Ahsoka In The Back With A Baby!!!

I usually stick to canon, but the legends Jedi Apprentice series has a very special place in my heart partially because giving obi-wan a messed up apprenticeship where he was a child soldier several times adds so much to his character... directly informs his views on war and violence and a Jedi's role in those acts... anyway hey alexa play a pearl by Mitski

very much spitballing here, forgive me, but i think for the sake of the narrative needing a negative controlling idea and glucas’ use of obi-wan as a centering device in both his trilogies, obi-wan never really processes his role as a soldier and how that led to the fall of the republic. (obviously the jedi’s militarization wasn’t the only factor nor did they “deserve” their genocide. let’s be adults). because by the time of anh obi-wan is isolated, and regretful, but he still talks of fighting/war/battle in this either nuetral or valorizing tone. he hypes up both yoda and anakin as expert warriors. and when it comes down to it, 11th hour, he tells luke to kill vader. he tells him it needs to be done. BUT! when we meet yoda, he’s lowkey pushing back on that. he rejects the warrior label obi-wan gave him. even as he preps luke for what he knows is inevitable (a vader confrontation), he tells luke to forsake his weapons. you compare that to mr obi fuck-it-lightsaber-in-the-cantina wan there, that’s such an interesting divide. at the end of the day both yoda and obi-wan form a thematic block that luke needs to overcome, but they come at it from different angles. not to mention in the pt yoda is the only jedi with consistent lil moments of “hmm. fucked up we have”, and all those little moments coming to fruition puts him in such a deep shame that he fucks off to a swamp forever. with hindsight, his whole “wars not make one great” deal comes off very much like he’s processing the reality of counting on this kid to kill his dad and not feeling too good about it maybe

it’s been three whole entire years

it is so so cool how the first ever mention of padme comes at the tail end of rotj, just a half-memory from leia (“beautiful, kind…but sad”) that luke desperately clings to. and then the first ever onscreen appearance of padme comes from a screen-within-a-screen as she threatens the trade federation (“its queen amidala herself!”) in queen regalia so elaborate it masks her identity. we see padme through the eyes and faded memories of others before we get to know her as a human being. she barely steps out of that imperial queen persona for the whole of tpm, and then by the time we do get to see who padme really is and what she’s like with the queen mask off (aotc, rots), we find out she is, in fact, the sum of both her kids. she is endlessly forgiving and very smart and she burns for justice but is forever marked by war. she is her son, she is her daughter. you have this urge to see more of padme throughout the films, then by the time she’s telling vader she sees the good in him, you realize you’ve known her all along:) and luke’s response of “i have no memory of my mother, i never knew her” hits a million times harder, because he didn’t need to know her to carry out her legacy. it’s loose and a bit clunky but this is the magic to star wars releasing in backwards order, you get to find out padme never died!

There is this common narrative among Star Wars fans that Anakin is the Jedi who cares most for his clone soldiers, but I think, this misses an important part of his character. Anakin may have a close relationship with (some of) his clones, but that doesn't mean he’s free from the authoritarian mindset that defines him.

Anakin’s belief in authoritarian leadership is one of his defining traits and a source of tension in his relationship with Padmé. In Episode II, Anakin’s conversation with her about order and strong leadership ("someone wise should make them agree") gives us a glimpse into his worldview, where he sees control as a necessary tool for peace and stability. It's not subtle.

Anakin thrives as a general in a military hierarchy where he has the power to command and enforce order. His leadership style reflects his belief in decisive action and control. He expects obedience, and when his authority is challenged, he doesn't respond well. He also doesn't respond well when he feels regulated by others, like the Jedi Council.

Fives is a prime example of how Anakin’s relationship with his clones can collapse in an instance when someone seriously questions his authority. And by questioning and allegedly trying to assassinate the chancellor, Fives challenges Anakin's authority by proxy as he deeply respects Palpatine's.

When Fives uncovers the truth about the inhibitor chips and questions the entire system, Anakin is unable to process the challenge in a way that reflects true understanding or empathy for Fives's situation. This reinforces the idea that while Anakin may be fond of his clones personally, his leadership is ultimately grounded in control, not a deeper sense of equality or solidarity with them.

The argument that Anakin’s background as a slave makes him more understanding of the clones' situation may be often invoked to justify the assumption of them being close. However, this doesn’t stop him from reproducing the same power dynamics that disempowered him. Anakin’s struggle is that he’s trying to distance himself from the slave master archetype by being a "good leader", but in doing so, he still maintains the hierarchical structure that strips the clones of real agency.

Got inspired, made something, hope you enjoy.

Pretty accurate if I do say so myself.

Nooooo he probably drew a little stick figure family with space crayons

there must have been a moment when cassian was first able to communicate to maarva and clem that he had a little sister

A gender? *Glances around, reaches into trenchcoat* yeah I think I have one of those. But it's gonna cost ya

Just had a vision of my death! After conferring with the Council (the voices in my head) we've concluded that I may be able to buy myself a couple extra years if I have a Tumblr, so here I am.

Anakin: *appears*

*Vader's theme plays*

Me (with increasing hysteria): What do you mean by that? Dave?! DAVE, WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT