Summary
- Palpatine’s public exposure as a part of the galaxy’s political landscape lessened the Jedi Order’s suspicion of him.
- Due to his highly publicized role, it would have been difficult for him to orchestrate a hidden war in the eyes of the Jedi.
- Palpatine’s true success came through covert connections and vassals, keeping his sinister plans away from the Jedi’s eyes.
Star Wars has revealed one of the reasons as to how Palpatine managed to keep his Sith Lord identity hidden from the Jedi Order for so long. As outlined in the first chronological Star Wars movie, Episode I – The Phantom Menace, Palpatine embedded himself within the Galactic Senate. Posing as a senator from Naboo, Palpatine wormed his way into the inner machinations of the galaxy underneath the Jedi Order’s nose before enacting Star Wars‘ Order 66 and forming the Galactic Empire.
One of the prevalent questions surrounding the Star Wars prequel trilogy is how Palpatine managed this. Many have often stated that the Jedi Order would have sensed Palpatine, yet Lucas made more clear than ever that the shroud of the dark side clouded the Force and the Jedi. However, there were ways Palpatine remained hidden beyond that. One such reason has recently been outlined by Star Wars and proved the cunning of Palpatine by highlighting how he never raised suspicion among the Jedi.
The Jedi Believed Palpatine Had Absolutely No Privacy At All
Palpatine’s Political Career Saw His Every Move Be Publicized
In a recent Star Wars book, The Rise and Fall of the Galactic Empire, author Chris Kempshall outlines the history of the titular organization. Dr. Kempshall does this through the eyes of The Rise of Skywalker‘s Beaumont Kin, exploring the dark times of the galaxy and, thus, Palpatine. In one instance, Kempshall writes that Palpatine simply had no privacy during the era of the prequel trilogy:
“Palpatine was one of the most prominent and publicly recognizable individuals in the galaxy. As the supreme chancellor he was beloved by the people and seemingly every movement he made outside of the Senate was broadcast by HoloNet News channels.”
This passage brings to the fore why the Jedi did not immediately suspect Palpatine. Someone who is so willing to place himself into the spotlight is unlikely to be dubbed a Sith Lord in hiding by the Order. When every move Palpatine made was broadcast across the galaxy to some degree, it would have been almost impossible for him to have orchestrated a war that saw him rise as the dominant power in the galaxy. As evidenced, Palpatine proved the Jedi wrong.
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Palpatine Placed Himself In A Position Where He Was Above Suspicion
Palpatine’s Success Lay Beneath The Surface
Through his incredibly publicized role within the Galactic Senate, Palpatine placed himself above suspicion. In reality, Palpatine’s true success came through the many connections he possessed away from the eyes of the Senate and the Jedi. Palpatine did not do any of his Sith work in the light, instead using covert connections and vassals to carry out his sinister plans. In doing so, his everyday life was highly broadcast and seemed completely inconspicuous as a result.
This was even proven in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones via Palpatine’s attempted assassination of Padmé. Palpatine hired Dooku, who hired Jango Fett, who hired Zam Wessell, who used a droid, which used poison worms to assassinate Padmé. While this may seem overkill, Palpatine was wisely putting as much distance between his public life and his hidden Sith life as possible. It was these various underworld, covert connections that allowed Palpatine to win, and the seemingly normal, famous life of a senator that saw Star Wars’ biggest villain fly under the radar.
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.
- Died
- Star Wars: Episode IX- The Rise Of Skywalker
- Alliance
- Sith, Empire
- Race
- Human