This little-known Clone Wars retcon reveals why Anakin's Star Wars timeline, personally, but it also shaped the galaxy by contributing to the end of the Jedi and the Republic and the rise of the Empire.
Yet, one of the defining moments in Anakin's fall to the dark side depicted on screen, some felt that it still didn't provide enough of a narrative to make Anakin's turn in Revenge of the Sith make sense. However, one Clone Wars retcon in Star Wars has revealed why Palpatine's manipulation of Anakin, especially as it pertained to his connection to the Sith, was so successful, and it's brilliant.
Anakin & The Jedi Ignored Some Pretty Big Red Flags In Revenge Of The Sith
Even With Palpatine Hiding Himself In The Force, This Was Pretty Odd
Although Star Wars movies and TV shows have since offered a bit more insight into how Palpatine managed to conceal not only his true intentions but also his strength in the Force from the Jedi, including the likelihood that he was using Force concealment to hide himself in the Force, it remains a bit odd that the Jedi didn't detect what a significant threat and evil being Palpatine was. Yes, they were unlikely to suspect that he was a Sith Lord, as Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace showed that they were extremely resistant to that belief.
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Even so, Palpatine was increasingly obtaining power in the Senate, and while Obi-Wan Kenobi warned Anakin of that in Revenge of the Sith and Mace Windu said their "worst fears" had been realized (suggesting they did have concerns about Palpatine), he largely went undetected. This is especially bizarre in light of the fact that Palpatine had Sith artifacts in his office, and he was shown viewing Death Star plans in Revenge of the Sith. Had anyone, especially the Jedi, done a bit more digging, it wouldn't have been that difficult to discover the truth, at least in part.
Palpatine had Sith artifacts in his office, and he was shown viewing Death Star plans in Revenge of the Sith.
One Clone Wars Tie-In Secretly Explained Why Palpatine Got Away With Sith Knowledge
This Star Wars Story Reveals A Key Part Of Palpatine's Plan
Thankfully, one Star Wars comic has provided key insight into how Palpatine went unnoticed for so long, even as he was making mention of Sith legends to Anakin before being discovered. Specifically, Star Wars: The Clone Wars: The Sith Hunters, written by Henry Gilroy and published in 2012, included a new Palpatine lie regarding his knowledge of the Sith. In the book, Palpatine told Anakin:
"Perhaps I should study the Sith, Anakin, to better understand the threat you're facing. All I ask, my friend, is that you be careful. May the Force be with you."
With this deception, Palpatine was specifically referencing the return of Darth Maul during this era, as was shown in Star Wars: The Clone Wars.
Purchase Star Wars: The Clone Wars: The Sith Hunters
This certainly is a retcon, as Anakin was completely caught off-guard in Revenge of the Sith when Palpatine revealed that he knew the ways of the Sith; however, it's brilliant. It makes perfect sense that Anakin would believe Palpatine just wanted to help and had concerns about what the return of Darth Maul would mean. Especially given Palpatine's focus on his supposed care for Anakin and the idea that they were 'friends' would have helped this manipulation land for Anakin. This also meant that Palpatine was in the clear to tell Anakin more about the Sith without causing suspicion.
Palpatine Really Was A Strategic Genius
This Just Reinforces How Intelligent And Crafty Palpatine Really Was
Palpatine is one of Star Wars' most powerful Sith, as was established in the original Star Wars trilogy, but that isn't really why he was able to overthrow the Jedi and the Republic in Revenge of the Sith. That really came down to the fact that he was a true mastermind, able to plot decades in advance to achieve his aims. After all, he orchestrated the creation of the clone army and the entire Clone Wars just to shore up his ability to wipe out the Jedi with Order 66.
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But this story provides further evidence that it really was Palpatine's genius that allowed him to take over. There's little doubt that Palpatine had no idea about or interest in Maul's return, as a major arc in The Clone Wars was Maul's frustration and rage that Palpatine cast him aside. This means that Palpatine was able to quickly twist this new information in his favor, and it worked. Ultimately, this Clone Wars story just proves that there was so much more to Emperor Palpatine/Darth Sidious' manipulation of Anakin Skywalker and the Jedi in Revenge of the Sith.
