Considering how many groupies came to his concert at the end of TROS, I doubt he lacked for willing participants. Honestly that’s the part of it that bothers me the least, since they just gloss over it. But there’s definitely something to be said for Palpatine being death itself, with the inability to conceive life in any way.
The more I think of it the more I like the idea of bringing Palpatine back in some way (though not this way). If the ST is all about legacy, and the OT heroes all find the strength and confidence in their proteges to move on knowing the galaxy is in good hands, wouldn’t it be interesting if the antagonist is an old villain who absolutely refuses to move on in any way?
Back to Palpatine in love, wasn’t that supposed to be one of the scripts for George’s never produced SW Underworld TV show?