Chillichap's Review - Anakin Skywalker A to Z of Star Wars from Anakin Skywalker to Yoda - Letter 'A' - In a Galaxy far far away, May the 4th be with you!

Hello!

** Before you start reading, please can I say Spoiler Alert!  I whiz backward and forwards in time in the Star Wars saga and reveal lots of key plot developments-only fair to warn you **

Look I might have bitten off more than I can Chewie here (see what I did there?). I grew up watching Star Wars. I remember being in primary school and getting the original bubblegum packets-each had film cards and a strip of bubblegum. The excitement was palpable-even though I hadn't yet seen the film. Who were these strange characters with their odd looks and unusual names from a galaxy far far away? In homage to the best sci-fi film franchise ever, I've decided to make an A to Z of the characters and objects we've all grown to love and hate. It might take a while. Ee chee wa maa!



Introduction

  • Name: Anakin Skywalker AKA Darth Vader
  • Movie/Show Appearance: First appeared in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace-Episode I
  • Role: Central character to Star Wars story as it unfolds-turns from light to dark, then eventually light again.
  • Brief Description: First encountered on Tatooine as a boy slave by Qui-Gon Jinn & Obi-Wan Kenobi. Believed to be the Chosen One by the former who is set to bring balance to the Universe (a Jedi prophecy). A key character to the unfolding Star Wars story as he becomes the father of Luke Skywalker (Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!)

Appearance

  • Originally in cloth robes, but had a penchant for darker clothes as he got older (for some reason). Ended up in obsidian black shiny armour complete with a matching helmet.

Personality

  • Brave, ingenious and conflicted. Quite an ego. Sometimes a little reckless and loyal to close friends-this eventually dissipates as the dark side of the force takes him over.

Backstory

  • Raised as a slave on Tatooine by his slave mum Shimi Skywalker. He had amazing skills in electronics (creating C-3PO) and Podracing. Owned by junk dealer Watto. Qui-Gon Jinn saw Anakin's force sensitivity and secured his release. Trained by Obi-Wan Kenobi as his apprentice following Qui-Gon's death at the hands of Darth Maul.

Key Moments

  • Helped destroy the Droid Control Ship in the Battle of Naboo. Fell in love with Padme Amidala who died giving birth to Luke and Leia. Transformed into the Sith Lord known as Darth Vader. Helped Luke defeat the Emperor at the cost of his own life.

Strengths and Weaknesses

  • Incredibly strong with the force. Fearless in battle. Strong leader, Innovative.
  • Weaknesses - Fear of loss and internal conflict. Unnecessarily violent and dispassionate after moving to the dark side. Perhaps he could've listened to and followed Obi-Wan's training a little more.

Relationships

  • Anakin loved his mother Shimi Skywalker. When he found out that she'd died at the hands of Tuskan raiders, he hunted them down and killed the entire camp of traders which included women and children. 
  • Anakin and his master Obi-wan Kenobi had an often tense relationship where Anakin would often break protocol and go off to do his own thing. He just about stayed on the right side of Obi-wan Kenobi until they battled Mustafar where Obi-Wan defeats Anakin by gaining the high ground and using defensive form III (or Soresu). Then of course later is the classic fight where Anakin defeats Obi-Wan Kenobi-or does he (there's an argument to say that this is what Obi-Wan actually wanted)?
  • Anakin was also in love with Padme Amidala, but his fear of losing those he loved was exploited by the Emperor, souring his and Padme's relationship. Also when Padme found out the horrible things Anakin had done, she realised that she had to be away from him.
  • Finally the Emperor and Anakin. A pivotal relationship where the Emperor pretty much indoctrinated Anakin into the dark side, first as Palpatine and then as the Emperor.

Legacy

  • Anakin will be mostly remembered in the Star Wars saga for succumbing to the dark force. This showed how powerful the dark side and the Emperor truly were. Every big story needs an effective baddie and Anakin AKA Darth Vader truly fulfilled that role and was equally as feared as the Emperor. The main storyline though is about redemption and how it's never too late to change.

Final Thoughts

  • Anakin's journey through the Star Wars saga was mostly a tragedy with the thin vein of hope that he might find redemption through his son Luke. Ultimately Qui-Gon's feeling that Anakin would bring balance to the Universe was right as he helped Luke to defeat the Emperor. Anakin's character was pivotal to the whole Star Wars story, even exerting influence on the next generation ie Han and Leia's son, Ben, who renamed himself Kylo Ren. In the eternal battle between light and dark, light finally triumphed-showing that love was more powerful than the dark side.

Thanks for reading and may the force be with you.

Matt AKA Chillichap


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