Why Is Padme Amidala’s Book Important To Me?
With The Last Jedi being released tonight in select locations and tomorrow for the rest of the country, Star Wars is on everyone’s mind. I know we all are scrambling to re-watch the whole series before December 15th hits. As someone who has been a Star wars fan since the small age of eight, I am overly excited about another installment of this iconic series. I remember when my dad first introduced the series to me, we watched A New Hope, and immediately I fell in love with the adventure. I’ve grown up on the movies, watched the TV shows and even read the books. George Lucas created something spectacular, which will forever be encapsulated in my heart. Out of this franchise, the world came to know some of its most cherished heroes, Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, Han Solo, Anakin Skywalker, Obi Wan Kenobi, Padme Amidala, Ahsoka Tano, Satine Kryze, Finn, Poe Dameron, Cassian Andor, and Jyn Erso; that is just to name a few.
Each Series is Great
Each series is great for its own reason, but I have a soft spot for the prequels, they have always meant the most to me. They have the most development, and I was naturally attached to their characters instantly. Maybe I am a little bias because Anakin is my favorite character, but I always get excited when I see them receive love and appreciation. For countless years now, a multitude of fans, myself included, have always spoke on the lack of Padme Amidala in the series. Like Leia, she is such a strong character but is often underappreciated and even forgotten because there is not a lot of mention of her, which breaks my heart. Everyone mentions Anakin/Darth Vader for obvious reasons, but somehow Padme is rarely mentioned, which is too bad because she was a great addition to the Star Wars world. Padme was not just the mother to Luke and Leia, or even just the wife to Anakin, though I love those relationships dearly, she was more than that. She was a queen, a senator, a leader, a woman thrown into politics at a young age fighting for democracy, and her people, which we saw in The Clone War series, but I would have loved to see more, as well as in the films.
It’s About Time
Recently it was confirmed that Padme will have a novel set to be released April of 2018. Can I say IT’S ABOUT TIME! I am ready to see my queen and senator receive the love she deserves. It’s her time to shine. There aren’t any details about the book, but some predict that it will be between the time frame of The Phantom Menace, and The Attack of the Clones. There is a huge time jump between both films; therefore a lot could be explored. Personally, I would love for them to indulge in Padme’s story of becoming a queen. Padme has talked about what led to her political career, as a result, it would be refreshing to learn more about her journey as a political activist, maybe even see her dealing with all the responsibility at a young age. We could also learn more about Naboo. One of the reason’s I love Clone Wars so much is because periodically we as the audience see Anakin, Obi Wan, Ahsoka, and Padme making trips there to negotiate, but it would be cool to learn even more about the planet’s customs and government, especially from Padme’s perspective. Learn about her family and how she grew up, which would give us insight into how Padme became the person whom we have grown to admire and love today.
An Entire Book for Padme?
Many people may ask is an entire book dedicated to Padme necessary? ABSOULTELY! Star Wars is such a great series with so many strong yet different characters. Luke is great and iconic, as is Ahsoka, two very different characters but equally important. The majority of our favorites have had at least one book about them, why should Padme be any different? She shouldn’t. As a young adult female, it is so important to see multiple depictions of strong females that are relatable. Padme is a reminder that I can do anything through dedication, and if I set my mind to it. When I first met the character in The Phantom Menace, like Anakin, I loved her immediately. She was the first time at such a young age for me to notice a female in such vital political role in a film. For someone so young, Padme had so much knowledge, grace and seemed more adult like than a youth. Padme cares deeply for her people, home and is not afraid to get her hands wet as well as fighting alongside the Jedi. “Aggressive negotiations.” She is independent, authoritative but still kind and respectful. Padme always remained true to morals and what she spent her life fighting for, but still loyal to her family, to her husband. Though she falls in love and tries to save him in the best way she can, love is not the only definition of who Padme is, she is so much more than that. Why wouldn’t we want a book about that?
Special thanks to Lindsey Johnson for writing this article: Passionate, Creative, and Fantasy; these are three perfect words to describe the essence of why I love Disney. Disney allows me to escape my reality, and enter into different worlds through artistic stories beyond my wildest imagination.