Post by Subtext Mining on Jul 29, 2022 16:57:40 GMT
One of the most common complaints I see directed towards the PT story is that the Jedi or Padmé should have freed Shmi from slavery. While that would be great for Shmi, it creates a problem. Or I should say many problems. But I'll focus on one of the biggest ones here.
If Padmé or the Jedi had freed Shmi, Palpatine would have known about it. Either through his close association with them, (as even E.K. Johnston explores in the EU book where Padmé does try to free her), or through Anakin himself telling Palpatine about it.
Sheev knowing of her freedom opens up too high a probability that he would have been behind Shmi's inevitable, tragic demise, whatever it may have been. Or basically, it makes it practically impossible to debate that he wouldn't. It's gives too much to Occam's Razor that he'd likely cause something to happen to her.
This of course gives him too much power over such a crucial turn of events, thus creating a contrived feeling in the writing.
Palpatine already does enough in the story, we don't need him killing Shmi, too. Her death was sad enough as it is, this would just add insult to injury, and make Palpatine way too omnipresent, pulling all the strings of the story.
Anakin and Shmi's relationship is sacred. It's the heart of the saga. Putting Palpatine's hands in there makes it too profane.
Realistically, I think if Palpatine wanted something to happen to Shmi he'd arrange to have her freed himself, and then orchestrate something. But life on Tatooine is dangerous for both slaves and the free, and Palpatine undoubtedly knows of Anakin's attachment, so it seems he was content to allow the hands of fate do their work.
As everyone above has said, what makes him a great villain is that can adapt and take advantage of the circumstances and goings on of others to further his plans - not that he creates them.
I always see detractors saying Lucas never gave this much thought, or that it's underdeveloped. But I think it's quite the contrary. From what I gather, it took extensive consideration. It seems he had to weigh all the variables and see which gears worked best, and the way that it is is the most workable option available, is most streamlined, feels the least contrived and facilitates all the necessary story elements.
Besides I can't imagine taking such an important part of Cliegg's story away from him like that, either. I feel the story benefits most having he and Shmi meet and he frees her. He must've sold a lot of stuff to buy her, which helps show how much they loved each other.
If Padmé or the Jedi had freed Shmi, Palpatine would have known about it. Either through his close association with them, (as even E.K. Johnston explores in the EU book where Padmé does try to free her), or through Anakin himself telling Palpatine about it.
Sheev knowing of her freedom opens up too high a probability that he would have been behind Shmi's inevitable, tragic demise, whatever it may have been. Or basically, it makes it practically impossible to debate that he wouldn't. It's gives too much to Occam's Razor that he'd likely cause something to happen to her.
This of course gives him too much power over such a crucial turn of events, thus creating a contrived feeling in the writing.
Palpatine already does enough in the story, we don't need him killing Shmi, too. Her death was sad enough as it is, this would just add insult to injury, and make Palpatine way too omnipresent, pulling all the strings of the story.
Anakin and Shmi's relationship is sacred. It's the heart of the saga. Putting Palpatine's hands in there makes it too profane.
Realistically, I think if Palpatine wanted something to happen to Shmi he'd arrange to have her freed himself, and then orchestrate something. But life on Tatooine is dangerous for both slaves and the free, and Palpatine undoubtedly knows of Anakin's attachment, so it seems he was content to allow the hands of fate do their work.
As everyone above has said, what makes him a great villain is that can adapt and take advantage of the circumstances and goings on of others to further his plans - not that he creates them.
I always see detractors saying Lucas never gave this much thought, or that it's underdeveloped. But I think it's quite the contrary. From what I gather, it took extensive consideration. It seems he had to weigh all the variables and see which gears worked best, and the way that it is is the most workable option available, is most streamlined, feels the least contrived and facilitates all the necessary story elements.
Besides I can't imagine taking such an important part of Cliegg's story away from him like that, either. I feel the story benefits most having he and Shmi meet and he frees her. He must've sold a lot of stuff to buy her, which helps show how much they loved each other.
