Padmé Amidala stands out as one of my favorite characters within the Star Wars saga. Yet, her actions in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones leave me perplexed. Generally regarded as an underrated figure, Padmé’s intelligence and courage shine through her tenure as both queen and politician—especially in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones. While she experienced a somewhat diminished role in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, she remained a significant component of the overall narrative.
Nonetheless, Padmé’s journey was not devoid of questionable decisions in both movies and television series. Notable misjudgments include her surprisingly muted response to Anakin’s admission regarding the slaughter of the Tusken Raiders and her choice not to discuss her growing concerns about him. However, it is one particular decision in Attack of the Clones that continues to astonish and confuse me.
Padmé and Anakin Confront the Threat They Should Avoid
Padmé’s Immediate Suspicions: A Flawed Strategy
Throughout Attack of the Clones, both Padmé and Anakin make a series of questionable choices, notably their romantic involvement, which arguably contributes to the downfall of both the Republic and the Jedi Order. Even more troubling is how they compromised their purpose for hiding on Naboo. Initially, they sought refuge due to Count Dooku’s assassination attempts against Padmé. Despite this, they ultimately ventured directly toward him on Geonosis. This reckless decision escalated her danger significantly and provided further complications to an already volatile situation, even if it did not explicitly spark the Clone Wars.
A Surprising Lack of Judgement: Anakin vs. Padmé
A Departure from Padmé’s Character
What is particularly disconcerting about Padmé’s choice is that she was a consistently astute leader capable of distinguishing personal feelings from necessary actions. Her political acumen was evident both during her reign as queen and throughout her exploits in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, where her strategic reasoning shone brightly. In this instance, her decision to rush into a trap seems driven by an overwhelming need to rescue Obi-Wan Kenobi.
While it’s tempting to regard this as entirely uncharacteristic for Padmé, closer examination reveals a gradual erosion of her logical prowess stemming from her affection for Anakin. This incident is merely one of many where her judgment falters after their emotional entanglement began on Naboo. The fact that Padmé Amidala charged headlong toward a lethal adversary remains a striking aspect of her character development in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones.