What If Anakin Had Killed Palpatine When He Discovered His Sith Nature?
In the expansive Star Wars canon, the duality between Anakin Skywalker and Chancellor Palpatine is central to the plot and narrative of the films. If Anakin had discovered Palpatine's true identity as a Sith Lord and managed to end his life before he could react, the implications would be profound. This hypothetical scenario explores how events might have unfolded differently.
Consequences of Anakin's Action
Initially, Palpatine's defeat would have altered the course of events drastically. As a Sith Lord, Palpatine would likely have tried to disable Anakin and convince him to sit down for a discussion. However, given Anakin's state of grief and the urgency to save Padmé, it's unlikely this method would have been successful.
Should Anakin have managed a killing blow, the New Hope prophecy of the Chosen One would have been fulfilled prematurely. This would render the Star Wars prequels and original trilogy nonsensical, creating a what if situation that would delve into intricate continuity issues. The early ending to the Chosen One prophecy would mean that the young Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Anakin's padawan training didn't occur, leaving a significant gap in the narrative continuity.
Palpatine's Escape and Order 66
Alternatively, if Palpatine managed to escape, he would likely initiate Order 66 immediately. This command would have enabled the clones to turn on the Jedi Order, effectively leading to the destruction of the Jedi Temple and the deaths of many Jedi, including Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda. This action would have been a pivotal moment, shifting the balance completely to Palpatine's side and leading to the rise of the Galactic Empire.
With Anakin now definitively on Palpatine's side, the Prequels and Original Trilogy might remain somewhat intact, though the events would feel artificial and incoherent. Alternatively, if Anakin could not be fully convinced back to the dark side, the impact on the narrative would still be significant. Each outcome raises complex questions about character development, political upheaval, and the broader Star Wars universe.
Filming Continuity and Character Development
The actual filming of the Star Wars prequels and original trilogy took great care to maintain a consistent narrative without outright contradicting the existing universe. The filmmakers deliberately crafted the story to align with the iconic legacy of the original Star Wars trilogy. This careful storytelling choice ensured that the characters, including Anakin and Palpatine, developed realistically over the course of multiple movies, a challenge that would have been more difficult to achieve in a drastically altered timeline.
Viewing the original six films as a single, continuous narrative highlights the intricate web of events that connect the prequels and the original trilogy. Each film serves as a segment within this overarching story, each contributing to the overall character and plot development of the characters involved.
In conclusion, the hypothetical scenario of Anakin killing Palpatine would have had far-reaching consequences, potentially altering the entire Star Wars saga even if only a little. The meticulous construction of the prequels and original trilogy underscores the significance of these events and the care taken by the filmmakers to maintain the integrity of the Star Wars universe.