As some may know, perhaps the most dominant theme in TPM is symbiosis (a mutually beneficial relationship between different people or group/interaction between two different organisms living in close physical association, typically to the advantage of both). But a recent shower thought revealed to me just how seriously this movie takes the concept, and how it rears its head time and time again throughout the film by presenting us sets of twos all throughout. First, this movie introduces the Sith Rule of Two, which Lucas envisioned as being the backbone of the Sith's lust for power and passion - with the apprentice always craving the power of the master, and always going out try to recruit another to become the new master themselves. In TPM specifically, Yoda remarks at Qui-Gon's funeral that "always two there are" and earlier in the film, Nute Gunray's makes his hilarious remark upon seeing Sidious & Maul -- both instances of the script calling attention to the number. Even more interesting, is that the scene in which Yoda addresses the Rule of Two has him exclusively talking to Mace Windu, a character that is later in the trilogy revealed to be essentially the "Vice President" of the Jedi Order in both powers and authority. The two most senior Jedi discussing the Sith's Rule of Two. Next, TPM revolves around the planet of Naboo. It is the planet that Palpatine has targeted to usher in his crisis that he hopes will ascend him to the Chancellorship. This is a planet of not one civilization, but rather two - the Naboo (humans) & Gungans. This is where the symbiosis theme is first explicitly referenced as Obi-Wan says before Boss Nass: Of course, Kenobi is right. The Federation eventually does begin scoping out the planet for the Gungans' underwater villages and they are forced to evacuate to a sanctuary on land, eventually coming around to the idea of fighting for Naboo when Amidala confesses she does not see the Gungans as an inferior species. Speaking of Amidala... There are two of her too! These warrior royals team up to defeat these two: Though a part of the mythology behind Star Wars since some of the earliest drafts, TPM is the first Star Wars film that explicitly mentions the living force, which we now understand is meant to complement the cosmic force. Two facets of the great mystery. Though it served many storytelling and thematic purposes, TPM traces Luke & Leia's lineage to just these these two Skywalkers: Anakin & his mother Shmi. The controversial midi-chlorians are a conduit between two parties: sentient beings and the force, assisting the two in understanding and listening to each other. TPM is the first Star Wars movie that shows us two Jedi fighting together. And to top it off, they fight a baddie with not one but two blades. Hope you have enjoyed this little post. I have entirely way too much time on my hands.
Awesome post. All the finer details and themes in TPM make me appreciate it more and more over the years.
the title of this thread made me think of something else with that in mind: in all seriousness though, interesting observations
I second that. I always go back & forth between TPM & ROTS as my favorites of the saga. I think both represent 'full circle' moments for Lucas. ROTS was the conclusion of his six-part epic on the tragedy of Anakin Skywalker, and TPM was his comeback after fifteen years away from the franchise and finally able to play with digital technology the way he always wanted to.
"You and the Naboo form a symbiont circle. You must understand this. What happens to one of you will affect the other." - Obi-Wan Kenobi, to Boss Nass TPM is about two cultures, the Naboo and the Gungans, coming together. Plus, this line shows Obi-Wan's wisdom. Gotta love him.
Interesting topic. Trivially I once noticed the number six was recurring in Lucas’s films. Six films. Order 66 was a montage of six Jedi being attacked by clones. Six deaths for the rise of Vader - Qui-Gon, Shmi, Dooku, Mace, Padme, Anakin. There were more but I can’t remember.
The theme is weaved into the film IMO. The Gungans and the Naboo. The Jedi and the midis (or the force itself). Pairs that rely on each other, such as Sidious and Maul, Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon, Shmi and Anakin. It even makes an appearance in the podrace when Anakin powers the weaker engine with the stronger one and wins the race. I love this kind of symbolism.
