Why Did Emperor Palpatine Want Rey to Kill Him in 'Star Wars: The Rise of the Skywalker'? Unveiling the Sith Master Plan

'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' (TROS) brings to the forefront the complexities of the Sith Rule of Two, a concept where a master and an apprentice stand in opposition to each other, culminating in the apprentice's ultimate goal of surpassing the master and potentially eradicating them. However, this original narrative was elevated in TROS by the intriguing twist of Palpatine's life force moving from master to apprentice, potentially creating an endless cycle of power and influence.

The Sith Rule of Two and the Cycle of Power

Historically, the Sith believe in the iconic Rule of Two, which mandates that there should always be a master and an apprentice. The apprentice learns everything from their master, surpasses their former mentor, and eventually slays them to solidify their new status as the master. This cycle is designed to ensure that the Sith maintain a constant cycle of improvement and strength across generations.

However, TROS introduced a fascinating twist – the transfer of the life force of all past Sith from master to apprentice. This addition creates a more malevolent and dangerous cycle, where the power of the collective past Sith lives on to directly influence the current apprentice, pushing them toward ultimate power and control.

Palpatine's Motivations: Preparing for the Sith Empress

It is proposed that Palpatine foresaw Rey's potential, recognizing her as a formidable force capable of defeating Kylo Ren. By compelling Kylo to kill Rey, Palpatine was working towards a strategy that would elevate Rey to the position of Sith Empress. This was intended to be a key moment in the grand plan of the Sith, as Rey was presented with a profound opportunity to ascend to power.

The idea was that Rey would use the hate and anger to kill Palpatine, thus allowing his dark spirits to ensnare her. In doing so, she would be tainted by the dark side and become his willing slave, bound by his will. This would closely mirror Palpatine's earlier manipulation of Luke Skywalker, where he aimed to turn Luke to the dark side so that he could control and utilize him.

Palpatine's Legacy: A Body Stealer

Within the narrative of 'The Rise of the Skywalker', Palpatine's influence is further extended beyond the posthumous nature of his life force. The film hints at Palpatine's potential to possess and control multiple bodies, not just through Luke, but also through Rey. His goal was to continue his reign of terror and manipulation long after his physical death, ensuring that the Sith's legacy would live on.

Just as he attempted to control Luke, Palpatine's desire to possess Rey is a testament to his unyielding ambition and the lengths he was willing to go to maintain control. While this aspect of his legacy is less emphasized in the film, it remains a chilling testament to the depths of Palpatine's manipulative nature.

Conclusion: The Inevitability of the Sith's Cycle

The convoluted plot of 'The Rise of the Skywalker' brings to the fore the cyclical nature of power that the Sith follow. Whether it be through the transfer of life force or physical possession, Palpatine's ultimate goal was to ensure that his dark legacy would continue, with Rey at the helm. The narrative of the film hints at a much larger, more sinister plot that spans across generations of Sith beings, all bound by the endless cycle of power and corruption.