SNS22: "Just what relationship do Vader and Tarkin have in the past? 

Vader respects Tarkin and does as Tarkin orders in ANH... For the remainder of the trilogy he takes no flak from anyone (Except The Emperor). Was it just the way Lucas wrote ANH (Being The first one), having Vader as the "The Mad Lieutenant" looking for the plans, but Having Tarkin "holding his leash" (As Leia put it). And then in ESB, Lucas decides to have the leash taken off and giving Vader full reign. Admirals in ESB are in fear of Vader and answer TO HIM.  
  
Did somewhere between ANH and ESB, the Emperor give full autonomy to Vader and having him answer to no one? An interesting Possibility since The Military failed in ANH (The Destruction Of The Death Star).My personal theory is that Vader never had to answer to anyone in The Military, he's a Jedi(Sith Lord). The relationship between Vader and Tarkin seems to be one of Respect..Vader sits back and lets Tarkin runs things because he respects him. He doesn't "Do his own thing", like in ESB., operating independantly of the military (Using it for his own purpose) 

I believe Vader and Tarkin have some history together. Maybe they served together in The Clone Wars. Having demonstrated his keen military and leadership ability, might have caused Anakin (Vader) to have a great deal of respect for him. Hence, in the future when Vader is given the task of crushing The Rebellion, and ends up working WITH Tarkin on The Death Star, he aheres to Tarkin's authority. Because of The Respect  hat  arkin had earned in Vader's eyes before.  
Nowhere in ANH, is it indicating that Vader has been placed under Tarkin's authority. Vader doesn't "report" to Tarkin, he's always seen discussing things with him as colleagues, not as a commander-subordinate" Vader stands by...he doesn't march off like he's been told to do something. Vader appears not to be a second-in-command, but rather an outside observer. In Vader's mind, Tarkin is running things efficently and he doesn't see the need to get involved..the respect might be a big factor too. 

 But by ESB, he is tired of dealing with the military's inefficiency, and takes matter into his own hands...using the military as his tool...and disposing of inefficient Admirals left and right...he didn't want to hear their excuses...they had failed him "He's as clumsy as he is stupid" and "Apology Accepted, Captain Needa" indicate how low his tolerence levels were. Vader had little respect for the military, but obviously had a great deal of respect for Tarkin. Which seems to indicate to me, they had a history together. A good history, in which Tarkin had come off looking very admirable in the eyes of Anakin Skywalker" 

Anthony Renaud wrote: "Vader obviously operates outside the military hierarchy.  However, he is the Emperor's right hand man, and that offers him a great deal of authority.  He's given particular missions, and can commandeer whatever resources he needs to perform those missions.  Something, which I would think does not indear him to the military leaders, as obviously Admiral Motti was almost contemptuous of Vader with hie "Don't try to frighten us with your sorceror's ways...." speech. Now at first I thought that Tarkin was in favour with the Emperor and that's why Vader seem somewhat aquiescent to him, but I doubt that Governor of the >Outlying< Regions is a position for someone high in the Emperor's favour.  So, I would guess that SNS22 assessment that Vader has his own respect for Tarkin must be more correct.  Look at the following exchange... 

Tarkin : "The Jedi, are extinct, their fire has gone out of the universe.  You, my friend, are all that's left of their religion." 
Beep "Yes" 
Intercom "Governor Tarkin, we have an emergency alert in detention block AA-twenty-three" 
Tarkin : "The princess! Put all sections on alert!" 
Vader : "Obi-wan is here. The Force is with him." 
Tarkin : "If you're right, he must not be allowed to escape."  
Vader "Escape may not be his plan.  I must face him alone." 

Two things, first, Tarkin definitely seems to treat Vader as a colleague and not a sub-ordinate, calling him 'my friend' and all.  And second, Vader informs Tarkin that's he's going to face Obi-wan alone, and that obviously happens, implying Tarkin aquiesces to Vader's wishes as well. So this bond of mutual respect must obviously develop in the past and would be ripe for the plot of the prequels. 

