If we’re speaking of works not specifically dealing with the Sith (like the “Bane” trilogy)–I think that we never see as simple an understanding of the Sith goals as when Darth Vader says,
“Don’t be too proud of this technological terror you’ve constructed. The ability to destroy a planet, or even a whole system, is insignificant next to the power of the Force”.
I mean…that’s TECHNICALLY true. It’s not, however, like the entire Jedi Council, which included Yoda, could likely STOP the Death Star from destroying a planet.
The Force permeates all things. To say that its power is unlimited is a misnomer; that suggests that its power COULD be limited. I believe, to do that, you’d have to wipe out all life; but I could be wrong.
Of COURSE the power of the Force is greater than the power to destroy a Star System. So is the power of a Black Hole, and those don’t need to study at ALL in order to get that powerful.
At least we have Tarkin to keep Vader in line. Vader’s not an idiot, just used to people fearing him. He doesn’t entirely know what to do when they don’t and he can’t just kill them; and that’s an interesting moment.
But, to me, not as interesting as this:
Canonically, during his entire battle with Luke AND Skywalker, wherein they STILL DIDN’T ACTUALLY MANAGE TO KILL HIM PERMANENTLY, he was ALSO augmenting the entire Imperial Fleet with force powers. Yes. At the SAME TIME.
HE’D say he WON that battle and the problems of getting into one of his clone bodies were basically just setbacks.
Sidious, at least, is very clear about it: he wants to control ALL of the Dark Side of the Force (we’re not clear on what, if anything, would happen to the Light side) and bend the entire Universe to his sway. And we’re not sure about his limitations in doing so. Using the Force is a strain; but drawing on the Force is revivifying. What if one were to draw on the Dark Side of the Force AS a revivification AND dominion?
It’s a bit necromantic, but what else would you expect from Space Wizards?
It’s also fairly true of the half-lies MOST Force-users tell about The Force throughout the original trilogy. (The first, and most obvious lie is: “There were never any Jedi, and the Empire has done such a good job of censorship that nobody remembers them.” You’re KIDDING. The Jedi were the Galaxy’s peacekeepers / protectors / child-stealers for millennia. And everyone completely forgot them by the time Like was born? Obi-Wan was still in shape to tackle Anakin, if not exactly successfully, but the WHOLE GALAXY had essentially forgotten the Jedi? What’s up with that?”)
Yes, we all remember the “Darth Vader killed your father” thing, and…okay, the Dark Side has consumed Anakin, and after spending several decades crippled, in a giant exoskeleton without which your body is missing vital pieces, learning the Dark Side, I can see how that’s at least poetically true.
There HAVE been Sith with the power to destroy planets, but it generally consumed them.
Then again, Sidious is the product of very selective breeding; the Rule of Two insured a constant strife within the tiny, tiny Sith world; the two of them were teacher and student, and also, both trying to kill the other. Meanwhile the entire GALAXY would have wanted them dead if they ever showed they existed.
That’s a harsh training program, but it sure got results.
IS the power of the Force greater than the power to destroy a star system? My answer is: Yes, but for practical purposes, I’ll take the power to destroy a star system with technology and a few commands over a thousand years of training to defeat the Jedi and ultimately, like Frank-N-Furter in Rocky Horror, have nothing left but “All my children turn on me!”
….and a bunch of Imperial technology, cloning devices, money, unspeakable power…
…it’s not the worst deal, I suppose.
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Why not read Chosen For Madness — Jeff Mach Writes ?
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