FIC: Synergy (3/10)

[zigsternenstaub]

Title: Synergy (3/?)
Author: Ziggy Sternenstaub
Words: 2300 in part three
Pg-13

Comments

[lumy12]

AWUHHHH full-fledged Vader angst! And there's Palpatine, ever comforting in his own way. I love that you allow some tenderness between them... despite the evil manipulations of Vader's convalescence, purposely wrong-sized limbs... *cringe*

And GLEEEEEEEE at the brief mention of Plagueis!

[zigsternenstaub]

AWUHHHH full-fledged Vader angst!

You knew it had to happen! (I think it was just an excuse for me to have Vader put his head on Palpatine's shoulder, frankly:D)

And there's Palpatine, ever comforting in his own way. I love that you allow some tenderness between them... despite the evil manipulations of Vader's convalescence, purposely wrong-sized limbs... *cringe*

Man, I know. I mean, I'm going with the films here, but it's soooo dumb. If they'd had a six foot seven guy play a guy who is supposed to be six foot seven, we wouldn't have a friggin' problem, but noooo, they have to get a guy who is barely six feet tall to play him. It's ridiculous. Most of the time I just imagine that Hayden Christiansen is actually six foot seven, and that makes it all better, but I'm trying to keep things completely canon, and apparently Lucas feels that you can give someone prosthetics which are COMPLETELY THE WRONG SIZE FOR HIS BODY and not have a whole bunch of medical problems. *grumble*

And GLEEEEEEEE at the brief mention of PlagueisI love

[luminations]

Yeah, that's how the EU authors compensate for the height difference too -- having Palpatine purposely make Vader klutzy and awkward (at least until he gets used to it -- he seems quite all right with it in ANH) and sure to never fully recover. Bastard!

I have some cracky backstory in my head for Palps and Plagueis too... I'd be really interested in seeing your take on them!

[zigsternenstaub]

Yeah, that's how the EU authors compensate for the height difference too -- having Palpatine purposely make Vader klutzy and awkward (at least until he gets used to it -- he seems quite all right with it in ANH) and sure to never fully recover.

Which makes NO SENSE. Why you would disable your right hand, your soldier, your enforcer, the guy who is supposed to carry out your will???? It's just historical revisionism and poor casting, but of course we need an in-universe explanation and this is the only thing people can think of. Grrrrrrr.

[betareject]

Holy wow this was just wow. Good heavens that was incredibly heartwrenching! I mean Anakin did have it coming but all the same the poor guy what a way to find out the truth. I know his reaction was childish but given the situation who wouldn't be freaking out like that? =/

I loved how despite the sitaution at hand Palpatine still plays the forgiving and caring father role that Vader desperately needs. I love how you still see his true colours and intent but he's not without mercy. I think that makes him even more chilling than if he were portrayed as the stereotypical heartless emperor.

I loved too how he describes the darkside, the dragon and the phoenix that was just wicked cool.

[zigsternenstaub]

I mean Anakin did have it coming but all the same the poor guy what a way to find out the truth. I know his reaction was childish but given the situation who wouldn't be freaking out like that? =/

Exactly. In a way it's childish, but he's spent his whole life believing in his own uniqueness, his specialness, and now he's just been told that one of the things that made him special has been destroyed, through his own fault.. Combine that with Padmé's death, also through his own fault, and it would be a real blow.

I loved how despite the sitaution at hand Palpatine still plays the forgiving and caring father role that Vader desperately needs. I love how you still see his true colours and intent but he's not without mercy. I think that makes him even more chilling than if he were portrayed as the stereotypical heartless emperor.One thing I really didn't want to do was go too far in either direction. I wanted a human, nuanced Palpatine, but I didn't want to forgive or excuse his crimes, because I see far too much of that sort of thing

[betareject]

Its not often that writers show a more human side to the usual villains. Frankly I found it to be incredibly refreshing and in truth it made Palpatine even more frightening, because of it. It was like you showed the terrifying truth that anyone could become evil. That no one is immune to such evil...

I have to agree I can't stand it when people come up with excuses for Anakin's behaviors simply because of his looks ¬__¬; I'm sorry but hawtness isn't a pardon for such crimes =/

[zigsternenstaub]

You're right that it does make it more frightening. When you assume that a villain isn't a human being, then you are assuming that he was born 'evil,' or monstrous, with an inherently inimical attitude towards 'true' human beings. His actions are therefore not his own fault, because there was never a moment when he had to make a choice, as Anakin did, to embrace malicious violence or reject it. Therefore people who assume that Palpatine has no redeeming character, and never has, are actually ascribing him more integrity of character than they do Anakin. That makes it strange for me, because I insist on acknowledging his humanity, and his buried capacity for love and compassion, but in doing so, I must also fully embrace his malice.

I'm sorry but hawtness isn't a pardon for such crimes =/

THANK YOU; THANK YOU; THANK YOU! I'm so happy to read this! Especially since I know that all of the people who *do* think so would be absolutely excusing the emperor if he weren't ZOMG AN UGLY OLD GUY. I'm just tired of the hypocrisy.