I also think that Vader's disrespect for the military leaders was evident rigth from the start, i.e. his 'demonstration' to Admiral Motti.  And I don't think Vader's control of military forces is inconsistant.  The mission he had (get the plans, find the hidden base) did not call for large military operations.  He had a couple of start destroyers under his command (one he was in, two left at Tatooine).  But the rebellion became a serious threat after defeating the Death Star. So now, he commandeered more resources (a small fleet).  In the third movie he's not really incharge of any fleet at first.  He's sent by the Emperor to oversee the completion of the Death Star, then sent to wait with the fleet, and (on his own) heads down to the forest moon.  He simply seems to have the authority of the Emperor when the Emperor is not around.  Does as he pleases, as long as it fits within the Emperor's wishes.  I'm sure most of the Imperial brass were quite resentful of Lord Darth Vader.  Except his one colleague, Tarkin."

For 'bureaucrat' read military tactician, for he does say, "Fear of this battle station will keep the star systems in line".

• FEB 25

• MAR 04

Also, to Anthony Renaud's suggestion that Tarkin is somehow out of favour in the Empire because he is governor of the "Outlying" Regions, I always took it that he was essentially the ruler of a vast "frontier", equivalent to placing one man over the entire 'Wild West' in the USA last century. Tarkin is a very important man, with incredible leeway and vast resources at his disposal - just like Lord Darth Vader. Remember, he blew up Alderaan, one of the most important planets in the Core, without batting an eyelid. 

Both apparently turn up in the prequels, and both presumably owe their later power, and friendship, to their closeness to the Emperor. I would not be surprised either if the entire WEG Tarkin back-story is ditched - the Ryloth incident just doesn't sit well with what we know of Tarkin from ANH and about the prequels, though I admit it isn't much. 

I have always thought Tarkin was one of the most interesting characters in SW. An evil man, yes, but an interesting character. His motivation, like Vader's, seem originally to have been a desire for order, corrupted into the form of the Death Star and rule by fear of force. In ANH, Tarkin is basically running the Empire, building the Death Star and blowing up Alderaan, not to mention ordering about Vader - cf in the conference room where he COMMANDS him to let go of Motti. Also, I'm not convinced that Tarkin, perhaps with Vader's help, wasn't the real instigator of the abolition of the Senate. It enhances his authority even more, and he promptly blitzes Alderaan. Lucas' original concept of the Emperor was that of a corrupt bureaucrat, and it is worth noticing that in the ANH novellisation, Tarkin is plotting to destroy Coruscant and take power from the indolent Emperor. There is nothing to say the Emperor hadn't become detatched and indolent by the time of ANH, and it took the destruction of the Death Star, and the death of Tarkin, who he had given complete leeway and in whom he had complete, and perhaps over-rated (in terms of loyalty, not, I think, ability), confidence."

• MAR 22

My comment about the Vader-Tarkin relationship follows these lines:  I agree
that there is a good amount of respect between Vader and Tarkin, but I
question the idea that they were 'good buddies' before they found themselves
together on the Death Star.  I think that Vader's respect for Tarkin stems
from the Emperor's trust in Tarkin.  Vader sees that the Emperor trusts
Tarkin with the 'Wild West' of the galaxy, and with the Empire's latest
weapon, and sees no reason to question the Emperor's judgement.

Tarkin respects Vader because Vader has the ear of the Emperor.  I think
that Vader's primary responsibility at the Death Star was that of an
overseer/observer/advisor.  The Emperor wanted to see what was happening on
the Death Star, so he sent his most trusted agent.  Tarkin understands this,
and has had some relationship with Vader in the past, and gives him whatever
he wants.

Also, as far as the Emperor's trust in Tarkin, I don't believe that Tarkin
is one of the Emperor's most trusted men, or that he is given the outlying
regions because he's not a stellar performer.  I think it lies somewhere
inbetween.  The Death Star was built primarily for the outer regions, as a
show of force.  It just so happens that Tarkin was the regional governor,
therefore it makes sense that he would occupy and command the Death Star.
However, he obviously has considerable clout as he can terminate one of the
most
influential core planets, Alderaan.

It's also possible that Vader finds himself at the Death Star because after
picking up Princess Leia, he needs a secure facility to begin his
interrogation.  The Death Star, being stationed in the outer regions, may
have been the closest facility to take his business.  In so doing, because
he is an independent agent of the Emperor, he realizes that he shouldn't
make waves in and intrude on Tarkin's operation, and Tarkin realizes that he
has no control over Vader and lets him do as he pleases.  Vader offers his
advice when needed/requested.

Just a few thoughts. Your comments are welcome"