The Long Game (Star Wars Insider)

"The Long Game" is an article written by Michael Kogge in Star Wars Insider 158 that details the rise of Sheev Palpatine, or Darth Sidious, within the Star Wars galaxy. It traces his origins from a seemingly humble senator from Naboo to the rule of an entire Galactic Empire who to most would become known as the simply "The Emperor."

Summary
The article opens by summarizing things as they stood within the early state of Star Wars films; that the Emperor had no appellation other than this and was simply considered by most fans to be ultimate source of evil in the Star Wars universe. Though the name "Palpatine" and the office of senator were revealed through novelizations, these were largely ignored.

The article continues to the prequel trilogy, detailing how these films truly showed the origins and rise of Palpatine's character. It describes how he used the art of deception, being seemingly a humble man who offered wise counsel to Queen Amidala, but was secretly plotting his own fearsome rise. He appears solemn and sad as he observes the rise of a clone army, but ultimately uses that clone army as part of the final stage to assure his rise to Galactic Empire

The article ends by summarizing how Palpatine plays the long game by being patient, never appearing evil on the surface, "an evil so banal it is inconspicuous, even to the man himself." Palpatine's ascent is met with the "thunderous applause" of the Galactic Senate and as the citizens of the galaxy grow used to Imperial power, even the name Palpatine is largely forgotten, replaced by the title "The Emperor."