I was also really drawn to another idea: so much is made in the film of the resistance sending out a radio signal for help, hoping for a response which tragically never comes. What would really twist the knot would be if they did get a response, and it was Palpatine’s broadcast. It would be an extreme low point for our heroes, but there was no practical way to pull it off <

Man, I LOVE this idea of really turning the knife in this moment!

Yet, I can totally appreciate how it can’t work…trying to magic up a minute’s worth of ‘reaction footage’ from the hero’s listening in would be impossible!

…and then there would also be the tonal change to the end of the movie

The ‘tragic victory’ and the elation of surviving such a narrow escape would inherently have to be adjusted to seem more ominous if Palpatine had fully revealed himself as being alive mere minutes ago.

I’ve said this before, Poppa but you’ve nailed this edit.

You’ve planted the seeds to subtly set up ROS but successfully walked the fine line between careful alluding/leaving easter eggs and going all out and over-cooking it.

If this had been the theatrical cut, I think fans would really have enjoyed theorising and analysing all these in the years between releases.

It’s an absolute masterclass in honing in on the best way to convey your ideas without taking it to far