We rank the 50 most memorable Star Wars deaths ever
By Ryan Wrenn
47. Shmi Skywalker
When Did They Die: Episode II: Attack of the Clones
Who Were They: Mother of Anakin Skywalker
How Did They Die: Tusken Raiders kidnapped her from her moisture farm on Tatooine and left her for dead in their camp
Anakin’s mother’s death is, along with those of the Jedi younglings’, one of the most telling and meaningful in the rise and fall of Anakin Skywalker. Granted, like most women in the Star Wars trilogies, she’s not given a whole lot of time to become a well-rounded character. But the effect it has on the universe is undeniable.
We only really see her in Phantom Menace, where’s she’s primarily used as a prop to demure and frown over all of Anakin’s podracing and Jedi antics. Even when Qui-Gon Jinn manages to secure Anakin’s freedom from slavery, he doesn’t seem especially concerned with the fact that his mother will be left behind. Yes, we get that sad-goodbye set piece toward the end, but after that Anakin doesn’t bat too many eyelashes about going to Naboo and, you know, becoming a child soldier.
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Even if Anakin’s concern for his mother’s fate does feel a bit shoe-horned into the plot of Attack of the Clones, her death is still pretty dark stuff. Once again we’re confronted with the fact that these are children’s movies that happen to feature themes of revenge and outright murder.
Shmi’s death, then, isn’t exactly remembered as among the series’ best.
Next: 46. All The Jedi