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Continuity & Analysis

Star Wars - Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005)
War! The Republic is crumbling under attacks by the ruthless Sith Lord, Count Dooku. There are heroes
on both sides. Evil is everywhere. In a stunning move, the fiendish droid leader, General Grievous,
has swept into the Republic capital and kidnapped Chancellor Palpatine, leader of the Galactic Senate.
As the Separatist Droid Army attempts to flee the besieged capital with their valuable hostage,
two Jedi Knights lead a desperate mission to rescue the captive Chancellor....




CONTINUITY
Episode III takes place three years after Episode II, and nineteen years before Episode IV.
The locations Utapau, Kashyyyk, Mustafar, and Polis Massa are seen for the first time, as is the surface of Alderaan. This film takes place on eight worlds:

Four more planets are seen for the first time in the Order 66 montage, making a total of twelve worlds seen in this film:

Episode III takes place over the course of 7 days. Day 1 - Battle of Coruscant --> Anakin's Force nightmare.
Day 2 - Yoda counsels Anakin --> Palpatine and Anakin at the opera. Day 3 - Yoda on Kashyyyk --> Anakin leaves for Mustafar.
Day 4 - Yoda and Obi-Wan return to Coruscant --> Padme leaves for Mustafar. Day 5 - Padme arrives on Mustafar --> Leaving Mustafar.
Day 6 - Arrival on Polis Massa --> Splitting up Luke and Leia. Day 7 - Padme's funeral --> Tatooine.

- The Battle of Coruscant, which began in Clone Wars 'Chapter 23', has entered its third and final phase. In the first phase, droid forces were deployed
to the surface, and the defense fleet in orbit was engaged. In the second phase, as Palpatine was taken prisoner the tide of the ground invasion turned to
the Republic. In orbit, Separatist battle groups continue to steadily arrive while the first Republic reinforcements begin to filter in from around the Core.
The third phase is the conclusion to the massive naval battle in orbit. The Separatist fleet has taken heavy loses, and many of the ships from the first waves
have been destroyed or severely damaged. After having sprung their surprise attack and set off the alarms, the Separatists have withdrawn the majority
of their fleets engaged in battles around the Core and set them towards Coruscant. By this point these forces have arrived, leaving the Separatist fleet
strength relatively equal to that which initially arrived. The Republic fleet, which was outnumbered early in the battle, has continually amassed and now
fights with over a thousand destroyers. The focus of the battle for the Republic has become Grievous' flagship, the Invisible Hand, which has not
fled the system, and is not initially targeted for annihilation due to the presence of the captive Chancellor on board. Obi-Wan has planned an operation
where he and Anakin will use starfighters to sneak aboard and rescue the Chancellor. As the Republic Navy gains the upper hand in the battle,
the Invisible Hand is engaged directly, and is ultimately destroyed due to battle damage. General Grievous escapes to a battleship, and shortly after
withdraws from the battle along with as much of his fleet as is still capable of entering hyperspace, resolving the battle as a Republic victory.


- Anakin's starfighter is marked with the 'reduced' form of Republic insignia, with the 6-spoke solar emblem, instead of the regular 8-spoke solar emblem.
Obi-Wan's starfighter has the traditional 8-spoke Republic emblem. Its use is meant to represent Anakin and the Republic's transition into Vader and
the Empire, as the Imperial symbol is an inversion of this 6-spoke version of the Republic symbol. Supplementary material suggests it is an old Republic
symbol which dates back around 25,000 years to the Unification Wars which led to the founding of the first Republic. While 8-spoked symbols denote
balance, 6-spoked symbols are typical of the Sith and the dark side, and yet they aren't necessarily symbolic of evil. This is probably a less used but
recognized Republic symbol, possibly one that is used to represent military high command. Anakin's use of this insignia may be meant to advertise
his martial nature and loyalty to the command structure of the Republic.


- Commander Odd Ball, CC-2237, is a clone pilot who often flys in support of Obi-Wan's forces. He was last seen ten months earlier in The Clone Wars
'The Jedi Who Knew Too Much' (S5E18), during the pursuit of Ahsoka.

- Obi-Wan's astromech R4-P17 is destroyed by a buzz droid. R4 was first seen in Episode II, and served with Obi-Wan throughout the Clone Wars.
She will be replaced by R4-G9 for Obi-Wan's mission to Utapau.

- Grievous' regular coughing and wheezing has been exacerbated by Mace crushing his torso with the Force during his escape from Coruscant with the captive
Chancellor, seen in Clone Wars 'Chapter 25'. He has installed one of his replacement parts, but is still having more trouble breathing than usual.


Why hasn't Grievous departed with the Chancellor? Obviously, Dooku doesn't want to leave, as instructed by Sidious.
Grievous has been warned the Jedi will soon infiltrate without support, "just as Count Dooku predicted." However,
the question remains whether they have the ability to escape or not. Given that they have gone to all this trouble to
capture the Chancellor, it would seem like it would make sense to deactivate their hyperdrive and feign battle damage.
Maybe they didn't care if the Jedi figure out their tactics don't make sense given their apparent objective. It is also
possible the Republic has boxed the ship in, and this is not necessary, or that Republic fighters have already damaged
their hyperdrive. There are several other possible concepts of what is going on, and yet the question remains as to
what the Separatists are trying to present their strategy as, and what the Republic believes the Separatists are up to.


- Palpatine's plan to have himself kidnapped is a repeat of a plan used just over a year earlier, seen in The Clone Wars 'Crisis on Naboo' (S4E18).
This is intended to deal with the issue of the Chosen One Anakin, as well as the issue of Dooku, and to give the plan's final moves their exact shape.
Eliminating Dooku or Anakin a year earlier could have suited his plans just as well, and likely would have allowed him to accelerate the end of his plan
somewhat, particularly if Anakin wins and falls more quickly under his dark influence. As all other stages of the plan have reached their optimum
point, Palpatine must deal with the issue of his apprentice and the Chosen One who can destroy the Sith before his coup de grace can be executed.
Main Article: Darth Sidious and The Plan

- Dooku believes that once the Jedi are provoked enough by Palpatine's transformation of the Republic, the Jedi Rebellion will provide a pretext for ending
the war, and blaming it on the manipulations of the Jedi. This will allow him and Palpatine to come to some agreement as the legitimate leaders of their
two states, and declare a new order which will do away with corruption. Dooku can then gain a legitimate station in the new Empire, second only to
Palpatine. Dooku also understands that Sidious expects him to earn this position, and that he must defeat Anakin to prove he is superior and worthy to
rule, which is Sith tradition and practice. It is also essential that the Chosen One be dealt with, or Order 66 may prove insufficient to lead to a Sith victory.
Like any good Sith Lord apprentice, Dooku has also been attempting to make his own plans to eliminate Sidious and become the Dark Lord. As Dooku's
first two attempts to train his own apprentice ended in failure during the Clone Wars, he is still completely dependent on Sidious' plan to succeed.

- Anakin has his sixth and final duel with Dooku, and they have now met in person eight times: this confrontation, their five previous lightsaber duels, on
Zygerria, and when they were captured by pirates. Like Anakin's first duel with Dooku, and his most recent, it begins with Obi-Wan fighting alongside
him. Obi-Wan tells him that "this time we will do it together", but just as in their most recent confrontation, Dooku will sideline Obi-Wan in order to
concentrate on Anakin, whose power with the Force is exceptionally strong. Anakin tells Dooku that his "powers have doubled" since they last met,
around seven months earlier in this final year of the Clone Wars, seen in The Clone Wars 'The Lost One' (S6E10). Anakin's steadily growing
power in the Force has been evident in each of their duels, and this time results in Dooku's defeat and execution.


- When Dooku is fighting Obi-Wan and Anakin, the eerie thunder-like sound is heard, which is produced at times when Dooku connects strongly to the Force
through his hatred. It is one of the unnatural Force distraction and intimidation powers which can be accessed through great knowledge of the dark side.

- Palpatine wants Anakin to leave Obi-Wan for dead, and thus to abandon his friend and last close tie to the other Jedi. He is also probably a bit worried
because his life is in reality being risked a bit due to the unstable situation in a battle. Ordinarily, Palpatine doesn't place himself in situations where he
feels he is real jeopardy, but the necessity and potential reward was worth the risk. Nevertheless, this required him to trust the Jedi to save him, and
not to use his powers even when the situation became suddenly dangerous to him. Anakin has now saved Obi-Wan's life nine times since they have
been friends and Jedi together, ten if one counts a certain "business on Cato Neimoidia", which has not been seen or elaborated upon.

- Grievous traps the Jedi in a ray shield. This type of ray shield is a security forcefield, which seems different from the 'flat', red, door-blocking ray shields,
or the type of ray shields which are used as a shield against lower-power laser blasts and solid munitions.
Main Article: Shields, Deflectors, and Ray Shields

- Anakin and Grievous meet for the first time, having only been in each other's presence during a prisoner exchange about a year and a half earlier,
seen in The Clone Wars 'Shadow Warrior (S4E4). At that time, Anakin was unconscious, and being dragged face down, so Grievous didn't have
an opportunity to assess Anakin's age, or Anakin to assess Grievous' height, as noted in their insulting banter. They were in at least four battles
with each other, mostly near the start of the Clone Wars, but had not spoken to each other, or seen one another face to face.

- Grievous' carries some of his most prized lightsabers from his collection which contains many dozens of sabers taken from the Jedi he has killed.
In The Clone Wars 'Lair of Grievous' (S1E10), it is shown that he keeps many of these lightsabers and other trophies taken from Jedi in
his hideout, but always carries a smaller collection to use in battle.

- Giddean Danu has replaced Dantum Roohd as the Senator from the important planet of Kuat. Both wore the same clothing, including a Kuati hat,
which is quite similar to the uniform of the Kuati Security Forces. Roohd was seen throughout the Clone Wars to be an important ally of Padme,
Bail Organa, and Mon Mothma, as Danu is as well. Supplementary material indicates Danu was the former mayor of Kuat City. This change in
Senator occurred sometime after The Clone Wars 'Crisis at the Heart' (S6E7), which was about nine months earlier. Another of Padme's allies,
Senator Riyo Chuchi of Pantora, has been replaced by Chi Eekway Papanoida, daughter of the Chairman of Pantora, sometime in the eight months
since 'The Disappeared' (S6E8-9). Lexi Dio is also seen to have been replaced by Male-Dee as the Senator from Uyter sometime after Episode II.

- The Jedi were almost as enthusiastic about fighting the war as those who orchestrated it, chiefly because the leader of the Separatists was Dooku,
who the Jedi discovered is a Sith Lord. Defeating him, and preventing him from establishing a power base in the galaxy, has been their primary
concern, causing them to violate their ethics in more than a few ways in order to fight this war. Now that Dooku has finally been dealt with,
the Senate won't let the Jedi stop the war because Grievous is still out there menacing the galaxy. The Separatist invasions are increasingly
desperate, and droid armies have attacked so many unsuspecting worlds recently that the Jedi also care about ending this senseless violence.
Main Article: Darth Sidious and The Plan

- Anakin says to Padme "if the Chancellor hadn't been kidnapped, I don't think they would have ever brought us back from the Outer Rim sieges."
Anakin was last on Coruscant in The Clone Wars 'Voices' (S6E11), which must have been over six months earlier. He was seen to have
returned to the Core just over a week prior to this, when his destroyer was in the sky above Coruscant taking on supplies in The Clone Wars
'Deal No Deal' (S7E6), before heading to the Battle of Anaxes in the Core. Including in brief visit to Skako Minor, also in the Core, he is only back
for several days before returning to the Outer Rim with Obi-Wan for the Battle of Yerbana, and had no opportunity to see Padme. Other than
his recent detour of several days, Anakin has been in the Outer Rim for many months, and was only recalled due to these invasions of the Core.

- Utapau is a temperate and rocky world located in the Tarabba Sector, in the Trailing Sectors of the Outer Rim. The planet has a huge subterranean
water table, which provides the water for Utapau's rich ecosystem, as well as having been responsible for carving out the many sinkholes, caverns,
and chasms. The planet is the homeworld of two sentient species, the Pau'ans and the Utai, who have developed a symbiotic relationship. The mineral
deposits of the planet make it a valuable mining world, and it is also home to many large corporations including some important subsidiaries of
the Techno Union. Most of the cities are concentrated on a small continent on one side of the planet, including the capital, Pau City.
Utapau also has an impressive collection of moons, including one large moon which is visible in the sky when Grievous first arrives.


