KrleAvenger

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Top 10 Darth Vader Moments

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Darth Vader is the first thing that pops to one's mind when someone mentions Star Wars. He is probably the most popular character of the franchise, and definitely most iconic. He is possibly the greatest villain in history of fiction, although that is completely subjective. Despite popular opinion, Vader is not my favorite Star Wars character. Hell he is not even my favorite villain of the franchise. That being said, I do think he is one of, if not the best written characters in the Saga, having various characteristics we did not have a chance to see in movies, mostly him being badass and powerful. I will share my 10 favorite Darth Vader moments, using Movies, EU and Canon as sources. These are not moments I think are the best. Just the ones I personally like the most.

Number #10 - Big Reveal (Movies)

"I am your father."

While this moment is barely impactful to us personally, since everybody heard of this line before even memorizing all the names for main characters, it is an incredibly important moment to Luke and Vader himself. It defines who Vader is. He served the Emperor for 2 decades, but after realizing he has a son, he asked him to join him and rule the galaxy with him by overthrowing Palpatine. While this moment is expanded upon even further in Novels and Magazines/Books, and focuses on Vader's feelings even more, the movie itself turns the tides completely, and will be the key part of the final installment of the franchise. Besides, it is one of the most iconic lines in history of cinema.

Number #9 - Retrieving Coruscant (EU/Legends)

"At the nexus of hyperspace routes, we came within an eyeblink of completely missing Tarkin's transport. Had he been in a faster vessel, or had his starship's navicomputer stored more coordinates... had he ignored our hail... we could have never warned him, never joined our crew with his... and never taken Gentis by surprise. By my estimates, Gentis had us outnumbered at least eight by one. But Gentis did not have a Sith Lord in his ranks."

Months after establishing the Empire, Palpatine already took control of the Galaxy, and ruled it with an iron fist. But he was ruthless. Not caring for his own soldiers either. Countless died after the Empire was established, good soldiers. Some of their leaders, such as Headmaster of Imperial Officer Academy, Gentis, who decided to start a coup to prevent deaths of his students, and establish himself as the new Emperor. Palpatine almost died due to virus spread through his palace, but he was saved by Vader and one of Gentis' students, Laurita Tohm, who joined Vader instead. After fleeing with the Emperor, Vader discovered a secret prison the Jedi kept worst of the worst criminals in, with no trial. Vader slaughtered most of them, or allowing them to slaughter the others, until the strongest survived. Vader along with Officer Tohm, orchestrated a plan to use these criminals as their allies for their freedom in exchange, and end the coup before the Empire falls apart. After Grand Moff Tarkin visited Coruscant in his ship, he was already captured by Gentis' men. Little did he know that Tarkin met with Vader before the confrontation, and had him, Tohm and criminals, inside the ship, who got out, and started slaughtering Gentis' men, until the Emperor killed the Headmaster personally with Force Lightning.

What makes this moment so great to me is that it shows how Vader was actually important to the Empire for reasons outside of just killing Jedi. He personally saved the Emperor, kept his wounded body hidden, found soldiers for himself, and took everything back in a manner of a day or two. Aside from that, the scene itself is spectacular, showing not only Vader's capability, but his massive power as well, blowing an entire army away with Force Shockwave, even creating an effect that appears to be a form of pseudo Force Lightning, or kinetite technique. Tohm narrating the scene and Agustin Alessio's amazing art just make it even better.

Number #8 - Realization (Disney Canon)

"... Skywalker... ..."

After the destruction of the Death Star, Vader's reputation dropped drastically. He lost Emperor's respect, and the command over the fleet was taken away from him, just like a big part of his resources. Aside from rebuilding everything he lost, he wanted to find the boy who blew up their super weapon. He sent Bobba Fett who capture the boy, but he escaped. Bobba did not have much to say aside from boy's name, "Skywalker". After Bobba left, Vader's anger started to radiate, cracking glass with his mere presence. He started to remember his dead wife, his time as a Jedi, Palpatine's words after he ended up being imprisoned in his armor, and her pregnancy. He realized what happened. He was lied to. He demanded to meet the Emperor. But Vader was smart. He knew his place. He just told the Emperor he understands their relationship now. He came back, remembering his wife, what he has done, and the boy he encountered. Vader realizes he has a son. As he calms down, he looks at Imperial Star Destroyers flying in space, claiming his son will be his. How "it will ALL be his".

Number #7 - Visions of the Past (EU/Legends)

"Yes. I killed you. I killed you. I killed Anakin. I killed the child you carried. And I hate myself for all that I have done."

