Vader and Tarkin

In A NEW HOPE, why is Darth Vader portrayed as a
a subordinate to Tarkin ( e.g. standing by his chair in staff
meetings and realeasing his choke hold on officers
when Tarkin barks a command? )?

I know Tarkin is high oi the Empire's food chain,
but surely Vader should only take commands from
the Emperor himself?

 

Vader, when it comes to matters of the Force, was the main guy under the Emperor. He was really sort of the Emperor's lapdog, a sort-of second in command. Tarkin was the commander of the Death Star, I'm sure he knew what he was doing and Vader had orders from the Emperor to let Tarkin do what needs to be done.

Tarkin and Vader were pretty much on equal terms, it seems. Tarkin just seems unintimidated by Lord Vader, giving the impression that Vader was under him.

 

Yes, of course. That does make sense.

Tarkin wouldn't have gotten to where he was by being
intimidated by the Sith, or anyone else.

And I suppose Palpatine wouldn't have wanted Vader
getting any ideas by giving him too much control.

 

I'm not sure that Vader really fit into the military chain of command of the Empire. And I think that since the Death Star was Tarkin's turf, Vader deferred to him.

You'll notice, though, that Vader's demeanor changes in RotJ when dealing with the second Death Star's commander, Moff Jerjerrod. He talks to the commander as if he were a subordinate. It's interesting to note that in ealier drafts of the RotJ script, Vader and Jerjerrod were much more combative in their discussions, as if they were equals.

 

It seems we get this question every week now.

 

Tarkin made the death star a reality. The death star allowed the Emperor to destroy the imperial senate and maintain control of the galaxy in a central manner. For that Tarkin takes the lead after Palpatine. His contribution to the Empire was greater than that of Vader.

-Seldon