History Fridge / StarWarsTheOldRepublic

** He'd apparently been slipping for some time. In the same scene Jeassa says that he had consistently prevented her from using her abilities on him.

* One of the planets that you will get to visit in the game is Belsavis, a nightmarish prison world that holds some of the worst and most dangerous criminals in the entire galaxy. In addition to the prison being staffed by corrupt and abusive guards, the entire world is filled with death traps leftover by the ancient Infinite Empire. Also, the prisoners held there live in appalling conditions. For example, in one of your missions, you are authorized to offer one of the prisoners improve living conditions in exchange for his cooperation, and said improvement is that he will now be allowed to take ONE bath per-week. And what is the worst part about this? Belsavis is controlled and run by [[TheFederation the Republic]]! Now just imagine if the Republic treats their prisons like this, how much worse things are in the Empire. Being taken alive as a prisoner of war by the Imperials can easily be a FateWorseThanDeath (especially if you're unlucky enough to be a [[FantasticRacism race other than human]]).

** The worst part of this is: the Republic is implied to be actually ''worse''. Imperial Intelligence finds many documents showing that the Republic had been pitting various alien prisoners against each other in gladitorial combat, not for punishment, but to find out and record the strengths and weaknesses of each race. When two Imperial scientists find out, one is horrified for ethical reasons. The other is also horrified, not because it's so heartless, but because he had come up with the idea years earlier [[PragmaticVillainy but the Empire refused it, believing that such an act would yield no valuable data and is a waste of potential laborers]]. (A valid point as this experiment only shows which species makes for the best prison gang and there is no need to do experiments to determine that a Trandoshan could beat a Gand in a knife fight.)

** It gets even worse when one looks at the way the relationship system works in this game. Or more specifically, the fact that gifts that fit a character's likes are more effective in many cases than actually gaining their affection through conversations. Not to mention that affection lost through conversations is usually very minute, and easily overwhelmed by the gifts you can give. Meaning you can screw with your companions all you want, making decisions you know they dissaprove of, while keeping their affection high by giving them small trinkets.

* Some players may find the ranking of 'Moff' in the Sith Empire to be odd, and incongrous with its later usage in the Republic. They might also have the same feeling about some of the Sith capital ships and starfighters, which seem very similar to later Star Destroyers and TIE fighters. Also, the emblem/crest of Vitiate's Empire looks remarkably similar to the crest/emblem used by the late Republic and Galactic Empire. Think about this-who in the late Republic era would have been very knowledgable of the old Sith Empire and been very interested in subverting the "true" Republic with Sith effects to make the transition as easy as possible? Palpatine, that's who. He was one of the Sith's greatest historians, and he put in as many small things as he could get away with. This is in Fridge Horror because it means that over the thousand years of the Ruusan Reformations, and possibly before, after the demise of the Sith Empire, the Republic just forgot everything about their enemy, allowing the enemy to subvert their military, their culture, their very political symbols. The Republic only had Moffs in their very early years, and they banished the term after Ruusan. Nobody thought to research the history of the term, or the history of the new intimidating emblem Palpatine gave the Republic right before he killed it. Imagine if a secret Nazi put the swastika on the American flag one hundred years from now. That's what Darth Sidious did, and nobody noticed a thing.

* Felix Iresso's career has been stalled due to the holocron time bomb in his head, and his MildlyMilitary approach rankles more conventional officers (like Aric Jorgan). So why does he get to stay with the Consular (and, if the consular is female, get away with possibly marrying her)? Simple, his actions on Hoth got the attention of the Rift Alliance, who probably were all too happy to keep him around. The Republic military probably wanted to appoint a liaison officer, preferably someone who looked good on paper but was expendable in case something went sour. And by the time things progress with Lady Consular for it to be an issue for the Jedi Order, the Rift Alliance (particularly Senator Grell [[spoiler: As in ''Nadia'' Grell, who is both the most promising telekenetic in a generation and who doesn't buy the Order's stance on love at all]]) probably threatened a diplomatic incident if they didn't look the other way on their Republic liaison officer and the Consular!

