50 most shocking moments in Star Wars history

General Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher) and Rey (Daisy Ridley) in STAR WARS: EPISDOE IX
General Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher) and Rey (Daisy Ridley) in STAR WARS: EPISDOE IX
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LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 12: A wax figure of Star Wars character Darth Maul on display at ‘Star Wars At Madame Tussauds’ on May 12, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images)

41. Mace Windu vs. Darth Sidious (Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith)

There was once a time where so many things could have been avoided if only Mace Windu had taken out Palpatine once he revealed that he was Darth Sidious. When Mace Windu arrives to arrest Palpatine, the Chancellor swiftly takes action and easily takes out three Jedi. This leaves him and Windu as they fight one-on-one.

One can only wonder what would have happened had Mace Windu finished off Palpatine before Anakin walked in. It isn’t until after Anakin’s arrival, though, that Windu tried to kill Palpatine. His hesitation was his downfall and Anakin interferes before Windu can kill Palpatine.

I will admit that Palpatine’s “unlimited power” line was over the top at the end of the battle. We already have an idea of how powerful he is, so it felt unnecessary, but it doesn’t make that entire fight any less shocking. Sure, it isn’t the Jedi way to kill, but Windu understood that something needed to be done about Palpatine. Otherwise, Palpatine would just continue to be a danger to everyone. It’s the same kind of fear that we see years later with Luke when he realizes how powerful Ben Solo is.