Thinking of Tarkin

The Star Wars universe is a vast universe full of amazing people, locations, and life-changing technology. The universe is the perfect mixture of Science Fiction and Fantasy. The Star Wars universe is full of laser pistols, lightsabers, and planets, that can be reached in a couple of hours. All this tech, of course, is mixed with a mysterious force, magic, and special beings, that can control said force. But in between this technological, magical universe is an old, traditional man, who could easily live in this time or even, in the past. That man of course is Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin. Tarkin is a old-fashioned-militaristic-man, who had the respect of his peers and the obedience of all those who he commanded — he even outranked Lord Vader himself and comes across as being the only man Vader truly respects. He earns this respect and obedience from his no-nonsense rule.  He is truly a reminder of every authoritarian person a human meets in his or her life. Tarkin wouldn’t look out of place in a George Orwell novel or as a principal of a school or even, of a member of Hitler’s Third Reich.

I remember first seeing Grand Moff Tarkin as a child and being terrified by his presence, I honestly found him more terrifying than Vader or even the wrinkled, hooded Emperor. It was his imposing rule and demand for respect and for results, that terrified me. Now when I watch him, all I feel is respect for the man, who few would dare cross or disappoint. When he showed up on Star Wars Rebels, he instantly got results and reminded me, why I love him as a character. He shows up, executes those who have failed, and gets instant results with the capture of Kanan. Some may say his ways are extreme and others may call him evil and that may be true, but good people don’t win wars, those who do what need to be done … win.

It’s the normality of Tarkin which fascinates me about him so much. In this universe of mystical beings and miraculous technology, lays a normal human man. Tarkin in ways is like Batman, he is fascinating because he is just a man, but what he does, no other man could do and that is why, all friend or foe, respect him. His demand for results and respect, played a major part in the success of the Empire, in it’s early years, right up until his death — I will make a bold claim, some may not agree and if you don’t, I invite you to challenge me on the claim over on my twitter. The Rebels would not have won if Grand Moff Tarkin wasn’t killed aboard the First Death Star.  If his arrogance had not got the better of him and he had of fled, then the Rebels would not of won.

He is a man who grinds out results and adapts to the situation, if he had survived, he would of known that the Death Star was not indestructible, and his arrogance towards the Rebels, would have diminished. He would seen them as a real threat and worked out their strengths and weaknesses, adapting his tactics to them, and in my opinion, defeating the rebels.

But again, this is a What if? … Wilhuff Tarkin did let his arrogance get the better of him and he did perish in the destruction of the First Death Star.  His death really did tip the scales of the war between the Empire and the Rebels. I can only hope, that the brilliant Domhall (pronounced Doh-Nal) Gleeson, can create an equally terrifying and fascinating character with General Hux, just like the late, great Peter Cushing did in Star Wars: A New Hope.

Anyhoo, if you would like to chat with me more about Tarkin or any other Star Wars topics, then don’t hesitate to reach me on Twitter I also tweet about Comics, Sports, Coding, and Current Events.

Féadfaidh an Fórsa Bí Le tú

Andy

The Cantina Cast

The wretched hive your Jedi Master warned you about!