Explaining ‘Somehow, Palpatine Returned’ in Star Wars: A Deep Dive into the Controversy

It’s one of the most infamous lines in recent Star Wars history. Three words—”Somehow, Palpatine returned”—that managed to confuse, frustrate, and ignite debates among Star Wars enthusiasts everywhere. Uttered by Poe Dameron in The Rise of Skywalker, this line raised more questions than it answered. How did Emperor Palpatine survive? What role did he play in the larger narrative? And, perhaps most importantly, why did the filmmakers think this hand-wave explanation was enough?

Let’s dive into the complexities, missteps, and creative gaps that made this moment so notorious. From lore inconsistencies to storytelling shortcuts, there’s a lot to unpack.

---

The Context: Palpatine’s Return in The Rise of Skywalker

To understand why this line became such a point of contention, we need to look at its placement within the story. Emperor Palpatine, presumed dead after being chucked down a Death Star shaft by Darth Vader in Return of the Jedi, reappears in the ninth installment of the Skywalker Saga.

The film wastes no time reintroducing him. Kylo Ren encounters the Sith Lord early on, and viewers are presented with a living, albeit decaying, Palpatine who claims he’s been pulling the strings behind the First Order and Supreme Leader Snoke. The line itself comes during a Resistance meeting when Poe tries to explain Palpatine’s sudden resurgence.

The problem? It’s a narrative bombshell wrapped in the vaguest of packaging. Instead of being the culmination of a carefully plotted mystery, Palpatine’s return feels like a hastily tacked-on twist.

---

Why “Somehow, Palpatine Returned” Feels So Unsatisfying

1. Lack of Foreshadowing

Good storytelling involves setting up major plot points so they feel earned. Unfortunately, The Rise of Skywalker skipped that step. There’s no hint of Palpatine’s survival in The Force Awakens or The Last Jedi. Instead, his reappearance feels like a last-minute pivot to tie together loose ends.

In fairness, foreshadowing Palpatine’s return would have been challenging given the sequel trilogy’s fractured creative process. Each film in the trilogy had different directors, writers, and—evidently—visions for where the story should go. Palpatine’s comeback seems less like a planned event and more like a desperate scramble to inject gravitas into the final chapter.

---

2. Over-Reliance on Expanded Media

One defense of Palpatine’s return is that the Star Wars universe thrives in multiple mediums: books, comics, games, and even theme parks. The problem? The main films—the backbone of the franchise—should stand on their own.

For example, the novelization of The Rise of Skywalker offers a bit more detail, explaining that Palpatine’s body is a clone inhabited by his spirit. The Sith Eternal cultists on Exegol are responsible for his resurrection, using dark side magic and cloning technology. Cool, right? Sure—but none of this makes it into the movie itself. Casual viewers are left scratching their heads, while those who seek answers in supplementary materials may feel like they’re doing homework to understand the plot.

---

3. The Science (or Lack Thereof) of Cloning

Cloning is not new to Star Wars. From the Kaminoans in Attack of the Clones to the appearance of Snoke vats in The Mandalorian, cloning technology is well-established in the universe. So, in theory, bringing Palpatine back via cloning could work.

The issue isn’t the concept—it’s the execution. The film gives viewers no insight into how the process unfolded, how Palpatine’s spirit survived the Death Star’s explosion, or why this wasn’t a plot point explored earlier. Instead, we get the cinematic equivalent of a shrug.

---

4. Missed Opportunities for Drama

Imagine if the trilogy had teased Palpatine’s influence from the start. Perhaps cryptic references to a hidden master pulling the strings, or a subplot involving ancient Sith artifacts, could have set the stage. Instead, the films spent most of their time focusing on other threats, like Snoke or Kylo Ren, only to pivot to Palpatine in the eleventh hour. This robbed the moment of its emotional and narrative weight.

---

Could It Have Been Done Better?

A Gradual Unveiling

The mystery of Palpatine’s survival could have been a slow-burn subplot spanning the trilogy. If audiences had seen subtle hints—such as Sith whispers or shadowy figures in the background—the payoff would have felt more organic.

---

A More Detailed Explanation in the Film

Even a few minutes of exposition could have helped. A scene where Rey uncovers ancient Sith texts, or Leia revealing something she learned from Luke, could have added depth. Instead, viewers were handed a single line and left to fill in the blanks themselves.

---

Involving Other Characters

Characters like Luke, Leia, or even Anakin’s Force ghost could have played a role in uncovering Palpatine’s plans. Instead, the film leaned heavily on Rey and Kylo Ren, leaving legacy characters underutilized.

---

Why Fans Are Still Talking About It

Despite its flaws, Palpatine’s return has sparked endless discussion, memes, and debates. The line “Somehow, Palpatine returned” has become emblematic of a larger issue in modern blockbuster filmmaking: the tendency to prioritize spectacle over substance.

For better or worse, The Rise of Skywalker took big swings—and while some landed, others missed the mark. Palpatine’s return is a microcosm of the trilogy’s broader struggles with consistency, planning, and satisfying storytelling.

---

The Bigger Picture: Lessons for Future Storytelling

The controversy surrounding this infamous line isn’t just about Star Wars. It’s a cautionary tale for writers and filmmakers tackling expansive, interconnected narratives. Here are a few takeaways:

• Plan Ahead: Serialized storytelling works best when the endgame is mapped out early. The lack of a cohesive vision across the sequel trilogy led to jarring tonal and narrative shifts.
• Respect the Audience’s Intelligence: Viewers don’t need every detail spelled out, but major plot points deserve thoughtful exploration. Hand-waving pivotal moments risks alienating even the most forgiving fans.
• Use Expanded Media Wisely: Books, comics, and games should enrich the story, not patch up holes left by the films. The main story should stand on its own.

---

Conclusion: The Line That Launched a Thousand Groans

“Somehow, Palpatine returned” is more than just a clunky line of dialogue. It’s a symptom of a larger problem in The Rise of Skywalker: the struggle to balance legacy, fan expectations, and a satisfying conclusion. While Star Wars remains an enduring cultural phenomenon, this moment highlights the challenges of weaving a cohesive story across multiple films and creators.

In the end, Palpatine’s return wasn’t just a narrative twist—it was a test of how much disbelief Star Wars audiences were willing to suspend. And while the galaxy far, far away will always inspire passion and debate, this particular moment will go down as one of its most polarizing.

But hey, at least it gave us a meme. And in Star Wars, isn’t that the real treasure?