8. Emperor Palpatine – Michael Dworkis
Why I Ranked the Character so High: You have a villain such as Darth Vader. He is evil, angry, and merciless. Then you learn there is someone even more sinister than he pulling the strings and has been pulling the strings since the inception of the Galactic Empire as established in the prequel films. The Emperor is a Sith Lord, and one who has greater powers than Vader. Additionally, Palpatine brought a logical and rational motive to all his actions.
Take the original films. First a holographic image, just someone who Vader answered to. But then in Empire Strikes Back, we learn there is much more to this emperor than meets the eye. Someone Vader would kneel down to? There is your badassery right there. When we meet him in Return of the Jedi, he appears as this frail, decrepit old hag in a cloak. He shoot electricity beams out of his hands, something we have since associated as a Sith power. Learning his backstory, how he conducts himself with such sinister confidence and resolve in his cause, you almost have to respect the ruler.
Looking at Palpatine through the prequels, it is probably one of the few high points of the prequels themselves. I am not one of those old geezer-die hards who despise the prequels. Episode I was a kids movie, and it was meant to be. The second film felt very Empire Strikes Back with lots of dark plot unraveling, and the third movie I actually enjoyed, despite Anakin turning all Emo and shouting “NOOOOOOOOO!” at the end. If you look at how Senator Palpatine, slowly and methodically was portrayed to be very meticulous in his ascension to becoming Chancellor, and finally, with the reveal of who he really his, the transition into the Emperor. The character is cunning, more manipulator than deceitful, and in the end, will do whatever it takes to ensure his version of peace in the galaxy. Peace, through tyranny. Sound familiar?
Favorite Line: In Return of the Jedi, as Luke Skywalker goes face-to-face against the Emperor in a verbal battle with Darth Vader looking on, the former Supreme Chancellor uses a familiar source to fuel the Jedi’s rage:
“Good, I can feel your anger. I am defenseless. Take your weapon. Strike me down with all of your hatred and your journey towards the dark side will be complete!”
This phrase has more significance now, as Anakin made his turn to the Dark Side in similar fashion, not only his anger and hate, but his lack of focus and discipline made Anakin an easier target. Here, while Luke possessed more resolve and determination, his natural reflex to build up his rage and anger run similar to his father, now, more than ever, looking at the man who turned him.
Quintessential Saga Moment: Does not exactly come from Palpatine himself, but from Jar Jar Binks who is manipulated into suggesting turning over all power to him, making him the first Supreme Chancellor, and ultimately, Emperor of the first Galactic Empire. The Sith Lord’s so-called humble speech following Binks’ blunder is representative of how all before him are nothing more than pawns on a chessboard.
[php] wp_link_pages(array(‘before’=>’
‘)); [/php]
=========================================================================================================
