Star Wars Officially Confirms Palpatine Didn’t Even TRY To Hide Being a Sith From the Jedi

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While many see Revenge of the Sith as the fall of the Republic, it arguably began much earlier, when Palpatine first became chancellor in The Phantom Menace. He quickly took power from the Senate, and the Clone Wars allowed him to justify expanding his authority with emergency powers. Mace Windu was right to suspect a fair trial for Palpatine was impossible, as the Sith Lord secretly controlled the legal system as well.

It’s amazing in hindsight that the Jedi didn’t realize a Sith Lord was operating among them. Surprisingly, Count Dooku actually warned them in Attack of the Clones, telling Obi-Wan that a Sith Lord had taken control of the senate. The Jedi dismissed his warning, likely thinking it was a trick by someone who had already revealed themselves as a Sith. However, their oversight seems even stranger now, considering recent Star Wars revelations.

Palpatine Openly Demonstrated His Sith Allegiance

In E.K. Johnston’s novel, “Queen’s Shadow,” which takes place just before the events of The Phantom Menace, Palpatine was at a meeting with Chancellor Valorum. Seemingly bored, he quietly complained to a Jedi Council member about the room’s colors, and even wondered aloud what it would look like decorated in red. Once he rose to power, Palpatine immediately began redecorating the chambers to match his vision, and he outfitted his elite guards in dramatic red robes, revealing red as a color he clearly favored.

Adam Christopher’s latest book, “Master of Evil,” confirms that red has long been the signature color of the Sith. Palpatine deliberately used red – in his own robes, the uniforms of his guards, and throughout his office – to openly show his loyalty to the Sith. As seen in Revenge of the Sith, his office was filled with Sith artifacts, including an old painting depicting the conflict between the Jedi and the Sith. Palpatine wasn’t trying to hide his allegiance; he flaunted it.

Why Didn’t the Jedi Recognize Palpatine as Sith?

It seems silly that the Jedi didn’t figure out Palpatine was the Sith Lord they were looking for. However, Matt Stover’s novelization of Revenge of the Sith explains why they overlooked him. The Jedi understood that if Palpatine was a Sith Lord, they had already been defeated. He’d cleverly positioned himself as an enemy so powerful he could openly show his true nature without worrying about being exposed.

Mace Windu’s frantic behavior in Revenge of the Sith – including his decision to immediately kill a defeated enemy – was likely due to Palpatine’s overwhelming power. Palpatine had seized control of the government and legal systems, making him untouchable. Because the Jedi couldn’t understand how to respond to a Sith Lord in a position of power, they refused to acknowledge Palpatine’s true identity, which ultimately led to their downfall.

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2025-11-17 23:42