Why Does Darth Vader Take Orders From Grand Moff Tarkin?

Why does Darth Vader take orders from Grand Moff Tarkin? There are several reasons for this. First, Vader isn’t part of the Imperial navy or military. He doesn’t receive command of the Imperial Fleet until the time in between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back. At this point, he reports directly to the Emperor. But if his master orders him to go to the Death Star and do whatever Tarkin says, he will obey. The Death Star was under Tarkin’s command, especially after the death of Orson Krennic at the Battle of Scarif. We see that Vader has some free reign, especially when he starts choking Admiral Motti without consequence, but he will ultimately follow Tarkin’s instructions. We also know that Anakin Skywalker had respect for the Grand Moff back during the Clone Wars thanks to the rescue mission on Lola Sayu, and we know that mutual respect for one another only grew in stories like the novel Tarkin and the Darth Vader comic by Charles Soule.

[@samaccardi]

The Tarkin novel makes me actively want a buddy cop series where Vader and Tarkin track down fugitives, rebels, and criminals and solve related crimes. It's a stupid wish, I know.

[@Andrewbert109]

If that's stupid, well then I guess I'm a moron because that sounds like an amazing series

[@sanddoom2089]

I second that statement. We’re all morons of this kind of wish makes someone stupid

[@TheRoleMan2023]

Yea you're stupid to want that disney would fail that too. They'd probably make Vader gay and Palpatine trans.

[@thomasfrye6335]

Sounds like a good plan for a potential season 2 of Visions

[@TheCodesofRelationships-mu4dx]

Start writing a screenplay (with the help of AI) and submit it, sounds like a good idea!

[@lawrenceblunden428]

Also if Peter Cushing tells you to do something, YOU DO IT.

[@TCHorwood-xq7mw]

Even in carpet slippers.

[@CalyPzol]

​@@TCHorwood-xq7mwyep🤣 Also, He's the only Imperial Officer that Vader can respect

[@jdotoz]

Dewit

[@naj5338]

You are off track. Stick to plot not the real character actors.

[@OdiVonDobi22]

Dew it!!!

[@ericramirez2608]

Vader does not make the rules; he ENFORCES them. He is who you send when the masses disobey, or when management is a fool.

[@HummaKavula-DontVoteForStupid]

Tarkin needs his own series. Despite being evil this dude was a badass with a tough background

[@maksus6661]

The actor is dead so

[@HummaKavula-DontVoteForStupid]

@@maksus6661 uh yeah no kidding, Captain Obvious. The great Peter Cushing died years ago. I was thinking of a prequel series with obviously a younger actor. I could see Jeremy Strong in this role.

[@tompearce5418]

Around the conference table the senior Imperials stationed aboard the Death Star made it clear that Vader was a relatively unknown figure foisted on them by the Emperor. The implication is that Vader had spent the past twenty years quietly hunting Jedi away from the spotlight, giving him no time to establish a presence in the military hierarchy. He only rose to prominence when the Emperor commissioned him to fight the Rebellion (after most of those senior Imperials on board the Death Star died at Yavin).

[@decoder1157]

Vader was technically Supreme Commander of Imperial Forced in 14 BBY during Kenobi. However, Supreme Commander didn't have any actual authority, just a title. His power was consolidated after in 0ABY after the assault, due to a major lack of military command. Being the Emperor's right hand, a Sith Lord, and a formal General, Sidious decided having Vader take control of things would benefit the Navy.

[@decoder1157]

By definition, Supreme Commander was the same title as Heir to the Empire. It's an odd scenario that isn't fully explained

[@railfandepotproductions]

*forces

[@ZatchZXman]

Respect. Going by movie alone; Tarkin and Vader having mutual respect and earned it in their long campaign in the illustrious "Clone Wars". Tarkin doesn't dismiss Vader's ability and will only reign him in when necessary. Whilst Vader gets free reign within reason.

[@deryaergul8261]

In the comics, Vader and Tarkin challenged each other. While Vader was alone, Tarkin appeared before him with bounty hunters and a secret trump card. The fight ended in a draw. Because of this, there was a respect between them.

[@Matthew-wb5mt]

Tarkin was one of the main accusers at Ashoka’s trial. You’d think he would be pretty mad about that.

