The return ofEmperor Palpatinein the finalStar Warsmovie has been criticized for years, but looking back, there is actually precedent for this return in one specific place.Star Warshas long been a series full of parallels and poetry in its storytelling. Within George Lucas’s original six movies, the poetic structure of events is incredibly clear, with both deliberate callbacks and more subtle parallels.
In the newerStar Warsfilms, whether some fans like it or not, this tradition has continued. Luke Skywalker’s death poetically parallels Obi-Wan Kenobi’s. TheMillennium Falcon’s arrival at Exegol parallels its arrival at the Death Star inA New Hope. In this same vein,the death and return of Emperor Palpatine in many ways reflects the death and return of Darth MaulinStar Wars: Episode I -The Phantom MenaceandStar Wars:The Clone Wars.
Darth Maul’s Death Is A Mirror Of Palpatine’s
Fallen Sith Risen Again
For years, audiences have noticed the many parallels betweenThe Phantom MenaceandReturn of the Jedi. Within George Lucas’s vision ofStar Wars, they were the first and last films, and because of that, they had many similarities. The crowning achievement of these parallels is that the Battle ofNabooand the Battle of Endor are similar in almost every way. A ground battle consisting of natives of the planet, a space battle where a ship flies into a large space station, an infiltration crew in a facility,and a lightsaber duel ending with the “death” of a Sith.
Star Wars Repeats “Somehow Palpatine Returned” Just Five Years After Rise Of Skywalker - But This Time It Works
Star Wars: The Bad Batch season 3 just introduced another unexplained resurrection, repeating Palpatine’s confusing return but in a much better way.
At the end of the Battles of Naboo and Endor, a Sith is specifically plunged into a bottomless chasm, presumed completely dead. After this defeat, in both films, a young Jedi Knight cradles his dying father-figure, in a shot that is almost exactly the same layout-wise, only flipped, as one is the beginning and one is the end.In the years since, both Palpatine and Maul have had a similar fate beyond this “death.”
Somehow, Darth Maul Returned
The Clone Wars Brings Maul Back
Years after his death,The Clone Warsbrought back Darth Maul by revealing that his bisection and fall were not as deadly as they first seemed. Maul returned, with at first spider-like robotic legs, later more normal legs, and returned to the galactic playing field seeking revenge on Obi-Wan Kenobi and even Palpatine.This return from the dead was unprecedented, but happened because of his Sith anger, and how thatdark side powergave him the strength to survive getting cut in half and falling at terminal velocity.
Darth Maul
Palpatine’s apprentice, Darth Maul was nothing more than a tool to winnow down the ranks of the Jedi ahead of Darth Sidious' true plans. Discarded after he was defeated by Obi-Wan Kenobi on Naboo, Darth Maul swore revenge against all those he blamed for his past struggles - Jedi and Sith alike. Maul tended to operate within the shadows, running various syndicates, and even established himself as a true rival for Palpatine on at least one occasion. He was eventually killed by Obi-Wan in a duel on Tatooine.
Overall, Maul’s return from the dead didn’t make all that much more sense than Palpatine’s return. After all, Palpatine wasn’t cut in half before his descent. Lucas just loved the character that he created in Darth Maul, and wanted to bring him back. The benefits of this are not to be ignored either, as Maul’s characterization and storylines inThe Clone Warsand laterRebelsare some of the best and coolest the animatedStar Warsgalaxy has to offer.
Darth Maul’s Resurrection Makes Palpatine’s Even Better
Both Fallen Sith Returned From Their Pits
After Maul’s return from the dead, the image of the fallen Sith at the end of the parallel battle was shifted a bit. Maul’s death was no longer final, like Palpatine’s was intended to be by Lucas. In this way, the return of Palpatine, whether it be in the 1990sDark Empirecomics by Tom Veitch and Cam Kennedy or in J.J. Abrams’Star Wars:The Rise of Skywalker, restores this parallel in a way. Both Sith fall, and both return with little explanation, seeking revenge against the forces that brought them down.
How Darth Maul Brought Down The Empire… From A Certain Point Of View
Since being rescued from the brink of death, Darth Maul dreamed of overthrowing Palpatine and the Empire. As it turns out, he did have a part to play.
Yes, both stories have their holes. Any time a character is brought back from the dead, this happens, and nowhere is it more clear than in the sequel trilogy’s seemingly impromptu resurrection of Palpatine for its final film.As evidenced by Maul, however,Star Warshas always been built on those types of storytelling decisions. “Cool” wins out over logical in most scenarios, and since Palpatine’s return, there have been lots of fascinating stories told involving it.
The MandalorianandStar Wars: The Bad Batchhave been building up to Palpatine’s efforts to createForce-sensitive clones. Adam Christopher’s novelShadow of the Sithdeals with Palpatine’s return and the influence of Exegol during theNew Republic eraas well.Star Warshas a long history of finding interesting gaps to tell stories in, and redefining established story beats with these new stories. Now, the story of Palpatine’s resurrection is not just a new story, but connects back to a key parallel George Lucas originally weaved intoStar WarswithThe Phantom Menace.
Star Wars
Star Wars is a multimedia franchise that started in 1977 by creator George Lucas. After the release of Star Wars: Episode IV- A New Hope (originally just titled Star Wars), the franchise quickly exploded, spawning multiple sequels, prequels, TV shows, video games, comics, and much more. After Disney acquired the rights to the franchise, they quickly expanded the universe on Disney+, starting with The Mandalorian.
