Summary
Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala’s relationship clearly had massive implications for the whole galaxy, andStar Warshas dropped several hints over the years about whetherObi-Wan Kenobiknew about their love affair and if he tried to stop it. There have been a number of romantic relationships inStar Warsmovies and TV shows, but arguably none has had a greater impact than Anakin and Padmé’s. In addition to creating one ofStar Wars’most powerful Jedi, Anakin and Padmé’s relationship changed the fate of the entire Jedi Order and the Republic.
Unfortunately, many of these impacts were for the worse. Just as Anakin and Padmé had predicted inStar Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones, their relationship destroyed them, but it took the Jedi and freedom in the galaxy down with it. Given the magnitude of their relationship and how obvious the couple seemed to be at times,there’s long been speculation that Obi-Wan not only knew but also made a grave error in failing to stop it—but is that true?
Star Wars Has Done More With Anakin In The Past 3 Years Than In Three Whole Movies
The last few years have seen a true renaissance of Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars, although that didn’t happen until after the sequel trilogy.
Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader
Star Warshas suggested many times throughout the years that Obi-Wan knew about Anakin and Padmé all along. For one, Anakin did almost nothing to hide his feelings for Padmé inAttack of the Clones. Not only on the elevator ride up to see Padmé but also with his fumbling speech in front of her, it was clear to everyone that Anakin had a crush. In fact, in the elevator, Anakin said,“I haven’t seen her in ten years, Master"in response to Obi-Wan pointing out that Anakin was sweating. Shockingly, Obi-Wan was amused rather than concerned at this comment.
It was clear to everyone that Anakin had a crush.
Star Wars: The Clone Warsnodded toward Obi-Wan’s awareness even more. In season 7, episode 2, “A Distant Echo,” Obi-Wan waited impatiently for Anakin to exit Rex’s barracks, where Anakin was secretly speaking with Padmé. When Anakin finally appeared, Obi-Wan knowingly said,“I hope you at least told PadméI said hello,“at which point Anakin turned around looking half surprised and half perturbed. And, of course, inStar Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith,Obi-Wan asked Padmé if Anakin was the father, but his tone made it clear he wasn’t really asking.
However, it was finally confirmed that Obi-Wan knew about Anakin and Padmé’s relationship in the novelStar Wars: Brotherhoodby Mike Chen, which is set just afterAttack of the ClonesintheStar Warstimeline. In the book, Obi-Wan happens upon Padmé and Anakin in a corridor without them knowing and witnesses their overtly romantic interaction. Although it seems he never mentioned this to Anakin, he nevertheless did see this moment, and it was more than proof enough that they were romantically linked.
Obi-Wan Kenobi
In truth, Obi-Wan had personal reasons not to expose Anakin and Padmé’s relationship that went far beyond just having a soft spot for each of them (although he certainly had that too). Rather, Obi-Wan sympathized with their situation because he had shockingly had romantic feelings for Satine Kryze long before Anakin and Padmé were together.The Clone Warsrevealed not only that Obi-Wan had those feelings but also thatif Satine had asked Obi-Wan to leave the Order, he would have left it for her.
Obi-Wan sympathized with their situation because he had shockingly had romantic feelings for Satine Kryze long before Anakin and Padmé were together.
Now, notably, this does mean that Obi-Wan would not have done what Anakin did. Obi-Wan, unlike Anakin, understood that there was no way to live as a Jedi while also carrying on a full-blown romantic relationship. Yes, Obi-Wan had always carried a torch for Satine, but he knew it was a question of choosing one or the other. Nevertheless, this personal history undoubtedly made Obi-Wan more compassionate about Anakin and Padmé’s predicament—although that certainly doesn’t mean he did the right thing.
Padmé Amidala
In the end, Obi-Wan had every opportunity to try and stop Anakin and Padmé, but he chose not to, and that really was a failure on his part. As Anakin’s Jedi master, it was Obi-Wan’s role to guide Anakin in all aspects, and following the Jedi way even when it meant great personal sacrifice was part of that. Obi-Wan ideally could have intervened inAttack of the Clones, if not by responding differently to Anakin in the elevator than at minimum by insisting to the Council thatsending Anakin and Padmé off to Naboo together was an absolutely horrible idea.
Obi-Wan had every opportunity to try and stop Anakin and Padmé, but he chose not to.
In truth, Obi-Wan probably couldn’t have stopped the couple from being together. Padmé was the most important thing to Anakin, and he likely wouldn’t have left her even if Obi-Wan had confronted him. At most, Obi-Wan could have had Anakin thrown out of the Order, but it’s doubtful he would have done that; he likely would have feared for Anakin (and perhaps even for others) if Anakin didn’t have the guidance of the Jedi. Nevertheless,Obi-Wan Kenobiabsolutely knew about Anakin and Padmé, and his failure to intervene was a major error on his part.
