I discover a terrible truth about Anakin Skywalker and his transformation to Darth Vader in Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, one I never picked up on before now.
Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith is my favorite Star Wars film of any era; the original trilogy, prequel era, or even the Disney regime. Perhaps, its when my Star Wars fandom reached a fever pitch at the age of 21.
Or the fact that the video game and novel variation delved me deeper into a galaxy far, far away like never before. If you haven’t read the Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith book adaptation, stop reading my rambles here and read that instead, first!
It could be my man-crush on Hayden Christensen, who portrays Anakin Skywalker brilliantly in the prequels, who I had the honor of meeting at Star Wars Celebration 2017 — and now I can die a happy geek.
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The Force is mysterious and I cannot explain why I connect with Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith on such a unique and deep level, but it’s a Star Wars film that I continue to consume even 13 years-plus after its release.
I’ve probably seen Episode III 1,000 times (that’s not an over-exaggeration) and have read the book about 100, so it’s safe to say that I’ve caught everything from its story — or so I thought.
Venturing through the comments section of the Darth Vader transformation video on YouTube, I learned a terrible truth. Anakin Skywalker’s transformation into Darth Vader is more tragic than I — the biggest Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith fanboy out there — could possibly dream of.
Watch the video right below this paragraph and pay close attention once you hit the 2:08-2:09 mark.
Did you see Anakin Skywalker’s lips moving as the mask of the menacing Sith Lord dons on him for the very first time?
He utters something that is difficult to make out, but upon hearing it, I nearly dropped my Darth Vader mug full of coffee.
Anakin Skywalker, in one last digged-effort, before his imprisonment as Darth Vader for the next 23 years, cries out for help. He yearns for his beloved Padme, with the words, “Padme, help me.”
After discovering this, who cares about the tragedy of Darth Plaguies the wise; the tragedy of Anakin Skywalker and his transformation into Darth Vader is far more tragic.
You know the rest. Darth Vader, or undoubtedly the little bit of Anakin still on the surface asks his new Master, “Where is Padme? Is she safe? Is she alright.”
The Emperor, of course, lies to his Apprentice — remember that treachery is the ways of the Sith — telling Darth Vader that he is the one that killed his beloved. Darth Vader flips out, destroying virtually everything in the room and (seemingly) what’s left of his former self.
Adding even more depth to my recent discovery is the latest Darth Vader (2017) Marvel Star Wars comic, which picks up immediately after the iconic, “NOOOOOOOO.”
Darth Vader attempts to kill his Master but is hit with Force lightning, quickly learning that he’s no match for Darth Sidious. He’ll have to bide his time and wait until a new hope arises to overthrow the Emperor.
Next: An ancient Sith Lord added to Star Wars canon
Throughout the Star Wars canon and even Legends, a persistent flickering light is evident within Darth Vader; what’s left of Anakin Skywalker, that is.
His love for Padme is what allows for his Return(of the Jedi) nearly a quarter-century later, something he cried out for upon his beginnings as Darth Vader.