Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for The Bad Batch season 3, episode 3
Emperor Palpatine’s status as a Sith heretic has been given a major boost in the Star Wars canon thanks to The Bad Batch season 3, a key source of Darth Vader’s anger toward his master. Having never fully supported the creation of the Death Star next to the power of the Force itself, Vader was never one to rely on the Empire’s advancements or superweapons. However, Palpatine had even worse creations in the shadows, many of which were kept hidden for decades from even his Sith apprentice.
In The Bad Batch season 3, the Empire’s Advanced Science Division (led by Doctor Hemlock) is secretly engaging in dark cloning experiments on orders from Emperor Palpatine who’s taken a keen interest. To that end, The Bad Batch season 3, episode 3 confirms that the most important work being done is none other than Project Necromancer, the very same project referenced in The Mandalorian season 3 by the Imperial Remnant during the New Republic Era. However, a key line from Palpatine seemingly confirms that the project itself would be quite heretical in the eyes of the Sith Lords.
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Palpatine Is Referring To Darth Vader & The Sith In The Bad Batch Season 3, Episode 3
Vader Would Come To See Projects Like Necromancer As Abominations
Visiting the secret Imperial facility hidden within Mount Tantiss, the Emperor is taken by Hemlock straight to the collection of test specimens the Advanced Science Division has under heavy guard. Unfortunately, the specimens themselves are not shown beyond their foreboding black and red containers surrounded by what looks to be the language of the Sith (ur-Kittât). However, it is confirmed that these specimens have high M-counts, meaning that they have strong Force sensitivities.
The goal of Project Necromancer is to create a clone body that either matches or exceeds the M-count from specimens whose blood is infused with the blood of various clones in the hopes of finding the right genetic combination, rather than hugely diminished M-counts or ones that gradually deteriorate. If successful, Palpatine would be able to retain his power over the dark side after transferring his essence into a new clone body in the event of his physical death. However, this concept would prove to only be a partial success as seen with Palpatine’s return in Rise of Skywalker.
After promising the full resources of the Empire, Palpatine notes to Hemlock that there are those within the ranks of the Empire who would see the experiments conducted on Wayland as abominations. After all, the merging of technology with the supernatural power of the dark side is indeed an unnatural path even for the Sith. Keeping that in mind, it does seem as though Palpatine was referring to his own apprentice Darth Vader during this scene. Based on what’s known about the future of the Star Wars timeline, it does seem like Vader would have major issues with Project Necromancer.
Why The Sith Viewed Palpatine’s Experiments As Heretical
The Merging Of Technology With The Dark Side
Although the vast majority of Sith doctrine is shrouded in mystery, Star Wars has confirmed that there are apparent limits and that certain crossed lines can be considered acts of heresy within the dark side of the Force. This includes the Sith Lord Momin and his work creating superweapons as well as architecture to enhance dark side abilities, work that ultimately labeled Darth Momin as a heretic in the eyes of his fellow Sith Lords. However, it does seem as though Palpatine became heretical in his own right while seeking to secure power over his Empire for all eternity.
For example, the canonical Darth Vader comics set in the aftermath of A New Hope saw Palpatine taking an interest in an Imperial scientist named Cylo who sought to substitute the Force with technology. Cylo also created a means of transferring his mind between cloned bodies which had Palpatine’s attention as well. However, Vader accused Palaptine of Sith heresy once he saw these creations for himself, shortly before the Dark Lord destroyed Cylo and his work (proving the dark side’s dominance).
That said, Palpatine remained Vader’s superior in the dark side. This meant that there was little the Dark Lord and his anger toward Palpatine could achieve beyond his failed attempts to overthrow his master during the original trilogy. Nevertheless, it makes sense that Palpatine would initially keep Project Necromancer a secret from his apprentice as implied by The Bad Batch season 3, as well as any other Imperials who would resist the idea of the Emperor living and ruling forever via essence transfer and cloned bodies capable of harnessing his power in perpetuity.
Palpatine Eventually Revealed Everything To Darth Vader
Vader Knew What The Emperor Was Planning On Exegol
It makes sense that Palpatine would hide experiments like Project Necromancer from Vader during the Empire’s earliest days and Darth Vader’s corruption as a Sith. However, it’s worth noting that Vader was eventually shown his master’s secret work and cloning experiments between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. Upon visiting the hidden Sith world of Exegol in the Unknown Regions for the first time, Palpatine’s apprentice was shown all of his dark experiments as well as the Sith Eternal cult in his service.
Indenting to motivate subservience into his apprentice following Vader’s defiance in the wake of Luke Skywalker’s rejection in The Empire Strikes Back, Palpatine’s overconfidence was likely at its peak during his redirection of his wayward apprentice, having zero fear or concern over Vader’s anger and rage thanks to his superior ability in the dark side. Regardless of his status as a heretical Sith Lord, there’s no denying that Emperor Palpatine had enough power (and ego) to rule his Empire for decades despite said heresy.
Star Wars: The Bad Batch
Star Wars: The Bad Batch is an action-adventure animated series set after the events of The Clone Wars, following Clone Force 99 (a.k.a. the Bad Batch.) Finding themselves immune to the brainwashing effects of Order 66, the Bad Batch become mercenaries for hire while outrunning the empire, now seeing them as fugitives of the law.
- Cast
- Dee Bradley Baker , Michelle Ang , Noshir Dalal , Liam O’Brien , Rhea Perlman , Sam Riegel , Bob Bergen , Gwendoline Yeo
- Release Date
- May 4, 2021
- Seasons
- 3
- Franchise(s)
- Star Wars
- Writers
- Jennifer Corbett , Dave Filoni , Matt Michnovetz , Tamara Becher , Amanda Rose Munoz , Gursimran Sandhu , Christian Taylor , Damani Johnson
- Directors
- Brad Rau , Steward Lee , Nathaniel Villanueva , Saul Ruiz
- Showrunner
- Dave Filoni
- Creator(s)
- Dave Filoni , Jennifer Corbett
- Where To Watch
- Disney Plus