* The entire concept of the Star Cabal. [[spoiler: The concept of the Star Cabal was to control the Galaxy and eliminate the influence of Force users (Sith or Jedi) after the Great Hyperspace War, and they think they have at least partially succeeded. However, when you've played all characters, as well as [=KotOR=] and [=KoTOR=] 2, you know that, in reality, the Sith Emperor has manipulated the Mandalorians into attacking the Republic. The Republic, in turn, begged the Jedi for help. This led to Revan's (a Jedi's) revolt, resulting in the defeat of the Mandalorians and the rise of Revan as a Sith. This dragged the Jedi into a war, which decimated both the Republic and the Jedi Order, opening the door for the Sith to conquer half the galaxy. then they manipulate events on Corellia in order to achieve a war of attrition to maximize casualties. But that is exactly what the Emperror wants! And yet the Star Cabal think they've accomplished something. Their naivety is hilarious.]]

** Gets even more FridgeBrilliance when you consider ''why'' he's the only to react like this. Vette? To start the romance, the male Warrior has to take her collar off, which he has literally no reason to do ''unless'' he's kinder than most Sith. Ashara? Barring whatever he did on Taris, the male Inquisitor is [[MoralityPet nicer to her than he is anyone else]] by default. Andronikos and Pierce? They ''live'' for the thrill of danger, and there's nothing more dangerous than bedding a Sith. Jaesa? To romance her, she has to be Dark, which means she's insane ''and'' madly in lust with the male Warrior. Quinn, by contrast, is a very professional man who's served in the military a long time--he's probably seen or at least heard of [[DeathBySex what happens]] to those a Sith takes interest in.

* The use of EvilBrit accents for the Empire seems strange when Republic stalwarts like Bastila, Admiral Forn Dodonna, Atris, and many more in KOTOR use a British accent, taking place 300 years prior before this Empire was revealed. Passing off the British accent as being from Dromund Kaas is a blatant continuity error seeing as the British accent was established as Coruscanti in works ''preceding'' SWTOR. Sorry Creator/BioWare, you screwed up.

CAUTION: Some spoilers are not marked.

* Realizing that Revan, the big badass of the first game was nothing more an an UnwittingPawn of the Emperor all along, and that everything he did from discovering Malachor's ruins to the Foundry (with the exception of the first game) was ''nothing more than being the Emperor's patsy.'' He and Malak go charging in like idiots and get curb-stomped by Darth Vitiate. Vitiate sets them up to smash the Republic, and Revan does so with the intent to pull an appropriately-Sith [[TheStarscream Starscream]] later. But, Malak gets a lucky shot, Bastila drags a half-dead amnesiac from the wreck, and we get [[VideoGame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublic Game #1]]. After that, Revan's plagued by visions, and unwilling to trust the friends who backed him from the ''Endar Spire'' to the Star Forge, he goes running off half-cocked with ''[[WhatAnIdiot no backup plan,]]'' drags the Exile into it (after Malachor, Kreia, and the stunt the Jedi Council pulled, [[ViolationOfCommonSense the question is "Why?!"]]). Those Two Idiots don't even make a backup plan to warn the Republic, put their trust in ''Scourge,'' charge in. Exile ends up dead. Revan is the Emperor's favorite chew toy / prison bitch for the next 300 years, and because Those Two Idiots made no provision to ''warn'' the Republic, an unsuspecting Republic gets invaded and curb-stomped by what amounts to a tin-plated backwater. Now, I know what the apologists say, ''"But Revan tempered the Emperor! He convinced the Emperor to sign the Treaty of Coruscant!"'' Bantha crap. The Emperor does not give a gizka's left butt cheek about his own Empire. Darth Vitiate wants everything in the galaxy to die except himself. Alternately, he was too busy living the high life as GodEmperor of Zakuul with the Republic and the Empire an annoying loose end in the way of his good time. He wanted ''both'' destroyed. To that end, what is better? A curb-stomp battle where his Sith forces crush the Republic and then get restless (so they can start wondering what he's up to)? Or a long-running war of attrition that ensures mass slaughter and atrocities on both sides, and keeps his Darths busy fighting the Republic and each other so they won't bother him? (And he can continue bleeding the Republic dry while shamelessly embezzling from the war spoils to prop up Zakuul) So, the Republic breaks Revan out of Maelstrom. There's surprisingly little fallout because Malgus is right - The Emperor ''let him go.'' Revan had no more use, aside from getting the Foundry. And what is Revan using the Foundry for? An army of droids that will slaughter 98% of the galactic population. Yes, I said "galactic." The Flashpoint says "Imperial," but c'mon. Think of how much side-swapping happens in that universe - even your companion characters are proof of that. So army of killer droids to wipe out 98% of all life in the galaxy and a war of attrition to take care of anyone that's left...All the emperor had to do is sit back, feeding on all that death, well on his way to getting the galaxy for one he always wanted or wiping out both the Republic and Empire so they wouldn't interfere with his fun. And it's the ''Imperials'' that put Revan down like a rabid mutt. NiceJobFixingItVillain!

