Shocking Revelation: Star Wars Completely Alters George Lucas' Original Plan for Emperor Palpatine

Warning! This article contains spoilers for Ahsoka episode 7.

Summary

George Lucas had initially planned for Palpatine to keep his Sith identity hidden in order to maintain his political influence and avoid arousing any doubts or suspicions. Nevertheless, in Star Wars Rebels and Ahsoka, it becomes apparent that there is a prevalent sense of suspicion throughout the galaxy regarding Palpatine's true affiliation with the Sith.

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The Rise of Skywalker deviated from Lucas' vision by openly revealing Palpatine's true identity as a Sith, contradicting his original plan and paving the way for a new untold story.

Star Wars has retconned George Lucas' initial vision for Emperor Palpatine in a rather subtle and unexpected manner. The Jedi were under the impression that the Sith had become extinct for a millennium, oblivious to their continued existence in the shadows. Darth Sidious emerged as the ultimate embodiment of the Sith's ambitions, successfully overthrowing the Republic and annihilating the Jedi during the Clone Wars and Order 66. As the chancellor of the Old Republic, Palpatine even stood alongside Master Yoda without raising any suspicions.

Palpatine believed himself to be the ultimate Sith Lord, primarily due to his success in achieving political power. Recognizing the Jedi's vulnerability in this realm, he cunningly orchestrated the downfall of the Republic and the eradication of the Jedi. However, his genuine brilliance, as acknowledged by George Lucas, lay in the choices he made after establishing the Empire - choices that have strangely been reversed in recent Star Wars narratives.

Lucas Originally Intended Palpatine's True Identity To Be A Secret

Viewers may assume that Palpatine only concealed his Sith identity during the prequel era, but they are mistaken. Lucas intended for Palpatine to keep his Sith identity a secret to protect his facade. Even after blaming his advisors for the Empire's corruption, Palpatine continued to mislead the public, portraying himself as a well-meaning individual out of his depth. By successfully placing the blame on his advisors, Palpatine evaded suspicion and concealed his manipulations.

Therefore, it was crucial for no one to discover Palpatine's affiliation with the Sith, even as the original Star Wars trilogy unfolded. Any indication of his connection to the Sith would have raised suspicion and made him a target for rebel groups. While he grew less concerned after the completion of the Death Star, leading him to dissolve the Imperial Senate, the destruction of the Death Star reinstated the importance of Palpatine's secrecy.

Does The Entire Galaxy Know Palpatine Was A Sith By Ahsoka?

Despite Palpatine's best efforts to keep it a secret, there is a prevailing belief throughout the galaxy that he is actually a Sith. In Ahsoka episode 7, Sabine shares with Ezra her uncertainty about whether the Emperor is truly dead, despite what others are saying. This is peculiar because if she believed the Emperor was merely a figurehead, there would be no need for her to be concerned. The most plausible explanation is that Sabine suspected the Emperor's true Sith identity.

This aligns with a pattern established in Star Wars Rebels season 4, when Palpatine confronts Ezra Bridger and Ahsoka Tano in the World Between Worlds. During this encounter, he demonstrates an immense amount of power from the dark side, yet neither Ezra nor Ahsoka express surprise. Later, the Emperor tries to tempt Ezra to the dark side, openly using the Force to free him from his restraints in the hopes of accessing the World Between Worlds once again. It is clear that Ezra knew of the Emperor's Sith status, although it remains unclear how he came to this realization. Presumably, he shared this information with Sabine, and it seems to have become common knowledge by the time of Ahsoka.

Rise Of Skywalker Completely Abandoned Lucas' Vision Of Palpatine

The final film in the Skywalker Saga, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, deviated from its initial direction with the introduction of the Palpatine twist. Despite managing to keep his return under wraps for a considerable amount of time, Palpatine unexpectedly broadcasts a message across the galaxy, openly discussing the Sith. This bold move contradicts his desire to keep this aspect of himself concealed from others, revealing a dangerous and secretive side.

One possible explanation is that Palpatine believed his fleet of Xyston-class Star Destroyers posed an even greater threat than the Death Star, capable of obliterating entire planets. It appears that the Emperor planned to abandon his clandestine tactics once he attained absolute power, deeming this the opportune moment to do so. However, from an external viewpoint, it seems as though Lucas' original portrayal of Palpatine has been disregarded.

Why Has Star Wars Stopped Caring About Palpatine's Sith Secret?

Prior to the Star Wars prequel trilogy, the name Palpatine was not commonly associated with the Emperor. During the release of the movies, there was speculation about the possibility of a surprising twist, questioning whether Palpatine was a misdirect. However, after the events of Star Wars: Episode III, Palpatine is now universally recognized as the definitive Dark Lord of the Sith. The viewers, as well as the current generation of Star Wars writers, now readily accept Palpatine's Sith nature as a given.

As time has passed, it is natural for writers to incorporate their own knowledge into their characters. As a result, the characters now mirror the audience's understanding, and the secrecy surrounding Palpatine's Sith identity has faded away. This is why Rey is deeply affected when she discovers her own Palpatine heritage, and why those she confides in instantly comprehend her concerns about being drawn to the dark side. They do not need to inquire about its significance. Somehow, the knowledge of Palpatine's Sith identity has become widespread in the galaxy, mirroring its prevalence among the viewers.

This, however, means that Star Wars has inadvertently created an untold story - the story of how the galaxy discovered the hidden identity of Palpatine, the chancellor who later became the emperor. Interestingly, in Ahsoka episode 7, it is confirmed that many still consider the Jedi and Sith to be mere myths and legends. It is disheartening to witness the alteration of Lucas' original vision for Palpatine in Star Wars, but given the Emperor's prolonged absence and his eventual return, it is inevitable for rumors to circulate regarding his Sith persona.

New episodes of Ahsoka are released on Disney+ on Tuesdays at 6 pm PT / 9 pm ET.