeople.

/Padme tries desperately to stop the fight, it's really no use. In the end, she has to intervene/

I like this addition because it gives her a more active role. Her unconsciousness after Anakin’s Force-choke just seemed like a way to conveniently get her off-screen and away from the action so that Obi-Wan and Anakin could have their fight. (This awkward contrivance is further heightened by the fact that after Obi-Wan checks her pulse, that’s the last that he or Anakin ever notice her before they start fighting. It’s as if Padme isn’t even there anymore. Guys, you don’t think that it would be a good idea to move the unconscious pregnant woman away from the lava and sulphuric atmosphere? You’re just going to leave her there?)

/Vader watching from a distance, newly suited, grief and guilt-stricken at the loss of his wife./

Oh, yes, this would have been lovely and so sad. And probably would have caused far less audience snickering and face-palms than the infamous “NOOOOO!”