Back on Season 2 of Podcasters Assemble (covering the Star Wars movies), I correctly predicted that Emperor Palpatine, Darth Plagueis, and Supreme Leader Snoke were all one in the same… well, at least from a certain point of view. In “Star Wars – Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker” we learn that “Palpatine’s back… somehow”, and while this reveal could have been handled and set up better, I do think Palpatine’s inclusion in the final chapter of the Skywalker Saga actually makes A LOT of sense.

Say what you will about the prequels and sequels, Ian McDiarmid’s portrayal of the evil Sith Lord is one of the best things about the Star Wars movies. He’s not just the ultimate embodiment of evil in the franchise, Emperor Palpatine is literally the main driving force behind Episodes One through Nine!