After Darth Vader redeemed himself by saving his son and throwing Emperor Palpatine into the reactor shaft of the Death Star II, it seemed like the Sith Lord’s fall marked the end of the Empire and the beginning of a new era of hope.
However, Palpatine’s sudden return in The Rise of Skywalker was poorly received by many.
With no clear explanation beyond vague references to cloning and dark powers, his comeback felt unnecessary and undermined the resolution of the original trilogy.
Instead of moving forward, bringing Palpatine back seemed like a step backward for the story.
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Undermining Vader’s Redemption
One of the most frustrating aspects of Palpatine’s return is how it undermines the arc of Darth Vader, whose redemption was central to the conclusion of Return of the Jedi.
Vader sacrificed himself to destroy the Emperor, turning back to the light in order to save his son, Luke, and end Palpatine’s reign of terror.
His death was supposed to bring balance to the Force, closing out the original trilogy in a way that felt complete.
By bringing Palpatine back, The Rise of Skywalker cheapens Vader’s sacrifice. If the Emperor didn’t actually die, then what was the point of Vader’s redemption?
It weakens the emotional impact of his final moments and throws off the narrative balance established in the original trilogy.
The Vague Resurrection of Palpatine
The explanations given for Palpatine’s survival are vague and don’t offer any real satisfaction. We hear talk of “cloning” and “unnatural powers” but never get a clear answer on how he returned.
It feels like the filmmakers realized they needed a big villain to tie up the sequel trilogy and decided to bring back Palpatine without fully thinking through how it would work.
This is a major flaw because Palpatine’s survival isn’t treated with the gravity or explanation it deserves, especially considering his importance to the overall saga.
One of the biggest problems with Palpatine’s return in The Rise of Skywalker is the lack of a clear and satisfying explanation for how he survived.
We’re given vague references to “cloning” and “unnatural powers,” but nothing concrete is ever provided. In fact, when Kylo Ren confronts Palpatine on Exegol, Palpatine simply says, “The dark side of the Force is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be unnatural.”
This line is meant to justify Palpatine’s resurrection, but it’s incredibly vague and raises more questions than it answers.
We’re left wondering: Is this the real Palpatine or a clone? Did he transfer his consciousness into a new body?
How did he survive the destruction of the Death Star?
The movie doesn’t offer any details, and as a result, it feels like the writers just threw Palpatine back into the story to give the sequel trilogy a recognizable villain without fully thinking through the implications of his survival.
Instead of delving into the mechanics of how Palpatine returned, the film glosses over it, expecting the audience to accept his resurrection without question.
Furthermore, the lack of explanation is especially disappointing considering Palpatine’s importance to the entire saga.
As the mastermind behind the rise of the Empire, the fall of Anakin Skywalker, and the destruction of the Jedi, his return should have been a monumental event.
Instead, it’s treated almost casually, with no buildup or real exploration of how he came back. We’re simply told that he survived, and the movie moves on.
How Palpatine’s Resurrection Hurts the Impact of the Story
Palpatine’s resurrection in The Rise of Skywalker doesn’t just affect his own storyline—it impacts the entire Star Wars universe and how death is perceived.
In Return of the Jedi, Palpatine’s death symbolizes the final triumph of the Rebellion over the Empire and the end of the Sith’s dominance in the galaxy.
It was a moment that carried immense weight, cementing the sacrifices made by characters like Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, and Obi-Wan Kenobi as pivotal to the fate of the galaxy.
This shift weakens the impact of The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi, where Snoke was presented as a central figure in the First Order’s rise.
Instead of allowing Snoke to develop into his own villain, the narrative takes a step backward, relying once again on Palpatine as the ultimate evil.
It diminishes the creativity behind Snoke’s character and nullifies the potential for new dark-side villains to take center stage.
The Star Wars universe is vast, with countless possibilities for fresh threats to emerge, but by bringing Palpatine back, the story missed an opportunity to explore new dynamics within the dark side of the Force.
Moreover, Palpatine’s resurrection makes the story of the sequel trilogy feel disconnected from its own new ideas.
Kylo Ren’s arc, for example, had been moving towards him becoming the primary antagonist, a Skywalker torn between light and dark, who might reshape the future of the galaxy on his own terms.
By reintroducing Palpatine, Kylo’s progression as a character is stunted, and his role as Supreme Leader of the First Order becomes secondary to Palpatine’s schemes.
The introduction of new villains, like Snoke, and Kylo’s own rise to power could have evolved into a more compelling story without relying on the past.
Ultimately, the return of Palpatine feels like a step backward, as it reuses the same villain instead of pushing the sequel trilogy in a new and exciting direction.
Instead of creating an original antagonist with fresh motivations and a distinct connection to the characters, the sequel trilogy relies on the nostalgia of Palpatine, diminishing the impact of new characters and their potential to carry the story forward.