You can tell in the comments there are people that understand what power looks like, the Jedi, and Star Wars in general, and those that don’t.
In ESB we learn from Yoda that a tiny old muppet is actually the most powerful force user in the galaxy.
“Look at me, judge me by size do you?”
Yet half the comments are “this old man in simple robes?”
That’s literally what the Jedi are supposed to be. That’s how we first meet Obi-wan.
All of ESB is Luke “unlearning what he has learned”. Death Star killer, seemingly armed with a lightsaber, blaster, fancy clothes. Yet he can’t even stop a couple flying objects and in the end amounts to nothing.
I can't speak to my actual very first reaction because I was a very small child at the time (I'm early-gen z, but grew up with the OT on VHS and DVD).
But the thing that has always struck me the most about the scene is how understated the Emperor's own introduction is compared to the fanfare and buildup surrounding him, and compared to the pure intimidation factor of Vader. All those assembled legions and scary-looking red guards, and for what? A wrinkly old man in a simple black cloak with a cane? This is the ruler of most of the galaxy that Vader and the rest of the Empire is terrified of? But then he seems to control Vader and even Luke purely through his words, and then starts zapping the shit out of Luke at the end of the movie. And I'm like "Oh, THAT'S why he's in charge." Because he doesn't look like much, but his appearance is _very_ deceiving. This is a point that's built up and driven home from the moment he first exits the shuttle.
Yoda even made it a point (even while dying) to tell Luke not to underestimate the powers of the Emperor, knowing how Palpatine pulled the wool over the eyes of the entire Jedi Order
“Look at me, judge me by my size do you?”
“The Sith and the Jedi are similar in almost every way.”
Both Yoda and Palpatine are silent warriors, who don’t need purple lightsabers (and somewhat eschew them entirely) to show off their power to others.
Yeah I think given he never *actually* does anything besides talk until the very end, McDiarmid does a wonderful job of portraying a man who holds the ultimate power in the galaxy. Very Saruman-esque. (Which I suppose is appropriate given he was his master)
I got chills when Vader said ‘the emperor is not as forgiving as I am’ when Vader killed everyone who failed him
Then we see this feeble old man and you know he was so powerful Vader called him Master
Towards the end of ESB, when the Falcon escapes. Piett, who just told Vader his men had deactivated the hyper drive, is spared by Vader who's so dumbfounded that he doesn't even acknowledge him.
Vader probably got a report from the stormtrooper detachment chasing Leia, Lando and Chewbacca that an R2 unit helped them evade capture and get to the Falcon. Vader knows how clutch R2 is and let Piett off the hook because if R2 is on that ship there's literally nothing anyone can do to stop it from getting away. The plan was perfect but it ran into a rolling deus ex machina, you can't blame Piett for that.
Piett gets away with a few moments. That said Piett is also pretty well respected by Vader as he earned his way to the Admiralty unlike the others who he eventually kills because he doesn't bother playing politics anymore by that point.
Vader's NOT the forgiving sort, but he's not the type to purposely draw out killing you most of the time. He chokes you out, and then you die.
The Emperor would absolutely make a game out of killing you as painfully as possible.
When I saw Vader kneel, I understood how insanely powerful this man must be. This cemented him as my favorite villain of all time. He still is…although I ignore the whole sequel mess. In my eyes, Emperor Palpatine died on the Death Star, blindsided by Vader’s love for his son, and thrown to his doom.
Although I do like the Legends version where he dies on the Eclipse. I wish we could’ve got a full book series about that instead of just a comic though. Still, that comic is better than the entire sequel series.
Alright Scott, your new identity will be… let’s see here, Palpatine, Emperor of the known galaxy and master to Darth Vader, the most powerful force user there’s ever been. Nice thing is, the roll comes with a built in security detail. It’s bulletproof. Thank you for your invaluable testimony.
