Pandering to fans is IMO a mistake by the creators, unless they can do so without compromising their vision. Like I think Lucas made a mistake pandering to the Jar Jar hate. No idea whether he was intended to be Plaguis or some other dark horse but I think it’s pretty clear from Episode I that there was more to that character than just providing childish comic relief. I wish he hadn’t caved to the pressure and stuck with whatever he had originally intended.