* It has been said that this game is more of a spin-off to the ''VideoGame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublic'' games, which is fair enough considering those were single player experiences and this is an MMO. But look at it as if it ''were'' a true sequel, making it the third game in the series. The first [=KOTOR=] was very ''Film/ANewHope'' in feel and tone, infamous [[YouShouldKnowThisAlready plot twist]] not withstanding, and all you need look at is the cinematic for the good ending to see proof of that since it was very much channelling the award ceremony of Episode IV. [=KOTOR=] II was unquestioningly DarkerAndEdgier, essentially being one huge {{deconstruction}} of everything Star Wars, and ending on a very somber note... just like ''[[Film/TheEmpireStrikesBack Empire Strikes Back]]''. So since ''The Old Republic'' is the [[Film/ReturnOfTheJedi third in the series...]] Think about it. Doesn't it make a lot of sense from a thematic point?

* Realizing that Revan, the big badass of the first game was nothing more an an UnwittingPawn of the Emperor all along, and that everything he did from discovering Malachor's ruins to the Foundry (with the exception of the first game) was ''nothing more than being the Emperor's patsy.'' He and Malak go charging in like idiots and get curb-stomped by Darth Vitiate. Vitiate sets them up to smash the Republic, and Revan does so with the intent to pull an appropriately-Sith [[TheStarscream Starscream]] later. But, Malak gets a lucky shot, Bastila drags a half-dead amnesiac from the wreck, and we get [[VideoGame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublic Game #1]]. After that, Revan's plagued by visions, and unwilling to trust the friends who backed him from the ''Endar Spire'' to the Star Forge, he goes running off half-cocked with ''[[WhatAnIdiot no backup plan,]]'' drags the Exile into it (after Malachor, Kreia, and the stunt the Jedi Council pulled, [[ViolationOfCommonSense the question is "Why?!"]]). Those Two Idiots don't even make a backup plan to warn the Republic, put their trust in ''Scourge,'' charge in. Exile ends up dead. Revan is the Emperor's favorite chew toy / prison bitch for the next 300 years, and because Those Two Idiots made no provision to ''warn'' the Republic, an unsuspecting Republic gets invaded and curb-stomped by what amounts to a tin-plated backwater. Now, I know what the apologists say, ''"But Revan tempered the Emperor! He convinced the Emperor to sign the Treaty of Coruscant!"'' Bantha crap. The Emperor does not give a gizka's left butt cheek about his own Empire. Darth Vitiate wants everything in the galaxy to die except himself. To that end, what is better? A curb-stomp battle where his forces crush the Republic and then get restless (so they can start wondering what he's up to)? Or a long-running war of attrition that ensures mass slaughter and atrocities on both sides, and keeps his Darths busy fighting the Republic and each other so they won't bother him? So, the Republic breaks Revan out of Maelstrom. There's surprisingly little fallout because Malgus is right - The Emperor ''let him go.'' Revan had no more use, aside from getting the Foundry. And what is Revan using the Foundry for? An army of droids that will slaughter 98% of the galactic population. Yes, I said "galactic." The Flashpoint says "Imperial," but c'mon. Think of how much side-swapping happens in that universe - even your companion characters are proof of that. So army of killer droids to wipe out 98% of all life in the galaxy and a war of attrition to take care of anyone that's left...All the emperor had to do is sit back, feeding on all that death, well on his way to getting the galaxy for one he always wanted. And it's the ''Imperials'' that put Revan down like a rabid mutt. NiceJobFixingItVillain!

