Three years beforeAnakin Skywalkerfell to the dark side and became Darth Vader inStar Wars, he warned Padmé about one of his gravest shortcomings—yet she, and the Jedi, didn’t understand these signs in time.Anakin Skywalker’sStar Warstimelineis one of the most devastating aspects ofStar Warsmovies and TV shows. Yes, Anakin goes on to become a true villain and one ofStar Wars’most powerful Sith, but throughout the prequel trilogy, it’s clear that there are aspects of Anakin’s story that are genuinely tragic and heartbreaking.

This is, after all, why George Lucas controversially decided to have Anakin be a young boy inStar Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace. He wanted Anakin’s story to represent the fact that even the purest and most innocent people can be corrupted and twisted to evil under the right circumstances, which is ultimately precisely what happened to Anakin. Before that complete transformation into a Sith Lord, however,Anakin predicted the very issue that would lead him to turn to the dark side.

Padme in her black corset dress in Attack of the Clones looking at Anakin

Anakin Warned Padmé That He Cannot Be Rational

Even Before The Tusken Raider Incident, Anakin Knew Where He Fell Short

Frustratingly,inStar Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones, Anakin and Padmé talk very openly and even wisely about the things that would lead to their downfall. Padmé acknowledges that having a secret relationship would destroy them because of the amount of deception it would require of them, which is proven true inStar Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sithwhen the news that Padmé is pregnant amplifies their anxieties about their secret. In this same vein, Anakin directly tells Padmé that he knows he cannot be rational.

Anakin directly tells Padmé that he knows he cannot be rational.

Anakin crying in Attack of the Clones in a red hue to the left and Vader at the end of Revenge of the Sith to the right

Specifically,while speaking about his feelings for Padmé, Anakin says,“You’re asking me to be rational. That is something that I know I cannot do.“This comment may have seemed minor, but it was really an accurate prediction of what exactly Anakin’s downfall would be. In the end, Anakin was unable to deal with his nightmares about Padmé dying in a way that was reasonable or logical. Instead, he spiraled out of control because of his fears, and it led him directly down the path to the dark side.

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Padmé & The Jedi Continued To Ignore Anakin’s Warning Signs

Anakin’s Fall Isn’t Their “Fault,” But They Did Ignore The Signs

This is just another example of the people closest to Anakin ignoring the glaring signs that he was well on his way to joining the dark side of the Force. The Jedi Council had their concerns, which they had voiced from the very beginning, but they nevertheless overlooked things that really needed to be addressed head on. This included Obi-Wan never confronting Anakin about his relationship with Padmé, which he was well aware had crossed the line into a romantic attachment, asStar Wars: The Clone Warsmade particularly clear.

This is just another example of the people closest to Anakin ignoring the glaring signs that he was well on his way to joining the dark side of the Force.

Natalie Portman as Padme Amidala in two different Revenge of the Sith looks, edited over a texturized background

Padmé was also guilty of this several times, most notably just a few scenes after Anakin’s confession that he could not be rational inAttack of the Clones. When Padmé learns that Anakin slaughtered the men, women, and children at the Tusken Raider camp, she has a bizarrely muted reaction, essentially telling him his anger is simply human. Not only does Padmé not rebuke Anakin for this horror, but she also seemingly neglects to ever bring this to anyone’s attention, including Obi-Wan’s.

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Of course, neither the Jedi nor Padmé are responsible for Anakin’s fall. He made these choices largely of his own accord and must bear the responsibility for his wrongdoing. Even so, it’s frustrating to see how many times those around Anakin ignored the warning signs when intervening would have saved everyone quite a bit of pain and suffering. This moment between Anakin and Padmé is yet another example ofAnakin Skywalkerdemonstrating precisely what would bring about his downfall inStar Warsbut those around him failing to see the signs for what they were and act.