What If Palpatine Truly Cared About Anakin and Padmé? Let’s explore the depths of it in the video.
Anakin sits quietly in the opera house as Palpatine finishes his tale about Darth Plagueis the Wise. But he can tell there is more to this story than simply a fable. There is a warning there and a promise of power. The power to stop someone from dying.
Despite his best efforts, he cannot quite hide his interest. This is the type of thing he’s been looking for, something that can help him save Padme from harm.
Palpatine: I know you have been having visions of Padme, Anakin. They must be truly terrifying to experience.
Anakin: How do you-
Palpatine: It shames me to admit it, my boy. But I was the one who sent you those visions.
Ankin: Angry. What how could you!
Palpatine: Please my boy, you must understand my reasoning. I did this to show you what could happen. Though you are powerful in the Force, you do not know everything and under the Jedi, you will never know much of what the Force can do.
Anakin: So Padme…she is not…
Palpatine: I do not know for certain and I doubt you may either. This is why it is important to learn these abilities, so you can be prepared for what happens. Believe me, my boy, I do not wish anything ill to fall upon you or Padme. But you of all people know how short-sighted the Jedi are. If some tragedy were to occur, whether to you or the galaxy, they will simply say that it is the will of the Force and turn their backs. I brought you here to talk on how to prevent that, to be proactive.
Anakin stops and stares at the chancellor, trying to make sense of everything he’s just said. He searches his voice, using the Force to look into him for any signs of deception. And yet, he can find nothing. He speaks truly right from the heart.
Slowly, the young Jedi calms down and says he will think about it. But when the play is over, he leaves without another word.
As Anakin returns to his quarters and sleeps, he finds no nightmares of Padme, perhaps as an act of truce from Palpatine. Instead, he finds himself thinking back to his experience in the Jedi Order, all the worst experiences. He recalls the times they’ve abandoned people for the sake of serving the Republic, how they allowed the will of the Senate to dictate her policy, and all the times they’ve sacrificed compassion for the sake of their Jedi Code.
When Anakin wakes up, his first instinct is to assume that Palpatine sent more visions to him. But as he rises to his feet, he realizes that this is not the case. This was his own experience that the Force had brought up to remind him and guide him to make his decision.
While he tries to brush it off at first, Anakin cannot fully dismiss what he saw and eventually decides to talk with Palpatine. This time though, he demands they speak properly, without manipulations or visions but simply to discuss the matters plainly. These are conditions Palpatine agrees to.
Palpatine: I am so glad you’ve decided to speak with me, Anakin. I understand you are still upset, so let me not waste your time. I think you of all people know of the Jedi’s inflexibility. They fear what they do not understand. Even if it could save the Republic.
Anakin: Perhaps, but some of that fear is well-founded it seems, given what you’ve done.
Palpatine: I will not say that I am perfect, but I have tried. You must believe me. I orchestrated the Naboo Crisis to show the galaxy how weak and ineffective the Republic was, but they did not listen. So I decided it must be bigger.
Anakin: So you started a war, let countless suffer and many more die to prove your point.
Palpatine: I did, and tell me. How did the Jedi respond during these two crisis? How did they try to address the problems? Did they learn anything?
This time, it is Anakin’s turn to go silent as those old memories resurfaced. The same memories that came back to him now give him all the answers he needs.
Palpatine: But that is what I want to change. It is only when there is a true threat to the Repblic’s existence, something they cannot possibly ignore that change can be made. That is why I need your help, Anakin. You do not trust me, but surely you can see these changes are necessary, so why not help me? Why not join me and provide your insights? You and Senator Amidala would be welcome additions.
Anakin wants to protest and decline this offer. He doesn’t want anything to do with this, but at the same time, he agrees that this idea has merit. A part of him has always wanted this and the chance to make such a difference is intriguing. Instead, he promises to talk to Padme about it.
Later that night, Aankin picks up Padme from the senate and escorts her home. From there, the two of them talk about what Palpatine says. Anakin says that Palpatine has begun to question the effectiveness of the Jedi and senate. He wants to take drastic action to reform it. As they talk, he lets slip that he
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