Why Could Not Palpatine Feel Vader’s Conflict? And Would He Kill Vader and Luke Too?

When we analyze the intricate relationship between Emperor Palpatine and Darth Vader, one question frequently arises: why could not Palpatine discern the inner turmoil and pain that plagued Anakin Skywalker, especially right before the climactic events of The Empire Strikes Back? Moreover, would Palpatine have ultimately killed Vader and Luke if he had sensed the conflict?

Underlying Reasons for Palpatine’s Failure

Picking apart the complexity, we find several factors at play. Firstly, Vader's mask and armor serve not only as a life-support system but also as a physical barrier that can obscure his true feelings from those who interact with him. The Dark Side of the Force, which Vader fully embraced, acted as a cloud of concealment, muffling his connection to the light and his own emotions.

Furthermore, throughout his life as a Sith, Vader had mastered the art of deception. His adeptness in suppressing his true thoughts and emotions meant that any lingering conflict about his loyalty to Palpatine versus his feelings for Luke were effectively hidden. Palpatine, with his uncanny ability to sense his apprentice's emotions, could not penetrate this wall of deception.

Predominance of Palpatine’s Overconfidence

Palpatine's overconfidence played a significant role in his failure to perceive Vader's inner conflict. He often underestimated the strength of familial bonds and the emotional depth of his apprentices. His unwavering belief in his own manipulation and control of Vader did not allow for the possibility that Vader might harbor conflicting emotions that could destabilize their relationship.

Palpatine’s Potential Actions

Killing Vader

Considering Palpatine's perspective, he viewed Vader as an invaluable asset despite his imperfections. Should Vader's conflict have posed a significant threat to his plans, Palpatine would likely have contemplated eliminating him. However, Palpatine also believed he could manipulate Vader to retain his loyalty, suggesting he would first attempt to turn him back to the dark side rather than resort to killing him.

Killing Luke

Palpatine saw Luke as a promising candidate for succession. He desired to turn Luke to the dark side, which would both solidify his power and eliminate a potential future threat. Killing Luke outright would have been counterproductive to his long-term goals of expanding his influence. To Palpatine, the light within Luke was like a seed that needed to be cultivated and overturned rather than uprooted.

A Shocking Twist of Fate

The significant turning point comes from the unexpected nature of Vader's actions. Instead of acting out of hate or revenge, Vader chose to act out of love and selflessness. This act of betrayal, driven by these positive emotions, was unimaginable to Palpatine. A Sith Lord had never before betrayed his master with such altruistic intentions. This shock led Palpatine to have no expectation of this outcome, leading to his underestimation of the situation.

Moreover, it is possible that Vader concealed his betrayal within the Force, utilizing powers that allowed him to hide his true intentions even from those with a powerful sense of the Force like Palpatine. This explanation adds an additional layer of complexity to the already intricate relationship between these two powerful figures.

Conclusion

In summary, Palpatine's inability to sense Vader's inner conflict stems from a combination of factors: Vader's emotional suppression, the nature of their relationship, and Palpatine's own arrogance. If Vader's conflict had become too significant a threat, Palpatine would likely have considered killing him. However, he preferred to manipulate Vader, hoping to control Luke's potential allegiance to the dark side instead of outright killing him to further his own goals.