A Thousand Stars: Episode VI, Part 7

We return to the under-construction Death Star, again with an impressive array of stormtroopers. But then we see a new type of guard, imposing and chilling with their lance-like weapons and blood-red robes. And Vader is not the one commanding all the fear and attention this time. Even he is bowing.

This is our first look at the Emperor in person. In hologram form, he appeared as a massive figure hovering above Vader. So why is he somehow even more sinister as a hunched little man? Perhaps because he so effortlessly gives orders that are immediately followed, with some power far greater than the physical?

Perhaps also because, with some tricky camera work, we don't spend much time with both Vader and the Emperor in the shot. We switch back and forth between them, positioned as if they're matching eyelines.

And we can't discount the fantastic performance of Ian McDiarmid. What delightfully cackling ancient evil he portrays. He was only in his thirties at the time! Mark Hamill never saw him out of makeup on set, so when he invited him over for dinner he was truly startled to meet a friendly, mild-mannered fellow.

Next time, parting words from an old friend...