The Shocking Return of Palpatine in Star Wars: Unveiling the Secrets Behind The Rise of Skywalker

Fans of the Star Wars series have posed numerous intriguing questions about its events. One particular question, which gained popularity as a meme following the release of The Rise Of Skywalker, revolves around the manner in which Palpatine managed to return. Although the explanation is often disregarded hastily, it may surprise you to learn that there is actually a fairly reasonable explanation for the resurrection of one of the galaxy's greatest evils.

The quality of this explanation will vary for each individual, but Palpatine's return was not simply a result of his desire and manipulation of the Force. It comes as no surprise to any avid Star Wars fan that Palpatine, one of the most malevolent and cunning Sith to have ever existed, would have devised a plan to make his return possible after his initial demise. Now, let's explore how he accomplished this feat.

What Happens Between The Last Jedi & The Rise Of Skywalker?

A lot happens between The Last Jedi and The Rise Of Skywalker. Rey is determined to improve her Jedi skills and become a Jedi that Luke Skywalker would be proud of. She receives some help from Poe Dameron, Finn, and R2-D2, although they don't have many personal adventures. It's challenging for major events to occur outside the films without confusing the audience.

Apart from Rey, the expansion of the resistance movement and the First Order drives the development of the universe during this period. Leia Organa plays a significant role in advancing the resistance movement and expanding its influence across the galaxy. Chewbacca also contributes to battling the First Order, but these stories have minimal impact on the overall narrative. Not much is known about Palpatine during this era, except that he patiently continues to be the true mastermind behind the First Order's evil actions, whether they are aware of it or not.

During this time, Palpatine would have already been dangerously close to the complete failure of his clone body. He had been employing every available piece of technology to sustain his deteriorating physique while contemplating his next moves following Snoke's demise. The combination of Snoke's death and his failing body likely motivated Palpatine to make sure that the entire galaxy was aware of his continued existence. It was imperative for him that Rey would eventually embark on a quest to find him, and that is precisely what would transpire.

How Did Palpatine Return?

The explanation for Palpatine's return has been met with disappointment by some. Essentially, he utilized his immense power to migrate his essence from his lifeless body into a concealed clone body. While the existence of clones was not entirely surprising, Palpatine's success hinged on his dreadfully potent command of the Dark Side of the Force. Such was the intensity of his power that his clone body proved incapable of withstanding it, gradually deteriorating until it resembled a zombie-like figure in The Rise Of Skywalker.

The evil emperor commanded a devoted cult of Sith worshippers who assisted him in his weakened state. Stranded on Exegol, Palpatine's failing body hindered his ability to seek revenge and his clone body was destined to fail eventually. Therefore, Palpatine needed to lure Kylo Ren and Rey to him in order to restore his own vitality through their power or seize control of Rey's body to regain his ultimate evil status.

While it may appear as a convenient plot device, Palpatine possessing an unprecedented ability not seen before in the Star Wars films does hold some validity. As a Sith Lord, he possessed skills and powers beyond the reach of his predecessors. Numerous compelling fan theories surrounding Palpatine circulate, including the notion that he could preserve his spirit in the Force. Surprisingly, this concept is not exclusive to The Rise of Skywalker, as Palpatine has a history of employing such methods.

Has Palpatine Returned Before?

Although not previously seen in the current canon, Palpatine made a grand comeback in a surprising Legends canon narrative. Interestingly, it seems that The Rise Of Skywalker drew inspiration from his original return, albeit in a less thrilling manner. With his desire to reign over the galaxy indefinitely, Palpatine devised numerous methods to achieve this objective, ultimately settling on the rather straightforward approach of utilizing clones. By transferring his essence into a clone body, Palpatine gained the ability to essentially live forever, as long as he had control over these replicated forms.

Similar to the events in The Rise Of Skywalker, this plan might appear somewhat ludicrous, yet Palpatine found greater success with it in the Legends canon. In this particular account, he enacted his plan shortly after his initial demise, leading to even Luke Skywalker unexpectedly serving this resurrected embodiment of malevolence. However, it should be noted that Luke's allegiance did not align with the forces of evil, and their eventual confrontation resulted in a fierce duel. Nevertheless, Palpatine effortlessly vanquished and subjugated his newfound apprentice.

Luke ultimately managed to defeat the Palpatine clone, but this victory did not signify the true downfall of the Sith Lord. Palpatine, now confined to a manipulated clone, sought to transfer his essence into the body of Leia's child. However, it was Han Solo who actually delivered the final blow to Palpatine, ending his life once and for all. As a result, Palpatine's essence became forever imprisoned within the Force. Fans can now enjoy streaming Star Wars on Disney+.