[@emeillon]

Tarkin only did his job here. Just imagine being a random in universe and the only thing you know about Ahsoka is her chocking to death the girlfriend's bomb

[@taviaalaine9469]

When Anakin turned to Vader previously allegiances didn't matter anymore, like Bariss being an Inquisitor or having a working relationship with Tarkin. In fact he killed Ahsoka in rebels and that would have been permanent had Ezra not stepped in. Once Anakin became Vader nothing mattered until he realized he had to step up and protect his son. The dark side was that consuming for him, that and a huge dose of disassociation.

[@JazzyPantsINC]

Also to add on, Tarkin was the only one Vader was not allowed to kill and Tarkin was there to “keep Vader on his leash” so to speak. In fact I read that in the comics Tarkin once played a sort of game of hide and seek with Vader or something like that.

[@myriadmediamusings]

Bit of a shame that extended scene of Tagge outright mentioning Vader was a Sith was excised from the final cut, it woulda gone a long way in explaining ahead of time why Vader appeared to be separate from the Imperial chain of command. Still though there were plenty of ways to explain this and I like the many we've gotten over the decades. The boring unimaginative no fun allowed answer of "George didnt think about it in 1977" loses once again.

[@tumslucks9781]

Your final sentence is moronic. Why else would Lucas not have included that particular scene? Lucas has always admitted his failings as a director.

[@joegibbskins]

It’s because Lucas didnt actually plan out 9 movies in advance. He wrote a big space opera and came up with Vader being Luke’s dad while writing Empire and made Vader a more central villain because he is memorable

[@rooknado]

EXCELLENT breakdown. Keep it up ❤

[@LewisB3217]

Tarkin: hey, stop choking him! Vader: Fine! I’m going to my room!

[@rohanthomas4134]

You’ll never get a more classic example of romance bonding then Vader: “Moth Tarkin, I wish to accompany you on one of your home world’s traditional hunts expeditions. Tarkin: ”An acceptable if unusual request. Was there any particular quarry that you wished to hunt?” Vader: “You”

[@marco2709djr]

i did have a moth named tarkin once...damn the stupid hot light bulb!

[@mid1429]

*moff

[@JustinTheClaw]

Of course, the real life reason is because Darth Vader wasn’t originally meant to be the main villain. He was the henchman and Tarkin was the villain. When Lucas decided to spare Vader at the end of Star Wars, he became the de facto villain for the next movie, as well as the Alan Dean Foster sequel novel.

[@forickgrimaldus8301]

Also in the 1st movie after decades it makes it seem that both by then knew each other but both don't directly acknoledge it

[@user-qe5ou2je6i]

Did tarkin know that anakin was Vader?

[@luciferiexcelsi3284]

Yup, he ended up being 100% sure even though he wasn't explicitly told.

[@user-qe5ou2je6i]

@@luciferiexcelsi3284 ok I never knew that.

[@user-qe5ou2je6i]

I didn't know that. Thxs for that info

[@myriadmediamusings]

In both canon and legends Tarkin had a strong suspicion but never full confirmation. Same with Thrawn.

[@user-qe5ou2je6i]

This is great to know I have been a fan for 45 years and never thought of that. But great to know. Thxs guys . Mtfbwy

[@LPGD1994]

Does Tarkin also know who Vader’s true identity is? To a point that Tarkin respects Vader that he is no longer Anakin?

[@Svnfold]

Yes he does

[@brettkeeler8822]

It’s because at the time Lucas intended Vader to be under Tarkin. He hadn’t created the emperor yet. You can’t freaking retcon every little detail! Just admit that the story evolves as it develops! It’s OK!

[@andrewmeredith15]

Also vader believed he was one of the few imperial officers that wasn’t all talk and would actually yake action

[@a.edmonstone2003]

I can imagine vader talking casually to palpatine and going "me and moff go way back. Bros chill"

[@Sivuna]

If i remember correctly tarkin is one of the only other people who knows that darth vader was anakin skywalker.

[@_vez]

They have a similar position in the empire. The Death Star at this point was Tarkin's so Vader due to his respect for Tarkin followed his instructions. If you go to someone's workplace even if you work in the same job you will respect his space.

[@M0rmagil]

Finally a decent question regarding SW lore that isn’t the result of inconsistency or error. Tarkin was clearly the commander, and had Vader’s legitimate respect.