- The Separatist Council was ordered to gather on Utapau in preparation for the assault on Coruscant. San Hill, Wat Tambor, and Poggle the Lesser are all
seen to be there when Grievous arrives. San Hill was captured in Clone Wars 'Chapter 9', about three and a half years earlier. It is not certain when or
how he was freed, but supplementary material suggests it was relatively early in the war. Wat Tambor was captured two and a half years earlier in
The Clone Wars 'Liberty on Ryloth' (S1E21). He was still in Republic custody about ten months earlier in 'The Jedi Who Knew Too Much' (S5E18),
when he appeared on a security monitor in the detention area of Republic military headquarters. Sometime after that episode, he escaped or was freed,
although the circumstances are not explained even in supplementary material, as he was seen less than a week prior to this film on the Techno Union planet
of Skako Minor in 'A Distant Echo' (S7E2). That was during events which brought Anakin to the planet, who learned of his presence there. Having given
away his location, Tambor rejoined the Separatist Council as requested. Poggle the Lesser was captured almost two and a half years earlier in
'Legacy of Terror' (S2E7), during the second Battle of Geonosis. He was also seen on the security monitor along with Tambor about ten months earlier.
According to supplementary material, his expertise is needed for the first stages of the Death Star project, and he is able to use his participation in
the program to make his escape. Nute Gunray was also captured almost three years earlier, but was quickly freed in 'Cloak of Darkness' (S1E9).


Yoda, Mace, and Obi-Wan are conspiring against Palpatine, in response to his increasingly hostile moves regarding
the independence of the Order. Yoda now believes that the Chancellor is "moving to take control of the Jedi Council",
as the Jedi have finally noticed that the pattern of 'reforms' by Palpatine are increasingly cutting them out of affairs
of government, and subordinating the Order to his government's authority. Yoda says they will need direct proof
before bringing this to the Council. Obi-Wan suggests that how Palpatine acts once Grievous is destroyed should
give them the proof of his intentions. He also notes that "there is a massive shift in the Force, we all feel it."
The parabolic growth of the power of the dark side has rocketed towards its inevitable and soon to be reached apex.
This scene contains several lines of dialogue from Mace and Yoda which were used in a different scene that takes
place two days later in the story, which is part of why this scene was unusable. Nevertheless, like any deleted scene,
the information which can be gleaned should be considered to be semi-canonical, unless it causes continuity issues.


- Anakin has a dream with a vision through the Force of Padme's death in childbirth, which becomes the pivotal factor in completing Anakin's embrace
of the dark side. It is similar to the dreams he had about his mother, which proved to be premonitions about her future death, as well as information
about her current situation. Anakin describes his vision to Yoda as, "Suffering. Pain. Death." The Force tests people, most directly those who are
Force-sensitive, as it is offering everyone a variety of destinies, and giving them the opportunity to choose their path to one of those destinies.
The Jedi use this as their primary means of peer evaluation and revelation. The Sith use this as well, such as in their trials by combat, where victory
presumably relies on having the Force on one's side to a greater degree than one's opponent. As with most vision quests or oracular practices,
those who receive the revelation often don't understand what the vision was trying to teach, which is why the wisdom and patient reflection of
a spiritual guide is often essential. Yoda's advice to Anakin should have been heeded, when he tells him that "careful you must be when sensing
the future. The fear of loss is a path to the dark side." Anakin is not really open to what Yoda is trying to remind him, as Anakin has already decided
that Padme and his personal desires are more important to him than following the Jedi Code and sacrificing what he wants for the good of others.
Yoda warns him that "attachment leads to jealousy. The shadow of greed that is", but as Anakin has plainly stated before, he wants more, both as
a Jedi, and out of life. Yoda gives him the prescription he needs, to train himself to let go of everything he fears to lose, something he is unwilling to do.


Is Anakin's vision from the Force authentic, or is it Sidious' manipulation? On the one hand, this has all the hallmarks of
an authentic vision through the Force, and is very similar to the visions Anakin had of his mother shortly before her
death. On the other hand, Palpatine and Anakin are close, and have a connection in the Force, which could be used to
manipulate someone else directly in ways that wouldn't be possible with any old person. Whether he had anything to
do with it or not, he was at the least made aware of it through the Force, or by Anakin's feelings betraying him, as
the very next evening, Palpatine seems to know that Anakin is afraid of losing Padme. Anakin's second vision through
the Force shows him Obi-Wan, which proves to be the final wedge in between them, as he resents Obi-Wan meddling
in their relationship. The next day, Palpatine directly references this vision Anakin hasn't told him anything about,
telling Anakin in his office to "learn to know the dark side of the Force, and you will be able to save your wife from
certain death." He then uses this knowledge as the final piece in his manipulation, telling Anakin from a distance
through the Force that "if the Jedi destroy me, any chance of saving her will be lost", leading Anakin to choose to
come to his rescue. None of this would have been possible if Anakin didn't have the initial visions. Despite how
critical this vision is in Anakin completing his fall so quickly, and within Sidious' rapidly closing window of opportunity,
it could also be authentic, as the Force is very much with Sidious in this time, and the dark side has not been this strong
in a very long time, perhaps ever. Anakin is steeped in his emotions and passions, and has been slowly growing in his
dark path over the last few years. It is therefore not surprising that some of his dreams and visions from the Force
are influenced by the dark side. Sidious tells Anakin later that he had foreseen Anakin joining him, and that belief was
central to how Sidious handled his attempted arrest. It could be that Sidious has seen some clue to this through his
visions, or sensed Anakin's strong emotions and chose to focus on this angle of manipulation. While it isn't conclusive,
the evidence seems to suggest that Sidious was in some way connected to introducing this vision to Anakin.


- At the entrance to the Jedi Temple, when coming from the Processional Way, are four large statues of the Jedi Masters who founded this Temple
on Coruscant. Two are in repose, and are known as the sage masters, and two have lightsabers drawn, and are known as the warrior masters.

- The statues in the Chancellor's office are of the Four Sages of Dwartii: Braata, Faya, Sistros, and Yanjon. They were famous philosophers and legal
minds who lived over 25,000 years earlier than this film, and whose ideas about interstellar law and planetary governance inspired the formation
of the first Republic. Despite the harsh authoritarian society they came from, their teachings became the basis for the constitution of a united
interstellar democracy after the Unification Wars. Although all are widely respected, many of their views were controversial even in their own
time, most of all Sistros, who advocated achieving self-interested goals by pretending to support popular sentiment, and Braata, who advocated
studying the dark side alongside the other aspects of nature and philosophy, and felt it had valuable things to teach.



Palpatine recalls with Anakin that he has tried to mentor him from boyhood when he could, and has always believed
in him, even when the Jedi did not. He manipulates Anakin in the usual way, mentioning that Anakin has "fought
many battles the Jedi Council thought were lost", continually placing himself on Anakin's side in opposition to
the Council. He also tells Anakin that it upsets him that the Council doesn't "fully appreciate your talents", his way
of saying that Jedi rules holding Anakin back are a waste of potential and power, while also continuing to insult
the competence of the Order. He asks Anakin why he hasn't been made part of the Council, appealing to Anakin's
ambition, and planting that seed of discontent in his mind. Anakin is patient and wise about the fact that his time
will come on the Council, not knowing Palpatine is about to put him there. Palpatine also suggests the Jedi fear his
potential power, which is true, however is not the main reason he is not on the Council. No Jedi who was a Padawan
four years earlier is likely to be made a Master, let alone be promoted to the High Council. Palpatine describes
to Anakin exactly how he wishes Anakin to see things, telling him that the Jedi "see your future, and they know your
power will be too strong for them to control", and that they see Anakin as a threat to their power. This implication
of animosity is designed to encourage the very outlook in Anakin that will make things the way Palpatine described
them. Anakin has sensed that some of the Council fear him and find him threatening, which is true, but this is not
indicative of the hostility Palpatine ascribes to them regarding Anakin. Many on the Council such as Obi-Wan, Yoda,
and Mundi, very much want to see him succeed as a Jedi. As Palpatine admits, the Jedi feel they need Anakin.
A couple of these lines were used in the scene where Anakin tells Palpatine that Obi-Wan has engaged Grievous.


- Palpatine appoints Anakin as his personal representative on the Jedi Council. This move is in keeping with his policy of advocating for Anakin's
promotion and advancement that he has maintained throughout Anakin's adulthood, placing himself as Anakin's most enthusiastic supporter.
This move is a deliberate provocation of the Jedi Council, but it is also Palpatine appointing Anakin as his apprentice. Anakin will now work
with him, and have the job of advocating for his positions towards the Jedi, who will see Anakin as their opponent rather than their ally.
He appoints him as the "eyes, ears, and voice of the Republic", which is tantamount to being his spy and mouthpiece on the Jedi Council.
While his back is turned to Anakin, he shows a delighted grin while enjoying the irony of this move and how perfectly it suits all of his plans.
Main Article: Darth Sidious and The Plan

- The Jedi Council meets for its second to last full session. Eeth Koth has retired from the Council and has been replaced by Agen Kolar, who is also
a Zabrak. Adi Gallia's vacant seat has finally been filled by Stass Allie, who is also a Tholothian. Both of these changes occurred sometime in
the last six or seven months, since The Clone Wars 'Sacrifice' (S6E13). Allie appears as a hologram, as do Ki-Adi Mundi and Plo Koon, as they
are in campaigns across the galaxy. This is also meant to illustrate that they are living ghosts, as all three will be killed the next day. Oppo Rancisis
is not present, although supplementary material suggests he is still alive and off world. He is often seen not to have been available for Council
meetings over the last year. Shaak Ti is absent, and still recovering from the events of Clone Wars 'Chapter 25', which occurred the day before,
but she will be seen to have recovered enough to attend the final meeting of the Council. Since the beginning of Episode II, the Council has
lost five members: three killed in the Clone Wars, Trebor, Piell, and Gallia, and two retired from the Council, Billaba and Koth. Palpatine
appoints Anakin to represent himself as an additional member of the Council, which means that for its last 24 hours, the Jedi Council's
balanced and complete set of twelve Jedi was made thirteen, with one of its members the unwitting apprentice of a Sith Lord.


- Anakin has always had ambition to excel and exceed, and despite the fact that Anakin has never been obsessed with becoming a Master or joining
the Council, these are things that he wants. He feels the Council holds him back, and doesn't tell him everything that is going on, and has certainly
lied to him directly a number of times. Mace feels Anakin's outburst of emotion and personal ambition when they refuse to promote him is exactly
why this twenty-two year old Jedi Knight should not be made a Master. No one this young has ever been on the Jedi Council, at least not within
historical memory, and ordinarily, someone Anakin's age would still be a Padawan rather than a Knight. The Council only agrees to Anakin's
appointment to the Council in order to use him as a spy, which divides his loyalties and confirms some of what Palpatine has been telling him.

- The Separatist droid army invaded the Wookiee homeworld of Kashyyyk about two days earlier, seen in Clone Wars 'Chapter 22'. The droid forces
are advancing towards the settlement which functions as the planet's capital, and the Jedi decide to send clone forces to aid in its defense.
The Wookiees are important as an enthusiastic ally of the Jedi and the Republic. Since Yoda has a prior history and good relations with
the Wookiees, he will lead the campaign, which takes him off of Coruscant at this critical time.

- The prophecy about the Chosen One is not misread, just misinterpreted by the Jedi. It might be more accurate to say the Jedi interpreted it correctly,
but the Jedi have decided to imagine what they wish to believe about how his defeat of the Sith will come about. Anakin did not have to spend over
two decades as Vader before defeating the Sith, and had he made different choices, he could have fulfilled the prophecy the way the Jedi imagined.

- The staging area for Venator-class star destroyers near the Republic Military HQ on Coruscant is seen, with troops preparing to leave for Kashyyyk.
The destroyers are seen to be capable of landing on a flat surface, and apparently have large, deployable landing struts.


Cantham House is Senator Organa's private estate on Coruscant, which is an indepedent structure built into
the superstructure of the Senate Office Building. It is a modest but exclusively located penthouse. This is where
the first meeting of the political movement which will eventually form the Rebel Alliance takes place. At this time,
this is Mon Mothma of Chandrila, Bail Organa of Alderaan, Fang Zar of Sern Prime, Giddean Danu of Kuat,
and Terr Taneel of the Senex Sector, as well as Padme, who will not live long but whose daughter Leia will also
be an important Alliance political leader. It is unknown what happens to Zar, Taneel, or Danu after Episode III.
It is decided that no one can be told about the meeting, even family. Having learned that she can no longer
trust Palpatine, Padme will cautiously test the subject of resisting the security state when speaking with Anakin
shortly after this, as seen in the next scene of the film, where she learns Anakin really does like dictatorships.


