Star Wars: 15 Show-Stealing Side Characters Who Shaped The Galaxy

While not the most well known character in the Star Wars franchise, Shmi Skywalker is possibly the most important individual pertaining to the fall of Anakin Skywalker. Before Padmé, Anakin's relationship with his mother was the strongest of his young life.

With her death at the hands of Tusken Raiders in Attack of the Clones, Anakin would take his first steps towards the dark side. Though the Jedi Council had previously identified a number of dark side traits in Anakin at a young age, it would be the death of Shmi and the slaughter of the Tusken Raiders that would be the tipping point for Anakin.

Shaping The Franchise

Most fans will identify the rise of Darth Vader with the death of his wife Padmé at the conclusion of Revenge of the Sith. However, Anakin would become Darth Vader much sooner than those events. His visible suffering after leaving his mother on Tatooine and her eventual death would seal Anakin's fate down the dark path.

When Anakin returns to Tatooine in Attack of the Clones, he's literally moments away from saving his mother as she dies in his arms. Her death sends Anakin into a frenzy he would never return from, slaughtering the entire Tusken Raider village where she was held captive. From this moment forward, Anakin's demeanor changes for the rest of the franchise and his true destiny is realized.