Why Does Darth Vader Take Orders From Grand Moff Tarkin?

[@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.

[@Nintendoggy]

​@@HummaKavula-DontVoteForStupid Would be pretty neat!

[@TheSoonToBePurgedJackMeHoffIV]

No, Disney needs to stop making star wars

[@bartsanders1553]

​@@HummaKavula-DontVoteForStupid Obvious is no longer a Captain. He was demoted to 2nd Lieutenant after failing to point out that even numbers are all divisible by two.

[@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).

[@yeeyeeedits]

Oh that makes sense, that's actually interesting

[@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.

[@Grandiose_Claim]

Exactly! Star Wars took a lot of inspiration from the old Sunday serials like Flash Gordon. Tarkin and Vader had a Sheriff of Nottingham & Sir Guy of Gisborne type of relationship. In the Empire Strikes Back, Vader is pretty much a different character.

[@zacmumblethunder7466]

Also, the novelisation has the emperor as a weak, out of touch character being manipulated by the Governors. Tarkin is implied to be the most powerful Governor and therefore the actual ruler of the Empire.

[@Enzo012]

He also wasn't Luke's or Leia's father at that point.

[@Mushisamurai]

Was Vader originally supposed to die in episode four?

[@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

[@timothy6227]

retcon!

[@JNArnold]

That's the Doylist explanation, the video is the Watsonian explanation.

[@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

[@bornonthebattlefront4883]

That sounds dumb as hell Disney doesn’t know how not to write themselves into a wall I swear

[@decoder1157]

@@bornonthebattlefront4883 that was actually during the Lucas Era books.

[@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.

[@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

[@rooknado]

EXCELLENT breakdown. Keep it up ❤

[@AodhanBeag]

The Tarkin Novel really cemented on how much of a badass he truly was

[@akusworld5117]

Vader is a weapon, Tarkin is in charge of weapons.

[@LewisB3217]

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

[@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.

[@Kaboose666]

@@tumslucks9781 No need to be rude and disrespectful. Lucas did excellent job at world building and story concepts. However, the first Star Wars was an effort of multiple people and essentially it was saved in editing. There is a lot of cool scenes, dialogue etc. that will be cut out. Even if it would explain more or add details it might not matter in the grand story or slows down the pacing. Simple as that.

[@a.edmonstone2003]

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

[@archer8849]

they were war buddies

[@sadiquemunian3105]

Peter Cushing the original hammer horror man, can anyone upload “taste the blood of Dracula “

[@RumbleFish69]

Grandma Tarkin was the shit! That's all Vader needed to know.

[@ginaturney7068]

Everyone does what Peter Cushing tells them to! ❤❤

[@evilemperorzurg9615]

Takin was literally the only one that could talk to Vader like that and survive.

[@Xwing11]

I always figured Vader was there to boost and assist Tarkin. Following Tarkin’s requests to Vader always seemed a Professional Courtesy born from respect and Vaders desire to increase the Military Officers respect of Tarkin. Increasing Tarkin’s ability to Lead them. It was a Strategic move.

[@paulevans9858]

Tarkin is awesome!!! He is a genius and he is my favorite imperial officer!!!!

[@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!

[@Grandiose_Claim]

Lucas did quite well financially with all those novels and comics that 'explain away' the mess Lucas made with the coherence across the films.

[@RafaelNogueras-e6j]

Did tarkin know that anakin was Vader?

[@luciferiexcelsi3284]

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

[@RafaelNogueras-e6j]

@@luciferiexcelsi3284 ok I never knew that.

[@RafaelNogueras-e6j]

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.

[@RafaelNogueras-e6j]

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

[@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"

[@LPGD1994]

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

[@Səv]

Yes he does

[@yellowjackboots2624]

Also, Vader had just watched Dracula and knew what Tarkin was capable of doing to men in cloaks.

[@andrewmeredith15]

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

[@_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.

[@JonathanNelson-nelsonj3]

Actually it is because the Grand Moff was wearing fuzzy slippers. Any body with that level of confidence is to be feared!

[@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."

[@calebfuller4713]

Well, when Vader was "off the leash" so to speak, in Empire, he had a habit of just choking officers who failed him to death. But yes, in Star Wars he's wise enough to not break the entire Death Star chain of command by randomly killing an officer in defiance of the station's actual Captain.

[@Sivuna]

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

[@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.

[@radicallyrethinkingrailwaysina]

Original star wars had 2 protagonists - C3PO and Luke. Two antagonists - Darth Vader and Tarkin. Darth Vader was in command of the Starship at the start but when he arrived at DS Tarkin was in charge.

[@peterharrington8709]

You don't mess with the Grand Moff!

[@LandonOakley-d9c]

Basically Tarkin was a bad mofo and Vader knew it, so he respected Tarkin as a near equal.

[@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.

[@Himmiefan]

When I first saw the movie, I saw it as Vader and Tarkin being equals, but the Death Star was Tarkin's territory.

[@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.

[@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

[@SXsoft99]

I remember dark. Vader being ordered to fallow tarkin by the emperor after he royalty screwed up

[@svenmartin840]

Just like Nyder takes orders from Davros

[@hecticfunentertainment9373]

In the clone wars i always found tarkin was the main problem with the empire. He is what the Machevelle book warns people not to be

[@zcvxs]

I never knew his name...I always call him peter

[@jeromerizzo423]

Vader is sent by the Emperor to help Tarkin find the rebel base and stolen Death Star plans. Not as superior to Tarkin.

[@davidaynes5023]

He's Grand Moff!

[@josermaiz]

Tarking know Anakin he found out that Vader was Anakin

[@geo_YT88]

Even Vader had respect.