- Anakin and Padme both believe that the principles of the Republic are being destroyed by the war, but Padme has always seen that it is the corrupt
Senate which is responsible, an organization to which she belongs. Anakin now believes that it is the Jedi's fault, as they have allowed themselves
to be corrupted by politics and power struggles, and of course, Anakin is a member of that Order. Both have lost faith in their own circle within
the Republic, but still believe in the value of those whom the other serves under. This crossing of poles will make their destinies incompatible.
Padme has long been accused of being a Separatist for her attempts to promote diplomacy and deescalation of the war, but has in fact always been
a Republic loyalist, until the rapid changes put in place by the Chancellor over the course of this year, and the last few months in particular. She now
suggests to Anakin the possibility that the Republic has become too evil to fight for, leading him to accurately accuse her of taking a Separatist position.

- The Galaxies Opera House is located high up in the Uscru District of Galactic City, which is the uppermost level of Coruscant. Palpatine and many others
are attending a performance of a Mon Calamari ballet called Squid Lake. The event seems to be relatively exclusive, as many of the attendees are
among the most powerful and influential in the galaxy. The Chancellor is sitting with his aide Sly Moore, Senate Speaker Mas Amedda, and Senator
Sweitt Concorkill of Sembla. In the box adjacent to Palpatine's, Onara Kuat, the Director of the Kuat Drive Yards, is attending with her own group of
notables. Also seen elsewhere in the opera house are Senator Terr Taneel of the Senex Sector, Duke Teta and Duchess Koyi Mateil of Koros, Senator
Gume Saam of the Techno Union, Chairman Papanoida and his daughter Senator Chi Eekway Papanoida of Pantora, fashion mogul Delva Racine,
Senator Tundra Dowmeia of Mon Cala, former Senator Horox Ryyder of Gravlex Med, political commentator Brookish Boon, as well as other
characters named in supplementary material whose particular upper-class status is not known.


- Palpatine has been increasingly compartmentalizing military affairs under the direct authority of the civilian government and the Chancellor's office.
Clone intelligence is now sending reports to Palpatine, which he passes to the Jedi. Palpatine tells Anakin that they have located Grievous on Utapau,
which may in fact have been the fruits of the sweep of the Outer Rim ordered by Yoda earlier. The Republic have rarely had reliable intelligence
regarding Grievous' movements, so it could just as easily be that Sidious is done with Grievous and now wishes him eliminated. He suggests Anakin
should lead the assault, guaranteeing that it will incense the Council, and that they will be sure not to send Anakin even if Obi-Wan goes.
Main Article: Darth Sidious and The Plan

- Jedi and Sith both desire power to do what they think is right, and to be the change they wish to see in the world. The difference is that the Jedi accrue
that power naturally and seek to use that power within a limited scope, and for the selfless purpose of helping others. The Sith accrue their power
unnaturally and seek to gain unlimited power, for the selfish purpose of helping themselves.

- The Tragedy of Darth Plagueis the Wise is a Sith 'legend'. According to the growing body of supplementary evidence, Plagueis was in fact Sidious' Sith
master, which always did seem to be the intentional irony of the scene. Anakin couldn't have heard this legend because no one knows this story but
Palpatine, who is basically illustrating a story which proves that he can't be trusted and will turn on and murder those who work with him. His claim
that Plagueis "could even influence the midi-chlorians to create life" is assumed to be a true admission of his knowledge and power. Sidious later tells
Anakin that "to cheat death is a power only one has achieved", further suggesting that Plagueis may actually have learned how to reanimate dead
tissue using the Force. When Palpatine tells Anakin that Plagueis "taught his apprentice everything he knew", this may be true, it may be a lie, or
it may be that Sidious was taught a great deal, but not enough to make it work, at least not to the extent of bringing back the dead. Only Plagueis
would have known if he had truly taught Sidious everything he knew. Based on Maul's statement in The Clone Wars 'The Lawless' (S5E16),
Sidious seems to have learned about how to reanimate necrotic tissue, and taught enough of this ability to Maul for him to survive being
cut in half in Episode I. Of course, just like Plagueis, Sidious would be unable to restore life to himself if he were dead.

- Kashyyyk is a temperate world located in the Mytaranor Sector, in the Slice region of the Mid Rim. The planet features rocky terrain, large oceans,
and is primarily covered in jungles and forests. It is also the homeworld of the Wookiees, whose civilization has been integrated into the ecosystem,
rather than supplanting it. Most of their cities are constructed on and around the planet's giant trees, including the capital, Kachirho.


- Master Luminara Unduli and her 41st Elite Corps are on Kashyyyk to fight alongside the Wookiees. Her executive officer, Commander Gree, CC-1004, is in
the command post with Yoda, who arrived from Coruscant. Gree has been the leader of the 41st Elite Corps for the entire war, and was last seen in
The Clone Wars 'Legacy of Terror' (S2E7), almost two and a half years earlier during the second Battle of Geonosis.

- The Jedi Council meets for its last full session, on the very day of the fall of the Order. Oppo Rancisis is still not present, and according to supplementary
material is fighting in the Rim. Shaak Ti has recovered enough from her injuries from two days earlier to attend the meeting. The Council learns that
Grievous is on Utapau, and dispatches Obi-Wan to capture him, as he has had the most experience in personally dealing with the General.


Why do the Wookiee soldiers leave their fortification just as the battle begins and walk out directly into the line of fire?
This is probably meant to suggest their bravery, and is an intimidation tactic, but is one which will have no effect on
droids. The entire purpose of the fortification on the beach is to protect their forces until the enemy gets close
enough for their infantry to fight them. This move likely led to many needless Wookiee deaths.


- Obi-Wan has his final conversation with Anakin as friends, and leaves Coruscant as a Republic military leader for the last time, on the day of the fall of the Order.


At the second meeting of the movement to restore the Republic, Padme, Organa, Danu, Zar, and Mothma are once
again in attendance, as are Bana Breemu of Humbarine and Chi Eekway Papanoida of Pantora. Padme mentions
including Obi-Wan, although not by name, as it will be revealed shortly after in the film that he had come to visit
her earlier before leaving for Utapau. They apparently spoke somewhat of the trouble in the Republic. Padme and
Zar present the Petition of the Delegation of 2,000 to the Chancellor and his personal representative Anakin,
along with Jar Jar Binks of Naboo, Meena Tills of Mon Cala, Male-Dee of Uyter, and Nee Alavar of the Kanz Sector.
Palpatine has sensed through the Force that Padme is hiding something, which could be her new alliance,
her pregnancy, her marriage, her new distrust of Palpatine, or a combination of factors.


- After arriving on Utapau from Coruscant, Obi-Wan's fighter could use some fuel, especially if he is going to be searching nearby systems for Grievous.
Main Article: Hyperspace Travel

- Grievous, who is now the head of state for the Confederacy of Independent Systems, convenes the Separatist Council on Utapau. As discussed above, all
members are present, including those who were captured by the Republic at various stages of the war. The Council includes Nute Gunray and Rune Haako
of the Trade Federation, Passel Argente of the Corporate Alliance, Po Nudo of the Hyper-Com Cartel, Shu Mai of the Commerce Guild, Poggle the Lesser
of Geonosis, Wat Tambor of the Techno Union, San Hill of the InterGalactic Banking Clan, and Tikkes of the Quarren Isolation League.


- Obi-Wan has his fifth and final confrontation with Grievous, about a year after their last meeting in The Clone Wars 'Bound For Rescue' (S5E8).
If Lucasfilm ever decides to finish and release the four episode kyber crystal storyline, which has already been created but is unfinished, this will
become their sixth confrontation, having fought in 'Crystal Crisis', which takes place about seven months earlier, if it becomes canon. This duel begins
as an inversion of their first meeting three years earlier in 'Destroy Malevolence' (S1E4), when Grievous jumps down from above when Obi-Wan is
surrounded by droids and says "Hello there!" in a show of superiority. Obi-Wan deliberately put himself into the same position and using the same
line is saying to Grievous that he is superior even when surrounded by droids and the General himself. This is also a reference to the first line Obi-Wan
ever speaks in SW, when he says "Hello there!" to R2 on Tatooine in Episode IV. Grievous calls him a fool, referencing his recent advanced training in
lightsaber combat by Dooku, seen in Clone Wars 'Chapter 22'. While Obi-Wan is well aware Dooku has trained Grievous in the past, something
he has referenced before, in each confrontation Obi-Wan had been getting more of an upper-hand on Grievous. Despite the fact that the General
has improved on his own through experience, Dooku's advanced lessons were intended to prepare him to face off against the toughest Jedi.
Obi-Wan is ultimately victorious over Grievous, ending the Separatist leader's three and a half year reign of terror.

- The Battle of Utapau was the final battle of the Clone Wars, although there were thousands of battles taking place around the galaxy at the same time,
all part of campaigns that have been going on for weeks, months, or years. Utapau was a modest but important producer of technology used by
the Separatists, as the planet hosts several Techno Union subsidiaries or associated companies, however it was not politically aligned with
the Separatists until Grievous occupied Pau City to use as a hideaway, and to use the population as shields. While the Republic victory did not end
the fighting elsewhere, the death of Grievous, followed shortly by the slaughter of the Separatist Council, decapitated the Alliance.

- The Force, what Palpatine refers to as "the great mystery", naturally has a light side and a dark side, and yet the Jedi do not study the dark side. This is
because the Jedi believe that wielding the dark side is unnatural creates an imbalance in the Force, and within an individual. The true nature of
the Force is that it is of nature, and is in balance, and thus the light side of the Force is the Force. The dark side is simply its necessary shadow, and
that shadow should not be artificially empowered. Palpatine calls this a "narrow, dogmatic view", and tells Anakin that a wise leader must study
all aspects of the Force and "embrace a larger view". This is in keeping with Sith philosophy, and indeed any philosophy or outlook on life which
values selfish behavior over the concerns of others. The Sith have their own dogmatic views about the Force, and about the Jedi, and are no more
complete in their understanding of the Force than they are ethically superior. Sith morals require self-deception and a distorted view of reality,
in order to believe that suffering, exploitation, and murder are beneficial and desirable. The usual refrain of these people is to claim that those
like the Jedi "fear the dark side", and thus limit their own ability to understand reality. The Jedi do not fear understanding the dark side and its
nature, they simply refuse to unlock and study its mysteries, as by definition that makes one into a student of evil, with obvious repercussions.

- George Lucas described General Grievous as "somebody who was reminiscent of what Anakin is going to become, which is a half man, half robot."
Like Grievous, Vader will also be an agent and weapon of Sidious, who he will use to do his dirty work, and to risk in the field instead of himself.
He first appeared in Clone Wars 'Chapter 20', where his Vader-like role of specializing in hunting and killing Jedi is shown. Like Anakin, his
quest for power and personal ambition led to a mutilated cyborg body and a role as a murderous pawn for the Sith.


- Grievous attempts to flee Utapau by heading to the landing pad where his personal Belbullab-22 heavy starfighter, the Soulless One, is parked. He has
been flying this fighter for over three years, perhaps the entire war. Obi-Wan will later use the deceased General's fighter to escape the planet.

- The Jedi, at least Obi-Wan, consider shooting people with blasters to be uncivilized. The Jedi don't have a rule against using blasters, but they do have
rules and beliefs which prioritize non-lethal methods whenever possible, and using what they consider to be honorable combat tactics. Burning a hole
in a person is painful and usually lethal, and therefore blasters are antithetical to the Jedi in most circumstances.

- Chancellor Sheev Palpatine is revealed to be the Sith Lord the Jedi have been looking for, who they correctly believe to be named Darth Sidious. Dooku first
told Obi-Wan Sidious' name over three and a half years earlier in Episode II, however considering that the Sith are known for their deception, there was
great debate amongst the Council regarding whether he truly existed. Once learning that Dooku had fallen to the dark side, many Jedi believed that Maul
must have been Dooku's apprentice. Yoda's experience in The Clone Wars 'Sacrifice' (S6E13), about six months before this film, seems to have tipped
the balance of belief on the Council in favor of the idea that Darth Sidious is indeed the Dark Lord. In Yoda's vision on Dagobah, he sees a cloaked Sidious
killing members of the High Council, and Mace being killed by Sidious with Force lightning, and hears the name Sidious. Considering that Sidious works
directly with many across the galaxy, it is also possible they have since heard the name from Separatist leaders they have captured.

