SilverWook said:
My impression of Vader in the OT is that's he mostly a cool customer. He doesn't lash out unless somebody screws up carrying out his orders, or mocks the Force. And even Force choking Motti betrays a sick twisted sense of humor.
Yeah, he strangled that rebel at the beginning of the first movie, but that was part of the job.
It's what makes his turning on the Emperor in Jedi so good.
My thoughts exactly. Vader's not a sadist like Palpatine -- he doesn't relish inflicting pain or seeing others suffer; everything he does he feels he does for the greater good, regardless of how brutal or distasteful it may be.
It's hard for me to sympathize with Vader or see him as someone worthy of redemption when the EU characterizes him as a mustache-twirling supervillain.