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Noble Ire in [url=http://bbs.stardestroyer.net/viewtopic.php?t=96089&start=0]This[/url] Thread wrote:I loved almost all of ROTS, even the opening sequence, but for some reason, a single, very brief moment pulls me out of it every time I watch the film. Just as Obi-Wan dispatches the pair of super battle droids on the Invisible Hand's observation deck, the camera switches back to Palpatine, who, for some unimaginable reason, pumps his fist and makes a loud "Yes!" noise. I have no idea why that was included, and though it has no bearing on any other aspect of the movie, I found it more annoying than the squeaky droid voices and the love scene combined.

I myself have wonder what's up with that moment every time I've watched ROTS. Is any explanation ever offered in the EU or other materials? My personal top two theories:

1) The "In-Character" Explanation: Palpatine is simply a fan of violence. He gets totally jazzed any time a lightsaber comes out or somebody feels their life is on the line, period.

2) The "Clumsy Edit" Explanation: Some non-droid combatant got killed or maimed right then, preferably by Anakin, but it hit the cutting room floor for the sake of the children.

Anybody else have thoughts on this?

Maybe it's because Dooku is slowly being isolated, weakened and readied for "replacement"?

Or, yeah, Palpatine gets off on violence and warfare. :P

I always just interpreted it as Chancellor Palpatine cheerleading for his Jedi rescuers

Shadow WarChief wrote:I always just interpreted it as Chancellor Palpatine cheerleading for his Jedi rescuers

Me, too. He's playing the role of the hostage rooting for his rescuers. Saying, "Yes!" at an appropriate moment is normal. It's not like he started chanting, "Obi-Wan, Obi-Wan, he's our man, if he can't do it, Anakin can!"

Eframepilot wrote:

Shadow WarChief wrote:I always just interpreted it as Chancellor Palpatine cheerleading for his Jedi rescuers

Me, too. He's playing the role of the hostage rooting for his rescuers. Saying, "Yes!" at an appropriate moment is normal. It's not like he started chanting, "Obi-Wan, Obi-Wan, he's our man, if he can't do it, Anakin can!"

That was my first thought, but on repeated viewings it has nagged at me... If that's all he was meant to be doing there, it seems almost too obvious to deserve that obtrusive close-up. Also, why the sudden burst of enthusiasm when the rest of his Hostage Act never goes past a tone of mild concern until the moment of truth?

Perhaps he was delighted to see Anakin come so far so quickly?

I never had the least bit problem with that. Palpatine wasn't able to keep himself back. I see it as fully in his character.

Stofsk wrote:Perhaps he was delighted to see Anakin come so far so quickly?

Mange wrote:I never had the least bit problem with that. Palpatine wasn't able to keep himself back. I see it as fully in his character.

Sure, but why at that specific moment then?

Oh, and for the record, Palpatine doesn't say "Yes", he says "Get...".

Mange wrote:Oh, and for the record, Palpatine doesn't say "Yes", he says "Get...".

The subtitles say that, but it makes no sense. Just listening to it, it's clear that he simply lets out a tight, excited little 'Yeah!". Whoever did the subtitles probably thought 'It can't possibly be this silly, it just can't'. It certainly isn't the first time a major DVD has had inaccurate subtitles.

The only explanation I can think of is that Lucas realised that Palpatine is essentially furniture for the whole fight scene. Without it, he'd have no activity whatsoever between 'Hey Guys' and 'Kill him Anakin'. He just sits there and grins like an idiot. Even if it's corny as hell, it gives Palpatine something to do in the background - be the surrogate audience member and spectate.

Winston Blake wrote:

Mange wrote:Oh, and for the record, Palpatine doesn't say "Yes", he says "Get...".

The subtitles say that, but it makes no sense. Just listening to it, it's clear that he simply lets out a tight, excited little 'Yeah!". Whoever did the subtitles probably thought 'It can't possibly be this silly, it just can't'. It certainly isn't the first time a major DVD has had inaccurate subtitles.

The only explanation I can think of is that Lucas realised that Palpatine is essentially furniture for the whole fight scene. Without it, he'd have no activity whatsoever between 'Hey Guys' and 'Kill him Anakin'. He just sits there and grins like an idiot. Even if it's corny as hell, it gives Palpatine something to do in the background - be the surrogate audience member and spectate.

