So, in the video we are going to explore the relationship between Sidious and Vader.
What did Palpatine think of Vader, and vice versa.
Did they stay up late playing card games?
“Your turn Lord Vader” “Breathing”
Or was their relationship more reserved…
So, let’s start by looking at things from Vader’s perspective.
Anakin was separated from his mother at a young age after being discovered by Qui Gonn
Jinn.
Qui Gonn believed that Anakin was the chosen one, and that he should be trained in the
ways of the Force.
The Jedi council reluctantly agreed, but they weren’t exactly friendly or welcoming.
Senator Palpatine and Anakin eventually crossed paths, and from there on Palpatine looked
out for the young Anakin growing up on Coruscant, and they developed a special relationship.
Anakin could speak to Palpatine about things he wouldn't even mention to Obi-Wan, who was
one of his best friends and Master.
Throughout Episode III, Anakin believes Palpatine to be a good man who will lead the Republic
to peace, and he follows Palpatine’s lies to the point where he becomes emotionally
vulnerable.
When Mace Windu confronts Palpatine and almost kills him, Anakin cuts off his Windu's arm
in order to protect his 'friend'...
Anakin believes that Palpatine holds the secrets to save Padme…
Some believe that Anakin planned to learn the dark side powers from Palpatine to save
Padme’s life, and then overthrow him and become the new leader of the Empire with Padme
at his side.
The evidence for this is, well pretty strong, in Episode 3 he says “I can overthrow him!
And together, you and I can rule the galaxy!”
to Padme.
Palpatine was probably aware of this, and the events which unfold show that Palpatine
knew Padme would soon be dead.
She was the only motivation Anakin had left to live.
Without her, Vader would become completely obedient to Sidious, and he would live the
rest of his life serving his master to eradicate the Jedi and rule the galaxy.
On the other hand, some would argue that Anakin subconsciously wanted Padme to die, so that
he could finally be free of his fear and pain.
Anakin never actually planned to overthrow Sidious, as he looked up to him like a father.
And what he actually craved WAS power…
Also, as Sidious saves Vader’s life on Mustafar, it’s possible that Vader feels like he owes
a debt to him… but we know that around Episode 5, Vader really
is tired of the Emperor and is plotting ways to overthrow him…So while Anakin may have
looked up to Palpatine initially, the relationship definitely starts to deteriorate after he
becomes the cybernetic Vader.
Once Vader discovers Luke, the process accelerates…
In the Rise & Fall of Darth Vader, it mentions "despite several attempts, Vader came to believe
he had no chance of killing Palpatine".
Still there are many incidents in the EU and canon where Vader saves Palpatine from dying,
such as the Ghost Prison incident and when Luke tries to strike Palpatine down with his
lightsaber in Return of the Jedi.
So why does he do this?
Why does he actively save the Emperor when he can just let him die?
Maybe the reason is political.
Palpatine is the much-loved Galactic Emperor for billions.
Vader is known throughout the galaxy as a thug with too much power in his hands.
As shown in Luke Skywalker and the Shadows of Mindor, loyal Imperial subjects would not
be very happy with Vader murdering their beloved great leader.
So even though he could kill Palpatine, he fears what will follow…
There's also the clone theory.
In the Rise & Fall of Darth Vader, Vader has a nightmare about killing Palpatine with Luke's
help, but Palpatine comes back to exact revenge.
Now let’s look at the relationship from Palpatine’ perspective.
Palpatine most likely engineered the entire relationship from the first day the two met;
he knew Anakin was the chosen one and that he was far more powerful than any Jedi - so
he basically groomed Anakin to gain his trust as he climbed the political ranks of the Republic.
The relationship begins to shift between Episodes II and III - Palpatine plants the idea into
Anakin's head that the Jedi are not who they claim to be, and that they are secretly making
plans to overthrow the republic.
Anakin already dislikes the Jedi at this point, as he feels they don’t trust or respect
him.
So he’s easily manipulated into going along with this idea.
But the hard truth is, Palpatine doesn't care about Anakin personally.
He just sees Anakin as a key to unlock greater power, and he uses it.
In Return of the Jedi, the Emperor is only interested in having one Skywalker kill the
other - either Vader striking down his son, which would truly finish his transition to
utter darkness, or Luke defeating his father - tapping into his anger and embracing the
dark side to become a servant of Sidious offering power far greater than Vader.
Palpatine didn't seem to think of other people as anything but assets or liabilities.
The relationship between Sidious and Vader is based less on respect and more on the fear
of each other.
Palpatine was much safer with a weakened Vader who couldn't strike him down, but he was also
disappointed that Vader was weaker.
Hence, he was more than willing for Luke to strike Vader down and replace him as a more
powerful apprentice.
So, we can basically summarise that while the young Anakin probably did look up to Palpatine,
the relationship breaks down after he becomes the cybernetic vader, with Padme and his children
gone.
Once Vader discovers Luke is alive, the motivation to kill Palpatine becomes even stronger.
Palpatine on the other hand, being pure evil, never really cared about Anakin, and simply
used him to gain power and control of the galaxy.
Palpatine did his best to keep Vader’s plate full, sending him on many missions, so that’s
Vader’s too pre-occupied to be even thinking about overthrowing him….
Palpatine taught Vader about the history of the Sith and some "dark side" magic tricks,
but nothing potent enough to make him a threat.
In the end, Sidious gained everything and Vader was left with nothing.
So that’s it.
That’s a general introduction into the relationship between Sidious and Vader.
If you have any more information, please leave a comment below.
And if you like this video, please hit the thumbs up, share and subscribe.
I’ll see you later.
Hit the like button you must, yes, mmm…