I Never Knew That Darth Vader Saw Padmé as the Key to Ending the Jedi Order... But He Might Have a Point
Before Anakin Skywalker became Darth Vader, he made decisions based on how best to protect Padmé Amidala and their unborn child. After Anakin fell to the Dark Side, Vader had decades to reflect on the past, including how Padmé was the key to peace and the end of the Jedi Order.
In the five-issue comic miniseries Darth Vader and the Lost Command—written by Haden Blackman with art by Rick Leonardi, Dan Green, and Wes Dzioba—Darth Vader is depicted just a few years after the fall of the Republic. He embarks on a mission assigned to him by Emperor Palpatine to test his trustworthiness.
Throughout the series, Vader experiences visions of Padmé, glimpsing the life they could have had if the Republic had never fallen. Through these visions, Vader realizes that Padmé was the key to achieving peace in the galaxy, ultimately rendering the Jedi Order unnecessary.
Darth Vader's Visions Reveal Padmé’s Survival Could Have Brought Peace to the Galaxy
Padmé’s Survival Would Have Changed EVERYTHING
While Anakin Skywalker was the prophesied Chosen One, Darth Vader and the Lost Command shows that, although Anakin could have ended the Clone Wars and eradicated the Sith, it was Padmé who would have truly brought lasting peace afterward. Darth Vader’s visions of Padmé begin while he is undergoing medical maintenance, where he becomes overwhelmed by extreme pain and regret. Vader cries out for his deceased wife, apologizing for being the cause of her death. These visions and dreams of Padmé continue throughout the five-issue miniseries, providing him with both comfort and intense pain at the sight of her.
In one particular vision, Vader sees himself as Anakin with Padmé and their child—a son named Jinn—years after the Clone Wars have ended. Though the exact timeframe is unclear, Jinn appears to be around 12 years old and is a Padawan. The family shares a joyful moment before stepping into the Senate chambers, where Padmé is declared the Supreme Chancellor. Jinn remarks to his father that if his mother brings peace to the entire galaxy, the Jedi will become obsolete. Anakin responds that he can only hope Padmé achieves just that.
Padmé Was the Key to Eliminating the Jedi Order
Padmé & Anakin Could Have Been the Path for True Change
The scene of Anakin, Padmé, and Jinn together as a happy family in a thriving galaxy, where both the Jedi and the universe as a whole are flourishing, is truly touching. However, the realization that Padmé would have been the key to a peaceful existence—thus eliminating the need for the Jedi Order to maintain balance—is both significant and valid. Padmé consistently worked for the betterment of the galaxy, often risking her life in the process. She was on the path to true change, with Anakin by her side.
10 Heartbreaking Star Wars Moments That Proved Anakin & Padme Were Doomed From The Start
Although Anakin and Padme's relationship is one of the most beloved aspects of the Star Wars franchise, they were unfortunately destined to fail.
Padmé's Influence on Anakin Shaped the Fate of the Galaxy and Led to the Rise of the Empire
Anakin's Drive to Protect Padmé Was His Undoing
Padmé's political career began when she was Queen of Naboo, where her actions garnered widespread support from the people of Naboo. They even sought to amend their constitution to allow her to serve a third term. Although she declined, her determination to bring stability to the galaxy only grew over the years and carried into her role as a Senator. Throughout the Clone Wars, Padmé consistently advocated for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. However, she was unaware of the dark forces working behind the scenes to undermine her efforts and pacifist lobbying.
Not only was Padmé a formidable political force, but she was also Anakin’s salvation and source of personal peace. Had Anakin not given in to his fear of losing Padmé—allowing Palpatine to exploit that fear and turn him to the Dark Side—he would have lived the life he always dreamed of when he and Padmé married. It was the same life he sought to secure by searching for ways to prevent the nightmares of Padmé’s death. Ironically, the life Vader sees in his visions wasn’t unattainable, and it didn’t come to pass only because of his wrong choices.
Vader’s visions are filled with regret, adding to his tragic nature and illustrating that Anakin Skywalker was never truly gone. Though Darth Vader and the Lost Command is part of “Star Wars Legends” and therefore not canon in the main franchise, Vader's regret, loss, and heartbreak over losing Padmé and their unborn child—children, unbeknownst to both Anakin and Padmé—align with canon. Padmé’s lasting influence is also consistent within the canon. However, what Padmé could have accomplished if Anakin had made different choices remains an unanswered and heartbreaking question.
Darth Vader and the Lost Command is now available to read from Marvel Comics!
- Created by
- George Lucas
- First Film
- Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope
- Cast
- Mark Hamill, James Earl Jones, David Prowse, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Ian McDiarmid, Ewan McGregor, Rosario Dawson, Lars Mikkelsen, Rupert Friend, Moses Ingram, Frank Oz, Pedro Pascal
- TV Show(s)
- The Mandalorian, Andor, Obi-Wan Kenobi, The Book of Boba Fett, Ahsoka, The Acolyte, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, Lando, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels, Star Wars: The Bad Batch, Star Wars: Resistance, Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures, Star Wars: Visions
- Movie(s)
- Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones, Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi, Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens, Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi, Star Wars: Episode IX- The Rise of Skywalker, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Solo: A Star Wars Story, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi, Star Wars: New Jedi Order
- Character(s)
- Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Rey Skywalker, Emperor Palpatine / Darth Sidious, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ahsoka Tano, Grand Admiral Thrawn, Grand Inquisitor, Reva (The Third Sister), The Fifth Brother, The Seventh Sister, The Eighth Brother, Yoda, Din Djarin, Grogu, Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader, Leia Organa, Ben Solo/Kylo Ren
