Palpatine is certain that the Senate will vote to continue the war as long as escaped General Grievous is alive. Anakin shares private time with his secret wife Padmé Amidala (Natalie Portman), who speaks about "something wonderful" - she is pregnant. She asks: "What are we gonna do?" but he reassures her, tells her not to worry, and says it is "the happiest moment" of his life.
Meanwhile, General Grievous flees to the outer rim systems, to Utapau, where he immediately is in contact with Darth Sidious (via hologram). The General is instructed to move the entire Separatist Council of Trade Federation leaders (who are in hiding) to Mustafar, a volcanic planet. Sidious adds: "The end of the war is near, General." He believes that Dooku's death was "a necessary loss," and then promises that Dooku will soon be replaced with a new apprentice - "one far younger and more powerful."
Later, Padmé decides to have the baby back on Naboo, in the Lake Country, where they would be safe. Anakin suffers from troubling nightmares of a groaning and pained Padmé dying during childbirth, something that he had earlier experienced just before his mother died. After awakening in a cold sweat, he vows to her: "I won't let this one become real." Their baby would definitely change their lives - she would have to step down from the Senate, and he would be expelled from the Jedi Council.
He again assures her: "Our baby is a blessing." Anakin speaks to Master Yoda (Frank Oz) about his "premonitions" of pain, suffering and death for someone close to him. Yoda advises him to be very mindful: "Careful you must be when sensing the future, Anakin. The fear of loss is a path to the dark side...Death is a natural part of life. Rejoice for those around you who transform into the Force. Mourn them, do not. Miss them, do not. Attachment leads to jealousy. The shadow of greed that is...Train yourself to let go of everything you fear to lose."
In an unusual move without informing the Jedi Council, Anakin is summoned by Chancellor Palpatine for a meeting in the supreme leader's office. With the Chancellor's extraordinary Senate-granted executive and "emergency powers," the dictatorial Palpatine could now control the Jedi High Council, but he fears, distrusts, and has contempt for the Jedi Masters. He asks for Anakin to "be the eyes, ears, and voice of the Republic" - he appoints him as his personal representative on the Jedi Council. The Council normally elects its own members to be representatives.
When informed after the fact, Yoda calls Anakin's appointment "disturbing" although it is begrudgingly accepted. Mace Windu (Samuel L. Jackson) tells Anakin he is a High Council member, but is denied the rank of Master. Anakin calls the unusual and insulting decision "outrageous" and "unfair." When Anakin is seated and calmed down, the Council discusses other more critical issues facing them.
It is decided that Yoda would take a battalion of clones to reinforce the Wookiees on the planet of Kashyyyk. There, Yoda helps lead the Wookiees' defense in the Battle of Kashyyyk, accompanied by Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew) and other commanders, to battle various droids, gunships, and tanks. Later, Obi-Wan reluctantly explains to young and upset Anakin the Council's reasoning in their 'off-the-record' assignment for him - they want Anakin to secretly spy on reigning Chancellor Palpatine and report back.
Obi-Wan feels something is out of place: "The fact of the matter is you are too close to the Chancellor. The Council doesn't like it when he interferes in Jedi affairs....Your friendship with Chancellor Palpatine seems to have paid off....The only reason the Council has approved your appointment is because the Chancellor trusts you...The Council wants you to report on all the Chancellor's dealings. They want to know what he's up to."
Anakin is conflicted and confused by his frustrating assignment. It would mean 'treasonous' spying against the Republic, against his long-time mentor and friend, and it is "something against the Jedi code." Later, Obi-Wan expresses his viewpoint to Windu and Yoda about Anakin's assignment and the prophecy: "Is he not to destroy the Sith and bring balance to the Force?" Yoda feels the prophecy could have been "misread."
Anakin shares his issues with Padmé who is also concerned about the continuing war: "What if the democracy we thought we were serving no longer exists and the Republic has become the very evil we've been fighting to destroy?" She wishes for a more idyllic time with "no politics, no plotting, no war."
In the Coruscant Opera House in Palpatine's private viewing box during a performance, Anakin speaks with the Supreme Chancellor, who shares intelligence information that General Grievous has been located and is hiding in the Utapau system. Palpatine also expresses his worry about the "collective wisdom" of the Jedi Council, although stresses his confidence in Anakin as the "best choice" to work with him.
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