Last month saw the end of an era with the release of Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker.
The film, which was the final entry in the Skywalker saga, was highly anticipated by fans. As do all things with a passionate fan following, the film impressed and disappointed in near-equal measure. Many fans lauded the film for its stunning visuals and exciting conclusion to the saga, while others felt let down by directorial decisions and ill-explained plot points. One such plot point was the return of Emperor Sheev Palpatine, which was teased in trailers in the lead-up to the film’s release. One line in particular, spoken by Oscar Isaac—who plays Poe Dameron—united fans.
Isaac’s general exhaustion in the final installment of the trilogy seemed to speak to fans. While not everyone was upset to see Palpatine return, the explanation—or lack thereof—for his reemergence in the film left a sour taste in many fan’s mouths. Isaac’s tired proclamation that “somehow, Palpatine has returned” quickly inspired a fresh wave of memes.
……. somehow palpatine returned pic.twitter.com/lxa386FVnl
— Matthew (@frigginhegg) December 29, 2019
https://twitter.com/kenobiskyber/status/1212702378165714949
tired: genuinely explaining how palpatine could feasibly exist in TROS
— Rebel Scum Finn (@realtraitorfinn) December 29, 2019
wired: somehow, palpatine has returned
Annihilation is a cerebral sci-fi masterpiece. pic.twitter.com/FLtYGjRDKg
— Liam (@WakeInShite) January 1, 2020
The memes started flooding in. They were primarily focused around people’s exasperation with the tired, regurgitated storyline and Isaac’s perfect encapsulation of the emotion. “I swear I saw Oscar Isaac’s soul die in that moment,” one fan wrote.
His mouth was saying "Somehow, Palpatine returned", but his eyes were saying "I did not go to Juilliard for this".
— Evelina (@evelinaa_m) December 28, 2019
https://twitter.com/LivingLearner27/status/1212589461520994305
“Somehow, Palpatine has returned.” I swear I saw Oscar Isaac’s soul die in that moment.
— the bri’s knees (@thereylovoid) December 29, 2019
https://twitter.com/jacefang141/status/1212187532793909248
friends: wanna hang out tonight?
— marti 🦋 loves ben solo (@theblastjedi) December 30, 2019
me: i can't. somehow, palpatine has returned
https://twitter.com/poesrogue/status/1211389903604371457
https://twitter.com/nightwving/status/1212518008964280320
At least disappointed fans have Isaac to flawlessly capture their frustration. An icon.
READ MORE:
- ‘The Rise of Skywalker’ screenwriter offers an unsatisfying reason for the lack of Rose Tico scenes
- The problem with Poe Dameron’s role in ‘The Rise of Skywalker’
- 3 major franchises came to an end in 2019
I watched the first 6 ‘Star Wars’ films for the first time, in one sitting: