[SPQR]

Why is Tarkin billed as Governor Tarkin in ROTS, and later becomes an almost superior to Vader when he becomes the Grand Moff (or at least holds his leash)?
Why does Tarkin refer to Vader in ANH as the last of his kind?
It seems that the emperor was not developed by Lucas to be a Sith Lord at the time, but just a title with no character development.

[ernesttomlinson]

"Governor Tarkin! I should have expected to see you holding Vader's leash!"

He's "Governor" in Star Wars as well. I'm not sure where the "Grand Moff" nonsense came in; it's nowhere in the movie.

I suppose one could fake up an argument that, even thought the Emperor has Force ability, he was never a Jedi while Anakin was. So Anakin really would be the last (leaving out Obi-Wan and Yoda, presumed dead.)

[SPQR]

Was Vader considered a Jedi or a Sith lord by his underlings and cohorts in IV-VI?
The sith don't have the same training as a jedi, but their force abilities are the same if not rivaling the jedi's, no?
That line still doesn't ring tru, Tarkin was refering to all those who commune with the force i'm afraid...

[floppydisk]

I suppose one could fake up an argument that, even thought the Emperor has Force ability, he was never a Jedi while Anakin was. So Anakin really would be the last (leaving out Obi-Wan and Yoda, presumed dead.)

Or go the simple road, and say no one knew the emporer was a sith.

This post has been edited by floppydisk: 22 May 2005 - 07:18 PM

[BadKarma]

"Governor Tarkin!  I should have expected to see you holding Vader's leash!"

He's "Governor" in Star Wars as well.  I'm not sure where the "Grand Moff" nonsense came in; it's nowhere in the movie.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

*Ponders* You're right, it's not mentioned! I never really thought about that before. It is pretty accepted as canon as far as I know as at the time of New Hope all the advertising blurb, interviews, etc all list Peter Cushing as "Grand Moff Tarkin". There is a making of Star Wars documentary from the late 70's where Lucas refers to him as that as well. This is well before all the post '83 EU stuff that caused more contradictions than the latest extrusion of films (which is pretty impressive in itself). So ummm, yeah.. Grand Moff.. umm, maybe we should ask Geor... no, that's a dumb idea isn't it!!

[Renegade]

Or go the simple road, and say no one knew the emporer was a sith.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Which makes sense.

[SPQR]

I think Grand Moff has been determined to be his Masonic Rank, where as Governor is his Imperial rank. Vader, at this point is only a Shriner...

[Just another wretched fan]

OT gave us the idea that Vader was just the Emperor's attack dog. He wasn't really an imperial, he was the dark lord. I'm not sure if i'm phrasing it right. Tarkin was the imperial he cared about strategy and empire and "the big plan." OT Vader transcended all that. He only cared about the force and his mission, whatever that was...understand what i'm trying to say?

[Veer]

OT gave us the idea that Vader was just the Emperor's attack dog. He wasn't really an imperial, he was the dark lord. I'm not sure if i'm phrasing it right. Tarkin was the imperial he cared about strategy and empire and "the big plan." OT Vader transcended all that. He only cared about the force and his mission, whatever that was...understand what i'm trying to say?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ya, you're right.

[diligent_d]

So would Vader be considered a General?

[Just another wretched fan]

So would Vader be considered a General? 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

well, if Jar Jar is general material, then Vader is probably supreme allied commander

[barend]

if jar jar is a general, the obi wan has been robbed of all dignity as a character.

[Renegade]

Obi Wan is a General of the Galactic Republic... Jar Jar is a "general" for the galactic chumps, the Gungans (or whatever they are called.

[ernesttomlinson]

There's another aspect to Vader's place in the OT hierarchy. At the start of the The Empire Strikes Back Vader is still asserting his authority. Adm. Ozzel still patronises him. "My lord. There are so many uncharted settlements," he says condescendingly when Vader declares that the rebels must be on Hoth. The feeling I get is that some in the officer corps still think of Vader as, well, an Imperial lapdog, someone whom the real grownups have to put up with. Vader's murder of Ozzel firmly establishes who's in control. I think this is consistent with the picture of Vader in Star Wars as being on the Imperial leash.

[diligent_d]

Interesting. I like it. Excellent concept. Wasn't so much frustration that Vader killed Ozzel, but more of a public exhibit of a power-play.