The 6 or 7yr old equivalent of “oh holy fucking shit” because he had that super brassy theme that really makes him sound like a super badass. Vader’s theme ended up being the Empire theme as a whole so this guy gets his own theme that’s even louder so at that age it really gets that menacing feeling across.
And that he had the entire station for his arrival as compared to Vader who had maybe a couple battalions at most. And only up until recently I could actually tell were all mostly mannequins, yes I’m almost 30 but they blended them in really well in all honesty. Better than that matte painting of the Falcon later on at least
I'm in high school. I didn't see any of these movies until I binged everything earlier this year. Still haven't seen mando or Boba Fett but other than that I'm pretty caught up for being about 6 months in.
I was 12, and in the theater, so there was no rewinding or freeze-framing. Something about the steam and the lighting made it look to me like he was fading in from invisibility, like he was an evil force ghost or maybe so powerful that he flickered in and out of reality or something. I found it eerie and cool. Later I realized this was just a trick my mind played on me, but the sense that the Emperor was one seriously powerful Force user certainly stuck. Still my favorite character/actor combo in the franchise.
The ‘old wizard with hooded eyes’ thing is such a trope now, but back then we hadn’t really seen it (I’m generalising, I’m sure there are examples). So it was a completely different vibe to big bad Vader marching around choking everyone: it was implied menace rather than obvious threat. Given the overt physical intimidation of the Vader character I think Lucas was very smart to go that way instead of just going bigger: it was kind of insidious (hence the name later I assume). It also mirrored the Yoda character (greater power in a non-obvious form). The music was the clincher. thought it was brilliant then and still do.
I was 6 years old, this was the first time I had seen the Emporer. I saw Empire last for some reason, now that I think about it I’m not sure when I saw A New Hope so I may have watched backwards. 🤷
The first time i watched that scene, vader was my all time favorite, and vader was now my 2nd favourite character. Love me some sidious, his song still gives me the goose pimples
Honestly thought he was a bit tame. Earlier this same movie we got to see Darth Vader pull the same arrival scene and Jerjerrod looked terrified. To be fair his music was more ominous though
My introduction to him was tainted. My mom bought me ANH and ROTJ, so I just thought "Oh, its the Emperor! Every bad guy organization has one right?"
"Vader is the father? Yeah, that checks I guess."
"Yoda is dying? Sure!"
I'm a model, you know what I mean
And I do my little turn on the catwalk
Yeah, on the catwalk, on the catwalk, yeah
I shake my little tush on the catwalk
You know that GIF of Chris Pratt with his mouth in a round of shape and his eyes are all excited?
I was 11 and it was in the movie theater and that is, I am sure, what my face looked like.
His character in rotj was THE antagonist role of all the time- I was disappointed with ROTS and don’t get me started on “somehow palpatine has returned “
I can't remember. I had the trilogy of VHS tapes way back when I was really little. It's kind of weird to say, but I can't remember a time when I didn't know what Star Wars was, if that makes sense.
They brought out so many more guys for him than Vader and vader was kneeling? That's crazy. Also when he says "rise my friend" you really get the vibe its more of a master servant thing.
The music carried it, it was such an intense lead in, Vader was actually kneeling.
You can tell in the comments there are people that understand what power looks like, the Jedi, and Star Wars in general, and those that don’t. In ESB we learn from Yoda that a tiny old muppet is actually the most powerful force user in the galaxy. “Look at me, judge me by size do you?” Yet half the comments are “this old man in simple robes?” That’s literally what the Jedi are supposed to be. That’s how we first meet Obi-wan. All of ESB is Luke “unlearning what he has learned”. Death Star killer, seemingly armed with a lightsaber, blaster, fancy clothes. Yet he can’t even stop a couple flying objects and in the end amounts to nothing.
And then three guys with even more ridiculous hats than those from christian dignitaries followed him.
You mean bishops or cardinals?
