Creechuur
I've been trying to piece together Palpatines overall scheme in the prequels. The first two movies were pretty weak, but the underlying plot that Palpatine/Sidious has put in motion is masterful, in my opinion. I think that everything that has happened has been exactly the way Palpatine wants it. Heres the way I see it, in 10 easy steps. Feel free to take it apart, shoot it down, whatever, lets have fun.
1. Sidious orders the Trade Federation to blockade Naboo.
This is the most confusing part to me, but heres what I think: Palpatine is from Naboo, so he picked his home planet to blockade, knowing that the senate would take no action. It would gain him more sympathy when he had Padme put forth the vote of no-confidence, so that he would be the favorite to become Supreme Chancellor.
2. Palpatine becomes Supreme Chancellor
Palpatine rubs his hands together and says 'excellent'.
3. Sidious gains Dooku as an ally
Since Sidious was already 'courting' Anakin when he had Dooku as an apprentice, I think he would do the same thing with Dooku. With Maul unknowing, he was probably already becoming friendly with Dooku as Palpatine. He was probably stoked to have a Jedi as a potential apprentice, so much easier to bring them down from the inside! I think Sidious already had his eye on Anakin even before Dooku officially became Darth Tyranus. Dooku was a means to an end, nothing more.
4. Sidious has Dooku order the clone army
It appears that Dooku left the Jedi order with little more than ill feelings. Ki-Adi and Mace both said that there was no way Dooku could be a threat. Seeing a way to further persecute the Jedi when the time came, Sidious has Dooku order the clones from within the Jedi Order. This parts gonna be debated, but I think Dooku gets his former Padawan Qui-Gon Jinn to order the clones. Dooku is as much a talker as a fighter, so he convinces Qui-Gon to not only order the army, but to do it secretly and to use a false name. I'm not sure why the name Sifo-Dyas is used.
5. Palpatine befriends Anakin
Sidious knows that Anakin is going to be a force to be reckoned with, possibly the most powerful Jedi ever. He also knows Anakins history, and knows that he will be able to turn him with some kind words and gentle nudging. Dooku is a joke to him, a means to get Anakin as his apprentice.
6. Sidious orders Dooku to begin the Separatist movement.
This is a biggie, and pretty obvious. Sidious and Dooku play both sides. I love this part. Palpatine starts a war and gains emergency power, giving him control of the Republic. Thats just genius.
7. Dooku 'captures' Palpatine
Sidious has Dooku 'capture' him. Dooku probably thought this was a good move...too bad he didn't figure out why Palpatine wanted to be captured.
8. Anakin kills Dooku
Man, I cannot wait to see the look on Dooku's face when he realizes that Sidious is rooting for Anakin. Thats gonna be good.
9. Mace confronts Palpatine
This is the only part that Sidious/Palpatine does not have control over, but due to the previous steps, he is well prepared for the moment. As soon as Palpatine knows the jig is up, its game over. Mace dies, Anakin falls, Palpatine demonifies the Jedi and names himself Emporer.
10. Checkmate
The rest is just mopping up. Officially granting Anakin the Darth title, hunting down and killing all the Jedi, ruling with an iron fist, that sort of thing.
1. Sidious orders the Trade Federation to blockade Naboo.
This is the most confusing part to me, but heres what I think: Palpatine is from Naboo, so he picked his home planet to blockade, knowing that the senate would take no action. It would gain him more sympathy when he had Padme put forth the vote of no-confidence, so that he would be the favorite to become Supreme Chancellor.
2. Palpatine becomes Supreme Chancellor
Palpatine rubs his hands together and says 'excellent'.
3. Sidious gains Dooku as an ally
Since Sidious was already 'courting' Anakin when he had Dooku as an apprentice, I think he would do the same thing with Dooku. With Maul unknowing, he was probably already becoming friendly with Dooku as Palpatine. He was probably stoked to have a Jedi as a potential apprentice, so much easier to bring them down from the inside! I think Sidious already had his eye on Anakin even before Dooku officially became Darth Tyranus. Dooku was a means to an end, nothing more.
4. Sidious has Dooku order the clone army
It appears that Dooku left the Jedi order with little more than ill feelings. Ki-Adi and Mace both said that there was no way Dooku could be a threat. Seeing a way to further persecute the Jedi when the time came, Sidious has Dooku order the clones from within the Jedi Order. This parts gonna be debated, but I think Dooku gets his former Padawan Qui-Gon Jinn to order the clones. Dooku is as much a talker as a fighter, so he convinces Qui-Gon to not only order the army, but to do it secretly and to use a false name. I'm not sure why the name Sifo-Dyas is used.
5. Palpatine befriends Anakin
Sidious knows that Anakin is going to be a force to be reckoned with, possibly the most powerful Jedi ever. He also knows Anakins history, and knows that he will be able to turn him with some kind words and gentle nudging. Dooku is a joke to him, a means to get Anakin as his apprentice.
6. Sidious orders Dooku to begin the Separatist movement.
This is a biggie, and pretty obvious. Sidious and Dooku play both sides. I love this part. Palpatine starts a war and gains emergency power, giving him control of the Republic. Thats just genius.
7. Dooku 'captures' Palpatine
Sidious has Dooku 'capture' him. Dooku probably thought this was a good move...too bad he didn't figure out why Palpatine wanted to be captured.
8. Anakin kills Dooku
Man, I cannot wait to see the look on Dooku's face when he realizes that Sidious is rooting for Anakin. Thats gonna be good.
9. Mace confronts Palpatine
This is the only part that Sidious/Palpatine does not have control over, but due to the previous steps, he is well prepared for the moment. As soon as Palpatine knows the jig is up, its game over. Mace dies, Anakin falls, Palpatine demonifies the Jedi and names himself Emporer.
10. Checkmate
The rest is just mopping up. Officially granting Anakin the Darth title, hunting down and killing all the Jedi, ruling with an iron fist, that sort of thing.