The Moons of Iego: The Padmé Amidala & Anakin Skywalker Website

MOMENTS : THE PHANTOM MENACE

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1) The First Meeting. In the shop in Mos Espa where he works as a slave, nine-year-old Anakin sees fourteen-year-old Padmé for the first time, and is instantly enamored of her. She is the most beautiful thing he has ever seen, and he asks if she is an angel. She thinks of him as a sweet, if funny, little boy, and asks him how he knows so much. He explains he listens to all the traveling pilots, and declares he's one too and will one day leave Tatooine. As they continue to talk Anakin mentions his slavery, which surprises Padmé. They continue their conversation until Qui-Gon tells her they're leaving. Padmé tells Anakin with a smile that she was glad to have met him; as she walks out Anakin calls after that he was glad to meet her too. Shortly after, Anakin's master Watto tells Anakin he can go home early, much to Anakin's happiness - undoubtedly in part to wanting to go find the beautiful girl he's just met again.

In the novelization of this scene (and in the personal canon of many P/A shippers), Anakin declares he'll one day marry Padmé. She good-naturedly laughs it off, saying that he's just a little boy. He won't always be, he quietly points out.

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2) To Anakin's / Meeting Threepio. When Anakin brings Padmé, Qui-Gon, Jar Jar, and Artoo home to provide shelter from a sandstorm, Anakin is quick to haul Padmé to his room (forward even as a 9-year old, heh ;-)) to show her the droid he's made by himself. Her approval has already become important to him, and she gives it easily, declaring Threepio "perfect."

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3) Dinner at the Skywalkers'. Okay, admittedly there's really not that much P/A-specific about this scene, other than they're sitting next to each other; the rest of this scene's purely plot exposition.

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4) Dawn Before the Race. In this DVD deleted scene, Padmé finds Anakin asleep outside and wakes him to get ready for the podrace. Padmé gently places a hand on his shoulder to guide him along after he first gets up, hinting at the ease they already have around one another (as well as her protective nature toward him). Other than that, the rest of the scene's purely expositional dialogue. I believe this would've been the scene in the novel where Anakin tells Padmé he's just had a dream of her leading an army into battle.

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5) Riding the Eopie. The two of them ride an eopie together to the podrace hangar-- showing just how adorable, even as kids, they look together. ;) Okay, so the little interactions (shared looks, grins, etc.) highlight the easy friendship the two have begun to share, too. Although part of me wonders just what Anakin is trying to get a look at when he twists his neck back around, heh...

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6) You Jedi Are Far Too Reckless. Padmé believes that Anakin racing for their benefit is a reckless danger, and disagrees with it passionately with Qui-Gon, further showing how protective she's become of Anakin. During the race itself, Padmé watches worriedly along with Shmi.

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7) The hug after Anakin wins the race. A very short and sweet moment overall, the lady rewarding her champion. Padmé feels genuine gratitude toward Anakin for what he's done for her and her retinue-- she eagerly hugs him (which he sure doesn't seem to mind ;)), smiling at him and telling him that she and her friends owe him everything.

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8) Padmé comforting Anakin on the Queen's ship. The P/A scene in Episode I. One night after leaving Tatooine and listening to an upsetting communication from Naboo, Padmé comes across Anakin alone and cold in a room on her ship. She covers him with a blanket (much like Leia does for Luke after Obi-Wan's death in Episode IV); Anakin notes how she seems sad, and Padmé confides her worries about the fate of Naboo. Anakin presents her with a carved japor pendant he has made for her, in the hopes she won't ever forget him. Padmé is grateful-- but assures Anakin that remembering him will not be a problem, that her caring for him will remain, no matter what changes come.

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9) On the Coruscant landing platform. Despite the regal and formal presences all around them, Padmé takes a moment to sneak Anakin a quick, but reassuring, smile.

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10) Again on the platform. In a scene extended on the DVD, as the Queen's entourage is set to travel from the Coruscant landing platform to Palpatine's apartment, Anakin realizes Qui-Gon isn't going with them and halts in confusion. Padmé, noticing Anakin lagging behind, stops and tells Anakin to come on anyway - a further indication of the caretaking impulse she has for him; she's watching out for him in this new and unfamiliar place.

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11) Her heart goes with you. On his way to be assessed by the Jedi Council, Anakin stops by the Queen's quarters to say goodbye to Padmé because he thinks he may never see her again. He finds the Queen instead, of course unaware that she and Padmé are one and the same. The Queen promises to pass on his words to Padmé, assuring Anakin that Padmé's heart goes with him. She would know, wouldn't she? ;-)

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12) I am Queen Amidala. As part of her plea for the Gungans' aid, Padmé reveals her true identity as Queen Amidala, to the shock of nearly everyone (except Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan), including Anakin, who gets a total 'WTF?!' look on his face. As Padmé continues to speak, Anakin swallows and his expression seems to take on a sadness to it, as if he's worried what this means for their friendship/their feelings toward each other. In the novelization - and as I kind of wish they'd done in the film - after this, Padmé takes Anakin aside and personally apologizes to him for the deception. She also assures him that just because she's Queen doesn't mean her feelings toward him have changed. Anakin happily declares his feelings haven't, either.

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13) Victory Celebration. Another sweet little personal moment-- admist the flurry of celebration all around them, Anakin in Padawan garb and Padmé in full Queen regalia, a wedding-like gown (perhaps foreshadowing their future nuptials at the end of the next film) exchange affectionate grins with one another. It's the first and only time we see Padmé smile so openly in her Queen persona: more effectively than anyone else, Anakin is able to melt through her formal exterior to the real girl/woman beneath.

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