IMAGE |
Tsum-Tsum T-shirt, by Disney |
WALLPAPER |
 Untitled by Grant Gould (for StarWars.com) |
FAN ART |
 by master--burglar |
FAN FICTION |
Rush by Love and Rock Music. (TCW) The first half of "Destroy Malevolence," as Anakin and Padmé make their way towards each other. |
P/A SITE
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CALENDAR
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THE
MOMENTS: THE CLONE WARS (2008)
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Episode 6x06: The Rise of Clovis
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1) Tension. Upon return to Coruscant, Palpatine orders Padmé to work with Clovis to investigate the alleged diversion of Banking Clan funds into secret accounts. Anakin asks why she didn’t just say no. She tells him the Chancellor asked this of her. Anakin says as her husband he is asking - demanding - that she refuse. Padmé insists she will not be deceived by Clovis again and that Anakin needs to trust her. Anakin’s look is pained when she walks away with Clovis.
(Again - I get where the writers were trying to go, but I think it’s overkill for Anakin to be so controlling of her. Yes, I can see him being bothered. But this alpha male “you do as I tell you” behavior? Ehh. That doesn’t feel like Anakin. Vader, yes. But he’s not Vader yet.)
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2) Anakin's Quarters. In Anakin’s room at the Temple, Obi-Wan gently pries him to admit that his feelings for Padmé, while natural, are clouding his judgment. Anakin insists there is nothing but friendship between him and Padmé. And friendship it must remain, Obi-Wan counters. Anakin admits she and Clovis had a relationship, and claims he’s concerned it is her judgment that is clouded. Obi-Wan says if there is nothing but a business relationship between her and Clovis, then there shouldn’t be any problems. (I am glad we got to see Anakin’s Jedi quarters at last, and do think it in character that he would retreat there and start tinkering with his ships when bothered, at least.)
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3) Mistaken Impressions. That evening, in Padmé's quarters, she and Clovis discuss their investigation. The conversation takes a personal turn, and soon he is questioning Padmé about her relationship with Anakin. She insists there's nothing romantic - at which point Clovis tries to force Padmé into a romantic embrace, despite her protests. It is at this point Anakin walks in. Anakin instantly attacks and the two men begin fighting. Padmé tries to tell them to stop, to which Anakin tells her she doesn't have a say in this (what the FUCK?!). Anakin gives her a stricken look when Clovis says she said there were no feelings between her and Anakin. As they fight, Clovis continues to needle Anakin, and Anakin soon pins him on the floor, punching him repeatedly. Perhaps Padmé's pleas finally reach him, because Anakin soon comes to his senses, horrified. When Padmé's security shows up, Clovis spouts a story about Anakin saving him from an attacker who escaped. After, Anakin tries to reach out to Padmé - and she tells him to stay away from her.
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4) Time Apart. In the following conversation, Anakin is apologetic but still doesn't seem to believe Padmé when she says she feels nothing for Clovis. She tells Anakin a secret marriage is built on lies and deception - and nothing can survive that, especially if there’s no trust. She says she doesn't know who's inside Anakin sometimes, and doesn't feel safe - so they should stay apart for a while. Frankly, the only in-character moment in this entire scene for me is that when Padmé does request this separation, Anakin doesn't question it, but accepts it. When Anakin leaves, Typho asks if she’s all right. No, she replies, pained.
I think a far better take on this scene, should they have insisted on highlighting Anakin’s instability - would be for him to realize Clovis was forcing himself on Padmé, and have THAT be the trigger for his rage. Anakin's a former slave, no doubt he saw some ugly behavior - perhaps including rape - towards women on Tatooine, perhaps even involving his own mother. Having his trigger be a continued romantic mistrust of Padmé - no, I don’t agree with that. And her comment of "I don’t know who's in there sometimes, I don’t feel safe" - seriously? Outside of this arc, prior to their final confrontation on Mustafar - when has she EVER shown any indication that she has a fear of Anakin, especially of him doing something to her? Even after the Tusken slaughter, while she was alarmed... she didn't push Anakin away. She wasn't afraid of him doing something to her.
5) Separated. Later, Anakin is conflicted as he watches Padmé at Clovis’s side as the Senate confirms him as new head of the Banking Clan.
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