Introduction to Emperor Palpatine’s Deceptions in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

Emperor Palpatine, the devious and cunning mastermind of the Galactic Empire, drives his actions and motivations in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker with a single goal: regaining his power and manipulating key figures to serve his own ends. His manipulation is not just an isolated incident but a part of his larger scheme, evident from multiple instances in the movie’s storyline.

Segment 1: Assigning Tasks to Kylo Ren

At the beginning of the movie, Emperor Palpatine instructs Kylo Ren to kill Rey. His intention is two-fold: to eliminate a potential threat to his rule and to solidify his control over Kylo Ren. Rey, being a significant figure due to her connection to the Jedi and the Skywalker legacy, represents a direct threat to Palpatine's reign. By directing Kylo Ren to kill her, Palpatine ensures that any closer ties between Kylo and Rey are severed, thus maintaining his control over the last surviving member of the Skywalker line.

Segment 2: Tempting Rey with the Dark Side

As the story progresses, Palpatine recognizes Rey's immense power and her potential as a formidable Sith. He leverages this awareness to manipulate her emotions and ambitions. By tempting her with the allure of the dark side, Palpatine hopes to turn her into an ally who will embrace her power and join him. Palpatine's ultimate goal is to create a new Sith lineage that can serve his ambitions. His manipulation ultimately fails, but he had laid the groundwork by presenting her with the opportunity to transcend her Jedi past and become a powerful Sith.

Segment 3: Absorbing Their Power

Palpatine's ultimate objective is to absorb the combined power of both Kylo Ren and Rey to fully restore his strength. His plans are revealed when Rey confronts him, demonstrating his manipulative nature and his belief in using others as vessels for his own ambitions. Palpatine's actions reflect his cunning strategy to channel the power of the Force through his apprentices, ensuring that the Sith lineage remains strong and that his control over the galaxy is unshaken.

Context: Palpatine's Earlier Deceptions

Palpatine's manipulative nature is not new; it is a recurring theme that spans his entire reign. He used the same tactics with Anakin Skywalker, turning him from a Jedi to a Sith Lord. He also haunted Ben Solo with nightmares of darkness, nurturing the seeds of conflict within him. Palpatine’s persistence and consistency in his schemes highlight the depth of his psychological manipulation and his strategic foresight.

Preparation for Kylo Ren's Ascension

Palpatine strategically laid the groundwork for Kylo Ren to become a worthy apprentice by preparing him to fulfill what Anakin (Darth Vader) had failed to achieve. Palpatine’s plan was to transfer his essence onto Kylo Ren, ensuring a smooth transition and eliminating the need for Rey in his scheming. However, when Kylo Ren's failure to fully convert Rey into his side becomes evident, Palpatine reverts to his original plan, instructing her to kill him to transfer his essence.

Conclusion: Palpatine’s Manipulative Motives Revealed

In summary, Emperor Palpatine's actions in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker are part of a larger, devious scheme to manipulate both Kylo Ren and Rey. He seeks to play them against each other while using their power to regain his own. Palpatine's manipulative nature, evident throughout the saga, is a testament to his cunning and his eternal pursuit of power.