[@daniels7907]

Common sense: Sith apprentices are *supposed* to kill their masters and take their places. So, giving an apprentice a planet-killing battle station would be an act of suicide. Palpatine wasn't suicidal. He knew better than to give his apprentice such a superweapon, lest Vader just use it to kill him (and whatever planet he was on at the time). This also happens in RotJ with the partially completed DS2. No sooners has Palpatine settled into his throne room then he kicks Vader off the DS2 and sends him back to Executor. When Vader returns without prior permission, Palpatine is openly displeased. I would wager that Palpatine had standing orders for all personnel to take Vader down through whatever means necessary should he try to assume command of either Death Star.

[@jdotoz]

Does Vader take orders from him? The only order I can think of is when Tarkin says "Release him" when Vader is choking Motti. But Vader may have released him because he agreed it was the better course of action, not because he was bound to obey Tarkin. What really doesn't make sense is Leia's remark about Tarkin "holding Vader's leash."

[@shioq.]

because Peter Cushing is a legend.

[@PromethiaSHADOW]

TLDR Palpatine ordered him to play nice

[@masonmurphy6009]

"You will report to the death star and you will follow any orders from grand moff tarkin." "But master.....i serve only you" "DEW IT" "as you wish....my master"

[@sbaltys]

Cus its Peter Cushing

[@SolarisFallen]

If you dont know this by now then my god..

[@aodhhanswtor7252]

Also because Vader was being punished for a few failures before this. IN fact, this is the main reason he was put under a few military leaders. Not just GM Tarkin.

[@hiuto2]

The emperor is the only royal, Lord Vader is the only Noble. Lord Vader is outside the military command chain. So Lord Vader does it if ordered by the emperor or he respects the Moff.

[@josermaiz]

Tarking know Anakin he found out that Vader was Anakin

[@Albert-my3yt]

Iv always wondered about that. 😊

[@danniellefenton-johnston8123]

And also one of the other reasons is Tarkan maybe and one of the few people who knew who Darth Vader actually was he’s old enough enough he would’ve been around at the same time as Anakin Skywalker

[@irishbrewgaming2296]

He did and they've both met in passing when Anakin was a General in the Grand Republican Army during the Clone Wars.

[@JCaylor2099]

If Vader respects you then he will listen to you

[@user-tw6wb2if8d]

Because a Darth always takes orders from a Grand Mof , duh ! Nanu nanu 🖖👽

[@phillipkelly233]

It's a serious flaw.... The emperor was in charge of all. Vader was his right-hand man. It doesn't make sense...

[@KoljaBeckmann_music]

The story wasn't just clear when Lucas made ep 4 I'll guess. We have to ask Lucas.

[@jackrobins8756]

I got a question about Tarkin. I’m rewatching Clone Wars and I saw an episode where he was with Anikan and Ahsoka. Did he turn to the Empire after Order 66?

[@jdotoz]

The Republic military became the Imperial military overnight. For a while, Palpatine maintained an illusion of concern for the people. As this faded, individual members of the military sorted themselves into open defectors, covert rebels, and open Imperials. Tarkin was one of the latter from the beginning; during the Clone Wars he was very open about his beliefs in a strong government and military and his preference for heavy-handed actions to solve problems. He fit right in from the start.

[@jackrobins8756]

@@jdotoz thanks!!

[@emeillon]

Buddies forever ❤❤❤

[@user-io7lf3go4w]

Because Tarkin was above Vader in rank

[@tpsu129]

You mean between Star Wars and the Empire Strikes Back.

[@davidlewis5189]

Its not like Vader was going around doing stuff for fun...

[@baselhills865]

whats a moff

[@Nebarus]

It was in the script that he had to!

[@DarthVages]

👍

[@FIDreams]

It's easy to say. what was written After the movie as a basis of the reason they respect each other. No the truth is George didn't have everything a Fleshed out as some give him praise for.

[@chriskibodeaux9818]

He doesn’t! Vader is literally 2nd to sidious! No one but sidious tell him what to do!

[@George-pp2hr]

Grand Moff Tarkin is the governor. He Leeds the empire as a leader despite the emperor and Darth Vader supports the empire in one way or another. It is fitting that he should support and respect the orders of Tarkin aka 'Peter Cushing'also 'Van Helsing ' vampire slayer.😊😊😊👍🇭🇲🦘🐨✌️

[@shantoreywilkins651]

📽️🎁

[@amarcellus1714]

Because when George Lucas was making a New Hope, he didn't figure everything out yet, including the ranking of the Empire. But today, we all know two Sith Lords were ruling an Empire. The Imperials just didn't know.

[@sansman9093]

Jesus loves you God bless

[@shantoreywilkins651]

📽️🎁