"This is what he (Palpatine) is hinting at [in the Opera scene]: how Anakin might have been created a long time ago, that it was kind of a fiendish plot like Jesus in reverse almost. Also, that Plagueis had absolute power and the power over life and death, which might be useful as far as Padme's concern, but the other thing he had, which is probably the most interesting thing of all, is that he had no power over his own death. Palpatine might have been implying that he killed him, and that that gave him a sense of satisfaction. But also the cycle had to go on, because as you know, there can only be two at any one time. Also while he's presenting a case to Anakin in terms of hope and fear, it's a fantastic piece of temptation and seduction, but if you really analyze it too, he's really predicting Anakin's death and, maybe without realizing it, his own." -IM
"The whole idea [of the fight versus Mace Windu] was to stage the temptation of Anakin - it was for his benefit. And of course Windu was going to have to die. He probably wanted to kill him earlier. Palpatine knew what was going on and he'd been publicly defied. It was again part of the process leading to the fact that poor old Palpatine was going to be attacked by a much younger person and that Anakin would find that objectionable." -IM