Emperor Palpatinestands asStar Wars’ ultimate villain, as he was the main antagonist of all three live-action trilogies as well as a number of animated and live-action series. Sure,Palpatine might not be the most badass Sith inStar Wars’ extensive history, but it’s fair to say that he’s the greatest villain the series has. And that’s why his ultimate demise was so satisfying, especially inStar Wars Legendscontinuity, as his death gaveOrder 66 victimsthe perfect revenge.
InStar Wars: Empire’s End#2 by Tom Veitch and Jim Baikie (which is the final chapter inStar Wars Legends’ Dark Empire Trilogy), Emperor Palpatine is reeling after his clone host bodies have all been destroyed by Luke Skywalker, and the one his spirit is currently inhabiting is quickly deteriorating. Palpatine is searching for a viable host, and since he has no more clone bodies to use as vessels, he’s forced to find a living body to inhabit. That’s when Palpatine sets his sights on Leia and Han’s youngest son, Anakin Solo.
However, when Palpatine transfers his spirit from his withering clone body in an attempt to possess the infant Anakin Solo, the Emperor’s soul is intercepted by another host: Empatojayos Brand. Brand was a survivor of the Great Jedi Purge - one of the last survivors, actually - and by allowing himself to become the vessel of Palpatine’s spirit, Brand gives every Jedi victim of Order 66 the perfect revenge. After Palpatine possesses Brand, the Jedi survivor allows himself to die - and he takes Palpatine with him. And with that, Brand personally makes Palpatine pay for all the Jedi he killed.
Emperor Palpatine’s Legends Death is Way More Satisfying than it was in Canon
Palpatine’s Canon Death was inStar Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker
Interestingly enough, the storyline ofStar Wars: Dark Empireis more or less adapted into canon in the third installment of the sequel trilogy,The Rise of Skywalker(albeit a bit more ‘less’ than ‘more’). In the film, Palpatine’s spirit inhabits a rapidly-decaying clone body, and he tries to possess a viable host (Rey) in order to fully return from the grave. The broad-stroke plot-points are the same, but one very important detail is altered: Palpatine’s death.
InThe Rise of Skywalker,Palpatine is killed after Rey summons the power of every fallen Jedithrough the light side of the Force, and vaporizes Palpatine with their combined might. It’s an epic death, to be sure, and one that incorporated every Jedi Palpatine had been responsible for killing in the past - including those that fell during the Great Jedi Purge. However, the grandeur of Palpatine’s demise sort of lessened the impact of it, especially as it relates to the Jedi’s ultimate revenge for Order 66.
The fact that a single Jedi survivor of Order 66 killed Palpatine on behalf of all those who weren’t so lucky is much more impactful than what fans got in canon. Not only that, but the understated - almost pathetic - nature of Palpatine’s death in Dark Empire made it that much more satisfying. Palpatine didn’t die in a giant explosion surrounded by a fleet of planet-killing ships, he died trapped and screaming within a Jedi he tried and failed to kill decades earlier after unsuccessfully trying to possess an infant to prolong his wicked life - and that is so much better.
Palpatine’s Death Isn’t the Only Thing Star Wars Legends Did Better Than Canon
The Entire Story of Palpatine’s Return was Better in Dark Empire than The Rise of Skywalker
Star Wars Legendsmade Palpatine’s ultimate demise way more impactful than what fans got in canon, but that’s not the only thing it did better regarding the story of the Emperor’s return. For instance,Dark Empireactually described the process of Palpatine returning from the grave, as it’s revealed that the spirits of other long-dead Sith helped guide Palpatine back to the mortal plane. Plus,Legendsdidn’t have a ‘Snoke fake-out’. When Palpatine inhabited a clone body, he didn’t pretend to be someone else, he came back as himself, making him the villain right from the start.
Star Wars: Emperor Palpatine’s Legends Comeback Made the Movies Look Bad And Here’s 10 Reasons Why
Emperor Palpatine returns from the grave in both Star Wars Legends & canon, and it’s clear that the Legends version was better. Here’s 10 reasons why!
There are plenty more reasons whyDark Empirewas a better ‘Palpatine returns’ story thanThe Rise of Skywalker, but more than anything, it’s Palpatine’s Legends death that really makes it stand out. Not only was his death better in Legends than it was in canon, but it was just a fantastic end to his story overall, no comparisons needed. And the reason that’s the case is thatEmperor Palpatine’s death inStar WarsLegendsgave Order 66 victims the perfect revenge.
Emperor Palpatine / Darth Sidious
The senator for Naboo, Palpatine rose to power and influence during the dying days of the Republic. In reality, his public persona was just a mask; he was really Darth Sidious, greatest of the Sith Lords, and he used his political skills and Machiavellian cunning to bring down both the Republic and the Jedi. Palpatine ruled his Galactic Empire for decades, until he was betrayed by his apprentice, Darth Vader. Even this wasn’t enough to stop the Emperor, however, as he was resurrected by his followers - only to be defeated once again.
