In A New Hope, we probably remember how Vader told Tarkin that he sensed Obi-Wan’s presence on the Death Star. It’s an interesting exchange that is meant to foreshadow the impending duel between Vader and Obi-Wan. Yet, this conversation also clues us in to the fact that Tarkin knew who Vader truly was. Tarkin was among the few who knew Vader was Anakin.
How Tarkin Knew About Vader
If we review the scene, we can recall how this conversation indicates that Tarkin knew about Vader. Vader came to Tarkin to inform him of Obi-Wan’s presence on the Death Star, based on a “tremor in the Force.” Vader said, “The last time I felt it was in the presence of my old master.” Tarkin thinks that Obi-Wan should be dead by now, but Vader insisted he wasn’t.
As this Reddit forum discussed, their exchange implied that Tarkin knew that Vader was Anakin. It also reflected that Vader “knows that Tarkin knows and [was] apparently fine with it.” How did this situation develop?
For one, Tarkin belonged to the top elite of Imperial officers and was privy to confidential information. We know Tarkin as “one of the most influential people” of the Empire who held the top military rank of Grand Moff. Among his accomplishments were the building of the Death Star and his Imperial doctrine of rule through fear.
Because of his position, Tarkin could have learned about Vader’s true identity. Also, because of his keen intellect, Tarkin would have pieced it together anyway. The novel Tarkin by James Luceno probes into how Tarkin became aware of Anakin as Vader early in the Imperial age and progressively became more convinced.
In this short video, we get a quick recap of key parts of the novel that reflect how Tarkin knew, or strongly suspected, “very early on in their partnership.” The clues that Tarkin picked up on included “the rapport that the Dark Lord shared with the stormtroopers who supported him.” Tarkin likewise recognized Vader’s skilled technique with “his crimson lightsaber”, which he probably matched with Anakin’s abilities.
In addition, Tarkin and Vader shared a mutual respect that enabled Tarkin to know about Vader’s identity with impunity. As the above Death Star scene reflects, Tarkin voiced his closeness to Vader by saying, “You, my friend, are all that’s left of their religion”, after expressing how he believed “the Jedi are extinct.” Tarkin empathizes with Vader as they embark on a mutual quest to end any trace of the Republic.
Vader and Tarkin forged a respect for one another because Tarkin was Vader’s closest ally in the Empire. Tarkin and Anakin had worked alongside one another in the Clone Wars, shared a history and mission, and willingly forsook the past together. They could trust one another, if that’s possible in the Imperial ranks.
How Else Would Tarkin Know and Vader Not Be Concerned?
Tarkin and Vader would not have been concerned about his past identity at this point in the saga. After all, both had served the Republic until they concluded that the Empire offered a better way to rule the galaxy. In A New Hope, they fully supported the Emperor’s tight grip over the galaxy.
Coinciding with the respect they had for each other, Tarkin appreciated how Anakin turned against the Republic and his former Jedi allies. As this list about Tarkin conveys, he truly hated the Jedi, believed they were “weak”, and had failed to keep order in the galaxy. This hatred took hold before the fall of the Republic, and Tarkin would have openly congratulated Anakin’s turn to the dark side, if he could.
As this video highlights, Tarkin had previously “found common ground” with Anakin about how the Jedi Code interfered with the Jedi carrying out “their wartime duties.” Exposure to Anakin as someone who resented the Jedi and who held considerable lightsaber and military skills was a prelude to their full-blown relationship as the Empire took hold.
Tarkin and Vader agreed about their objectives and keeping Vader’s identity secret so as not to disrupt their plans.
The Clue that Tarkin Knew
The scene in A New Hope when Vader and Tarkin discussed Obi-Wan being on the Death Star provides a central clue to the fact that Tarkin knew about Anakin becoming Vader. It’s a brief moment that is elaborated on in the novel about Tarkin and his quest to end the Republic and Rebellion.