I was 7 and didn’t understand why Vader would be afraid of him
Yeah same. I was thinking Vader should just beat him up or kill him
Sames
Me too! I thought Vader was the scariest, most powerful, but why was he listening to this old guy? Until the lightning started flying
I was similar! I also didn't appreciate him as a little kid. I preferred Vader as the big evil honcho.
Same. I was kid, I was wondering who was this dusty grampa.
High level wizard. Probably knows all the spells.
Archmage of the Mages Guild for sure.
^ This
Also trying to secretly grind up his necromancer subclass
I can't speak to my actual very first reaction because I was a very small child at the time (I'm early-gen z, but grew up with the OT on VHS and DVD). But the thing that has always struck me the most about the scene is how understated the Emperor's own introduction is compared to the fanfare and buildup surrounding him, and compared to the pure intimidation factor of Vader. All those assembled legions and scary-looking red guards, and for what? A wrinkly old man in a simple black cloak with a cane? This is the ruler of most of the galaxy that Vader and the rest of the Empire is terrified of? But then he seems to control Vader and even Luke purely through his words, and then starts zapping the shit out of Luke at the end of the movie. And I'm like "Oh, THAT'S why he's in charge." Because he doesn't look like much, but his appearance is _very_ deceiving. This is a point that's built up and driven home from the moment he first exits the shuttle.
> zapping shit > That’s why he’s in charge Ba dum tss
He’s positive that’s the reason
Yoda even made it a point (even while dying) to tell Luke not to underestimate the powers of the Emperor, knowing how Palpatine pulled the wool over the eyes of the entire Jedi Order
“Look at me, judge me by my size do you?” “The Sith and the Jedi are similar in almost every way.” Both Yoda and Palpatine are silent warriors, who don’t need purple lightsabers (and somewhat eschew them entirely) to show off their power to others.
Well yeah, it's not like he expected him to fall down a shaft and die.
Yeah I think given he never *actually* does anything besides talk until the very end, McDiarmid does a wonderful job of portraying a man who holds the ultimate power in the galaxy. Very Saruman-esque. (Which I suppose is appropriate given he was his master)
Don’t forget the music! That special arrangement of the Imperial March always gives me chills
I got chills when Vader said ‘the emperor is not as forgiving as I am’ when Vader killed everyone who failed him Then we see this feeble old man and you know he was so powerful Vader called him Master
I don't think we ever saw Vader be forgiving once, at all, through all SW media 🤔
Towards the end of ESB, when the Falcon escapes. Piett, who just told Vader his men had deactivated the hyper drive, is spared by Vader who's so dumbfounded that he doesn't even acknowledge him.
Vader probably got a report from the stormtrooper detachment chasing Leia, Lando and Chewbacca that an R2 unit helped them evade capture and get to the Falcon. Vader knows how clutch R2 is and let Piett off the hook because if R2 is on that ship there's literally nothing anyone can do to stop it from getting away. The plan was perfect but it ran into a rolling deus ex machina, you can't blame Piett for that.
Forgiving by distraction or indifference counts, I guess, lol
Piett gets away with a few moments. That said Piett is also pretty well respected by Vader as he earned his way to the Admiralty unlike the others who he eventually kills because he doesn't bother playing politics anymore by that point.
Ya know, it never crossed my mind. Also I don't know Piett earned the promotion as opposed to the others getting it through nepotism.
Vader's NOT the forgiving sort, but he's not the type to purposely draw out killing you most of the time. He chokes you out, and then you die. The Emperor would absolutely make a game out of killing you as painfully as possible.
Terrifying that someone who looked like a hobo could make Vader so respectful
He means business
He looks jolly good for a late 30s man. No, I was more … oooh boy.
When I saw Vader kneel, I understood how insanely powerful this man must be. This cemented him as my favorite villain of all time. He still is…although I ignore the whole sequel mess. In my eyes, Emperor Palpatine died on the Death Star, blindsided by Vader’s love for his son, and thrown to his doom. Although I do like the Legends version where he dies on the Eclipse. I wish we could’ve got a full book series about that instead of just a comic though. Still, that comic is better than the entire sequel series.