- As the sun sets on the capital region of Coruscant, and metaphorically on the Jedi Order and the Republic, Anakin and Padme are apart but are both faced with
the prospect of each other. In the Jedi Council chamber, Anakin is in his rightful place as a leading Jedi, but doesn't feel like it is where he belongs, or what he
wants, just as Padme in her senatorial apartment, is in her rightful place as a moral leader, but doesn't feel like she belongs to this Republic any longer, and
wants to be as far away from the corrupt politics as possible. Both are worried about each other, but they are so far apart philosophically, and in the actual
scene, that when they turn to face the direction where the other is standing, they are no longer facing each other, as they were in their rightful places.
What leads Anakin to make this shift in position in the scene, representing his penultimate step in his fall to the dark side, is that Sidious speaks to him through
the Force from the Senate office building, telling him that, "You do know, don't you, if the Jedi destroy me, any chance of saving her will be lost."

- Sidious is supremely confident during his arrest attempt, and with good reason. Despite the very real danger to his life, he has powerful abilities, the backing
of the state apparatus, Order 66 in his back pocket, and most importantly the tide of the will of the Force. The power of the dark side has grown very strong,
and he is more powerful than ever. If he feels he is in serious danger, he can escape and activate Order 66, bringing the entire army down on the Jedi.
If the Jedi do somehow kill him without him being able to transmit the activation signal, the state he has put in place and his power-hungry allies will almost
certainly still turn on the Jedi as traitors. He has already greatly increased his chances of success by engineering the situation which called the majority of
Jedi Knights and Masters off of Coruscant over the last month, and certainly having Master Plo, Master Mundi, and Yoda off-world has given him a much
greater chance of personal survival. Four powerful members of the Jedi Council attempt to arrest Sidious, Mace Windu, Kit Fisto, Saesee Tiin, and Agen
Kolar. While Mace is arguably the most powerful of the four, all are experienced Masters with great power in the Force. Sidious uses Force scream, one of
the unnatural Force distraction and intimidation powers which can be accessed through great knowledge of the dark side, allowing him to quickly kill Kolar
and Tiin. Shortly after, he kills Kit Fisto leaving Mace alone to duel with him. He certainly could have been killed in the ensuing duel, and thus it seems that
he chose not to escape as he was so confident in Anakin's fall that he has foreseen. Even when Mace defeats him in combat, he does not use his abilities
to escape, rather chooses to endure self-mutilation for the purposes of theater, in order to complete his vision of Anakin's betrayal of the Jedi.
Main Article: Darth Sidious and The Plan

- Mace declares that "the oppression of the Sith will never return!" after having arrested Sidious. After he has won, Sidious tells Vader that "once more the Sith
shall rule the galaxy." At no point in history before the coming Galactic Empire did the Sith ever rule all of the galaxy, or even all of known space, however
there were several periods where Sith empires ruled much of the known galaxy, including a few points in history where a semi-unitary Sith empire was far
larger and more powerful than the Republic of the time. The prior times Sidious is speaking of are likely references to the 41st century, the 44th century,
or the 68th and 69th centuries in the common Republic calendar. At this moment in the 80th century, for the first time the Sith will control known space,
the Galactic Republic will be gone, and the Jedi Order will be illegal and all Jedi wanted criminals: the true First Galactic Empire of the Sith.


- Mace's decision to execute Sidious is a decision to sacrifice himself for the good of the galaxy like a true Jedi. Palpatine "has control of the Senate and the Courts",
and is too powerful to be held for trial. Killing him will probably get Mace arrested, possibly even executed for treason. He is willing to do this to save the Order,
and the Republic, and to put an end to all of this madness. At the same time, killing an unarmed prisoner is not the Jedi way, despite the fact that Palpatine is
always armed because he shoots Force lightning from his hands. Mace very accurately states that "he's too dangerous to be left alive", which is unfortunately
exactly what Palpatine told Anakin about Dooku, and illustrates that there is a truth to what he told Anakin about the Jedi desire to use their power to make
the galaxy the way they want it to be. Anakin used his anger and hatred of the Sith to defeat Dooku, but he only went through with the execution despite his
conflicted feelings about it because his beloved leader ordered him to. Mace isn't trying to kill Sidious out of anger, only a reasonable deduction that Sidious
will win if he is not eliminated, and that he must do this for the good of everyone, even if it may cost him greatly afterwards. Killing a Sith does not turn one to
the dark side, it is the mindset and the means by which one defeats a Sith which endangers a Jedi, and Mace is very much a master of his own emotions.

- Anakin saving Sidious from Mace is an inversion of his saving of Luke in Episode VI. In that instance, Sidious' Force lightning was killing Luke, and Anakin chose
to turn against his master, which he does because it means more to him than his commitment to the Sith. In this instance, Sidious' Force lightning was being
reflected back at himself, and Anakin chooses to save the Sith who means more to him than his commitment to the Jedi. In each instance, this leads Anakin to
precipitate the literal and metaphorical fall of his master, and to alter his destiny towards the other side of the Force.


Why does Vader believe Sidious when he tells him the Jedi will "kill all of the Senators"? It does make sense that
the Council's next move would be against the Senate, as Anakin states in response, but he knows the Jedi well enough
to know the Jedi aren't going to start murdering Senators. They would move to arrest them, and while some might
be killed if they resisted, it would not be out of a malicious attempt to get revenge. There is no way Senators like
Padme and Bail Organa were going to be slaughtered, and so Sidious' statement seems like yet another attempt
to give Anakin Padme-based justifications for his forthcoming murderous actions, whether it is true or not.


- Sidious tells Vader where to find the Separatist Council, revealing to Vader why the Separatists always had such great intelligence during the war about Republic
activities, in that Palpatine would pass any and all information necessary to their leadership to keep them safe. The war would have ended much quicker if
the Separatists had not had the advantage of the Republic's leader acting as a double agent. Anakin likely deduced this after learning that Palpatine and Dooku
were working together, however the magnitude of this deception likely eluded him until it was made so clear by Sidious, partially because of Anakin's fixation
with his personal issues. As Dooku tells Anakin in The Clone Wars 'Shadow Warrior' (S4E4), "the Sith control everything, you just don't know it!" It is ironic
that Vader is now trusting the man who could have ended the war at any point in the last three and a half years to bring "peace" to the galaxy.

- The Great Jedi Purge of 7958 (19 BBY), begins with Lord Vader and the 501st Legion attacking the Jedi Temple on Coruscant to murder all of the monks for
the alleged treason of their ruling Council against the Republic. The majority of those within the Temple are children, and young adults who are Padawans.
Shaak Ti, Cin Drallig, Jurokk, and likely some other Jedi Masters are there, as well as potentially hundreds of Jedi Knights, however the vast majority of
adult Jedi are currently off world, as thousands of Jedi were already deployed before Grievous' last ditch offensives in the last weeks, which lead to
the disparate deployment of nearly every available Jedi. The Jedi are caught completely off guard and with the assistance of Vader are rapidly surrounded,
cornered, and slaughtered. The Temple Guards, a sect of Jedi Knights dedicated to the protection of this temple, are mostly killed giving their lives in heroic
attempts to defend the younger Jedi from the swarming troops. Vader deals with the more serious opposition, and murdering the remaining children.
Main Article: Darth Sidious and The Plan


Why does Sidious contact Cody first and give him Order 66 by name? His troops appear to have received the order
through their helmets, as is usually the case several seconds after a command officer receives the recorded message
of Sidious, but in this case he calls Cody directly and speaks his name. Obviously, he did not make 6,000 personal calls.
After several hundred calls, some Jedi would have sounded the alarm to the others, which ruins the whole design of
this plan to eliminate thousands of monks with supernatural abilities and martial arts training. It seems very likely
that before targeting the rest of the Council, Sidious wanted to be sure to eliminate Anakin's good friend and
mentor, as Obi-Wan is the most likely to interfere in his relationship with his new, ultra-powerful apprentice.


- Obi-Wan is the first casualty of Order 66 in the field, although he survives the initial attack from Cody and his 212th Attack Battalion on Utapau.
In the montage, we see leading member of the Jedi Council Master Ki-Adi Mundi battling on Mygeeto, where he is killed by Commander Bacara
and the 21st Nova Corps. Next, Jedi Knight Aayla Secura is killed on Felucia by her executive officer Commander Bly and their 327th Star Corps.
After Yoda is shown sensing the ripples in the Force, leading member of the Jedi Council Master Plo Koon is seen leading a fighter squadron on
Cato Neimoidia, where he is shot down and killed by his wingman Captain Jag. Finally, on Saleucami, the most recent addition to the Jedi Council
besides Anakin, Master Stass Allie, is killed by her executive officer Commander Neyo and members of their 91st Mobile Reconnaissance Corps.
After, Commander Gree and another member of Master Luminara Unduli's 41st Elite Corps attempt to assassinate Yoda on Kashyyyk, but are
thwarted by Yoda using the Force. Luminara is known to be killed, presumably at this time, as she was preparing for this battle in an earlier scene.

- Mygeeto is an important planet in the Albarrio Sector, in the New Territories region of the Outer Rim. It is a cold planet with a crystalline crust, which
is host to a unique ecosystem, and is the homeworld of the Lurmen, a diminutive lemur-like species which is part of the interstellar community.
The Lurmen are very much second-class citizens on their own homeworld, as the planet is a stronghold of the InterGalactic Banking Clan, and
is has been colonized with Muun cities and facilities. While not orginally technologically advanced, the Lurmen are intelligent and adaptive, and
have integrated into the galactic culture through the Muun infrastructure on their planet, and eventually through their own endeavors.


- The Battle of Mygeeto was one of the most vital of the sieges of the Outer Rim. The planet was an important Banking Clan stronghold, and like the relatively
nearby Muun homeworld of Muunilinst, the planet initially defected to the Separatist Alliance at the outset of the Clone Wars. Considered an important
world politically and economically, and also lying upon an important regional hyperlane, Mygeeto was invaded by the Republic less than a year into
the war. Like the nearby world of Dantooine, this planet would be involved in continuous fighting for years, which would naturally go through periods of
lesser or greater intensity. The Republic succeeded in taking the planet, only to quickly lose it again. It became one of the fallback stronghold worlds which
required significant and prolonged Republic sieges. Master Mundi had arrived to take part in the critical phase of the Republic's reconquest of the planet.

- The Battle of Felucia was an unending three and a half year long planetary war over this planet with valuable resources, located near one of the galaxy's most
significant hyperspace routes, which hosts the headquarters of the Commerce Guild, and is relatively near to the Separatist capital of Raxus and other
Separatist core systems. This war on the planet was seen at an earlier stage in The Clone Wars in 'Holocron Heist' (S2E1), about two and a half years
before this point, and in other episodes set later in that series. Aayla Secura has always been seen fighting in the northeastern sectors of the Outer Rim.

- The Battle of Cato Neimoidia began about ten months earlier, seen in The Clone Wars 'Sabotage' (S5E17), when the planet was invaded by the Separatists.
Cato Neimoidia is the headquarters of the Trade Federation, an organization which has tried to play both sides, and which will not survive the Clone Wars,
in part due to this move by the Separatists and the Republic counterattack and occupation. Master Plo is here presumably to take part in a critical stage of
the fighting. This is one of the limited number of worlds in the Core still under Separatist assault after the Battle of Coruscant.

- The second Battle of Saleucami began about the same time as the Battle of Cato Neimoidia, seen in The Clone Wars 'The Jedi Who Knew Too Much' (S5E18).
This was another long-running siege of a Separatist controlled planet in the Outer Rim. The Separatists seized this world for its strategic location, and fortified
their positions on the planet heavily. Jedi Masters Stass Allie and Quinlan Vos were leading the campaign, which finally concluded after about ten months only one
day before Order 66. Vos left for the Battle of Boz Pity, but Allie remains on the planet overseeing the cleanup of any remaining Separatist forces and beginning
to establish the Republic occupation. Saleucami was also important as it contained facilities and resources of the Commerce Guild as well as the Techno Union.


