Two words. That’s all it took to change the course of a fictional galaxy and, more importantly, create one of the most resilient memes to ever crawl out of a 2005 theater. Honestly, if you’ve spent more than five minutes on a message board or in a gaming lobby, you’ve seen it. Someone is hesitating to buy that extra DLC, or maybe they’re debating whether to eat a third slice of pizza, and then it happens. A grainy image of a hooded, wrinkly old man appears with the caption: Do it.
But it’s not just "do it." It’s "Dew it." It’s a guttural, weirdly satisfying command that feels both like a friendly nudge and a soul-crushing decree.
Why do we care? Well, do it chancellor palpatine isn't just a funny soundbite. It represents a masterclass in how a serious, dramatic moment—the cold-blooded execution of Count Dooku—can be stripped of its weight and turned into a universal shorthand for "peer pressure." It’s the ultimate internet "yes."
The Moment Everything Changed
Let’s talk about the scene. Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith starts with a literal bang. Anakin and Obi-Wan are on a rescue mission. They’ve finally cornered Count Dooku. After a flashy duel, Anakin has the Separatist leader on his knees. He has two lightsabers crossed at Dooku's throat.
The tension is thick. Anakin knows he shouldn't kill a defenseless prisoner. It’s not the Jedi way. He even says it out loud. But then, sitting in his captive chair, Chancellor Palpatine leans forward. He doesn't give a long speech about the dark side or the philosophy of power. He just barks it: "Do it!"
It’s surprisingly loud. It’s abrupt. And for Anakin, it’s the permission he’s been subconsciously hunting for his whole life. He snips the Count's head off, and the slippery slope to becoming Darth Vader becomes a vertical drop.
Why it sounds like "Dew It"
Ian McDiarmid, the actor who plays Palpatine, has a very specific way of enunciating. He’s a classically trained stage actor. In that specific take, he hit the "D" and the "oo" sound with such a sharp, clicking intensity that it sounds less like a word and more like a command from a deity.
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Or, you know, a brand of soda.
Fans eventually noticed that the way he says it sounds exactly like "Dew it." This birthed the "Mountain Dew" variations of the meme. You’ll see Palpatine’s head photoshopped onto soda cans or him holding a bottle of Code Red. It’s ridiculous. It’s stupid. I love it.
The Viral Lifecycle of a Sith Lord
The meme didn't actually explode right when the movie came out. Back in 2005, we were still using flip phones and MySpace. The "Prequel Meme" renaissance really kicked off in the mid-2010s. Subreddits like r/PrequelMemes turned the entire trilogy into a goldmine of irony.
Basically, the internet realized that the dialogue in the prequels is... well, it’s unique. It’s formal. It’s stiff. When you take those lines out of context, they become hilarious.
- The "Nike" Effect: People started pairing the Palpatine "Do it" with the Nike "Just Do It" slogan.
- The Peer Pressure Tool: It became the go-to response for anyone asking for advice on a questionable decision.
- The Game Grumps Influence: The YouTube duo Game Grumps helped cement the "Dew it" pronunciation in the gaming community, riffing on it during their Mario Party and Star Wars playthroughs.
The Secret Ingredient: Ian McDiarmid’s Acting
You can’t talk about do it chancellor palpatine without giving credit to McDiarmid. The guy is incredible. He’s mentioned in interviews that they did several takes of that scene. In some, he was more subtle. In others, more sinister.
The take George Lucas picked was the one where he sounds almost exasperated. It’s like he’s saying, "Stop talking and just kill him already." That impatience is what makes it so relatable. We’ve all been there—waiting for a friend to make a move while we’re just sitting there thinking, Oh my god, just do it.
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It’s actually kinda dark when you think about it
In the Revenge of the Sith novelization by Matthew Stover, which is a masterpiece by the way, this moment is even more intense. It describes how Palpatine’s voice acts like a physical push. It’s not just a suggestion; it’s the sound of Anakin’s internal moral compass being snapped in half.
The meme hides the tragedy. Behind the funny "Dew it" jokes is the moment a hero died and a monster was born. But hey, that’s the internet for you. We take trauma and turn it into GIFs.
How to Use the Keyword Like a Pro
If you’re trying to use do it chancellor palpatine in your own content or just want to understand the vibe, remember: it’s all about the delivery. It works best when the stakes are low.
- Should I buy this $500 Lego set? Do it.
- Should I tell my boss what I really think? Do it.
- Should I start another rewatch of the prequels? Do it.
It’s the ultimate enabler. It’s the voice in your head that wants you to be a little bit bad, or at least a little bit impulsive.
What Most People Get Wrong
A lot of casual fans think he says it as the Emperor. Technically, he’s still "Chancellor Palpatine" at this point. He hasn't "revealed" himself to the Jedi yet. He’s hiding in plain sight. This makes the line even bolder. He’s literally ordering a murder in front of the galaxy’s greatest hero, and he knows Anakin is too compromised to say no.
Also, some people think he’s using a "Force Scream" or some Sith mind control. Honestly? He probably didn't need to. He’s been grooming Anakin for over a decade. He knows exactly which buttons to push. A simple "do it" was all it took because the groundwork was already laid.
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Your Path to Sith Mastery (Or Just Better Memes)
If you want to dive deeper into this rabbit hole, start by watching the scene again. Pay attention to the music. Notice the way the drums kick in right after the blades cross. It’s cinematic perfection.
Then, go check out the Reddit archives. See how the "Dew it" variations evolved into "Stew it," "Brew it," and "Chew it." It’s a testament to human creativity and our collective obsession with a wrinkly guy in a hood.
To really get the full experience, I’d suggest:
- Watching the original scene in 4K to see the sheer smugness on Palpatine's face.
- Finding the "Game Grumps" compilation of "Do it" jokes to see how it influenced gaming culture.
- Reading the Stover novelization to understand the psychological manipulation behind the meme.
It’s one of the few pieces of Star Wars history that has managed to stay relevant across multiple generations of fans. Whether you're a hardcore lore nerd or just someone who likes funny pictures, the Chancellor's command is here to stay.
Just don't actually go around beheading people. Keep it to the pizza and the Lego sets. Do it.