How Palpatine Survived and Returned in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

Recent trailers for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker have reignited the debate around the return of Emperor Palpatine. Many fans are curious about how he managed to survive his apparent death at the end of Return of the Jedi. This article explores the various theories, including cloning and dark side magic, that could potentially explain Palpatine's remarkable survival and resurrection.

The Theories

According to the official trailer and The Rise of Skywalker book, the answer lies in cloning and the complex methods the Sith employed. The Emperor's return is no mere coincidence; it required advanced and dark science, as well as well-established methods that were previously mentioned in The Dark Empire series.

Cloning: The Dark Empire series indicated that Palpatine had been experimenting with cloning for a long time. He used a technique called Essence Transfer, wherein he could exit his physical body and enter a clone. This was a risky process, as these clones did not last long and deteriorated quickly. As a result, Palpatine kept numerous failed clones, which explains the presence of so many of them before the Rise of Skywalker.

Another theory involves the concept of cloning as explained in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Book. It suggests that Palpatine created a large number of clones and used a technique known as Essence Transfer to inhabit these clones. However, his actions had unintended consequences, causing the clones to deteriorate rapidly due to his immense power.

X-Wing Series Confirmation

The X-Wing Series by Michael A. Stackpole and Steve Pugh sheds further light on Palpatine's cloning and resurrection methods. The series confirms that Palpatine used a form of dark science and cloning to survive his defeat at Endor. Specifically, he managed to transfer his essence into a clone, which he later used in his plans against the New Republic.

Dark Science and the Sith Citadel

The official The Rise of Skywalker book mentions that Palpatine survived by using the dark side to resurrect from the dead. He settled at the Sith Citadel on the ancient Sith world of Exegol in the Unknown Regions. His ability to manipulate the dark side and his immense mastery over the Force allowed him to achieve this remarkable feat. However, his method was complicated and did not guarantee his eternal survival. The clones and their deterioration demonstrated the limitations of his tactics.

The Movie's Approach

The new The Rise of Skywalker film took a different approach to Palpatine's return. In one of the visual novels, it was revealed that Palpatine used cloning as a means to survive. A cloned Palpatine would grow to full size in a vat, after which his soul would enter the clone and he would be reborn. However, this was ultimately killed by Luke Skywalker and the other heroes, illustrating the cyclical nature of Palpatine's rise and fall.

Lucasfilm, unfortunately, removed a scene that would have explained this process in the final cut of the film, deeming it too distracting. This decision has been met with mixed reactions, with some criticizing the film for its lack of a deeper explanation and others appreciating the intriguing mystery.

Final Thoughts

The return of Emperor Palpatine in The Rise of Skywalker remains shrouded in mystery, with multiple theories and theories within theories. Whether through cloning, dark science, or the manipulation of the dark side, Palpatine's survival is a testament to the complex and manipulative nature of the Sith. As with all aspects of the Star Wars universe, the true answer may remain elusive, leaving fans to speculate and debate for years to come.