When Luke Skywalker destroyed the first Death Star in Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, Emperor Palpatine should’ve seen that for what it was, a dangerous warning. What might surprise fans is that George Lucas hadn’t originally intended for the Death Star to feature in the first Star Wars film. Initially, he had conceptualized a sweeping narrative in which the weapon wouldn’t come into play until the third act – in what would later become Star Wars: Episode VII – Return of the Jedi – but he eventually pushed it forward. From that decision, the Death Star became one of the most recognized elements throughout all of Star Wars.
In the subsequent decades, Star Wars has expanded on the Death Star’s history, capabilities, and the repercussions of its destruction. Recently, Andor revealed the Death Star under construction, deeply and tragically enhancing both Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and the original trilogy as a whole. The sequel trilogy, then, basically updated the concept with Starkiller Base and the Sith Eternal’s planet-destroying weapons in Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker. With the Death Star subjecting the galaxy to his authority, Palpatine could’ve dedicated himself fully to Sith’s ancient purpose, achieving true immortality. However, Luke Skywalker and the Rebel Alliance had different ideas.
The Death Star’s Destruction Proved The Force Was Against The Sith
The Death Star’s destruction plainly spelled out the will of the Force. If only Palpatine was listening, he could’ve prevented his later downfall. As his supreme symbol of fear and power, the Death Star proved how Palpatine accomplished more than any other Sith, so he never would’ve thought there could be a single vulnerability. However, a proton torpedo shot precisely into a thermal exhaust port and the whole thing would explode. While Palpatine and the Sith believe they can control and subject the Force to their will, Luke and the Jedi instead submit to its will. Thus, with the Force’s guidance he was able to land that extraordinary shot.
No matter how incredibly powerful Palpatine was with the dark side, in this instance, the Force clearly wasn’t on his side. Intriguingly, it was actually Darth Vader who demonstrated perfectly how the Force and the Death Star compare, claiming, “The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant next to the power of the Force.” As such a foundational aspect of the franchise, it’s perplexing to believe 20th Century Fox nearly cut the Death Star battle. Thankfully it was kept in as it all showcased how the Force chose Luke over Palpatine. The Force isn’t a weapon nor something one can rule over as the Sith would like to believe.
Luke Skywalker Was Right About Palpatine’s Weakness
By pushing the introduction of the Death Star up to the first film and then bringing it back for the third, Lucas perfectly revealed Palpatine’s fatal flaw – his egotistical hubris. Luke says as much, claiming “Your overconfidence is your weakness” in Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi. He didn’t learn anything from Luke’s destroying the Death Star. He and the Empire were quick to just build another and believe yet again that nothing could stop them. Such pride perpetually plagues the Sith, a weakness best exemplified by both Palpatine and Maul throughout the Skywalker Saga.
The dark side’s corruption does tend to color one’s perspective, and Palpatine couldn’t fathom the possibility that he was wrong. Through the Force he foresaw his victory, quashing out the last remnants of the Rebellion with his glorious superweapon. Convinced that he was the Force’s master, Palpatine trusted his visions unequivocally to his detriment. Even after his defeat on the second Death Star, Palpatine couldn’t correct his mistakes when he somehow returned in Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker. He believed no one could rival him. It’s Palpatine’s curse, first demonstrated in Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, six years before he ever actually debuted.
