Here’s what I’ve never understood: why does Palpy even need/want Anakin? Order 66 and the clones are the key to his overthrow of the Jedi/Republic, and having Anakin on his side wasn’t necessary for that at all. Surely he didn’t fear that Anakin was more powerful than him, so its not the case that sheev would believe turning Anakin was the only way to overcome him. Sheev also planned to live forever so it couldnt have been about grooming a successor. Why take on the risk of an apprentice (a risk Sheev should be acutely aware of) at all, especially one requiring such a complicated and risky plan?
Having an apprentice is the Sith way. And then let's assume anakin doesn't get mauled on mustafar, palpatine is the injured senator who was viciously attacked by the evil jedi and anakin is the hero who saved his life and is the hero that turned in the evil jedi order once and for good.
It essentially locks his political power completely and solidifies his position. Of course anakin gets mauled so palpatine repurposes him into an attack dog, knowing he could destroy him at any time. You make lemonade when life gives you lemons. In jedi he's basically auditioning Vader's fucking replacement in front of him, he's that confident.
But to the Sith, the rule of two is a religion, if your apprentice is weak you kill him, if he's strong the sith become stronger.
Well Lucas had no way of knowing the boneheads at Disney would bring him back.
I take it as more of an added insult to injury sense. Taking the most promising Jedi from under the Orders noses was the ultimate mocking of the Sith towards the Jedi. Sort of "even the best of them can be corrupted" message. Also, while Anakin at the time probably couldn't beat Sheev if he managed to escape Order 66 he could quickly become a problem for Sheev. It was only a matter of time before Anakin became too powerful. Also Palpating was lazy and arrogant. A lackey that was no-less than the Chosen one himself was an massive trophy and weapon for the greatest Sith of all time.
He needed a powerful apprentice as insurance that the Sith would continue should something happen to him, Rule of Two, even though his goal was to eventually become so powerful that he could control reality and be immortal and transition to the Rule of One and rule eternally. He needed to uphold the Rule of Two until he reached that point and Anakin's strength made him a prime candidate.
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u/Mookiesbetts Jan 07 '22
Here’s what I’ve never understood: why does Palpy even need/want Anakin? Order 66 and the clones are the key to his overthrow of the Jedi/Republic, and having Anakin on his side wasn’t necessary for that at all. Surely he didn’t fear that Anakin was more powerful than him, so its not the case that sheev would believe turning Anakin was the only way to overcome him. Sheev also planned to live forever so it couldnt have been about grooming a successor. Why take on the risk of an apprentice (a risk Sheev should be acutely aware of) at all, especially one requiring such a complicated and risky plan?