I thought Tarkin explained his reason perfectly well:
Princess Leia Organa: No! Alderaan is peaceful! We have no weapons, you can't possibly... Governor Tarkin: [impatiently] You would prefer another target, a military target? Then name the system! I grow tired of asking this so it will be the last time: Where is the rebel base? Princess Leia Organa: ...Dantooine. They're on Dantooine. Governor Tarkin: There. You see, Lord Vader, she can be reasonable. Continue with the operation; you may fire when ready. Princess Leia Organa: WHAT? Governor Tarkin: You're far too trusting. Dantooine is too remote to make an effective demonstration - but don't worry; we will deal with your rebel friends soon enough.
Granted, I think he was a little too one-dimensional in his portrayal here, but then again this is George Lucas writing here. With the exception of Darth Vader and Boba Fett most of the villains are one-dimensional, serving only to twirl their thin mustaches and give a hearty "muahahahahahaha!" on queue. Most of his heroes are likewise one-dimensional, but opposite.
I do dislike the one-dimension characters he creates, even though I love the world. That was one of my largest problems with the prequels, so much wasted potential. Emperor Palpatine could have been a man of action who took control of the senate because it was a failing political institution. Anakin could have been anything but a perpetually whiny teenager. So much opportunity to add dimension to those characters and explore their motivations.
I thought Tarkin explained his reason perfectly well:
Princess Leia Organa: No! Alderaan is peaceful! We have no weapons, you can't possibly...
Governor Tarkin: [impatiently] You would prefer another target, a military target? Then name the system! I grow tired of asking this so it will be the last time: Where is the rebel base?
Princess Leia Organa: ...Dantooine. They're on Dantooine.
Governor Tarkin: There. You see, Lord Vader, she can be reasonable. Continue with the operation; you may fire when ready.
Princess Leia Organa: WHAT?
Governor Tarkin: You're far too trusting. Dantooine is too remote to make an effective demonstration - but don't worry; we will deal with your rebel friends soon enough.
Granted, I think he was a little too one-dimensional in his portrayal here, but then again this is George Lucas writing here. With the exception of Darth Vader and Boba Fett most of the villains are one-dimensional, serving only to twirl their thin mustaches and give a hearty "muahahahahahaha!" on queue. Most of his heroes are likewise one-dimensional, but opposite.
I do dislike the one-dimension characters he creates, even though I love the world. That was one of my largest problems with the prequels, so much wasted potential. Emperor Palpatine could have been a man of action who took control of the senate because it was a failing political institution. Anakin could have been anything but a perpetually whiny teenager. So much opportunity to add dimension to those characters and explore their motivations.
Instead, we get weird aliens fighting robots.