Master Shaak Ti is meditating in the Jedi Temple when she is killed by Darth Vader, who runs his lightsaber through
her back. This was confirmed by a vision Yoda had through the Force in The Clone Wars 'Voices' (S6E11).
This is one of two deleted scenes which show her death, the other taking place on Grievous' ship, in what would
have been the first act of this film. That scene was confirmed as non-canonical by Clone Wars 'Chapter 25',
where it is shown that Grievous leaves Shaak Ti tied up, to ensure the Jedi are informed about where to go and
look for the Chancellor, before leaving the surface of Coruscant without her. The electro-cables Grievous used
leave Shaak Ti in need of recovery, causing her to miss the Council meeting where Anakin sat in her seat. She
was at the final meeting of the Council, but shortly after returned to her silent meditation, leaving her unaware
of the attack on the Temple. She was the last living member of the Council on Coruscant at the time.


- When Senator Organa arrives at the Jedi Temple, he is confronted by members of Anakin's 501st Legion, including Commander Appo, CC-1119,
who has been recently made the unit's leader. He is killed, or at least wounded, by young Jedi Padawan Zett Jukassa during his attempt to reach
Organa and escape the temple, which although valiant is ultimately unsuccessful.

- Chewbacca and General Tarfful are wanted by the Republic, which is now the Empire, for aiding in Yoda's escape. Things do not go well for the Wookiees
in general during the reign of the Empire, but this is meant to explain specifically why Chewbacca is wanted by the Empire. Yoda boards a Wookiee craft,
which supplementary material indicates is a kind of custom-built escape shuttle often built on Kashyyyk, but which are not mass-produced.

- Senator Organa's diplomatic cruiser is the Tantive III, a CR70-class Corellian corvette. It is meant to represent a precursor to the Tantive IV,
the CR90-class corvette which was Alderaan's diplomatic cruiser escorting Leia when she is arrested in the opening of Episode IV.

- Yoda tells Obi-Wan that they haven't heard from any other Jedi. At least four are known from other canon to have survived, Ahsoka, Caleb Dume, Grogu,
and the Jedi Temple Guard who will come to be known as the Grand Inquisitor. Based on supplementary material, hundreds survived the initial attack, but
most of those were killed not long after, usually on the same planet as when the order was given. According to George Lucas, perhaps over a hundred
Jedi survived Order 66, however some of those Jedi were killed by the Empire or others between the prequels and the original films. In one of Lucas'
plans for the sequel trilogy, Luke and his apprentice would search for some of these Jedi to rebuild the Order, forty or fifty years after this film.

- Mustafar is a geologically active and volcanic world located in the Atravis Sector, in the Western Reaches of the Outer Rim. The planet has been shifted
into an unusual orbit which keeps it in a gravitational tug of war between two gas giants, resulting in its strange proximity to a gas giant it does not orbit,
as well as the destruction of its verdant ecosystem by the unstable conditions which now persist in the planet's crust. The only elements of the planet's
unique lifeforms to have survived the cataclysm are the intelligent Mustafarians, as well as a number of creatures which adapted to the lava based
world during the transitional period. Mustafar was acquired by the Techno Union a few hundred years prior to this film, as the world is a storehouse
of easily accessible minerals many of which are valuable, and some of which are unique to the planet. The Union maintains many facilities, as well as
some settlements on the planet, and widely employs the Mustafarians as miners or other workers, as they are accustomed to the rigors of the planet.



When Senator Organa's ship approaches Coruscant and enters the atmosphere, why are there basically no ships
or flying craft seen at any point? This is quite contrary to Episode I and other examples, and most importantly is
logically impossible. The absurd population of Coruscant, and the supply needs of the planet, mean that huge
numbers of ships must be arriving at all times to meet Coruscant's resource needs, and that large numbers of
ships must be routinely departing from the planet to remove the planet's unprocessable waste materials and
any toxic industrial byproducts. In addition, the planet is an economic superhub, and is the destination or
departure point for many millions of craft every day. It is likely that the Battle of Coruscant three days earlier
significantly disrupted space travel, but the needs of this planet and its people would have restored at least
a fair amount of this traffic. Additionally, no craft are visible anywhere in the atmosphere during the initial
approach. This could all be explained with any number of highly unlikely explanations, such as a ban imposed
by the Chancellor on travel since the Jedi Rebellion, and yet in other shots other craft are seen to still be flying.


- Sidious shows his full face to the Separatist Council now that he looks creepy and isn't identifiable as Palpatine, and because they will all be killed by
Vader shortly. He tells the Senate the Jedi attack has left him with his new appearance, which allows him to appear like a member of his cult while not
appearing to make too much of a personality change too quickly. He has adjusted his public persona to seem understandably bitter and betrayed by
the Jedi he thought were his allies, and now can take a harder line on security than he was already taking. What makes his plan so effective has
always been his patience and pageantry, and having removed the Jedi, he can now openly advance his plans without hindrance. Provoking strong
sentiment against his new order by moving too quickly would threaten this, and thus Palpatine needs to maintain some appearance of
a well-intentioned politician, something that becomes less and less necessary the longer he reigns as Emperor. The fact that he is a Sith is
clearly not public knowledge, as Padme is surprised when Obi-Wan tells her that he is the Sith Lord who orchestrated the entire war.
Main Article: Awareness of the Jedi and the Sith

- In the security hologram at the Jedi Temple, Vader is seen dueling with the head of Temple security, Master Cin Drallig, and two Padawans, Bene and
Whie Malreaux. All three were obviously defeated. At some point soon after this slaughter, Sidious arrived to inspect the Temple.


- Obi-Wan and Yoda learn that Anakin is now Darth Vader from the security recordings in the Temple. It is unclear who else is aware of this, especially
since Anakin has his appearance altered and wears a helmet less than three days after becoming Vader. In that time, the only people who spoke
with him and didn't die were clones and droids, and Obi-Wan. Palpatine obviously knows, and Tarkin certainly seems to know exactly who he is in
Episode IV. As Anakin and Tarkin are seen to have been friends from during the Clone Wars, it is likely he is the exception rather than the rule. It is
also unclear exactly why or how the clones don't turn on Anakin, even though 'any and all Jedi' must be executed for treason, according the letter of
the order as established in other canon. Palpatine isn't seen inputting orders not to kill Anakin, and having that preprogrammed into the signal
would have been dangerous if he was ever forced to activate Order 66 before he was ready for full implementation. This may be a continuity issue,
but it may also have a good explanation, as the clones seem to be programmed to recognize Sidious, thus, the chips are obviously quite advanced.
Main Article: Awareness of the Jedi and the Sith

- Yoda tells Obi-Wan he is not powerful enough to defeat Sidious. This is probably true, however not a certainty, but is definitely a realistic assessment
of which of the two Masters is definitely more powerful than Sidious. In the likely event of Obi-Wan's defeat, one most essential Jedi will be lost, and
nothing gained. Yoda also suggests that Anakin has been twisted by the dark side, and that Anakin is Vader now. This is absolutely true, since the dark
side is quickly addictive and skews one's judgement, like a drug, and the Anakin that Obi-Wan knew can no longer be reasoned with. It is also helpful
for the Jedi to see it this way, as it helps with detachment from the task they must undertake to confront the Sith. Nevertheless, the Jedi teach that
one is forever lost to the dark side because it is so difficult to break the addiction that most never can. The Order has been teaching this for so long
that these Jedi accept this, even though most have no direct evidence to confirm or deny this. As seen in Episode VI, no matter how evil someone
has become, or what horrible things they have done, anyone who ever had goodness in their heart can reconnect with that, if they have the will.

- On the same morning of the same day as Order 66, Obi-Wan stopped by Padme's apartment before leaving for Utapau, leaving an impression in
the Force which Anakin senses later in the day. Padme says he came by because he is was worried about Anakin, and as he is aware the two are
in love and have a relationship of some kind, he knows that Padme is the person to talk to about that. When Obi-Wan comes to see Padme
the next day, he talks very frankly with Padme about their close association, and correctly guesses that Anakin is the father of her baby. It is clear
from Obi-Wan's conversation with Anakin in The Clone Wars 'The Rise of Clovis' (S6E6), about eight or nine months earlier, just before
the conception of the Skywalker twins, that Obi-Wan had become aware that Anakin and Padme are in love, and in 'A Distant Echo' (S7E2), less
than two weeks earlier, Obi-Wan made it clear to Anakin that he is aware he makes routine calls to his beloved Padme. As a Jedi, Obi-Wan
doesn't like how invested Anakin is in the relationship, but as a friend and fellow person with feelings, he has never tried to keep them apart.


- C-3PO is beginning to get used to flying, something he will go back to despising when he has his memory wiped two days later.
Main Article: Droid Intelligence

- Anakin always wanted more than the limitations of the life of a Jedi, and has recently become obsessed with preventing Padme from dying. When
he learns that Palpatine is Sidious, he very much would like to kill him, as Anakin has a great deal of anger at the Sith for the evil they have wrought
in the galaxy, the suffering they have caused, and what they have done to him personally. Sidious only revealed himself because he had already
explained to Anakin that he is the only person with the knowledge to save Padme, and because once Anakin understands that he is the leader of
both sides of the war, Anakin will calculate just how screwed the Jedi really are. Anakin decides not to kill Sidious, or allow him to be killed, until
he can learn his knowledge, and to survive by remaining loyal to the political order. As he explains to Padme, he fully intends to overthrow Sidious,
like any good Sith would, and to make things the way he wants, and the way Padme wants, by force. Vader has already become so twisted by
the dark side that he attacks Padme, the very person he told himself he was doing all of this for. Obi-Wan correctly blames Anakin's fall on his
anger and lust for power, which are aspects he has struggled with his entire Jedi career, and which Palpatine used to manipulate him.

- Anakin tells Obi-Wan "if you're not with me, then you're against me". Obi-Wan replies that "only a Sith deals in absolutes." While this may seem to be
a contradiction, as his statement is itself an absolute, Obi-Wan is saying that only a Sith, or someone equivalently evil, makes deals with ultimatums
like 'if you don't go along with whatever I am doing and saying, you are an enemy and I am justified in using force against you.' This is a policy which
the Jedi do not practice, as it goes against their core principles. This is also why the Jedi Council's willingness to go along with this war was so
hypocritical. The Order and the Republic's military used this very ultimatum and force against Separatist planets for choosing to leave the Republic.
In fact, this was being led and orchestrated by a Sith, but the Jedi went along because all they could see from their perspective was the rise of
a new Sith Empire, like the evil empires of antiquity, led by Count Dooku, who was a Sith Lord. They allowed Sidious to manipulate them into
choosing to abandon some of their most fundamental principles, those of negotiation, democracy, defense, and peace.
Main Article: Darth Sidious and The Plan

- Obi-Wan has his first duel with Vader, about 19 years before their next meeting in Episode IV. Anakin, who is twenty-two, would ordinarily still be
a Padawan, if not for his advanced abilities and the necessities of the Clone Wars. He is still a learner, relatively speaking, when compared to
Obi-Wan, who is a Jedi Master. Given that Obi-Wan is not very old, and was not among those few who were the most powerful of the Jedi, he is
still more advanced in terms of pure knowledge of the Force. Vader's abilities were already advanced for his age, and are now magnified by his
anger, and thus by his use of the dark side of the Force. This makes them somewhat evenly matched, although Obi-Wan's wisdom and Anakin's lack
of patience prove to be the deciding factors. When they meet again, Vader's powers are at their height, and Obi-Wan is somewhat out of practice.

- When Sidious was confronted by Mace and the other Jedi, Sidious trusted in his vision through the Force that Anakin would come to his aid.
If he had felt he was in serious danger, and especially if he had no possibility of escape, he would have activated Order 66 anyways, meaning
that if he dies, his revenge against the Jedi will at least go forward. When Yoda arrives to confront him, he has already used Order 66, which
was his ace in the hole, so he tries to run away, since he probably is unlikely to defeat Yoda on a level playing field. While he knows he may
not be powerful enough to defeat Yoda, he could still 'win' if, as he boasts, Lord Vader becomes too powerful for the Jedi to defeat.

- Sidious throws the Senate at Yoda, in a highly figurative move which allows him to escape defeat by the Jedi. 4000 years of Sith attempts to defeat
the Jedi and the Republic by building an external Sith empire ultimately failed everytime to wipe out the Jedi or destroy the Republic. The Sith have
therefore spent the last thousand years secretly building their power and influence within the Republic, culminating in Darth Sidious getting himself
elected the leader of the Republic. The changes to the Republic that he slowly introduced throughout the Clone Wars began to separate the Jedi
religion from its place as the moral guardian of the state, and he pushed that policy until the Jedi would take it no more, and he could throw
the weight and power of the Senate, the Republic, and the law at the Jedi, either crushing them, or forcing them to flee for their lives.

