Tarkin:An idiot?

Guardsman Bass · Post by **Guardsman Bass** » 2002-08-21 01:53pm

Look at how he always underestimated the rebels and the reactions against his various terror policies. The similar flaws appeared in his successor, Daala.

Stravo · Post by **Stravo** » 2002-08-21 01:59pm

Before the Battle of Yavin it must have been hard to take the Alliance seriously, afterall their sole victory before Yavin was stealing the plans for the DS. (See ANH Opening Crawl) So, depsite years of opposition, the Empire had been relatively secure, the rebels a mere annoyance, and now Tarkin has the DS, how could he NOT been arrogant.

Besides, Arrogance is a theme that runs throughout both trilogies. Anakin's arrogance is his downfall, The Jedi's arrogance leads to the purge, Tarkin's arrogance leads to the defeat at Yavin, Luke's arrogance nearly leads him into the dark side, and most important of all, Palpatine's arrogance leads to his destruction and restoration of the Republic. What is GL trying to say: "Don't be arrogant, arrogance is bad."

Admiral Valdemar · Post by **Admiral Valdemar** » 2002-08-21 02:12pm

Politicians always are.

But don't diss him, he played the Doctor in two movies. That deserves respect.

Howedar · Post by **Howedar** » 2002-08-21 03:00pm

He had no reason to assume that several dozen Rebel fighters could destroy the DS. He was a bit over-arrogant, but not a fool.

Imperial Federation · Post by **Imperial Federation** » 2002-08-21 04:14pm

Well, if you were in command of the galaxy's evilest most powerful planet cracker fortress, wouldn't you be a little arrogant?
Besides, it's not Tarkin's fault that some moron decided a direct, proton torpedo sized shaft to the reactor was a good idea.

Post by **Mr Bean** » 2002-08-21 06:43pm

As Bevel Lemisk said, Woops I'll correct that right before being devoured by a few hundred pirana beatles that happend to live on Yavin 4

Or to put it another way, piss off Vadar and you die, Piss of Papy and your going to die quite a few times

Talon Karrde · Post by **Talon Karrde** » 2002-08-21 10:47pm

Although I of course strongly supported the then Rebel Alliance and now New Republic (of course it is corrupt, what government isn't?) I can see the genius is Grand Moff Tarkin. Tarkin was a master at controlling and manipulating subjects. He was well respected by his subordinates as well, and some rumors even pointed to his toying with the idea of supplanting Emperor Palpatine. No fool would even consider taking the Emperor on but perhaps Grand Moff Tarkin would be the most worthy candidate.

Of course his genius was poorly used serving the Galactic Empire, to bad he wasn't a Rebel Alliance leader during the Galactic Civil War. Ah well, the Alliance was victorious anyway.

IRG CommandoJoe · Post by **IRG CommandoJoe** » 2002-08-22 01:29am

I wonder how that would have turned out.

Mr. B · Post by **Mr. B** » 2002-08-22 02:14am

Well if Tarkin wanted to pull of a coup he had the ultimate weapon. I think the Emperor had to have the utmost confidence and trust in someone to give them a DeathStar, even if his apprentice is along to keep him in line.

IRG CommandoJoe · Post by **IRG CommandoJoe** » 2002-08-22 04:11am

With Darth Vader there, I don't think anyone at all would misuse the Death Star. I wonder why he didn't just make Darth Vader what he was in TESB and RotJ from the very start to avoid such loyalty issues.

Post by **Mr Bean** » 2002-08-22 07:09am

Tarkin was what could be closet to Vadar could call a friend. When is the last time Anyone told Vadar NO and Vadar listened? Tarkin was arrogent but Tarkin was brillant... However as per usual the arrogence got him in the end

IRG CommandoJoe · Post by **IRG CommandoJoe** » 2002-08-22 11:59am

When is the last time Anyone told Vadar NO and Vadar listened?

When Tarkin outranked Vader. Vader wasn't officially higher in rank to Tarkin until TESB and RotJ. That was why Tarkin was able to order Vader around at all.

IRG CommandoJoe · Post by **IRG CommandoJoe** » 2002-08-22 12:13pm

Oh wait I think I'm wrong.

It says on starwars.com that Vader was an emissary...so I guess he was lower in rank, but was sort of like the SS.

BioDroid · Post by **BioDroid** » 2002-08-22 04:47pm

Um....if Vader tells you to do something, are you really going to worry about what rank he was? Somehow I think that if Vader was of a mind, he could have disposed of Tarkin just as easily as he did any other imperial, with only a mild rebuke from his master. Vader "listened" to Tarkin, because he had already made his point to Admiral Motti. Notice, that Vader didn't really take it as an order, more it was granting a request. "As you wish" as opposed to "yes sir."

Post by **Mr Bean** » 2002-08-22 05:22pm

Yes thats another thing who else has told Vadar not to kill somone and Vadar has listend? I don't even think the Emperor has ever done that

Kreshna Aryaguna Nurzaman · Post by **Kreshna Aryaguna Nurzaman** » 2002-08-22 10:14pm

Now, back to the topic, I don't think Tarkin is an idiot. The rebels manage to destroy Death Star in the battle of Yavin through SHEER LUCK. If Han wasn't firing at Vader's wingman, Luke's X-Wing will be destroyed and the Rebels will be lost. Imperial starfighters actually have already won: 2 X-Wing (Luke and Wedge) against 3 TIEs ***on their tail***.

Asst. Asst. Lt. Cmdr. Smi · Post by **Asst. Asst. Lt. Cmdr. Smi** » 2002-08-22 11:07pm

He's not an idiot, just arrogant. He underestimated the DS's weakness, and if fighters were deployed earlier, he DS would have destroyed Yavin 4. And when other officers evecuated the station, Takrin stayed put, thinking nothing would happen to him. He did give the order to destroy Alderran, and according to the EU, that caused mass defections.

Darth Yoshi · Post by **Darth Yoshi** » 2002-08-23 02:06am

Mr Bean wrote:Yes thats another thing who else has told Vadar not to kill somone and Vadar has listend? I don't even think the Emperor has ever done that

Well...in SOTE the Emperor prevents Vader from strangling Xizor.

Post by **Mr Bean** » 2002-08-23 06:53am

Ok so thats 1:1 but thanks as you accidently showed that Tarkin was as important as the Emperor as the only other person to tell Vadar NO and get away with it was Tarkin

(Wheels within wheels, ask for information then have an aurgment ready for whichever answear you get back, I set you up as either way you did that(did or did not provid proof) it reforced my orgional point

Tsyroc · Post by **Tsyroc** » 2002-08-23 11:41am

Darth Yoshi wrote: Well...in SOTE the Emperor prevents Vader from strangling Xizor.

Soooo instead Vader waited a little while and then blew up Xizor and his entire personal asteroid. Should have just let him force choke the guy.