10 Most Traumatic Events In Star Wars

2. The Youngling Massacre

Star Wars Qui-Gon Death
Lucasfilm

By the time Episode III came to a close, it was clear there was no hope of saving Anakin Skywalker from his fate. Up until this point, his past misdeeds could at least be explained. His slaughter of the Tusken Raiders was a reaction to the torture and death of his mother; even relieving Mace Windu of his hand and causing his death was out of yearning to save Padmé, and it was clear he regretted the move.

When it came to killing the helpless younglings, however, there was no longer any human emotion driving Anakin's actions. He was merely following the will of the Dark Side. They were helpless children, who asked for protection; for a brief moment it looked as though he might help them escape... until his lightsaber ignited. They were doomed to death and Anakin was doomed to darkness.

By this point we'd already watched the Clones gun down their Jedi commanders, Mace Windu had been brutally killed and Anakin had sworn allegiance to Palpatine. How could it get worse? Child massacre.

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Before engrossing myself in the written word, I spent several years in the TV and film industry. During this time I became proficient at picking things up, moving things and putting things down again.