- Obi-Wan feels that he has failed Anakin as a teacher, something that likely weighs heavily on Obi-Wan for the next two decades.

- Polis Massa is an asteroid field located in the Subterrel Sector, in the Western Reaches of the Outer Rim, along the southernmost stretch of the Hydian
Way. It is the remains of what was long ago a habitable planet, with many large asteroids which are the size of small planetoids. One of the larger
asteroids hosts the Polis Massa Research Base, a large complex of facilities constructed many centuries earlier by Kallidahins from the relatively nearby
planet of Kallidah, chiefly to study the planet's destruction, and to conduct archeological excavations. The landing bay at the facility is a very clear
homage to the moon base from 2001: A Space Odyssey, one of the films which inspired SW and the aesthetics Lucas used in all six films.



Yoda is seen meditating when Bail Organa comes in to tell him Obi-Wan has arrived in the film, however that
is the end of what would have been a longer scene where Qui-Gon's voice speaks to Yoda. Qui-Gon contacted
the Jedi at least three times during the Clone Wars. The first was a vision he showed Yoda through the Force,
seen in Clone Wars 'Chapter 21', the second was his appearance to Anakin and Obi-Wan in the realm
of Mortis, where the location's connection to the Force made his manifestation as a Force spirit possible,
seen in The Clone Wars 'Overlords' (S3E15). He had grown in his ability to communicate, and could directly
speak to Yoda directly as a disembodied voice, about seven months prior to this film, in 'Voices' (S6E11).
What is said in this deleted scene is contained in that episode, with far more elaboration about the details of
preserving one's life after death, and why Qui-Gon is so important to the story of both trilogies. It was at
that point that Qui-Gon began to commune with Yoda and guide his training to become a Force spirit.


- The Republic has begun to fly the Alpha-3 Nimbus-class 'V-Wing' starfighter, manufactured by a subsidiary of Kuat Drive Yards which also makes the Actis-class
and Aethersprite-class starfighters used by the Jedi in the Clone Wars. The V-Wing is a highly-maneuverable escort fighter that is also an effective interceptor.
It will quickly supplant the Z-95 Headhunter as the primary Republic fighter, which had been the primary fighter for the last year and a half, having eclipsed
the V-19 Torrent, the primary fighter from the outset of the war. The V-Wing will become the first primary fighter for the Empire. Like the Actis-class Jedi
fighters, the V-Wings are equipped with twin ion engines, giving them the characteristic sound often associated with Imperial TIE fighters.

- The Grand Republic Medical Facility on Coruscant is a state-of-the-art facility which treated badly injured clones during the war. Vader is brought here to
be treated and given additional replacement appendages. The GRMF was also seen in The Clone Wars 'Orders' (S6E4).

- Anakin and Padme's destinies are intertwined in the Force, as shown during their simultaneous medical ordeals. Padme gives birth to Luke and Leia, but
dies shortly after. Darth Vader is also reborn in his most true form, but Anakin dies figuratively. Neither Padme, nor the good man who Anakin was, could
survive the transition to the Empire, and the opposite paths of light and dark which they have chosen bear the corresponding fruits: Luke and Leia, and
Lord Vader. As we learn in Episode VI, Leia never knew her mother, but 'remembers' her from images in her mind. These "images" Leia sees through
the Force, as she never knew her mother in person, but is so Force-sensitive that she was connected even as a child. The Force also sometimes shows
people "long gone", as Yoda teaches in Episode V, so the Force is likely to show a vision of Padme to someone deeply connected to her. The dark 'child'
of Anakin, Darth Vader, is an ideal Sith weapon, combining natural ability with artificial enhancement, an ideal metaphor for the Sith. He is in a way
the evil combination of Grievous and Dooku, possessing each one's strengths and their same ambition for power and dominance.


Did Padme die of a broken heart and strain of childbirth and other natural causes, or did Sidious have something to
do with it? This is an incredibly important plot point and continuity concern, and yet there is strong evidence to suggest
either may be the case. As discussed above, the same question can be asked about Anakin's vision of Padme's death,
which proves to be too essential to Sidious' plan not to be in some way his doing, yet not to a degree that his plan
would have necessarily been impossible without it. Regarding his possible involvement in Padme's death, there are
several reasons why this seems likely. He is a longtime pretend friend of Padme's, for over a decade, and the two are
connected in the Force well-enough that he might have been able to affect her in some way remotely. This would be
an extraordinary display of advanced power with the Force, but probably within the continuity of other Lucas-era
canon. Sidious seems to know she is dead, even though she is has just passed away during the same scene as he tells
Vader. Perhaps it doesn't matter if she is really dead, since telling him this will crush much of what remains of Vader's
good heart. If she were to show up later, Vader will be too far gone to ever rekindle any relationship. It is also possible
that he did not have a hand in her death, but did sense through the Force that she had died. If he was in fact partly
responsible for her death somehow, he was likely waiting until Anakin was fully on his team before eliminating his
potential offspring. In Episode VI, Obi-Wan tells Luke that "the Emperor knew, as I did, that if Anakin were to have
any offspring, they would be a threat to him." It seems unlikely that Sidious didn't make a plan concerning this,
and thus he either failed to kill her in time through the Force, or otherwise had some plan to deal with this later.


- Leia Skywalker is adopted by Senator Bail Organa and Queen Breha Organa, his wife, and is henceforth Leia Organa. This was apparently the will of the Force,
as the couple had always wanted to adopt a daughter, were personal friends of Padme and trusted allies of the Jedi, and were already within the small
circle of people who knew her true origin. Luke Skywalker is sent as far away from the Core, and his sister, as possible, to his father's in-laws on Tatooine.

- Qui-Gon's spiritual achievement in preserving his individuality after death is what allows the Jedi Order to be preserved after its death. Qui-Gon is unable
to manifest as a visible Force spirit, as he was unable to fully transform into the Force during his death in Episode I, an advanced ability requiring great
enlightenment and knowledge which is usually unknown to the Jedi. Qui-Gon proposes defeating the Sith with spiritual enlightenment rather than large
numbers of Jedi warriors and military forces. By learning to manifest a consciousness after death, and to commune with the living, Yoda can continue to
teach and aid Jedi, becoming essentially undefeatable. Yoda is now able to see that the Jedi must make their own unexpected plans if they are to survive
those of the Sith. Since the Naboo Crisis of Episode I, thirteen years earlier, Yoda has usually maintained the same hard-headed, pragmatic, and traditional
outlook and approach as Mace and the rest of the Jedi Council. Jedi like Sifo-Dyas, Dooku, and Qui-Gon were at odds with the Council often because they
insisted on living up to the Jedi's religious beliefs about serving the will of the Force, rather than their political beliefs about serving the Senate. Thanks
to Qui-Gon's spiritual achievement, Yoda finds a different purpose before it is too late, which is Qui-Gon's purpose, the same purpose Yoda rejected so
resoundingly in the past. Perhaps his frustration in Episode I about "Qui-Gon's defiance" in Obi-Wan was due in part to Yoda already realizing that Qui-Gon
may have surpassed him in piety and ethical standing. Qui-Gon's path will succeed in providing the Jedi with a means for the final defeat of the Sith
that lives up to their ethics and beliefs. Yoda will teach Obi-Wan to commune with him, and Obi-Wan will be first to successfully apply his teachings.

- C-3PO's memory is wiped for security purposes. R2 is the 'narrator' of the story of SW, according to George Lucas, and C-3PO is simply his translator.
In some of Lucas' older ideas for a four-trilogy, twelve-film story, the idea that the story of the Skywalkers was passed down to future generations by
these droids was to be introduced more concretely than the illusion to this that is seen in Episode VI, when 3PO tells part of the story to the Ewoks.
This memory wipe settled the issue of who could tell the whole story, as only R2 has been close to the action over the 36 years of the films.

- Padme Naberrie, who was given the regal name Amidala when she was elected Queen of Naboo, is interred on her home planet in a well-attended
state funeral. Among the mourners are her family, first seen in deleted scenes from Episode II, including her mother and father Jobal and Ruwee
Naberrie, her sister Sola, and nieces Ryoo and Pooja. Others in attendance include Apailana, the current Queen of Naboo, as well as Rugor Nass,
the former Boss of the Gungans, Governor Sio Bibble, the head of Naboo's royal council, as well as some of Padme's handmaidens. Also attending
are some of her friends from the Senate, including Bail Organa, Jar Jar Binks, Veedaaz Awmetth of Sarrish, Eeusu Estornii of Ord Zeuol,
Gem Sirrom of Dahvil, and Neb Creip, whose home planet is unknown, as is which sector he represents in the Senate.


- Queen Apailana has recently been elected as the leader of Naboo. One term as Queen is clearly two years. Padme Amidala was elected Queen just before
Episode I, which was in 7945 (32 BBY), and her second term as Queen ended in 7949 (28 BBY), when she became a Senator, and another Queen was
elected. That Queen, called Reillata in supplementary material, served one or two terms, followed by Jamillia, who is seen nearing the end of her reign
in Episode II, which takes place in 7955 (22 BBY). Not long after, Queen Neeyutnee is elected, who was first seen in 7956 (21 BBY), in The Clone Wars
'Blue Shadow Virus' (S1E17). Her first and only term ended the same year as this film, in 7958 (19 BBY), when Queen Apailana was elected to succeed her.

- The Death Star from Episode IV is seen to be under construction, in a scene that could be taking place some time in the future, but which was intended
to be taking place at the time it is shown in the film. Lucas actually noted that it is "a bit of a stretch" that it took nineteen years to build the first one,
especially in light of how much they were able to complete of a much larger second Death Star in only four years, as seen in Episode VI. Lucas
suggested somewhat jokingly that this must have been due to "union disputes and supply problems," which actually are the most most sensible
reasons why it might take much of a decade to complete the hull of a secret project of this magnitude, especially if the supplies have to be sourced
in the early Empire much the same way they were sourced during the Republic. The nationalization of industry, and growth of the prisoner labor
and slave labor sectors, were all developing programs of the Empire which advanced incrementally to reduce resistance from workers,
corporations, and most of all the Senate. Ultimately, the physics and engineering required to make the main weapon work proved to be more
difficult to achieve in practice than in theory, causing massive delays, as discussed in Rogue One.

- Tarkin is seen on the bridge of the star destroyer with the Emperor and Vader overlooking the Death Star's construction. In the shot, Tarkin can be
seen wearing what was identified in supplementary material as the insignia of a Moff, a modification of his Grand Moff plaque from Episode IV,
Tarkin was most recently an Admiral in the Republic Navy, as seen in The Clone Wars, so this represents a promotion. Two other officers are
seen with insignia that were meant to represent the transitional phase between the Republic insignia and the Imperial insignia seen in
the fully developed Empire. Disney-era Lucasfilm has ignored the details of this scene, leading to ongoing continuity errors.
Main Article: Ranks and Rank Insignia


Yoda arrives on Dagobah soon after parting ways with Organa and Obi-Wan. He does have a ship capable of space
flight, if he had ever chosen to leave his exile. It was eventually revealed in The Clone Wars 'Voices' (S6E11)
that Yoda was first led to Dagobah by Qui-Gon's disembodied voice, about seven months earlier. The planet
is full of life, and thus with the Force, and Qui-Gon calls it "one of the purest places in the galaxy."


- The surface of Alderaan is seen for the first time, as the planet was only seen from space in Episode IV. It was clear from above that Alderaan is a terrestrial
world with large oceans, a rocky surface, and a water cycle. On the surface, it is also seen that the planet hosts a thriving ecosystem, as well as a significant
population, usually said to be primarily Human. Located in the Inner Core, Alderaan was colonized over 25,000 years before this era, and was one of
the earliest members of the first Galactic Republic. The capital city of Aldera is located in a mountainous region of the planet.


