Pondering an alternate scenario: If the villainous Emperor Palpatine had triumphed in the Star Wars saga instead of the heroes, what might have unfolded if he had fully executed his plans? Distinctive among his Sith predecessors, Palpatine orchestrated the fall of the Republic from within its very heart, rather than through brute force. This cunning approach allowed him to complete the Sith’s “Grand Plan,” annihilating the Jedi Order and imposing a new tyrannical rule across the galaxy.
Instead of the Rebel Alliance thwarting Palpatine’s grand designs for the Empire, imagine if his plans had come to fruition and the Empire had emerged triumphant, altering the galaxy significantly. This hypothetical scenario can be hinted at through Palpatine’s contingency plans in canon, as well as alternate storylines like Star Wars Infinities , where the Rebellion ultimately prevails later on. Let us delve into this alternate Star Wars timeline to explore a galaxy forever shaped by an Imperial victory.
The Empire Crushes The Rebellion At The Battle Of Endor
The galaxy’s last chance for freedom fails
In this alternate scenario, the decisive battle at Endor didn’t lead to the downfall of the Empire as we know it. Instead, Emperor Palpatine manages to eliminate the Rebel Alliance definitively when the ground team’s attempt to disable the shield generator proves unsuccessful. With the Death Star now guarded by an energy barrier, the space station remains invincible, leading to the devastation of the Rebel fleet.
From his throne atop the Death Star, the Emperor witnesses Luke Skywalker’s comrades make their last stand. This heart-wrenching scene pushes Luke towards despair. Overwhelmed by grief, Luke strikes down Darth Vader, not just severing his hand, and with no other options, he becomes Palpatine’s latest apprentice. Once the Imperial troops have retreated from Endor, the Death Star obliterates the forest moon to eradicate any remaining rebel forces.
Over the ensuing years, the Empire strengthens its grip, and the knowledge that the Rebellion has been defeated following such a close call extinguishes any remaining embers of resistance. The second Death Star obliterates numerous defiant worlds, among them being Chandrila, home to Mon Mothma, and Mon Cala, where Admiral Ackbar hails. This devastation marks the start of Palpatine’s ambition to reshape the galaxy according to his vision.
Palpatine Successfully Completes His “Century Plan”
A long-term strategy to reshape society
In the closing stages of “Star Wars: Reign of the Empire – The Mask of Fear” by Alexander Freed, it was Grand Vizier Mas Amedda who disclosed to Mon Mothma the entirety of Palpatine’s strategy. He detailed that Palpatine was solely focused on the “Century Plan,” a long-term scheme meant to alter Imperial society over several decades. This encompassed taking control of corporate resources, establishing re-education facilities, revising galactic history, modifying family dynamics, and much more.
The original scheme encountered a hitch when Luke demolished the first Death Star, but if there hadn’t been a Rebellion, Palpatine could have set the Century Plan back in motion. Over time, new generations would be brainwashed into adopting Imperial ideologies, making resistance seem futile to those who dared oppose. With the Death Star and eventually the Final Order fleet at his disposal, Palpatine would maintain this mindset among the populace.
This New “Eternal Empire” Lasts For A Thousand Generations
The dark side reigns as long as the light did
In a different wording: The Old Republic and Jedi Order persisted for around 25,000 years, or a millennium of generations. Therefore, the question arises: What if the Empire managed to survive for such an extended period? Many rebels found this prospect alarming, with Jyn Erso warning the Alliance that allowing such an evil and powerful enemy to prevail would lead to “an endless era of subjugation.” On the other hand, Imperials like Inspector Thanoth expressed their faith in an “Enduring Empire” that would outlive them.
Since historically, the old Sith were known for plotting against one another, and since both the Jedi and the Republic opposed them, all prior Sith Empires eventually fell apart. With Darth Bane’s Rule of Two in place, Palpatine wouldn’t have to fear other Sith conspiring against him. Moreover, mastering the secret of eternal life would enable him to reign indefinitely. In the Legends continuity, he even had the chance to adopt a Rule of One philosophy.
Under the control of the dark side for so long, it’s hard to imagine a future where freedom isn’t a distant memory, rebellion feels like an unattainable dream, and those who suffer the most have no hope. The longest-lasting empires eventually fall or transform into something new, but the galaxy might endure countless generations of suffering before that happens.
The Jedi & The Republic Would Return… But Not For Long
Bringing back the light is harder when the dark has ruled for millennia
The uninterrupted rule of the Jedi and the Republic for 25,000 years made it difficult for the dark side to endure lasting victories. Conversely, if the Sith and their Empire dominated the galaxy for a millennium, the light side might be absent for far too long.
In every vast epoch, I find myself contemplating upon a rare instance – possibly a disillusioned Sith apprentice unearthing an antiquated Jedi artifact known as a holocron. This discovery, I believe, awakens within them the realization that the cosmos we inhabit is far from its intended balance.
With unwavering resolve, this individual embarks on a mission to resurrect the once-venerable Jedi Order, forging alliances with those who aspire to restore democracy throughout the galaxy. Alas, these valiant attempts are destined to falter, as history has shown us that rebuilding the Jedi and the Republic is no easy feat, even after the fall of an empire, let alone after millennia have passed.
Just as the Rakatan Infinite Empire, which ruled the galaxy long before the Republic, eventually crumbled and paved the way for something new, so too would the Empire eventually fall. The darkness it represented could not last forever, but it’s intriguing to imagine a different Star Wars universe where the Empire had prevailed.
| Upcoming Star Wars Movies | Release Date |
|---|---|
| The Mandalorian & Grogu | May 22, 2026 |
| Star Wars: Starfighter | May 28, 2027 |
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2025-05-13 04:56