[@raynarksatriawibowo6688]

Vader is fans favorite brute lackey that was upgraded into a main villain with redemption arc

[@jamesricker3997]

Vader was following Palpatine's orders. If Tarkin stepped out of line,Vader would "correct him"

[@davidshaffer4664]

Vader is the muscle

[@radicallyrethinkingrailwaysina]

I think people are missing bigger issues. Vader would have had to explain his role when the DS1 was destroyed and undoubtedly he would have said Tarkin was arrogant and not curious enough about what the rebellion planned to do. He might have 'respected' Tarkin but he didnt respect the DS (he said so) and would have thought it was sending people mad who should have known better, krennik and then tarkin

[@Hammster69official]

Several sources say Vader did something that really pissed the Emperor off, and was put under Tarkin's servitude as punishment.

[@victorochoa3662]

Tried to kill him for the 187th time?

[@stereotypespecialist]

Also, Tarkin wasn't afraid of Vader. Tarkin was the equivalent of a made man. No one would be stupid enough to try something.

[@jacquecortez5014]

His Master told him to take orders from Tarkin.

[@briantorres8508]

Well, technically Darth Vader is Tarkin's superior, but Tarkin is in command of the Death Star, so Vader is an emissary at this point. But Darth Vader can overrule Tarkin if he wants to.

[@TheAmrthe2nd]

Or simply because it was just a scene in a supposedlly a stand alone movie in the late 70's , and no one think that much about the a cinematic universe that will come after that.

[@jakewolf9495]

while this explanation is technically correct, it is also a retcon. the original reason was because in the first movie vader was seen as an enforcer for the emporer. think luca brasi or the nazgul...but with the force

[@jamallabarge2665]

Cause the Emperor told him to follow Tarkin's lead.

[@JoseGarcia-hl8th]

or, perhaps, Peter Cushing was a big star in the 70s.

[@Albert-my3yt]

Iv always wondered about that. 😊

[@blundergood]

because his voice is so cool

[@colindaniels945]

Because Tarkin was one of the few people in the Empire,other than Palpatine, who was allowed by Palpatine to have any type of authority over Vader. Plus the fact that Tarkin was the only one in the Empire that Vader wasn't allowed to kill

[@emeillon]

Buddies forever ❤❤❤

[@SolarisFallen]

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

[@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!!

[@shioq.]

because Peter Cushing is a legend.

[@KoljaBeckmann_music]

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

[@JCaylor2099]

If Vader respects you then he will listen to you

[@thomasrevere7916]

Because Peter Cushing was a badass.

[@annereilley4892]

i don't think you can reference material written after the movie, you have to stick to what information is within this movie.

[@leelysogorski6733]

It’s because George Lucas didn’t realize how popular Darth Vader would become.

[@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.

[@nordattack]

The answer is amazingly clear to anyone who saw the original first movie titled "Star Wars" and who read the novel adaption of it. Tarkin was Vader's superior and boss. The Emperor was simply a figure head with no real power. Just like Biden, other's were running the show. Vader was believed to be the last of his kind. It was not till "Empire" that Lucas got the idea to make the Emperor into a Sith Lord and start creating the whole "Sith thing."

[@PromethiaSHADOW]

TLDR Palpatine ordered him to play nice

[@AbeStephan]

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

[@RayOrly-fs3gr]

Funny how none of these videos mentioned the true reason - that Lucas didn't have a full outline of this whole universe when he wrote a new hope...

[@evelk5233]

because Tarkin outranks him

[@jeffstone2136]

Vader doesn't take orders from Tarkin. He simply respects the Grand Moff's authority as commander of the Death Star, and respects Tarkin personally. There's nothing to indicate Vader _has_ to obey him.

[@androognoix1685]

Vader is logical. He ain't gonna kill randomly.

[@retluoc]

I thought it was something like that. The Emperor gave Tarkin command of the Death Star. Vader was more like the Emperor's emissary. (The voice of the Emperor) I doubt that Vader was going to kill that guy. As far as I know, he only killed that Admiral before the Hoth invasion. I don't think he killed captain Neda (sp?). He just made him pass out. 😆 Apology accepted, captain Neda. 😀

[@wyldhowl2821]

Vader does whatever he likes, basically. Tarkin knows this, and he's got a high position of his own, so why jeopardize it with antagonism? If Vader is determined to do something, you let him. Therefore "Vader, release him" is more of a suggestion than an order. Really, what could he do if Vader had not?

[@tpsu129]

You mean between Star Wars and the Empire Strikes Back.

[@sergedeleon9592]

He is Adviser of vader

[@kirsilly]

So Vader kinda replaced Obi-Wan with 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.

[@davidlewis5189]

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

[@dubya5]

I thought Anakin was a General

[@MickLeadham]

Because Tarkin was above Vader in rank

[@Nebarus]

It was in the script that he had to!

[@B.M.F.KingLouis]

Vader was a slave to everyone 😂😂😂

[@phillipkelly233]

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

[@caeserromero3013]

Rank.

[@baselhills865]

whats a moff

[@archer8849]

same thing Peter Cushing asked: "What's a Grand Moff? Sounds like something that came out of a clothes closet, a grand moth."

[@quantumprocess5954]

Darth is the lesser of the two evils.

[@endtitian1977]

Because there lovers

[@powerboatguy2308]

I suspect that Emperor's real power is through political control and these people are more important than Vader in regards to keeping power. Vader has some power, but was more of an enforcer.

[@RichardGilbey]

No Vader is a former jedi and is being used by the empire. The empire is General Tarkin and the evil emperor Darth sidious. After Vader slaughtered evil count douku the emperor wants him dead, replaced by his son Luke, whom he later plans to slaughter aswell. The Empire you just can't trust them.