Summary
- Despite his ability to foresee events, Emperor Palpatine was remarkably bad at countering when it mattered most, as evidenced by his lack of failsafe when the rebel fleet succeeded in taking down the Death Star's deflector shield.
- In a hilarious meeting between the Emperor and top-ranking Imperials in a comic, Palpatine acknowledges the many issues plaguing the Death Star, including a direct access to the reactor shaft that would be his final resting place.
- Palpatine, though the ultimate Star Wars villain, has a humorous side, which Star Wars should embrace further.
Emperor Palpatine's iconic quote about his power in Return of the Jedi was turned into a hilarious joke by Star Wars over 20 years ago. Ever the arrogant Sith Lord, any instance of a surprising development in Return of the Jedi was met with Palpatine's words that he had "foreseen it." Darth Sidious did have the remarkable ability for foresight, allowing him to scheme a plan that would see the demise of the Jedi Order and rise of his Galactic Empire. However, in the years since Lucas' films have released, the Emperor's lines have become something of a meme.
With all the power in the galaxy and the ability to see events before they transpired, Palpatine was remarkably bad at countering when it mattered most. The arrival of the rebel fleet was part of his plan in Return of the Jedi, but he seemingly had no failsafe in the event that his enemies succeeded in taking down the deflector shield. What's worse, he turned a blind eye to the structural flaws of both Death Stars, with one such design issue leading directly to what was once believed his ultimate downfall.
Palpatine Foresaw All Of The Death Star's Problems 
In the comic Star Wars Tales #4 released in June 2000, a hilarious meeting between the Emperor and top ranking Imperials over the Death Star takes place. Being the genius that he is, Palpatine declares that he's aware of the many issues that plague the Death Star, including direct access to reactor shaft that would be his original body's final resting place in Return of the Jedi. Despite this error, inadequate restroom facilities, and confounding physics, the Emperor makes it known that he won't stand for the 15-foot thermal exhaust port in one of the Death Star's trenches – which was eventually exploited by the rebels.
Close As if hosting a business session, the Emperor calls his underlings "gentleman" and rattles off the array of issues the Death Stars are infamous for. He ironically makes a note to Vader about watching his back for the lack of guard rails, though it was the fall that got him when his apprentice threw him overboard. Just as funny is the dynamic between Vader and Tarkin, who seem incompetent while conferring with their Emperor and have an A New Hope-inspired squabble. Most impressive is the comic's own foresight with the Disney Empire logo, as the company wouldn't acquire Star Wars for another 12 years.
