The 2019 Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker made a big revelation about the real lineage of the last remaining Jedi, Rey Skywalker. Just when everyone thought she was a Skywalker, she was revealed to be the granddaughter of Emperor Palpatine. That means Palpatine has a son, and he manages to reproduce, which poses a big question to many. So, as fans are intrigued about whether Palpatine really had sex, the character’s actor, Ian McDiarmid, finally addressed this issue and revealed how the Dark Lord of the Sith reproduced.
In an interview with Empire to celebrate the Star Wars prequels’ 25th anniversary, McDiarmid confirmed everyone’s claims and admitted to “doing it.” “Yes, he does [have sex],” he said.
As this surely cringed many, the Scottish actor acknowledged that the idea of it is a “horrible” thing to think of. “But then, of course, perhaps he didn’t,” he continued. So, how could it happen that he has a son? McDiarmid then explained that the creation of Dathan had something to do with the “midi-chlorians.”
“Maybe it’s all to do with midi-chlorians – and don’t ask me what those are,” he explained. “Never trust your granddaughter. That’s the T-shirt Palpatine got made. Shortly after his death.”
Rey’s father, Dathan, aka Sith Eternal, is a hybrid strand-cast genetically engineered. Hence, he’s Palpatine’s clone and not a genetic offspring. The Sith cult used Palpatine’s template to create cloned vessels to preserve and continue his so-called father’s bloodline. But despite their connection, he lacks the power of the Force and is deemed a “failed experiment” by the emperor.
What are midi-chlorians in Star Wars?
In Star Wars, midi-chlorians are microscopic life forms from the Wellspring of Life or Force planet. They live within the cells of all living organisms and have a symbiotic relationship with their hosts. The Force speaks through the midi-chlorians, letting individuals use this power if they are sensitive enough to feel it.
Qui-Gon Jinn even mentioned midi-chlorians in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. At the time, he told Anakin Skywalker of their importance and ability to talk to their hosts.
He said:
Without the midi-chlorians, life could not exist, and we would have no knowledge of the Force. They continually speak to us, telling us the will of the Force. When you learn to quiet your mind, you'll hear them speaking to you.
Anakin is said to have the highest count of midi-chlorians in galactic history, with over 20,000. Emperor Palpatine even revealed that his Sith Master, Darth Plagueis, could influence the midi-chlorians to create life.
New Star Wars content, like The Mandalorian, is now explaining how Emperor Palpatine managed to create a strand-cast like Dathan. Anyhow, though the franchise is trying its best to reveal how the Darth Lord continued his bloodline, fans can’t still help but think of his love life.