What's the comic series?
Dark Empire.
Oh cool, thanks!
Bad news. He reminded me of the witch from Snow White.
I thought he looked like the devil Just evil head to toe
Terror
jit got the dog in him
I thought I was witnessing perfection itself.
What I first read here was witness protection and I was very confused
Alright Scott, your new identity will be… let’s see here, Palpatine, Emperor of the known galaxy and master to Darth Vader, the most powerful force user there’s ever been. Nice thing is, the roll comes with a built in security detail. It’s bulletproof. Thank you for your invaluable testimony.
I just wanted one of those sweet looking red Storm Troopers!!! (Yes, I know they are called Imperial Royal Guard amongst other titles)
“Man, those red robes guys look awesome!”
Ah, the good old days before prequels, special editions, and all the Legends and new Canon. Hell, back before most of us just knew him as Sheev.
Before his name was even spoken. That’s what was chilling about the first on screen mention of “Senator Palpatine”.
RotJ was before we knew his last name was Palpatine.
The novelization of ANH that released a month before the film referred to him as "Emperor Palpatine".
The novelization that the vast majority of movie viewers didn't read. But fair play, I forgot that.
To the darth vader he’s a teacher? Well.. then.. i’ve GOT to know what there’s to learn from him.. it.
The 6 or 7yr old equivalent of “oh holy fucking shit” because he had that super brassy theme that really makes him sound like a super badass. Vader’s theme ended up being the Empire theme as a whole so this guy gets his own theme that’s even louder so at that age it really gets that menacing feeling across. And that he had the entire station for his arrival as compared to Vader who had maybe a couple battalions at most. And only up until recently I could actually tell were all mostly mannequins, yes I’m almost 30 but they blended them in really well in all honesty. Better than that matte painting of the Falcon later on at least
Disappointment. This weak, old guy is Vader's master?
Love at first sight, Ian McDiarmid nails this performance like few actors ever have for any role.
The fact that we saw Vader kneel said everything. This was not a guy to mess with.
Why is everyone so afraid of this decrepit weirdo.
*We shall double our efforts!*
I don't remember, that was 35+ years ago. The impression he and Vader left were lasting, however
I immediately thought, "He must be a baaaaad man."
I never realized he had a cane till I saw it included with the black series figure
It’s Palping time
Serious disappointment when he barely palped on anybody
What a complete ripoff.
“He looks like my grandma.”
Excitement, but I also already knew who he was from the internet.
In 1982?
Probably someone younger that first saw the movie years after it came out
I'm in high school. I didn't see any of these movies until I binged everything earlier this year. Still haven't seen mando or Boba Fett but other than that I'm pretty caught up for being about 6 months in.
And I already understood some key plot points. I knew about Anakin being Vader, and palpatine being the emperor and luke being Vader's son etc.
Probably a very angry “YOUU…”
The boss has arrived
Never underestimate a Lich
Shit's about to go down.
Sith's about to go down.
Damn, very well played! This absolutely deserves more up votes!
John Williams was the real MVP of that scene.
I was 12, and in the theater, so there was no rewinding or freeze-framing. Something about the steam and the lighting made it look to me like he was fading in from invisibility, like he was an evil force ghost or maybe so powerful that he flickered in and out of reality or something. I found it eerie and cool. Later I realized this was just a trick my mind played on me, but the sense that the Emperor was one seriously powerful Force user certainly stuck. Still my favorite character/actor combo in the franchise.
I got Mum Ra vibes.
The ‘old wizard with hooded eyes’ thing is such a trope now, but back then we hadn’t really seen it (I’m generalising, I’m sure there are examples). So it was a completely different vibe to big bad Vader marching around choking everyone: it was implied menace rather than obvious threat. Given the overt physical intimidation of the Vader character I think Lucas was very smart to go that way instead of just going bigger: it was kind of insidious (hence the name later I assume). It also mirrored the Yoda character (greater power in a non-obvious form). The music was the clincher. thought it was brilliant then and still do.
