Villains Unveiled
Dark Side Story
(Spoilers ahead. He’s been around for a very long time in a galaxy far, far away, but ruining the story for any younglings who may not yet know the lore is still considered being a menace.)
From the journal of the Whills comes the rise of an empirical master of evil known as Sheev Palpatine—or as he is known under his Sith Lord name, Darth Sidious. Even Darth Vader bent the bionic knee to this nefarious ruler, and Palpatine embodied how twisted one could become if corrupted completely by the dark side of the Force. The Emperor ascended to supreme power over countless planets, but at one time, even he bowed to a greater power.
Opening on May 25, 1977, the original Star Wars film changed not only cinema, but culture as we know it. In the April 1981 rerelease, the full title of “Episode IV: A New Hope” contributed to the already deepening mythos. This addition to the name was intended to coincide with its sequel—a year prior, “Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back” premiered, providing the first glimpse of the Emperor in the form of a hologram. Of course, his original visage was a creepy alien shrouded in a black hood with bugged-out chimpanzee eyes. The uncredited actress in the disturbing makeup with superimposed primate parts served as the first live action portrayal of Sheev, though the character was not referred to by any specific name. Clive Revill spoke the first dubbed lines of dialogue from Darth Vader’s dark master, letting the universe know that an even greater threat existed.
The 2004 DVD Star Wars trilogy box set included a revised scene from “Empire” in which Ian McDiarmid played the holographic Emperor to match his iconic performance of the Sith Lord in 1983’s “Episode VI: Return of the Jedi.” Originally called “Revenge of the Jedi,” it was determined (at the last minute) that the third act of the famous franchise shouldn’t highlight vengeance since it didn’t suit the Jedi. The bloodthirsty hunt for payback, however, fit the Sith and the Empire all too well.
Outside of the familiar galaxy we know from the movies, books, games, comics, etc., the Force itself exists across the vast Star Wars universe, open to an infinite amount of demonic interpretations. No matter where one dwells in the immense cosmos, manipulating the mystical energy that binds all living beings in existence takes strength, focus, and will. The temptation of abusing such power is what leads many Force-sensitive individuals to turn to the dark side, feeding off the sense of control and other incredible abilities. Those possessing these preternatural gifts hunger for more pain, suffering, and the drive to vanquish all that may have wronged them.
An important note about the lore is that there are, essentially, two versions of the main stories. For decades, the predominant canon was created and managed by the original films’ studio Lucasfilm. Disney acquired the massive franchise and its staggering amount of assets, and in doing so declared much of the previous material to be “Legends:” a collective canon no longer considered part of what would be the universe going forward. Elements of the initial run of stories have found their way into modern additions and new adventures.
Two millennia before the Skywalker saga, the evil Sith ruled over the galaxy we see in the majority of the canon in its different incarnations. As powerful as the vile dark-siders were, they were eventually overthrown by the light-side Force users known as the Jedi. The peacekeeping knights of the galaxy drove the evil ones into the shadows, where the Sith remained hidden for ages, planning their revenge.
Palpatine would eventually achieve this goal for his ancient order through means of political influence and later via an oppressive legion of followers. Born into a noble family on the planet Naboo, Palpatine climbed the ranks of bureaucratic leadership. His natural understanding and use of the Force would catch the eye of a Sith Lord named Darth Plagueis.
In an early, conceptual version of Palpatine, his name was “Dashit,” but for many years, he was simply known as the Emperor. In the character’s early days, he studied under his master, Darth Plagueis the Wise. As per Sith tradition, the Rule of Two, the pair formed an unholy alliance and became quite powerful together—Plagueis himself was said to be so well-versed in the Force that he could manipulate midichlorians to create life. The mysterious microscopic lifeforms living within the cells of all living beings can be measured to determine one’s Force-sensitivity. Midichlorians can indeed influence a Force-user’s skill, but the creation of life itself - or raising the dead - is something that the Jedi would strongly caution against exploring. As an apprentice, Palpatine served Plagueis loyally, yet he, too, desired unparalleled power. Among the Sith, it is not unusual for the student to murder their master and take their place in the hierarchy of their insidious order. Palpatine betrayed Plagueis, and his dark ascension truly began.
Palpatine continued to gain political prominence, and to ensure a stranglehold on his role as a ruler, he secretly orchestrated a crisis on his homeworld of Naboo. The conflict involving the Trade Federation resulted in many battles, but the people of Naboo emerged victorious in their struggle to maintain the well-being of its citizens. During the events of “Episode I: The Phantom Menace,” Sheev was granted the title of Chancellor of the Republic, all the while maintaining his clandestine activities as Darth Sidious.
