15 best Anakin Skywalker moments in Star Wars
By Tom Farr
11. Anakin refuses to leave Obi-Wan
Anakin and Obi-Wan’s relationship throughout the prequels is marked by Anakin’s frustration that Obi-Wan is holding him back from achieving his true potential as a Jedi. This is most obvious in Attack of the Clones, which reveals Anakin to be a petulant whiny teenager.
The Clone Wars television series explored their relationship more in-depth, revealing the friendship and brotherhood the two shared. It also showed Anakin growing out of the immaturity that characterized him in Attack of the Clones. After Anakin kills Dooku in Revenge of the Sith, he knows that the rescue mission for Supreme Chancellor Palpatine is far from over. The ship they’re on is on a collision course, and Anakin must get Palpatine and Obi-Wan, who was knocked unconscious in the battle with Dooku, to safety. Palpatine suggests that Anakin leave Obi-Wan because there isn’t enough time. Anakin responds, “His fate will be the same as ours.” He refuses to leave Obi-Wan, which demonstrates the genuine care he has for his master and friend.
It also demonstrates a significant area of blindness Anakin suffers when it comes to Palpatine. When Palpatine insists that they leave Obi-Wan behind, there’s no compassion laced in his voice. Instead, there’s a cold detachment to it, as if Obi-Wan’s life is easily expendable. Anakin doesn’t see what’s right in front of him, however, and Palpatine continues to manipulate Anakin until all the good in him is drowned out by the Dark Side.