Funny thing, I recall that I waited for McDiarmid scenes all the time I watched TPM the first time, because I've felt this to be the only link with OT... as the movie seemed... err... quite different ("is that it? is this what I was waiting for all those years?"). It was like "I'm watching some sci-fi movie with a Emperor from 'Star Wars' it it".

Although I would also say that ROTS Emperor is ...an overkill. But is wasn't up to McDiarmid to choose what to say or whether to use saber or not.