Palpatine would take on an apprentice of his own, Darth Maul, but after his student was defeated by Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi, Palpatine considered a suitable new replacement to adhere to the Rule of Two. As his leadership role intensified, Palpatine kept a good relationship with the former slave boy, Anakin Skywalker. Anakin had been rescued from the desert planet of Tatooine by Kenobi and his master, Qui-Gon Jinn. Palpatine knew of Anakin’s strong connection to the Force, and made sure to keep an eye on his budding career.
As the years passed, Palpatine conspired with another Sith Lord, Darth Tyrannus, who was known publicly as Count Dooku. Their union ushered in the era of the Clone Wars: the development of a massive army of clones to carry out the will of the Republic by any means necessary. Many key figures contributed to the rise of the elite legion of troopers, but they all answered to Palpatine.
After over a decade of subterfuge, Palpatine launched Order 66, the Jedi Purge. The Clone Troopers received their commander’s word and betrayed light side-users, even those they would call friends. The mind-controlled soldiers wiped out many Jedi Knights and Masters, while others scattered across the galaxy to go into hiding. Perhaps Palpatine’s biggest triumph was successfully coercing Anakin to join the Dark Side. Throughout the years building to the massive Jedi assault, Palpatine caught the ear of Anakin, corrupting him and swaying him away from his Jedi training. Luring the “Chosen One” to his side came at a cost for Palpatine - in a duel with Jedi Master Mace Windu, a reflected bolt of Force Lighting severely damaged Palpatine’s body. Anakin dispatched Windu, but Sheev was left scarred and deformed from the attack. Now fully engulfed in the Dark side, Sidious dubbed Anakin Skywalker with his new Sith identity, Darth Vader.
With little to no Jedi to challenge them, Palaptine’s forces expanded into a Galactic Empire. Now a dominating entity, the Emperor executed several campaigns to oppress those that may resist him, as well as constructing super weapons to further establish the Empire’s iron grip over thousands of solar systems. A rebellion formed, and eventually obtained the plans for Palpatine’s massive Death Star - a giant space station capable of shooting a laser strong enough to destroy an entire planet. The destruction of the Death Star came from none other than Anakin’s son, Luke Skywalker. Luke and his twin sister Leia grew up unaware of each other, and Vader himself was not told of their existence or whereabouts. Palpatine, of course, wanted Vader to seduce Luke to join them. Luke, Leia, and all the Rebels fought against the Empire in numerous battles, causing a shift in power. Luke would go on to face his father in combat, fighting on the second Death Star as the Rebel armies warred against the Imperial opposition. Luke was able to convince Darth Vader to overthrow Palpatine, sending him to his apparent death. After the Death Star exploded, the Empire as the galaxy knew it, was finally defeated.
During the Empire’s rule, Palpatine would establish a number of contingencies and other secretive plans. Even as remnants of the Empire operated well after the Rebels’ victory, Palpatine’s machinations were in motion. In unknown regions, a new Empire would be amassed, and Palpatine would be resurrected via enigmatic means. Gradually, Imperial loyalists organized as the First Order, carrying out the ideals of the Empire. Now inhabiting a new body, Palpatine was still not strong enough to make his presence known. The rejuvenation process apparently left him crippled and relying on machines to keep him alive. This prompted Sheev to find a new host for his evil essence.
In Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker, it is revealed that Palpatine had a son that no one knew of, and this mysterious offspring in turn had a daughter named Rey. Palpatine’s son kept his daughter hidden, fearing what Palpatine would do if he knew he had a granddaughter. Palpatine would later locate Rey by elaborate use of entire legions of First Order ships and troops. A widespread conflict ravaged the galaxy, but Palpatine was willing to do whatever was necessary to lure his lineage to join the Dark Side. Kylo Ren, the son of Leia Organa and rebel pilot Han Solo, grew up to be an extremely powerful Force-user. No longer going by his birth name Ben, Kylo Ren took it upon himself to continue Darth Vader’s legacy.
On the planet Exegol, Palpatine conjured the collective power of the Sith, embodying every evil spirit that had come before him. Kylo Ren renounced his dark ways and aided Rey in confronting Palpatine. Resistance fighters battled the First Order’s fleets while Palpatine faced off against Rey in an intense showdown. Rey was able to summon the souls of all the fallen Jedi in order to vanquish her grandfather once and for all.
The creator of Star Wars, George Lucas, has been quoted as saying the inspiration for the Emperor derived from a myriad of real life sources. From President Richard Nixon to the rise and fall of Julius Caesar, Palpatine was the personification of how power corrupts and ultimately leads to fear and suffering.
Villain ranking: INSIDIOUS
Sheev Palpatine masterminded a rise to political prosperity and influence while becoming an even more powerful Sith Lord. His obsession with dominating the galaxy and the Force itself is unrivaled, and his delight in cruelty makes him that much more terrifying.
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