Emperor Palpatine’s resurrection in the Star Wars sequels has long been regarded as an unsettling twist in the lore. However, recent insights suggest that his return may carry far darker implications than previously considered. In Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Palpatine is portrayed as a “Phantom Emperor,”a decaying figure ensconced in the bowels of his ominous fortress, Exegol. The eerie laboratory he occupies is filled with grotesque experiments, emphasizing the malevolence of his realm.
Initially, I believed the depths of darkness surrounding Palpatine’s return were fully explored, but a closer inspection of various Star Wars television series prompted a reevaluation of this notion. A particularly revealing line made me realize that my understanding of Palpatine’s resurgence was incomplete. Most of my analyses stemmed from the original Star Wars Expanded Universe, but a deeper dive into the lore of Exegol has transformed my perception of Palpatine in the sequels forever.