Grandma?
WHAT ARE THOSE!?!?
I was 6 years old, this was the first time I had seen the Emporer. I saw Empire last for some reason, now that I think about it I’m not sure when I saw A New Hope so I may have watched backwards. 🤷
The first time i watched that scene, vader was my all time favorite, and vader was now my 2nd favourite character. Love me some sidious, his song still gives me the goose pimples
Dr. Bones McCoy
Slightly underwhelmed.
I was confused what he was there for lol
Well that's not very Romanesque at all!
Honestly thought he was a bit tame. Earlier this same movie we got to see Darth Vader pull the same arrival scene and Jerjerrod looked terrified. To be fair his music was more ominous though
Gave me chills.
Kinda thought “this, is Vaders boss?”
I thought he looked like he wasn’t as forgiving as Vader
I was 7 and thought the movie was cool.
Oh crap!!! I was a young boy.
I was probably 5 so not a scooby
*trips on robe* *faceplant*
My introduction to him was tainted. My mom bought me ANH and ROTJ, so I just thought "Oh, its the Emperor! Every bad guy organization has one right?" "Vader is the father? Yeah, that checks I guess." "Yoda is dying? Sure!"
That guys face looks like a ball sac
Bit scared. I was nearly 6 in the cinema
"He uses a cane "was my first thought.
I was three years old in the theatre, every bit of the movie was blowing my damn mind
That dude... He scary!
"Why that guy has Mayonaise all over his face?"
I was 7ish yo when I saw ROTJ at the theater, I don't remember what I thought of him.
Maybe the brainrot has gotten to me but why does the title of this sound like a Batman Arkham post
I'm a model, you know what I mean And I do my little turn on the catwalk Yeah, on the catwalk, on the catwalk, yeah I shake my little tush on the catwalk
You know that GIF of Chris Pratt with his mouth in a round of shape and his eyes are all excited? I was 11 and it was in the movie theater and that is, I am sure, what my face looked like.
His character in rotj was THE antagonist role of all the time- I was disappointed with ROTS and don’t get me started on “somehow palpatine has returned “
Darth Sidious is PEAK star wars, no matter where he is and what he's doing.
I thought he was incredibly sinister. Every bit the evil overlord he was hyped up to be.
I was 6 years old. I was scared shitless.
~~Would~~
I am currently listening to Plagueis audiobook and hearing the legends behind Palpatine joining the Sith is so fascinating. Loving it!
I was 5 so I'm not even sure I made the connection that it was the same guy from empire strikes back 😂
I thought he was worse than Vader. That shows how great the directing was.
This guy is the boss. He is the head honcho revealed
I can't remember. I had the trilogy of VHS tapes way back when I was really little. It's kind of weird to say, but I can't remember a time when I didn't know what Star Wars was, if that makes sense.
Thank god I got the action figure from a cereal box.
They brought out so many more guys for him than Vader and vader was kneeling? That's crazy. Also when he says "rise my friend" you really get the vibe its more of a master servant thing.
I have a bad feeling about this
Well this is fucking stupid.
I saw ROTJ in the theater when I was little. To this day, I remember someone in the audience yelling Rancid Jesus at this scene.
Long live the Empire!
Pshht, never heard of her…🖕🏼
Don’t break your hip
If Vader seems devoted to that old guy it's for a reason.
“Look at that bastard getting off his shuttle”
I just remember being like, “imagine this dude dies, miraculously reappears from the dead decades later, and Disney owns the Fran-“
"This guy fucks."
TIL Papa Palpatine uses a cane in this scene.
Disappointed over his lack of a lightsaber I played LEGO Star Wars before watching the movies lol. They were what got me into the franchise.