The Mystery of Padme Amidala’s Assassination in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones: Palpatine’s Strategic Choices and Unexplained Deaths

In the prequel trilogy of Star Wars, the character of Palpatine, played by Ian McDiarmid, is a formidable and cunning Sith Lord. The question arises: If Palpatine truly desired the death of Padme Amidala, why did he not use his immensely powerful Force abilities to silently and secretly remove her from the scene?

The Strategic Approach of Palpatine in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones

Instead of directly employing the Force to eliminate Padme, Palpatine adopted a more strategic and less risky approach. There are several reasons for this:

Political Maneuvering

Palpatine is a master manipulator who values his public image. Directly using the Force to kill Padme would expose him and potentially jeopardize his political position as the Republic's Chancellor. By maintaining a facade of benevolence, Palpatine can manipulate both the public and the Jedi Order, ensuring his continued control and influence.

Avoiding Detection

Using the Force to kill someone might draw unwanted attention from the Jedi, other powerful beings, or those attuned to the Force. By orchestrating her assassination through a hired weapon like Zam Wesell, Palpatine distances himself from the act, thereby avoiding any backlash. This method allows him to maintain his cover and continue to manipulate events from behind the scenes.

Creating Conflict

Eliminating Padme through indirect means can further incite conflict between the Republic and the Separatists, providing Palpatine with a pretext to push his agenda. The public can be rallied to support a war, thus enhancing Palpatine's position and consolidating his power.

Jedi Involvement

Palpatine anticipated that the Jedi would become involved in investigating the assassination attempt. This would give him an opportunity to manipulate the situation to his advantage, showcasing the Jedi as ineffectual and further justifying his own rise to ultimate power. The Jedi's failure to prevent Padme's would-be assassins from succeeding can be used to validate Palpatine's actions and further cement his position of authority.

George Lucas's Approach to Narrative Detailing

It is important to note that George Lucas, the creator of the Star Wars franchise, often left much of the story’s details unexplained. In the case of Padme's assassination, Lucas did not provide a definitive answer, leaving many questions unanswered. This approach was part of his storytelling style, which prioritized action and spectacle over detailed narrative coherence:

Actions Without Explanation

Lucas packed the films with action sequences and plot elements that were intentionally left unexplained. He relied on the audience to draw conclusions and fill in the gaps, often based on earlier films or other related materials. However, this also meant that the narrative sometimes felt disjointed, with bits of story left unresolved as if they were scattered fabric remnants in a pair of old jeans.

Even when the trail of events leads back to Palpatine, as seen in the final prequel film Revenge of the Sith, the truth remains unconfirmed. The exact motivations and the identities behind Padme's assassins were never fully elucidated, leaving the audience to speculate.

In summary, while Palpatine undoubtedly had the means and the desire to kill Padme Amidala, he chose a more strategic and indirect approach. This aligns with the overarching themes of manipulation and secrecy that define his persona. However, due to George Lucas's storytelling style, the true nature of Padme's assassination remains one of the many mysteries of the Star Wars saga.