Anakin Skywalker is dead. He died that day when he lost his limbs and was defeated by Obi-Wan Kenobi. But he did not disappear completely. His memories and feelings, still live in this monster called Darth Vader. When he was in his meditation chamber, and was actually in a position to take his mask off, which he hated wearing, he was able to sleep. He dreamed of alternate life where he killed Palpatine, Padme gave birth to their son, and he became the leader of the Jedi order. Those dreams were too much for him to handle, and he would often either scream in agony after waking up, or think of that life after going through absurdly painful process of attaching his armor to his crippled body, trying to keep himself sane.

Vader was eventually tasked to capture Admiral Garoche Tarkin, who turned off from the Empire due to crimes he has committed against world Atoa, and fell in love with it's world's High Priestess, Saro. Vader failed to capture Garoche however, and was instead captured himself, with most of his armor and life support system being damaged. Eventually, he saw visions of his dead wife Padme coming close to him, telling him how broken he is. But Vader said how Anakin is gone. He is only what his master made him. This response "made" Padme leave, which forced Vader to scream for her coming back, allowing himself to break the restrains that held him. After killing the guards and leaving the room, he saw Padme yet again, but this time, in form of a corpse.

She told him how she did not die, but he killed her. This broke Vader completely, making him fall to his knees with tear rolling down his eye, admitting everything he has done, and stating how he hates himself for what he has done. Padme's ghost told him that she forgives him, this time calling him "Vader" instead of "Anakin", and disappearing. Eventually it was realized that Saro was the one who made Vader see those illusions, as she can look into one's heart. Vader demanded to bring her back, but she could not. Vader was inraged, but Saro begged him not to kill her and Garoche. If not for them, then for her unborn child. Saro was pregnant. This realization completely tore Vader apart. He could have a chance for family too, but he destroyed it.

Using the Force, Vader destroyed the entire building, crashing it down on all 3 of them, trying to commit suicide. He was buried under the debris for days, until he woke up in front of Palpatine, and droids attaching his repaired armor to him. Of course he survived. His hatred for himself kept him alive. The Dark Side is all he needs. Palpatine told him there is more work to be done, with Vader kneeling before him, asking what he most do next. This shows what kind of character Vader is, or at least was during early years as a Sith Lord. He was intimidating and all powerful to everyone. But underneath that metal of horror, was a broken man, who lost everything. Life full of guilt. All he was left with, was his master. One who complimented him, but will always see him as servant, and slave.

Number #6 - Battle on Mustafar (Movies)

"I have failed you Anakin... I have failed you."

While this is more of a Anakin Skywalker moment, he had the title of the Sith Lord and name "Lord Vader" by the time this fight took place, so it should still count. I think what makes this moment so great to me is Obi-Wan's addition more than anything. Anakin will not listen to reason. He is too far deep into this. This is not what he truly wanted, but he had to do this to save his wife. And that same wife of his, apparently betrayed him, making all of this almost worthless. And this is all due to his master's involvement. All he is driven by is his rage and lust for power, things and define Sith Lords. As he matches Anakin's immense power with skill, Obi-Wan looks at his former apprentice with disappointment and pity. But more towards himself than Anakin. He tells him how he failed him, and knows this is the end, yet still tries to talk to him due to desperation. But there is no coming back. As Obi-Wan takes the advantage of the fight, Anakin's blind rage gets the best of him, crippling him for life. As Obi-Wan shares his disappointments, Anakin just screams about how he hates his master, until motivations for those screams become searing pain of his skin, muscles and lungs burning, and event that will truly turn Anakin into Vader. More machine than a man.

Number #5 - "My Destiny... ...is my own..." (Disney Canon)

"He had no father. Unnatural. The Chosen One."

After building his own castle on Mustafar, Vader encountered a Spirit of Ancient Sith Lord Momin, who helped Vader to preform a ritual which will allow him to travel back in time and save his wife. However, Momin betrayed Vader, and used the ritual to bring his body back. After being bested in a lightsaber duel by Momin, Vader killed him with the Force, and continued the ritual for himself in a way it was apparently suppose to be preformed, walking into a door.

As he entered, his physical body collapsed, only his spirit entering, taking the form of humanoid like red and black figure composed of blood and darkness with no face besides 2 white holes for eyes, with only arms and hands from knees and elbows down being white and blue in color. As he walks in inside this dimension with purple dark sky, he hears quotes from several people who were close to him. Even seeing several events from his life that already happened or will happen to him.

Eventually he encounters Jedi Order. The ones who promises him so much, yet took everything away from him. Vader pulled two dark blades similar to lightsabers, slaughtering the entire Order. As he walks inside the temple, he sees his two father figures, Palpatine and Obi-Wan, fighting. Palpatine kills Obi-Wan and welcomes Vader, but Vader kills even Palpatine himself with Force Lightning. Coming out to the balcony, he sees Padme, now in his Jedi Knight Anakin form.

