The subject: “evil masterminds whose plans don’t actually amount to much.”
Thinking purely of the original three Star Wars movies, do we see the Empire do anything other than oppress the Rebellion? They blow up a planet to scare people who might be helping the Alliance. They kill members of the Alliance, people who help them.
But imagine there was no Rebel Alliance. What is the Empire’s plan? What do they want? As far as we call tell, apart from disbanding the galactic senate (which happens before the first movie) while leaving the planetary governors in charge, do they declare war on anyone? Commit genocide? Oppress any minorities or religious groups? I guess it’s illegal to be a Jedi. But do we see them take any action against anyone that isn’t a reaction to or attack against the Rebellion? Do they even talk about doing anything to anyone else? Who would they go to war WITH?
If you’re a hoopoople peddler in Mandanar Square selling your wares to the Blue Haffaneese, do you notice any difference in your day to day life?
Or, to put it another way; we know the Empire was evil. We know they were ruthless and willing to kill anyone to acheive their ends. Apart from “take over, crush the rebellion” what were those ends?
More to the point; why hasn’t it ever seemed strange to me