Well, it's a rumour. But then again the clue is already in TPM when Yoda notices Anakin's strong feelings for his mother. Anakin fears for her and fear leads to hate, hate leads to suffering. Shmi's death may cause a chain reaction to Anakin's feelings thus triggering his hate and bingo: the journey to the Dark Side is complete.
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I think Anakin's turn will certainly have some sort of a connection with both his mother AND Padmé. Like you said, Shmi is very likely to die and Padmé may have some sort of an affair (I know that seems unlike her, but she may have relationship with Bail). I'm sure Obi-Wan plays an important role too. In fact, don't you think it's possible that Anakin's turn will be affected by all the main characters? That would be great. Have any of you read the play, "An Inspector Calls"? In that, a woman commits suicide and an inspector arrives at a house of a rich family and each family member has their own connection with the death of the woman.
Perhaps Anakin's turn is similar. Shmi dies, Padmé has an affair (or something like that), Obi-Wan is forced to fight him (for some reason or another) and then Palpatine gives Anakin the last kick that turns him to the Dark Side. Other characters may be involved too, although I'm not sure what Jar Jar would do. lol
I think it will be a gradual decline towards the dark side over the next film and the first half of EII. I am pretty sure that Shmi will die and this will probably be the first step. I think he will have so much going on that as bad as it would be to him for her to die he will have to move on quickly. He may end up surpressing his emotions as all these things add up and then Obi-Wan will have to confront him about his slip towards the dark side and this will cause him to snap, thus leading to their confrontation at the volcano.
Paddy... hehehehe 🙂
I agree with Mace. I think Shmi's death will indeed be the first step in the path that will cause him to fall. Shmi will probably die in Ep2, something will happen to Padme that may cause a breach of Anakin's trust in the Jedi. Other events will culminate until his fall to the dark side. The question remains, what happens to him that will make him turn so drastically from an innocent boy caring for others and giving "hope to those who have none" to the Dark Lord of the Sith who "must obey his master"? A clue must lie in the nature of Palpatine's evil power over Anakin somehow.
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I agree RC. I think GL has sort of hinted that the main basic reason for Anakin turning to the Dark Side is because it is an easier path than the one he already follows. Although it would seem surprising I personally believe that Palpatine might not play that much of an important role in Anakin's turn. I think that his life will just get too rough on him and too tough with all these tragic events and wars going on around him. So Palpatine will make a deal with him: join the most powerful force in the galaxy and get away from all the troubles in his current life in return for dedication to his master and constant practise in the Sith arts.
I think Palpatine just gives him the last kick after his fight with Obi-Wan.
Good point DD. Although... I wonder what OB1 meant when he told Luke: "This is a dangerous time for you, when you will be tempted by the dark side." It could point out that Luke's at a stage where he is beginning to master his powers and where the dark side is an easy alternative. On the other hand, it could also mean that Luke because noticable in the Force and that Palpy may move towards him ("There is a disturbance in the Force"😉.
I don't know really. I kinda like the idea that Anakin falls due to his own faults, but who offers him the alternative path? It must be Palpy, somehow...
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Re: Anakin
I don't want it to be Anakin's own fault that he turns to the Dark Side. It want all the other characters to be responsible so that they learn from their mistakes and it would also make it seem more tragic if Anakin became evil not by himself but because other people force him to somehow.
Re: Anakin
Well, OB1 was responsible for his padawan, so Anakin's failure is automatically OB1's failure.
And I think it's too easy too blame it on others. Of course, their conduct will influence Anakin, but for me it must be totally clear it is Anakin who chooses the Dark Side. Otherwise his redemption is not so very strong. I would find it very weak if Anakin becomes the victim of the series. The fact that he started his training at a later age must have something to do with it. Probably he gets disappointed with people because of his own views as taught by his mother. But his views may be a little too confined to one planet to fit the problems of the universe. It's his disappointment in people that will cause him to fall, I think.
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Re: Anakin
I agree, it has to be clear cut that his ultimate failure is brought about by his own actions. If others are to blame in any way then the whole redemption thing is worthless and doens't mean anything.
He needs to be seen to have been making some kind of atonement in ROTJ for his earlier failures.