He tells her how he can save her now, but her eyes turn black and voice becomes identical to Vader's, and she tells him that Anakin Skywalker is dead, before throwing herself off the balcony. As Anakin shouts in panic, now with Sith eyes, Padme's face changes to creepy smile corrupted by Dark Side traits, as she chokes herself with her bare hands, until getting vaporized. Vader, now in his demonic form again, screams in pain, agony and sadness.

Now seeing himself in his castle, nothing surrounds him but hell. Vaporized surface covered in lava. Clouded sky with lightning. Only darkness and pain. As he looks to the side, he sees a beam of white and blue energy hitting the ground, and from that beam, a human male figure shows up, completely covered in light, wearing a jacket of sorts. The figure pulls out a lightsaber and ignites it, which creates a flash of light that hits Vader, forcing him to wake up.

Number #4 - Anakin No More (Movies)

"Live, Lord Vader. Live, my apprentice. Live."

This is another epic moment in movies in my opinion. And it is kinda speaks for itself. It is the moment where Anakin truly turns into Darth Vader. His broken body repaired by life support systems and robotics. His reaction as they are putting the mask on, symbolism of him rising as Padme dies, the music, everything about this moment is great. He was manipulated in doing what Palpatine wanted, and now his body is corrupted. But there is still that glimmer of light in him, which Palpatine will crush by telling him how he killed his wife himself. As he hears those words, he starts crushing the surroundings with the Force, be it droids or walls. He breaks free of his restrains with his now superhuman strength, and in extremely clumsy manner, walks forward. While he screams in agony, his master smiles, as he has his apprentice back. I like the fact that Vader is clumsy in his suit at first. It shows how he became more of a machine, and it also makes no sense to find comfort in it right away. This moment would probably be higher on the list. However, given alternate version I heard existed for it, plus the fact that it has that dumb "noooo" in the end, made me put it lower.

Number #3 - Cylo shuts Vader down (Disney Canon)

"Anakin... You don't need to go on. It can be over. You know you don't want to leave. Stay."

Vader was precise to the Emperor, whether he wanted to admit it or not. He needed him to survive. He turned to finest of scientists to save his apprentice's life. One of those great minds was Doctor Cylo, who personally built Vader's armor and life support system. He continued to serve the Empire for 2 decades, until he eventually betrayed it. Vader was tasked to kill Cylo, but the moment he met him, he realized that Cylo had a device capable of completely shutting down both his armor and it's life support system. He made Vader his armor. He was never a treat to Cylo. He could turn him off whenever he wanted. But he wanted to do it in person, to see what truly came out of that operating table. Was it a machine or a man? Now he knows it is the former.

As his life slips away, Vader sees himself on Mustafar with Obi-Wan. Seconds before burning, without his limbs. However, here, it is different. Here, Anakin tells Obi-Wan that he is a coward and should have killed him. Obi-Wan grabbed his crippled body, threw it into lava, and asked if this would have been better. He came out of lava in his armor, replying with "yes". He killed Obi-Wan just like he did before, and is met with his Jedi self, Anakin Skywalker. He defeated him in a duel and left him to burn on Mustafar. During the next moment, he saw himself in his armor again, chained to operating table. His pregnant wife Padme comes to him, and tells him to stay with her. Vader replies with calm "no", but she convinces him that he does not need to move on. Everything can stop.

As Cylo looks at Vader's turned off body, Vader, still chained to his operating table, Force Chokes his wife, saying "no" again, and Cylo starts seeing few sudden moves. Vader continues to choke Padme, saying: "Anakin Skywalker is dead. I killed him", and breaks the chains of his operating table. Cylo sees Vader moving, and asks how is that possible, since he is still turned off, until being completely shocked to see him getting up completely, taking the lightsaber, and killing Cylo, saying how nothing is impossible for the Force. Aside from being impressive display of power, rage and will, literally wishing himself back to life and moving while being shut down, this shows how Vader grew as a character in between Episode 3 of Prequels, and Episode 4 of original trilogy.

He lived the life of guilt and suffering. Constant agony and pain. But eventually he reached his prime. He stopped caring for anyone. He kept his hatred for Obi-Wan and himself, but only his past self now. He moved on from guilt, and no longer wants to see his wife again. She is irrelevant to him. Anakin is no more. There is only this monster. Speaking of monsters...

Number #2 - "Those Cold Eyes" (EU/Legends)

"Is there any ounce of humanity left in that dark machine? I still ask myself that. I honestly don't know. I hope not. Because over the course of that next hour... I saw things... Images that still visit me in the dark. I heard things. Cries that still wake me from a deep sleep. I pray no human being is capable of what Lord Vader did that day."