ANALYSIS
The Clone Wars lasted over three and a half years, from early in 7955 (22 BBY) to late in 7958 (19 BBY). The Republic, and therefore the Empire, is victorious,
after the rebel Separatist Alliance unconditionally surrenders following the loss of their leadership and the deactivation of the vast majority of their military
forces. After the first year of the war, the Republic had stabilized the situation in the war enough to prevent a swift Separatist victory, meaning that an eventual
Republic victory was all but certain. The material and production advantages of the Republic were significant enough that the longer the war lasted,
the more likely a Republic victory would become. Unknown to the Jedi, and to most of the civilian population of the Separatist Alliance and the Republic,
the goal of the actual leader of the Separatist military, Sidious, is not for them to win the war. Rather, the purpose of the Separatist forces is to maintain
a credible threat for as long as is necessary for him to transform the Republic and then enact his plan against the Jedi. As such, Separatist tactics
were always one part sound military strategy and one part unpredictable aggression. That is not to say the Separatists weren't trying to win the war,
as everyone involved in directing their forces, including Dooku, Grievous, and the council members from the various galactic trade guilds, had a vested
interest, and good reasons to actually prefer a Separatist victory. Despite the Republic advantages economically, industrially, and in quality of troops
and warriors, the Separatists have extensive financial resources, advanced production facilities, and a ten-to-one advantage in ground troops.
Although the Republic was closer to victory at the end of the war than at any previous point, the threat of the droid army was as great at the end
as it was at the beginning of the war. The very sensible Separatist strategy of continually bringing the war to new planets and regions allowed Sidious
and Dooku to disguise their work of destroying or occupying troublesome worlds, and generally creating misery and depression in the galaxy. The Sith
sought to ruin cultures, economies, populations, and infrastructure, paving the way for them to be rebuilt to suit the new order, and leaving many people
in poverty and hopelessness. The economic fallout from the war was significant even on worlds which never saw a battle. Most importantly, the war
allowed the Sith to test which planets were so independent or rebellious that they would readily stand up and fight even when the Jedi were in charge.
Willing Separatist worlds were naturally occupied by the Republic during or immediately after the war, thus blunting the sharp edge of resistance to
the Empire's new galactic security state. All of this left the galaxy scarred, impoverished, and in no mood for any more war, just as Sidious intended.

Obi-Wan senses a trap when he and Anakin board the Separatist flagship, quite correctly, as Sidious has orchestrated this invasion of Coruscant and his own
capture in order to deal with the related issues of Anakin and Dooku, which are necessary to resolve before Order 66 can go ahead at full effectiveness.
Sidious has been subtly manipulating Anakin throughout his time as a Jedi, and has accelerated his program during the Clone Wars, with the hope of
converting Anakin rather than having to confront him. In order to give the plan's final moves their exact shape, Dooku must eliminate the Chosen One,
or Anakin must eliminate Dooku, or Dooku must be eliminated by some other Jedi, and Anakin dealt with later. As the many other stages of the plan
for the Clone Wars have reached their completion point, Dooku has suddenly gone from invaluable to inconvenient, and yet if he proves to be more
powerful than Anakin, and any other Jedi sent to save the Chancellor, he proves himself powerful and effective enough to serve in Sidious' new order.
As Sidious knows, Anakin's raw power with the Force would give him the most powerful apprentice he could find, and this is certainly his preference,
but he also knows that the Chosen One is fully capable of destroying the Sith, and wishes to use Dooku to test if Anakin can find victory while remaining
true to his Jedi principles. Anakin does defeat Dooku using his abilities, but he also succeeds because Dooku generally enrages him and specifically
provoked him, and because Anakin has chosen to continue to draw strength from his negative feelings, which has been hastening his fall. Anakin has
two paths he can go down, and he has been growing in both destinies throughout the Clone Wars, those being Jedi Master and Sith Lord. Anakin's
anger-enhanced victory and obedient execution of Dooku couldn't have gone better for Sidious, as Dooku has been dealt with, and Anakin is falling to
the dark side by following his leadership. Dooku was a liability and potential long-term threat to Sidious, and was "too dangerous to be left alive" for
either Sidious or the Jedi. Sidious tells Grievous that Dooku's death is "a necessary loss", as the ritual sacrifice of his apprentice leads Anakin to
ultimately become a Sith Lord, the very thing Anakin had sworn to destroy.

The report on the Outer Rim Sieges is that things are generally going well. Some of the long-standing sieges are resulting in key Republic victories, such
as the recent victory on Saleucami, where Master Stass Allie and Master Quinlan Vos are leading the campaign. Allie remains on the planet, as she is
seen there the next day. Obi-Wan tells Anakin that Master Vos has moved his troops to accelerate the Republic assault on Boz Pity, another of
the long-running sieges of a Separatist controlled planet. Many of the Jedi and reserve forces which have been widely dispersed in the last weeks to
counter Grievous' unpredictable invasions of populated Republic and neutral worlds are also meeting with success, however the vast majority of
the Order is still engaged in pressing combat, both those fighting to cripple the Separatist strongholds, and those defending civilian populations.
Most remaining Separatist forces in the Core fall back to the shrinking pockets in the Rim where the Separatists are amassing their forces. Mundi tells
the Jedi Council they have completed a probe survey of Republic systems, and thus the Jedi correctly ascertain that Grievous has also fled to the Rim.

The Senate votes to give the Chancellor more executive powers, ostensibly so that he can end the war more swiftly. In reality, Palpatine is at the head of
a firm majority in the Senate, primarily made up of Senators who are reactionary nationalists, those with military-industrial interests in their home sectors,
or those who are members of, or beneficiaries of, the large galactic trade guilds. Many of these Senators are under the influence of Darth Sidious, and
are therefore aiding Palpatine's rise without knowing his duel-identity, ensuring that Palpatine does not appear to be trying to seize power openly, and
that none of these unscrupulous allies could betray him. Palpatine has been using his steadily growing power throughout the war to transform nearly every
aspect of the Republic's political system, incrementally giving rise to a security state which was enthusiastically voted for by the democratically elected
members of the Senate. His moves have introduced increased police and military powers, increased surveillance of citizens, redefined what crimes are
considered to be against the state, and built up a far larger executive branch directly under the Chancellor's authority which is empowered to handle affairs
formerly under the jurisdiction of Senate committees or the Jedi Council. Palpatine has now been Chancellor for thirteen years, and orchestrated
the Clone Wars to prevent his removal from power after his second five-year term. He was instead awarded with emergency powers to create an army,
the first of many modifications to the Republic constitution which would be introduced over the last three years. Anakin justifies this by mentioning that
it was the Senate which demanded that he stay longer, showing how effectively Palpatine has arranged his own ascendance from behind the scenes while
appearing to be reluctant to usurp the democracy he claims to love. He has also stacked his government with those who believe the Jedi are an archaic
hindrance to reform and modernization, and together have sought to remove the Jedi religion from as many aspects of the state as possible, including
their historical role as the leaders of the Republic military. Palpatine moves to give the Senate and himself direct control of the Jedi Council by appointing
his own direct representative to that synod, a move which Yoda calls "disturbing". These moves mark the end of the groundwork he has been laying over
the last three years to prepare the Republic for transition to Empire, and to steadily provoke the Jedi until they reach the limits of their tolerance.

Anakin's progress in both of his two possible great destinies reaches a crisis point in his duel with Dooku. The circumstances of Anakin's victory set him
definitively down his dark path. During the Clone Wars, Anakin grew far more confident and increasingly unwilling to compromise. He is tired of
deception in general, whether it comes from the Separatists, within the Republic, or from the Jedi Council. He tells Padme he no longer cares if people
find out they are married, regardless of the consequences. Anakin's dream with a vision through the Force of Padme's death in childbirth focus his
priorities on his personal life. Yoda wisely advises him that "careful you must be when sensing the future. The fear of loss is a path to the dark side."
Anakin understands his wisdom, but does not heed it, since he is probably willing to be expelled from the Jedi Order at this point, as having kids
with Padme, and her continuing to be alive, is now more important to him. Anakin is also in trouble because he still believes that the Chancellor "isn't
a bad man." Palpatine has used that trust to influence Anakin's way of thinking throughout Anakin's time as a Jedi, and most directly during the war.
Even as a Jedi, Anakin shares the same ideals with Palpatine about more action and less deliberation, and the centralization of power for what each one
individually considers to be the good of all. Palpatine has also been teaching Anakin to view being a Jedi as a job rather than a calling, and to view
the Jedi Council as ungrateful and power-hungry bosses rather than sage holy persons. Palpatine continues the deceptions Anakin is tired of, and when
Anakin is given a mission to spy on the Chancellor, he loses even more respect for the Council. Regardless of the value of this move, asking Anakin to
to do something that is "against the Jedi Code, against the Republic, against a mentor and a friend" was the wrong move at the wrong time, something
Mace even notes when discussing how dangerous it is putting the two of them together. The concerns and even fears about Anakin which persist on
the Council continually lead them to deceive him, hold back some of his advancement, and fail to put their full trust in him. The Jedi Council really let
Anakin down by handling him so poorly at nearly every stage of his development as a Jedi Knight since Episode II.

The Jedi Council conspires against Palpatine, having finally concluded that he must have some motive for his concentration of power beyond a desire to
preserve the Republic and win the war. They use Anakin as a spy to report to them on the Chancellor's dealings, and want to know what he is up to,
hoping to discern his precise intentions. The Council placed great importance on the person of Palpatine as a leader they could work with and trust to
put the Republic above corrupt interests, since that was the character that Palpatine presented himself as. They have finally realized that he intends to
stand in the way of a return to normalcy, as Obi-Wan correctly states that the Jedi's "allegiance is to the Senate, not to its leader." Despite the danger
of allowing the powerful Chosen One to work closely with a power-hungry individual they no longer trust, the Council ignores their own concerns and
orders Anakin to do just that, as his personal friendship with the Chancellor will give him access they couldn't otherwise gain. Palpatine tells Anakin that
he is aware of their plot against him, which is only natural since he has deliberately pushed the Jedi towards this inevitable response to his transformation
of the Republic. He frames it as a Jedi takeover of the Republic, despite the fact that historically, the Jedi have served the Senate and donated their power
to the Republic under the condition that the Republic adhere to their ethical values. Since this arrangement has finally become somewhat archaic after
20,000 years of being mutually desirable, many within the Republic beyond Palpatine are able to recognize the possibility of a political structure free
from the dogmatic ethical concerns of the Jedi religion. Palpatine accurately observes that the Jedi don't trust democracy or the Senate, as the Jedi
aren't willing to serve an elected political order which acts against their values, and their concept of what is an acceptable Republic. He also tells Anakin
the truth when he says that "all who gain power are afraid to lose it", as the Jedi do what they do precisely because they fear what others will do with
the same power. One does not have to be a Sith to bring suffering, war, oppression, or any other product of willing beings abusing the dark side of nature.

Despite his accelerating fall, Anakin still takes stock in his last meeting with Obi-Wan as friends, and is thus far handling most of this with the patience of a Jedi.
At the same time, he feels lost, as he tells Padme. The Council does not trust him, and Palpatine has put his regular manipulation of Anakin on overdrive.
He has also felt for a long time that he is "not the Jedi I should be", as most Jedi find that controlling their power and desire becomes easier with wisdom
and experience, and maintain the humility to be content with their station. Anakin, on the other hand, seems to always wants more, and while he is
self-conscious about this, feels compelled not to be limited by others. He also expects too much of himself, including the superhuman ability to save Padme
from what is probably natural causes. He is also recognizing that the Jedi aren't in any hurry to include him in their inner circle, telling Palpatine that "more
and more I get the feeling I am being excluded from the Council." He also correctly observes that "there are things about the Force they aren't telling me",
as the Jedi as a practice compartmentalize knowledge they rightly feel is dangerous without the wisdom and maturity to hande it safely. When Sidious reveals
himself, Anakin very much wants to kill him. All throughout the Clone Wars, Anakin is enraged by the Sith, and the death, suffering, and chaos they have caused.
Sidous converts Anakin rather than trying to defeat him, an inversion of Luke's future accomplishment, partly because he might not survive the encounter.
He frames the Sith as a more advanced degree of knowledge in the Force, telling Anakin he must break through he Jedi's "fog of lies" to gain greater
enlightenment, and that he should stop being a "pawn of the Jedi Council." Palpatine is an effective confidence man calling the Jedi con-artists for having
an heirarchical and meritocratic command structure. He tells Anakin that "only through me will you gain a power greater than any Jedi", appealing to
Anakin's ambition, as Anakin tells Padme in Episode II, which is the same as Dooku's ambition. Palpatine also sells the dark side as more natural and
honest to one's own self, telling Anakin he can live "a life greater than an ordinary Jedi: a life of significance, of conscience." Do whatever you feel is best is
the Sith way, and he is thus painting the Jedi way as unnatural for teaching their followers to repress their desires. Anakin could have killed Sidious here,
which would have been a net gain for the galaxy, but would almost certainly have been done in anger and led to Anakin's fall to the dark side anyways.

