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star wars - Why did Vader ask about Padmé?


I thought there was already a question about this, but I can't seem to find it, even in the 'Question that may have your answer' list.


Following his cyborg reconstruction, Vader asks "Where is Padmé?" Why? From his point of view, she had betrayed him to Obi-Wan, and he had also choked her, nearly to death.


Why did Padmé matter to Vader after his reconstruction if, from his point of view, she had betrayed him?



Answer



Firstly, he wasn't thinking very clearly at that point (when he choked Padmé). He heard Padmé saying that she didn't know him anymore and things like that, then suddenly he sees Obi-Wan in the entrance to the ship. He immediately jumped to the conclusion that she betrayed him. But what is entirely possible is that he was so angry and hurt by her supposed rejection of him that he acted rashly. He was mad enough at her to hate her for that moment, but deep down, he still loved her nomatter what. Him choking her was something like the impulsive hitting of someone you actually care about. And then after that, feeling horrified and remorseful.


Secondly, immediately after Padmé fainted, it was shown that he still loved her. Though it is not clear if he still thinks she betrayed him, he definitely cares about her.




Anakin: You turned her against me!


Obi-Wan: You have done that yourself.


Anakin: You will not take her from me!


Obi-Wan: Your anger and your lust for power have already done that.



So he still loves her, and he still thinks of her as his. In fact, (though this is subjective), he even looks like he's about to break down and cry when he sees her unconscious. Except he was distracted by Obi-Wan. So his remorse for what he had done, and his anger at himself was all directed towards Obi-Wan. He didn't entirely give her up and turn his back on her thinking she betrayed him and that was that.


Third, he ultimately blamed Obi-Wan for what happened. Had Obi-Wan not approached Padmé and told her about Anakin turning to the Dark side, she wouldn't have turned against Anakin, is what he thought. Had Obi-Wan not showed up at Mustafar, Anakin wouldn't have choked Padmé. So while he was filled with remorse for hurting the woman he loved, he blamed Obi-Wan for it, not Padmé. Even if he thought Padmé betrayed him, ultimately he felt it was Obi-Wan's fault.


Basically, Anakin never stopped loving her, even when he got burned after fighting with Obi-Wan, even when he was reborn as Vader. He never stopped loving her, and that moment of anger was just that: a moment. I don't think he ever truly thought she betrayed him.


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