Summary
The exact timing ofDarth Plagueis’death is pretty important in theStar Warscanon. The dark Sith master of Darth Sidious aka Palpatine, Plagueis was a legendary Sith Lord who just recently made his on-screen debut in the finale ofThe Acolyte. However, much of what was known about Palpatine’s master has become a mystery following Disney’s continuity purge following its purchase of Lucasfilm in 2012 with many stories becoming non-canon Legends. This includes the events surrounding Plagueis' death at the hands of Palpatine himself.
Darth Plagueis was first mentioned in 2005’sRevenge of the Sithduring Palpatine’s attempts to seduce Anakin to the dark side. Sharing with the young Jedi “The Tragedy of Darth Plagueis the Wise”, it was revealed that Plagueis was so powerful that he could influence the midi-chlorians to create life and prevent those he cared about from dying, before he was ultimately killed by his own apprentice (Palpatine). However,there’s a discrepancy between when Plagueis was murdered in Legends’Darth Plagueisby James Luceno and what’s implied in the establishedStar Warscanon, one that changes much about Palpatine’s origins.
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When Darth Plagueis Died In Star Wars Legends (& What It Means For Palpatine)
Plagueis Didn’t Die Until The End of The Phantom Menace
In Legends’Darth Plagueis, it was revealed that Palpatine’s Sith master was a powerful Muun financier from the planet Munnilinst, known publicly as Hego Damask. Orchestrating events and the eventual fall of the Republic from the shadows,Plagueis eventually discovers Palpatine and begins training him as his new Sith apprentice, Darth Sidious. Together,Plagueis and Palpatine manipulated events and ultimately played the long game, ensuring Palpatine’s rise to political power as well as forging a means to destroy the Jedi Order. It was their “Grand Design” where Plagueis was meant to become co-chancellor, ruling from the shadows while Palpatine was the public face.
However,Palpatine doesn’t kill Darth Plagueis in Legends until after Sidious becomes Supreme Chancellor, as seen inThe Phantom Menace. This means that Plagueis was still alive and active during the initial events of the movie, ordering Palpatine to send his assassin Darth Maul to kill Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi so that they could secureAnakin Skywalker as the Chosen One. This also means that Palpatine was still in service of Plagueis while dealing with the Trade Federation, as well as working behind the scenes to create a secret clone army for the future.
As such,this means that Palpatine was still acting per his master’s active designs duringThe Phantom Menace.Rather than simply forging his own schemes based on Darth Plagueis' teachings, far more of the “Grand Design” came from Palpatine’s Sith master than the movies ever let on. However, this isn’t what’s established in the established canon.
When Did Darth Plagueis Die In Star Wars Canon?
It’s Implied Palpatine’s Master Was Killed Long Before The Phantom Menace
In the establishedStar Warscanon, it’s implied thatPalpatine moves against his master shortly before or after he took Darth Maulas a child from Dathomir to begin training the young Zabrak as his own Sith apprentice.As such, this would mean that Plagueis was murdered long before the events ofThe Phantom Menace. While no specific date is given for the murder, it was likely around a decade before the events of the Skywalker saga, seeing as how 40 BBY was when Maul became Palpatine’s apprentice. Seeing as how Anakin Skywalker was born in 41 BBY, perhaps Plagueis was killed in the same year.
Given this new andcanonical continuity for theStar Warstimeline, Palpatine likely orchestrated the alliance with the Trade Federation, his appointment as Supreme Chancellor, and the creation of the clone army on his own.Palpatine would have already been the Sith master for quite some time before his plans truly went into action at the dawn of the Skywalker saga. However, the overarching vision was likely forged alongside his master years before the details were hammered out and machinations were put into motion.
Star Wars Canon (Probably) Takes The Better Approach For Palpatine’s Story
It Feels Stronger If Palpatine Is The Sith Master From The Very Start of the Skywalker Saga
Without a doubt, Darth Plagueis still being alive during the events ofThe Phantom Menaceas he was in Legends is quite compelling and a dynamic twist. It ensured that Plagueis got to see the fulfillment of his designs for Palpatine, even as his apprentice to the opportunity to betray and kill him.However, Plagueis dying years before the Skywalker saga as he now does in the canon is likely the better direction to go, effectively giving Palpatine far more credit and agency as the Skywalker saga’s sole mastermind and full embodiment of pure evil, rather than simply fulfilling the wishes and designs of his Sith master.
Emperor Palpatine / Darth Sidious
The senator for Naboo, Palpatine rose to power and influence during the dying days of the Republic. In reality, his public persona was just a mask; he was really Darth Sidious, greatest of the Sith Lords, and he used his political skills and Machiavellian cunning to bring down both the Republic and the Jedi. Palpatine ruled his Galactic Empire for decades, until he was betrayed by his apprentice, Darth Vader. Even this wasn’t enough to stop the Emperor, however, as he was resurrected by his followers - only to be defeated once again.
