The bottom line is what we all read at the start of that Star Wars book circa 1977.... or later as the case may be... but the point is the same. Another galaxy, another time. The Old Republic was the Republic of legend, greater than sistance or time. No need to note where it was or whence it came, only to know that...it was the old Republic. Once, under the wise rule of the Senate and the protection of the Jedi Knights, the Republic throve and grew. But as often happens when wealth and power pass beyond the admirable and attain the awesome, then appear those evil ones who have greed to match. etc... It would take at least three movies to justify the Emperor's rise to prominance from his origins as the 'Senator from Naboo.' I think his skillfull manipulation of the Republic and the Trade Federation to create a military machine unseen before (the Empire) is unfolding wonderfully....and fully justified 'Imperial March,' at the end of the last movie... that last shot on the balcony spelt out the entire Episode Two in seconds. Much as we hate Jar Jar and other minor details we've seen so far, as far as the larger picture goes GL has remained firmly on track. Episode Two showed us the full extent of Palpatine's manipulation of galatic events to excuse him the opportunity to create the Empire's military machine. Genius. Those 'heroic' clone-troopers are about to turn their guns on the last of the Jedi. Quote me. I still have belief in GL.