I like how the emperor at the end acts as though he is enjoying inflicting pain on Luke. The more Luke writhes in pain, the more the emperor smiles like he's getting off on it. I know it would be more complex and sophisticated if there remained some ambiguity about the balance between order and freedom. But I think a lot of what the empire, Vader, and the emperor did is more easily explained when you realize that at the center of it all is this crazy man who is just bad, and just enjoys hurting people.