Just to be clear, I am agreeing with you, warwon. I think it is dumb. And while I was not a huge fan of the trilogy ending with a song that includes the words, "Yub nub" and "celebrate the love", I am even less fond of the ridiculousness of the abrupt end to the Galactic Empire just because their decrepit old leader bites the dust. Surely they had some plan in motion in the event of his death. Even a Sith Lord has to die sometime.

However, in the previous discussion, I was out numbered by those who thought the EU was crap and Star Wars worked better featuring The Amazing Instantaneous Crumbling Empire® (just kill the Emporer and add water and have your very own crumbling empire in mere seconds! Adult supervision required.)