The Jedi Council was already very concerned about the Chancellor and his moves over the last year of the Clone Wars. The Jedi are aware that the dark side of
the Force surrounds Palpatine, and yet that is extremely typical of politicians, especially those in the stratosphere of the Republic. The dark side also obscures
the vision of the Jedi, preventing them from learning his true identity. Nevertheless, the unnatural concentration of the dark side around the Chancellor as
become obvious, and the Jedi Council is now increasingly viewing him as an opponent to their values. Mace senses a plot to destroy the Jedi, and out of
concern that Palpatine is involved, plan to arrest the Chancellor if he doesn't give up his power. The Jedi Council then do the reverse of what Palpatine has
been trying to do to them, and take control of the Senate for a peaceful transition to new leadership and a restoration of the constitution. Anakin learns of
Sidious' identity, but has reservations about the Council's possible actions because he now values the knowledge which Sidious holds about the Force.
As Grievous has just been defeated, four members of the Jedi Council were already on the way to confront Palpatine about returning power to the Senate.
Anakin reveals that he believes Palpatine is the Dark Lord of the Sith who the Jedi have been searching for. Mace states that "our worst fears have been
realized", meaning a plot against the Jedi which has much of the apparatus of the Republic behind it. Mace's reaction is to insist that they "must move
quickly if the Jedi Order is to survive", leading the Jedi to make the very move Sidious wants them make, which is to lead an arrest attempt which can be
more-or-less correctly labeled a coup against the leader of the Senate. During his arrest, Palpatine mocks the idea that the machinery of the Republic will aid
the Jedi in a quest to undo what he has built up, telling the Jedi "I am the Senate." After seeing Sidious' power with the Force, Mace decides he has to die,
not only because he cannot be contained, but because "he has control of the Senate and the Courts", and cannot be brought to justice due to his allies.

All three parts of Sidious' endgame can come together perfectly if the Jedi rebel, Anakin takes his side and saves him, and Order 66 can be implemented
without warning. Mace does not want Anakin to be present at the Chancellor's arrest, partly because of Anakin's fear and confusion, but partly because
Mace has always been highly dubious about Anakin and his progress as a Jedi. He tells Anakin to remain for his own good, but Anakin is insistent because
he wants Sidious alive, and now values his knowledge above that of the Jedi for its potential to save Padme. Mace's suggestion that Anakin will have earned
his trust by reporting this means that Anakin might be let into the inner circle of the Jedi, and gain more knowledge of the Force, but that is no longer
the knowledge that he cares most about obtaining. Anakin chooses to come to protect Sidious' life, having basically already chosen to place protecting him
over the priorities of the Order. Sidious references his previous narrative with Anakin, telling him "the Jedi are taking over!" When Mace moves to execute
Sidious, Anakin completes his fall to the dark side, choosing one of the two destinies for his life, the one Sidious wants him to believe is inevitable.
His destiny to destroy the Sith will still be fulfilled, but not for twenty-four years, and only after immeasurable suffering and death in the galaxy.

The Jedi Rebellion is used as a pretext for Order 66, which was going to be executed one way or another, whether it was legally authorized or not. These
circumstances are much tidier and more effective, and allow Sidious to continue on as the legitimate leader of the Republic. If the rest of the Jedi learn
of the particulars of the attempted arrest, they will kill or arrest Palpatine, his allies in the Senate, and Anakin, and by their actions have technically
committed treason, at least according to law as Palpatine has helped frame it. Order 66 is therefore presented as a preemptive strike to protect
the Senate. The 'treason' of the Jedi Council allows Palpatine to pronounce blanket condemnation of the Order, declaring that "every single Jedi is
now an enemy of the Republic." As Sidious knows, the Jedi are "relentless," and will not allow the rise of a political order controlled by the Sith.
He correctly observes that failure to destroy the Jedi will result in "civil war without end", as the Jedi will galvanize their many allies, organizations, and
planets which share their values. Sidious therefore orders Vader to hit the Temple at the same time that Order 66 is going out across the galaxy, in order
to prevent as few Jedi from learning what is going on before it is too late as possible. The result is the Great Jedi Purge, where the ancient Jedi Order,
which until recently numbered over 10,000 monks of various ages, is reduced to perhaps a couple hundred individuals. Those which do survive for
years went into hiding soon after, as those which attempt to establish a resistance immediately after the purge are easily targeted and eliminated.

Sidious tells Grievous that the war was coming to its end, and instructs him to move the Separatist leaders to Mustafar, gathering them all in a remote
location where they can be eliminated as operatives who have now outlived their usefulness. Sidious sends Vader to Mustafar to wipe out Nute Gunray,
who is presumably leading the Separatist Council after the death of Grievous, as well as the other Separatist leaders. Sidious promises them that he has
a means to protect them in the coming peace, and that he will send his new apprentice Vader to "take care" of them. Gunray is confused as Vader
murders the Council, stating that "Lord Sidious promised us peace", not realizing that they were his pawns all along, and like any Sith ally were ultimately
going to be betrayed when it suited the purposes of the Sith. The Clone Wars thus end with the massacre of the Separatist Council and the deactivation
of the Separatist Droid Army. This move effectively ends the power and influence of the Trade Federation, Techno Union, and Commerce Guild, which
were powerful interstellar organizations that had been instrumental in the golden age of the now crumbling Republic. They had risen to such prominence
within the Republic that they became too powerful for the democratic structure to restrain, making them ideal instruments for the manipulations used
to create the crises which led to the Clone Wars. The power of these organizations would pose a serious impediment to any attempt to centralize power
in the coming Empire, and thus Sidious co-opted much of their power to provide the muscle for the Separatists, knowing that this treason could eventually
be used as the pretext for dismantling their organizations, even those elements which had remained loyal to the Republic. The Banking Clan and Corporate
Alliance would survive into the Empire, but only within the confines of the power structure loyal to Palpatine. The deactivation of the droid army allows
the Grand Army of the Republic and its clones to assume a military occupation of remaining Separatist worlds, as well as maintaining their defensive
forces on the many planets already under Republic control as part of the new security apparatus of the Empire which values peace through force.

At a special session of congress, late in 7958 (19 BBY), Palpatine announces the banishment of the Jedi and the end of the Republic. He tells the Senate that
the Jedi Rebellion has been foiled, and that remaining Jedi will be hunted down and defeated. Palpatine has been pandering to the growing public sentiment
that the Jedi are the ones fueling the war, due to their single-minded obsession with defeating Dooku, and this move by the Jedi allows him to unite with
corrupt opponents of the Jedi in the Senate to do away with their meddling once and for all. The Jedi are framed as the villains who were responsible for
the war, and ultimately were planning to undermine the democratic Senate, precisely what Palpatine himself was responsible for. He then frames his new
security state as method of preventing another galactic war, calling it a measure to "ensure the security, and continuing stability." The Galactic Republic is to be
reorganized into the first Galactic Empire, which is a reborn Sith Empire, in order to create what Palpaine calls "a safe and secure society." As Palpatine is
certain will be the case, this move is enthusiastically supported by the majority of the Senate, especially in light of the Jedi 'attack on the Senate'. While he will
retain all of his accrued power during the war, and gain even more authority as Emperor, he will still need the support of the corrupt elements in the Senate
and the private sector to ensure the Empire remains stable long enough to solidify his rule and transform the culture and society in the galaxy.

From Deleted Scenes
Palpatine's constitutional amendments are always presented as providing centralization in order to end the war more quickly, and in the name of facing down
real or imagined security threats. Palpatine tells Anakin that "the Senate is too unfocused to conduct the war" and that his measure to assert control over
the Jedi Council, and the vote in the Senate to give him more executive authority, "will bring a quick end to things." Anakin agrees, as he has always believed
in the virtue of centralized leadership and the need to prioritize results over procedure. Palpatine also suggests that for democracy to survive, it must reduce
freedom and limit the role of elected delegates in decision making, telling Anakin that "there are times when we must endure adjustments to the constitution
in the name of security." Anakin is certain that the Jedi won't approve of either his meddling in the Jedi Council or his additional constitutional amendments.
Palpatine claims he has no choice, as the war which he secretly engineered must be won, in keeping with Palpatine's philosophy of 'victory at all costs'.

The Chancellor has appointed Governors to oversee all starsystems in the Republic. This decree was posted the same day as the Senate vote to expand his
powers. As seen in the Imperial era, these will be military governors which are part of the executive chain of command, and answer to Palpatine rather
than the Senate. Mon Mothma says the Senate no longer exists as a practical matter, since Palpatine holds a strong majority of support, and it has
become little more than a rubber stamp for his policies. What oversight the Senate still exersizes can now be circumvented by Palpatine's governors.
Giddean Danu suggests the constitution is in tatters, as the rules which established the democratic nature of the state have all been suspended in favor
of a strong executive branch. Padme still can't believe her 'good friend' Palpatine will destroy the Republic, and also underestimates the amount which
the Republic's horrible corruption problem has been magnified by the war. Most of the Senate is just going along because they know Palpatine has
the power, and they all want a slice. Bail Organa declares that "we cannot let a thousand years of democracy disappear without a fight." He believes it is
time for action, and is putting together an organization to resist the transformation of their democracy. He has to qualify his statements to his fellow
Senators, saying that he doesn't "mean to sound like a Separatist", as the very criticisms which led to many planets choosing to leave the Republic are now
being levied by these Republic loyalists. The Separatist worlds believed correctly that the Republic was corrupt, imperialistic, and undemocratic. Sidious
therefore organized these troublesome rebels into an organization to fight the Republic, not only so that they could be eliminated as a threat, but also so
that the Republic can embrace its identity as a corrupt, imperialistic, and undemocratic organization, and become a stronger and more centralized version
of itself. The Separatist Alliance was ultimately the precursor to the Rebel Alliance, which is eventually born from the movement to restore democracy in
the Senate. Many of the more genuine elements of the Separatists will eventually ally themselves with Organa and Mothma's Rebel organization.

At the second meeting of the resistance to Palpatine's amendments, Padme is concerned about this struggle turning into another war. Mothma wants to work
within the Senate, as she doesn't believe violence is helpful or necessary. Padme wants to include Obi-Wan, who came to speak with her earlier that day before
leaving for Utapau. Danu points out that going against the Senate without Jedi support is risky, despite the fact that it is unclear to these Senators if the Jedi are
in some way complicit in the changes to the Republic. Padme knows that the Council doesn't like these changes, and yet the Jedi have been such enthusiastic
supporters of Palpatine, especially in the first couple years of the war, so it is easy to understand their reservations about this. The movement decides instead
to present the Petition of 2,000, hoping that Palpatine will back down in the face of political pressure.

The Petition of the Delegation of 2,000 is a request for the Chancellor to return his accrued powers back to the Senate at the conclusion of the war. While there may
have been 2,000 senators backing this, it is unlikely that all of these Senators are seated members of the Galactic Senate. There aren't nearly that many pods in
the Senate, and this delegation doesn't represent the majority of the Senate. Many of the Senators named in the petition must be from prominent worlds within
sectors which are represented by a different planet in their sector, such as Senators from other planets in the Chommell Sector which are member worlds of
the Republic but don't sit in the Senate, since Naboo represents their sector. According to supplementary material, there are 35 other member worlds in that sector
with Senators. This delegation may also include multiple members from the same delegation, as Padme and Jar Jar are both seen to be a part of it. Palpatine tells
them that he understands their reservations, and that the new system of governors will not usurp the position of the Senate. He also gives a personal guarantee
of an immediate "return to democracy" as soon as the war ends, although does not agree to pass any measures in the Senate to that effect, but rather asks
the petitioners to trust him. He is very dismissive, as he doesn't have to listen to them, having all the legal authority he needs and the backing of a majority in
the Senate. Palpatine tells Anakin he suspects they are plotting against him as well, trying to further confuse Anakin's loyalties and establish himself as Anakin's
only trustworthy ally. He suggests to Anakin that these troublesome Senators are likely subversives, telling him that "some see instability as an opportunity."
The delegation exposes its members to future scrutiny having brought themselves to Palpatine's attention, alerting him to who is most likely to take further
action to resist his Empire and its plans. As a result, many Senators who signed this petition were eventually ousted from power or arrested for treason.


FURTHER ANALYSIS
The Mythology of Star Wars with George Lucas and Bill Moyers
Why Palpatine Is The Greatest Movie Villain Ever
This is What Star Wars Fans Truly Wanted from the Prequels
How Large is a Providence-class Dreadnought?
Why the Juggernaut Was Beyond Terrifying

The following linked content includes non-canon information and speculation:
How Count Dooku Originally Thought the Clone Wars Would End