Star Words: Episode V, Part 10
Feb. 27th, 2020 03:41 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
matrilIn Episode IV Vader plays a role somewhat like Tarkin's attack dog (making Leia's line about holding Vader's leash quite appropriate), but this second installment shows a shift in his position among the Imperials. We see him brooding in a chamber almost like a supervillain's private lair; we watch the officers tremble in his presence. He answers to no one but the Emperor himself, and he might even be subverting that role of subservience. It all revolves around Luke.
As Captain Needa informs him that they have arrived at Hoth and discovered a field around the base preventing them a direct attack, Vader is furious that the Rebels had time to prepare. He blames Admiral Ozzel, though we know it was the probe droid that actually provided the early warning.
"He is as clumsy as he is stupid."
Okay, this is a deliciously nasty insult. I'm a big proponent of kindness, so I can't endorse the use of it in general company...but there are some situations where it could be awfully relevant. Just keep in mind that you're quoting a ruthless Sith Lord, so, yeah.
Anyway, Vader's certainly not pulling any punches here. He clashed with Ozzel in an earlier scene, and now he summarily serves as judge, jury and executioner, promoting Piett to admiral in the same moment that Ozzel falls over dead.
Yeesh. This is, to put it lightly, very bad leadership. Whether or not Ozzel is to blame for the Rebellion's preemptive defense, it's just not practical to kill a high-ranking officer and hand out hasty promotions like this. Ruling by fear is bad enough; this is more like chaotic whim. Taken to its logical conclusion, eventually the Empire will just run out of officers. They couldn't train them fast enough to keep up with Vader's rate of burning through them -- and even the most power-hungry are going to be pretty reluctant to rise up to a rank that would earn Vader's direct notice and inevitable disapproval.
But Episode V isn't supposed to be an exploration of leadership skills, good or bad. In terms of Vader's journey, it's about obsession, and the monstrosities that arise from the single-minded pursuit of his goal. From his viewpoint, nothing matters except possessing Luke. No obstacle is too big; nothing will stand in his way. Shades of Machiavelli. But just as his attempts to hold on to Padmé led directly to losing her, Luke will ultimately slip through his fingers.
What I also love about the film is that it's perfectly consistent with Vader's known character and background to have him pursuing Luke so obsessively. Sure, the big reveal during their duel sheds more light on it, but even before then, we're never questioning why it's so important to Vader that he gets hold of the young Jedi-in-training. He hunts down and kills Jedi. And if that's not enough, we also know he has a history with Obi-Wan. Pursuing the boy he was teaching makes it more of a personal vendetta. It's already quite believable. That's why the reveal was so utterly stunning.
Next, a poignant pre-battle conversation....
As Captain Needa informs him that they have arrived at Hoth and discovered a field around the base preventing them a direct attack, Vader is furious that the Rebels had time to prepare. He blames Admiral Ozzel, though we know it was the probe droid that actually provided the early warning.
"He is as clumsy as he is stupid."
Okay, this is a deliciously nasty insult. I'm a big proponent of kindness, so I can't endorse the use of it in general company...but there are some situations where it could be awfully relevant. Just keep in mind that you're quoting a ruthless Sith Lord, so, yeah.
Anyway, Vader's certainly not pulling any punches here. He clashed with Ozzel in an earlier scene, and now he summarily serves as judge, jury and executioner, promoting Piett to admiral in the same moment that Ozzel falls over dead.
Yeesh. This is, to put it lightly, very bad leadership. Whether or not Ozzel is to blame for the Rebellion's preemptive defense, it's just not practical to kill a high-ranking officer and hand out hasty promotions like this. Ruling by fear is bad enough; this is more like chaotic whim. Taken to its logical conclusion, eventually the Empire will just run out of officers. They couldn't train them fast enough to keep up with Vader's rate of burning through them -- and even the most power-hungry are going to be pretty reluctant to rise up to a rank that would earn Vader's direct notice and inevitable disapproval.
But Episode V isn't supposed to be an exploration of leadership skills, good or bad. In terms of Vader's journey, it's about obsession, and the monstrosities that arise from the single-minded pursuit of his goal. From his viewpoint, nothing matters except possessing Luke. No obstacle is too big; nothing will stand in his way. Shades of Machiavelli. But just as his attempts to hold on to Padmé led directly to losing her, Luke will ultimately slip through his fingers.
What I also love about the film is that it's perfectly consistent with Vader's known character and background to have him pursuing Luke so obsessively. Sure, the big reveal during their duel sheds more light on it, but even before then, we're never questioning why it's so important to Vader that he gets hold of the young Jedi-in-training. He hunts down and kills Jedi. And if that's not enough, we also know he has a history with Obi-Wan. Pursuing the boy he was teaching makes it more of a personal vendetta. It's already quite believable. That's why the reveal was so utterly stunning.
Next, a poignant pre-battle conversation....
