I haven't posted to this Star Wars blog for nearly three years, I have realized. Sadly, I have not engaged in much discussion in the forums, either. Therefore, I have no idea how much this may have been hashed or rehashed again. But since this is my blog, what I say goes!

A couple days ago, I watched the prequel trilogy with my wife's little brother. He is twelve years old and he had never seen the Star Wars films! He had played the games and loved them, but had no idea where they came from. So I took it upon myself to introduce him to this crazy galaxy far, far away. We both enjoyed the films very much on my in-laws' home theater system and a great time was had by all involved.

In re-watching the films, however, I was really bothered by something that had not really struck me before. Toward the end of Episode III, Obi-Wan asks the medical droid how Padme is doing and the droid says they are losing her. She is medically healthy and the medical staff cannot explain it, but they are losing her. They surmise that she has lost the will to live. Now, I just can't get behind that.

Padme Naberrie Amidala is a symbol of strength in the first two films. She is steadfast legislator, a wise ruler, and a mighty warrior. Her resolve and stability are the very epitome of the power of women in the Star Wars franchise, rivalled only by her daughter in both the films and the subsequent expanded universe. Why then, this sudden turn to weakness? Why the decision to give up? I cannot believe that the Padme we witnessed in action in Episodes I and II would simply surrender and let herself die without any life-threatening conditions. Really? The birth of newborn twins does not give her any incentive to remain strong? Seriously? The claim that she made to Obi-Wan, that there is still good in Anakin, was not enough incentive to see him through the crisis? I don't buy it.

I would have felt better about that situation if those couple lines of dialogue had just been cut. Anakin/Vader gives her the ol' Force-choke and she collapses unconscious. I think that is enough. Had they just cut the lines about health and losing the will to live, it would have been believable. It would have been even more tragic - the unintentional, but very real murder of his beloved. As it stands, Palpatine lies to him about it, and she just gives up.

Her surrender in this situation, sort of ruins her character for me. I always looked at her as strong and unyielding. "What would Padme do if she were in your position?" "She would do her duty." Of course. She would not just give up on life, especially with two tiny babies to care for.

This may be heresy, but in this case, I believe Lucas got it wrong.