This story is not about Vader. It is about Clone Trooper Hock Malsuum, who almost died during the Clone Wars, developing hatred for the Jedi due to forgetting him. When Empire was established, he joined and became a Stormtropper. His skills and bravery, made Vader take notice, and eventually develop respect for the man. After multiple actions of the battle field, he became a commander, and earned Vader's trust. This made Hock feel good about himself, given that he respected Lord Vader more than anyone he ever knew. They started to work together to take down the separatist of world Ostor, but Hock was unfortunately shot down. To his surprise, he woke up in hospital of his enemies, who took care of his wounds. One of the patience gave him some of his clothes, and as Hock encountered leaders of Ostor, he told them to just surrender.

They told him they are not trying to win. All they want is to take down as many as they can, while also inspire others. Those words partially meant to Hock, but he was still royal to the Empire. He cut down their defenses, allowing the Empire to move forward. Afterwards, Hock engaged in H2H combat with Kaddak, another former Clone Tropper who worked with separatists. After killing him, Vader helped Hock get up, showing his respect for him, and they moved towards the war zone. Hock described it as making people and place itself bare recognizable. As the battle field became more silent, he commented about how he hopes there is no humanity left in Vader, as things he has done that day, screams and cries he made Hock hear, are things that he hoped could not be caused by a human. As he started following Vader, the only trail he could find were corpses.

Even a kid, who was innocent and barely had 7 years, just stood there looking at Vader, until he got cut down. Hock entered in a base, seeing countless armless civilians killed, as well as Ostor leaders. He turned around and saw Vader, who barely noticed him, and just continued to move forward, with no glimmer of remorse. Just silence. As both of them opened door to another room, it was hospital room Hock was in. Full of crippled, sick, broken, tired, wounded, old people, women and children. Hock told them that their army and leaders are dead. They should just accept defeat and their new leaders. But these men, women and children, with no means to even move, some of them having no legs and only one arm, stood up to Vader and Hock. One with no limbs barely making himself look like he is in standing position. They were determined to not give up.

There was a moment of complete silence, until Vader raised his lightsaber, telling them: "Then follow your leaders into oblivion", striking down and killing those people. Hock started screaming like a madman, telling Vader to stop. He did not stop. He continued, striking down more and more, with Hock shouting like his lungs were about to explode. After shouting again, Vader stopped. He stood there. Silent. With no glimmer of emotion. No remorse. No humanity. Nothing but those gold dark eyes. He looked at Hock, but he barely even took notice. Hock remembered that he said something else. He told Vader something. But he can't remember what. He asked himself what were Vader's thoughts. Was he thinking of Hock's reaction? Or was he just thinking who he will strike next? Hock looked at him with sadness in his eyes, throwing down his blaster, and giving up, leaving.

He realized, that his respect, was misplaced.

Number #1 - Redemption (Movies)

"Your thoughts betray you father. I feel the good in you."

It may seem kinda predictable and maybe I am looking at this more objectively, like this is actually most important moment instead of something that should be one's favorite, but I guess in this case, that goes hand in hand with me. This is where Vader's journey ends. He was a broken man who had nothing left. He was his master's slave. His hatred for himself prevent him from finding pleasure, or even dying, even when he wanted to. In his prime, he was completely dead inside, not caring for anyone. Even starting to make himself believe that he and Anakin were different people.

When he met his son however, he felt the light spark within him, and while his goals were selfish and evil, he finally could live his life outside the Emperor, even attempting to overthrow him. When his son rejected him, Vader obeyed his master once again, embracing the Dark Side completely. But his son's presence and actions made him feel conflict. When Luke finally moved away from Emperor's grasp, defeated Vader saw his son getting tortured and almost killed by his master. Vader killed the Emperor to save the only person who's left that cared about him, and returned as Anakin Skywalker.

While comics, databooks and novels get into details about Vader's conflict as well, which makes it even more complex and interesting, the movie gives it enough justice by itself in my opinion. Palpatine's narrow minded approach and rage, Vader's conflict seen on screen due to his physical actions, Luke's screams, lightning covering the room, all of it seemed very well made. It concluded the story of this once heroic, broken, evil and tragic character, and turned the face of the franchise itself, his son, into a hero he was meant to be, proving that even the darkest can be redeemed.

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Here it is. That is my list. Some parts were more concise than the others but a lot of them were pretty self explanatory and a lot of people were familiar with them if we are talking about the movie ones. You may notice how I did not provide an explanation as to why I like some of those picks, like number 2 or 5, but that is because I think one of them speaks for itself, and the other is symbolic, I'll just let you interpret it the way you want. Hopefully you found this entertaining.

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