Why do Anakin and Padme end up together? Some argue there is no chemistry. I've got a theory:
Why do good girls like bad boys?
In The Outsiders, why in the world does Cherry Valance like Dallas Winston? Is there anything in that book that explains why? Why does Gatsby and Daisy's relationship work? Forget any film version of The Great Gatsby. [Fitzgerald's regret?] If we accept these other relationships purely on rooting for the underdog, then why not believe Anakin and Padme's relationship?
Do deleted scenes help? Does a film's novelization help? Does either count? The great teaching tool in this argument, is the case for textual support. Go into any fan forum for any TV series or film series and you will see fans arguing over characterization, themes, motives, predictions, etc. What do all of them base their arguments on? The text (aka TV show or film). They will point to dialogue, symbols, body language, conflicts with other characters, conflicts with themselves, music cues, visuals... Everything based on specific examples from the text. Snoke is Plagueis because of his appearance/what he says (especially how long he's been around) and the fact the same music played in a Palpatine/Anakin scene in ROTS is the same as what's used in a Snoke scene in TFA. Rey is Rey Kenobi because she has a British accent, Anakin was, allegedly, channeling real life politics ("if you're not with me...) in ROTS... on and on. The point here is that the little things count. Every last detail can be examined for meaning. And that's why so many people love Star Wars. A little bit of this or that can go a long way in creating meaning.
That being said, let's take this little details approach back to Padme and Anakin. Perhaps, they are kindred spirits. Look at the facts, er, details. They both come from strict, governed backgrounds. You are told, perhaps ordered, to talk and act a certain way. Is Padme's geisha-like demeanor and public senator persona any different than Anakin's public jedi persona? Maybe there's a good amount of empathy between them. Neither has had any real opportunities to date, so why not fall for the first person who shows interest? [Director Kevin Smith does a great analysis on this very topic in Film Comment July/August 2002.] Who else out there in cyber space has done the same? Raise your hands...Um, OK, maybe we don't want to admit it...AAAANYWAYS...
Ultimately, like any human emotion, sometimes reason never comes into play. You feel what you feel, and sometimes you can't control it. In Ordinary People, Dr. Berger says the "body doesn't lie." Sometimes your brain will not be able to hide or reason why you should, or shouldn't, feel the way you do. Sometimes you see someone you like struggling and your instinct is to help (or change them) overrides reason. The whole Knight in Shining arm thing takes over (Rey to Finn: "Quit holding my hand!") for guys and we want to rescue the Damsel in Distress. Meanwhile, the gals want to help that bad boy overcome his badness because, deep down, he's got a heart of gold, right? Wouldn't Princess Leia agree with that (winking at Han)? And love is blind, right?
So why are Padme and Anakin's relationship any less believable?
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