A Dream
Most Impressive: Anakin Skywalker meets Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi, and is instantly in awe of the Jedi [in The Phantom Menace ].
Why The Force Is Strong With This One: Much as it’s easy to deride George Lucas’ judgement in introducing baby Vader as a cute/annoying moppet, there’s an undeniable frisson of dramatic irony when Anakin announces💟, “I had a dream I was a Jedi.”
Turned
Most Impressive: Vader and Emperor Palpatine discuss “the son of Skywalker,” with Vader concluding, “If he could be turned, he would be a powerful ally” [in The Empire Strikes Back ].
Why The Force Is Strong With This One: A reminder that there’s a strategic side to Vader to go with his terror tactics…although what&rsqu꧃o;s really interesting is the psychology of Palpatine and Vader skirting around the fact that it’s Vader’s son they’re talking ab🐈out.
Silent Partner
Most Impressive: Palpatine tries to seduce Luke to the Dark Side, while Vader waits wordlessly until he is needed [in Return Of The Jedi ].
Why The Force Is Strong With This One: Even doing nothing, Vader has presence...and check out how quick he is to act when Luke fires up hiౠs lightsaber.
Vision Of The Future
Most Impressive: Anakin Skywalker sees a vision of his future as Vader in the Well of the Dark Side [in Clone Wars episode Ghosts Of Mortis ].
Why The Force Is Strong With This One: That future can’t be denied, but at this stage Anakin is nowhere near re♕ady to face it…so the memory is handily erased.
No Excuses
Most Impressive: The Millennium Falcon’s hiding in an asteroid field, but what are a few flying rocks to a Dark Lord of the Sith? “I want that ship,” he thunders to Admiral Piett, “not excuses!” [in The Empire Strikes Back ].
Why The Force Is Strong With This One: As ever, Vader won’t flinch from꧑ danger in the pursuit of his foes. Just as well he’s in charge; the rest of h♉is officers are a bunch of pussies.
Felt
Most Impressive: Vader visits Palpatine to seek time off work, so he can go and get Luke from Endor [in Return Of The Jedi ].
Why The Force Is Strong With This One: The sinister ✱undertones of two dirty old men discussinไg the kid they want to corrupt. "I have felt him," boasts Vader. "Strange that I haven't," replies a visibly despondent Palpatine.
'armless Enough
Most Impressive: Luke gains the advantage in his duel with Vader, and angrily hacks off Vader's arm [in Return Of The Jedi ].
Why The Force Is Strong With This One: An inevitable symmetry, seeing what happened in the last film. Except it isn't, because Luke has already lopped off a Vader limb in spin-off novel Splinter Of The Mind's Eye .
Mopping Up
Most Impressive: In the aftermath of Order 66, Palpatine sends Vader on his first mission, to track and assassinate a trio of Jedi survivors [in novel Dark Lord: The Rise Of Darth Vader ].
Why The Force Is Strong With This One: Set immediately after Revenge Of The Sith , thi🎐s novel charts Vader’s first footsteps in his new – and incredibly uncomfortable – armour.
Not From A Jedi
Most Impressive: Palpatine seduces Anakin into the Dark Side by telling the story of Darth Plagueis, who had the power to prevent death [in Revenge Of The Sith ].
Why The Force Is Strong With This One: Regardless of why Anakin chooses to go dark – love for his wife, or vengeance against the Jedi – the important 👍thing is that he can’t get those powers fromꦅ a Jedi.
No Mercy [Mission]
Most Impressive: Leia tries to bluff her way out of being taken prisoner, but Vader isn’t taken in by her BS about being on a mercy mission [in A New Hope ].
Why The Force Is Strong With This One: Vader’s first dialogue scene introduces one of ciꦏnema’s greatest voices – the grave, aut🃏horitative tones of James Earl Jones accompanied by death-rattle heavy breathing.