Yes, I think you might be on to something there... As for the subtitles, I haven't checked the English, but the Swedish subtitles also says 'Get'.

Winston Blake wrote:

Mange wrote:Oh, and for the record, Palpatine doesn't say "Yes", he says "Get...".

The subtitles say that, but it makes no sense. Just listening to it, it's clear that he simply lets out a tight, excited little 'Yeah!". Whoever did the subtitles probably thought 'It can't possibly be this silly, it just can't'. It certainly isn't the first time a major DVD has had inaccurate subtitles.

Perhaps, but after watching the DVD several times, it does sound like he's saying 'Get-' before cutting himself off.

Seems to me that he is playing his part of the hostage to the best of his ability. Notice though that as soon as Obi is out his behavior become very different.

Right then, thank you all for your opinions.

I think the correct answer here is "all of the above." Palpatine went "Get!" or "Yes!" or otherwise exclaimed in excitement, for the simple facts that he:

1. Wanted to play the part of hostage before his Jedi rescuers.

2. Was excited that Dooku was about to be handed his posterior.

3. Gets a rush from violence and military combat of any kind (his absurd overcapacity of the Imperial military, especially in Dark Empire, should confirm this).

4. Palpatine was intended to serve as a surrogate for the cinematic audience, so that in a creepy sort of way, we're suddenly sitting next to Palpatine watching the movie with him and sharing his impressions of whats going on.[/list]

He just found out he saved a lot of money on car insurance with GEICO.

I think a "yippee" or even a "wizard" would have been more appropriate for that scene.

Galvatron wrote:I think a "yippee" or even a "wizard" would have been more appropriate for that scene.

What's a nine year old boy supposed to say?

Palpatine was probably playing the role of the worried captive eager for rescue, and secretly was enjoying the show.

Had Palpatine had a previous opportunity to observe Anakin in combat personally? Maybe he was also confirming that his orchestrations regarding Anakin's state of mind were having a profound effect on the boy.

Yeah but the way it was cut, Palps was saying "Yes!" about Obi-Wan, not Anakin.

havokeff wrote:Yeah but the way it was cut, Palps was saying "Yes!" about Obi-Wan, not Anakin.

Maybe he was getting a feel for Obi-Wan's abilities as well. I can't remember, was there a point in that scene where Palpy could have picked up on the growing tension between them? Palpatine could also have been realizing that Obi-Wan's influence over anakin was much more strained and limited than he previously suspected (much to his delight) and that Anakin was increasingly vulnerable.

I think this is supposed to signify some of the "last" of the human-seeming Palpatine. The likeable and interestig side of his character before he begins the process of becomming the Gibbering Hobgoblin of Evil.

I mean, think about it.. its kind of neat and cool that he's behaving that way, even if it is a life and death struggle.... but then when Anakin wins, you see what a total batard he is by having Anakin kill Dooku. That's the "Later" Sidious/Palpatine. Then, after Dooku's dead and they're escaping.. we're back to "Nice Guy" Palpatine in the escape (I'm thinking the Elevator shaft scene in particular.) Then, after landing the Invisible Hand (or what's left of it..) we're back to Ass Hole Palpatine. He's no longer a nice guy or even hiding it (at least not from Anakin or the Jedi)

I count that as one of the more disappointing aspects of ROTS, because I kind of LIKED Palpatine up until this point (even knowing what he would do). It was after he turned Ass Hole and became the Gibbering Hobgoblin (ULTIMATE POWWWAAHHH) that I started disliking him again.

Connor MacLeod wrote:I count that as one of the more disappointing aspects of ROTS, because I kind of LIKED Palpatine up until this point (even knowing what he would do). It was after he turned Ass Hole and became the Gibbering Hobgoblin (ULTIMATE POWWWAAHHH) that I started disliking him again.

Well, his transformation was in line with the portrayal of Palpatine in ROTJ; certainly, he wasn't quite at "Unlimited Power!" levels there, but he was enjoying himself rather too much as he unloaded on Luke in the end. And when he wasn't engaged in comabt, he still retained some wit and presence, even if his likability was lost ("My little... green... friend").

I actually like the dichotomy between the kindly old Palatine and hobgoblin Sidious.
We already all know that benevolent Palpatine is an act, but seeing what the guy is like when he lets his hair down, when he doesn't have to put a show on for anyone, shows up what he's really like.. which makes the level of control he displays in his "Palpatine" role even more unsettling.