The Real Reason Vader’s Plans To Overthrow Palpatine Didn’t Work Out

Why Did Vader Never Enact The "Rule Of Two"

By Culture SlatePublished 3 years ago • Updated 2 years ago • 3 min read

Spoilers ahead for Darth Vader #17

From the moment that Anakin became Darth Vader, he has made himself known as a strong ruler and a fearsome foe. Despite being a loyal apprentice to his Master, he has never lacked a reason to betray the Emperor. Since Darth Vader was one of the most powerful people in all the galaxy many could never understand why he was unable to act against his Master until the end of Return Of The Jedi. Now, thanks to Star Wars: Darth Vader #17 written by Greg Pak with art by Raffaele Ienco and Alex Sinclair, we finally understand the real reason Darth Vader’s plans to overthrow Palpatine didn’t work out.

One of the most established traditions in Star Wars canon is the rule of two; philosophized and executed by Darth Bane, “Two there should be, no more, no less. One to embody power, the other to crave it.” The apprentice always learns until he can replace the master with his own apprentice and becomes the master himself. The reason Vader never successfully overthrew the Emperor wasn’t from lack of ambition, but more from a lack of allies. Even in Revenge Of The Sith Anakin planned to surpass Palpatine by telling Padme that they could overthrow the Chancellor and rule the galaxy together. The same offer he later extends to their son, Luke Skywalker.

Despite his clear willingness to take over, fans can see throughout the franchise that, even though the Dark Lord works alongside many bounty hunters and Imperial Admirals, Vader is simply not a good ally to have. Shown in Darth Vader #17, Vader has made a deal with Bokku, a member of the Grand Hutt Council, to bid against Jabba in the auction for the carbon-frozen Han Solo held by Crimson Dawn. True to form, Vader later appears on the Hutt flagship, killing everyone on board, claiming that Bokku was always going to betray him.

Even in A New Hope we see a classic example of Darth Vader creating a toxic work environment when he Force-chokes Admiral Motti. Granted, the Admiral may have had it coming, after chastising Darth Vader to his face. But as iconic as the scene may be it is a recurring theme that shows what little tolerance Vader has and how he treats his fellow allies. Even compared to other notorious characters such as the bounty hunter Boba Fett there is a clear difference in how they conduct business. In Star Wars: War Of The Bounty Hunters, Boba completes his contract by delivering Han Solo to Jabba the Hutt, even after Jabba puts a bounty on Boba’s head. Even after Vader takes the carbon-frozen Han, Boba doesn’t stop until he has his bounty back in hand. In the end, he delivers Han to Jabba because that is what was agreed upon. But as Darth Vader famously says to Lando Calrissian “I am altering the deal. Pray I don’t alter it any further.” And he does, many times, with several different so called allies.

Vader has such a hard time playing well with others that even one of his most loyal followers appears to have sided with Crimson Dawn. Ochi of Bastoon sticks up for the Sith Lord any chance he gets even when Sub-Administrator Moore turns against Lord Vader. She claims to be loyal to the Empire and not solely to Vader himself. Ochi continues to loyally serve Vader up until he is seen freeing Qi’ra, the leader of Crimson Dawn, from a group of bounty hunters. Could Ochi have finally realized what the entirety of the galaxy already knows? That Darth Vader will be the end of everyone around him, friend or foe.