How come Moff Tarkin is higher on the food chain than Darth Vader?

I always wondered why that was. Other than the emperor, Tarkin was the only other person that Vader repected in the OT.

vader seems to be more of an attack dog than a leader.
"i should have expected to find you holding vader's leash"

who knows...you would THINK that vader would be second only to the emporer. how ironic that he turns to the darkside partly because the jedi "held him back", but he has a non-force user with authority over him.

just further illustrates how he got screwed on that deal.

That is a good question. I don't really think its because Tarkin was a higher rank then Vader, but I think the Emperor probably favored Tarkin over any of his other governors and Vader had a certain respect for him as well. Tarkin was governor of the Outer Rim territories, I believe. I think that he did have some authority over Vader...to a certain extent, but I don't think he truly was a higher rank then the Emperor's own apprentice. I also think that Tarkin was older then Vader and that he knew what he was doing in his particular field, and Vader understood his knowledge.

maybe we'll know in ep3.

I agree with morgoths, plus Tarkin supposedly had something to do with the Death Star's origins, but if its not covered in ROTS, that will remain simple notes from Lucas which I suppose is considered EU. But I think its just that Tarkin was the commander on the Death Star and Vader was just respecting Tarkin's space and command.

Was'nt anakin at the time of episode3 and after the commander in the space forces that's how he got his super star destroyer I don't remember tarkin ever going to his ship before he died he was always on the death star. for now may force be with you.

I don't think Tarkin had any authority over Vader, I think he was just deffering to him out of respect while on the Death Star. He was a Sith, and I doubt he would have allowed himself to be in a secondary position. ROTS should show how Tarkin got to be in such a powerful position. I believe he did indeed have something to do with the creation of the Death Star.

GL talks about it on the OT DVD commentary - he says there's no real heirarchy - so there's not really a command over Vader, but he has to respect Tarkin - or something to that extent... the other reason that Tarkin probably doesnt realize how powerful Vader really is. They dont really remember the jedi all that much - so him wiping them all out isnt a big feat. Most people think its a hokey foolish religion - also - Vader isnt in the military at all, he is a sith - i still dont understand why he was on the death star

Absolutely. Vader is having to show respect for Tarkin; being the Emperor's troubleshooter did not place him above the most powerful of the military establishment..

But I am pretty sure Tarkin knows how powerful Vader is.

True......

I think Tarkin is a military commander over all the governors;
but Vader is more of a supervisor not directly involved in the
military events but more of the Emperors wishes......
Like Jedi were given missions to watch over individuals in gov't
but that did not mean that the official didnt respect the Jedi's
authority or power...

[ex: Padme when being watched by QuiGon/ObiWan and Anakin..]

then again, maybe GL wasnt sure which direction to take Vaders
role in the military when he created the character....

pardon me for not knowing but you can you tell me what "ot" stands for?

Original Trilogy

GL not being certain about Vader's roie at the time is entirely possible.

Perhaps ROTS will explain the reason why Tarkin holds such a high position with the emperor.

Yeah, this will most likely be explained in Episode 3, of course alot of things are to be explained, but they've said it should answer most questions.

its like maul in ep1!!!!!at the orders of the viceroy!!!!

Good point.

Tarkin is the most evil non-alien, non-deformed character in the OT.
Its possible that the Emperor decided to put Vader in direct command of the navy in EP. 5.......

Anakin: "We need a system where the politicians sit down and discuss the problem. Agree what's in the best interests of all the people, and do it."
Padme: "That's exactly what they do, the trouble is that people don't always agree."
Anakin: "Then they should be made to."
Padme: "By whom? Who's going to make them?"
Anakin: "I don't know. Someone."
Padme: "You?"
Anakin: "Of course not me!"
Padme: "Then someone...?"
Anakin: "Someone wise."
Padme: "That sounds an awful lot like a dictatorship to me."
Anakin: "Well... if it works..."

anakin doesn't want to be a political leader.. he's just a very high up henchmen/general type guy.. sort of like general grievious in a way.

i think the only reason that Vader is in control in 5 is because A) tarkin and alot of highrankers died on the DStar, and B) HE wants to find Luke - so he probably told the emperor that he should be in charge - and just made up some reason.

Vader In Anh Was still just a henchman for Palp. Tarkin was a governor. Tarkin has more pull in the Imperial Senate. Vader is just a weapon of terror.