There is little doubt that Sheev Palpatine is one of the most intriguing characters in the Star Wars Universe, especially since he has the tendency to come back despite numerous “deaths”. So what are the chances that the Emperor will make an appearance in Andor Season 2? It is suggested that the former Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic will play a major role in the returning Disney+ series.
Andor Season 2 has encountered delays due to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, but this hasn’t stopped fans from speculating about what might happen in the Star Wars series. The show’s second season is set to lead directly into the events of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, but some fans are wondering if familiar faces from the Star Wars universe might make appearances. One intriguing theory suggests that Emperor Palpatine could be lurking in the background.
Andor Season 2 Theory Anticipates Palpatine’s Arrival
The Reddit theory points out that Andor has made numerous references to Emperor Palpatine in the first season alone. Moreover, it is suggested that the Rogue One spin-off delves heavily into the politics within the Star Wars Universe so it would only make sense for the most infamous politician and secret Sith to at least have a cameo in the second season.
“Andor takes place in a pivotal time period in Star Wars, it’s leading directly into Rogue One/A New Hope, so the show heavily deals with the Empire and the politics of the Star Wars Galaxy (especially since Mon Mothma is the co-lead) and Palpatine is literally the one in charge of the Empire/Galaxy and he’s already been mentioned multiple times in S1, so i think it would make perfect sense for him to appear, but of course it should make sense for the story first,” the post reads.
Additionally, the Redditor presented a scenario that would finally bring Palpatine into Andor Season 2.
“I think the most likely way Palpatine could appear would be in a scene of him addressing the senate after a rebel attack, or after the Ghorman Massacre which they have already starting to set up in season 1, or a hologram of Palpatine where he’s speaking to the public in his classic dictator speech way,” the post continues. “I think it would be amazing to see Palpatine especially with [Tony] Gilroy’s writing and it would raise the stakes for Mon Mothma even more.”
The idea of bringing Palpatine into the storyline does make sense within the Star Wars timeline. After all, Rogue One featured an appearance from Darth Vader, setting a precedent for significant cameos in the prequel series. However, while this theory is compelling, it has not been universally embraced by the Star Wars community.
Palpatine’s Influence in the Star Wars Universe
Emperor Palpatine is a prominent character in the Star Wars franchise. He is portrayed as the sinister Emperor of the Galactic Empire and the master of Darth Vader in the original trilogy. In the prequel trilogy, his character has a more substantial role, depicting his ascent from senator to Emperor. Palpatine is portrayed as a charismatic politician who secretly wields the dark side of the Force as a Sith lord. He orchestrates various events such as the invasion of Naboo, the Clone Wars, and the demise of the Jedi Order and the Republic. He also seduces Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker into becoming his apprentice Darth Vader.
In The Rise of Skywalker, the final film of the sequel trilogy, a resurrected Palpatine is revealed to be the grandfather of the protagonist Rey. He is also the mastermind behind Snoke, whom he created to lead the First Order against the New Republic and seduce Ben Solo into becoming Kylo Ren.
The Star Wars universe is known for its intricate storytelling and interconnected characters, so the possibility of Emperor Palpatine making an appearance in Andor Season 2 is not entirely far-fetched. It would add an exciting layer to the series and create a link to the broader Star Wars narrative. However, the decision ultimately lies with the creators and producers of the show, and fans will have to wait to see if this theory becomes a reality in the Star Wars prequel series.
Andor Season 2 is expected to consist of 12 episodes. Although the Star Wars series has not yet been given an official release date, fans are looking forward to the show’s possible premiere in August 2024.