* An example listed under MoralDissonance on the main page: at the end of Black Talon, you catch up with a badly wounded defector. The Dark Side option is killing the old man outright. The "Light Side" option is allowing him to be captured and drug away by the authorities where it's implied he'll be patched up enough to be tortured horribly for all of his secrets and then be executed. Why would that be Light Side for an Imperial? Well, first of all ''you are playing the bad guys''. Even the ''nicest'' options on Imperial side fall under the category of NobleDemon, and the Empire is still a racist, fascist, corrupt-to-the-bone cesspit led by a AxCrazy theocratic cabal. Your "light side" action is showing loyalty to your Empire by making an example of the traitor and destroying the Empire's enemies with his information. The Dark Side action of shooting him outright puts your immediate anger over the Empire's needs.

** Can double as fridge horror considering that she's deliberately setting a lot of trainees up to failt. Then again, that's pretty much sop for the sith.

* One of the planets that you will get to visit in the game is Belsavis, a nightmarish penal colony prison world that holds some of the worst and most dangerous criminals in the entire galaxy. In addition to the prison being staffed by corrupt and abusive guards, the entire world is filled with death traps leftover by the ancient Infinite Empire. Also, the prisoners held there live in appalling conditions. For example, in one of your missions, you are authorized to offer one of the prisoners improve living conditions in exchange for his cooperation, and said improvement is that he will now be allowed to take ONE bath per-week. And what is the worst part about this? Belsavis is controlled and run by [[TheFederation the Republic]]! Now just imagine if the Republic treats their prisons like this, how much worse things are in the Empire. Being taken alive as a prisoner of war by the Imperials can easily be a FateWorseThanDeath (especially if you're unlucky enough to be a [[FantasticRacism race other than human]]).

* Adressing the accent entry above, in the late Republic, all the British accents are from Coruscant. In this game, which takes place several thousand years before the Prequel Trilogy, the accent belongs to the Empire, being Dromund Kaas, and the American accent belongs to the Republic. Now let's think for a moment; what would have happened if the Nazis won WWII? We would all be speaking German. What would happen if the Empire won the next war? They would all be speaking Dromund Kaas accent, which makes the original supposed ForegoneConclusion of the Republic winning seem [[DownerEnding very unlikely]].

** She must have known something. She was aware of the existnece of the 'real Sith empire'. At the very least, she knew there was a significant military power waiting in the wings to exploit the Republic's weakness and her determination to get rid of the Force hints that she knew that the Emperor had ambitions beyond just conquering things.

** Honestly, EasilyForgiven for defectors is such a common trope in Star Wars the subversions are more notable. Now, originally, it was because the Rebellion couldn't afford to turn away help, but that nuance seems to have been forgotten by writers, and by now, it's just standard.

*** Protocol droids are ubiquitous, usually incapable of any combat functions, and dignitaries are ''always'' accompanied by them for translation and clerical work. What better cover for a spy or assassin? There's a ''reason'' HK-47 and his knockoffs tended to pass themselves off as protocol droids. That's how an HK-51 was able to almost single-handedly destroy all of Peragus Station in ''VideoGame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublicII''.

* The name of Z0-0M, HK-55's companion in his bonus chapter, is a StealthPun. The villain of that chapter is the Shroud, the person behind the macrobinoculars quest chain in Rise of the Hutt Cartel. What do you do in-game when you find something with the macrobinoculars? You ''zoom in''. [[spoiler: It's also a nice MythologyGag aimed at [[VideoGame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublicIITheSithLords KotOR 2's]] "Goto"/G0-T0, another [[MeaningfulName conveniently named]] droid party member who was actually TheManBehindTheMan]].