He basically stabbed Dooku in the back to start molding Anakin.
Yet, Dooku seemed pretty badass to me. He smoked Obi-Wan and Anakin in episode II and held his own vs Yoda and seemed more powerful than Anakin in episode III as well but Palpatine hindered him.
He could also shoot electricity
Anakin had the most potential out of everyone ("Not even Master Yoda has a midi-chorian count that high").
Also Anakin was more inexperienced and so was easier to manipulate.
They really should make a spin-off movie which tells the story between episode III and Rogue One.
I always had the feeling Darth Vader never quite realised his potential.
He didnt, since he got all burnt up and lost several limbs and had to live on machinery.
Some of the novels help fill that timeline. I'm actually reading the novel The Rise of Darth Vader right now and it talks a little about Anakins transition into Vader and how he feels weaker. Its not a great book though.
Better yet, why didn't Dooku tell Anakin that 'kidnapped' Palpatine was his master? He literally had nothing to lose and was scared out of his mind with Anakin about to lob off his head. Why not attempt to save yourself by spilling the beans?
shareDooku was a placeholder for someone stronger, mainly Anakin, after the death of his previous apprentice.
shareI understand, but seems to me Darth Vader never became as powerful as Dooku. Could Vader shoot electricity? Nope.
I think the answer is that Anakin had the potential to become the most powerful and taking that potential away from the Jedi council gave Palpatine a much cleaner path to assert his dominance over the Galaxy.
It's like playing chess and taking out your opponents Queen. Path to victory gets much easier.
By Palpatine taking the path he did he didn't necessarily upgrade his apprentice but he weakened the Jedi order. If he didn't Anakin could have realised his potential as a Jedi and defeated him
And once Vader lost his potential by being put into the suit Palpatine would have an easier time controlling him and keeping him his servant forever.
shareVader could stop blaster bolts with his hand. Anakin was young and defeated Dooku, easy to see why Sidious wanted him
shareAnakin had more potential, was young and the Jedi's self proclaimed 'Chosen One'. He was the biggest prize around.
shareI hate defending this movie (or any of the prequels) but I don't see the problem: the point IMO is potential.
Dooku was old, I assume he reached the maximum of his power and there was no room for improvement: Anakin was just getting started, there's no knowing how strong he could have become (also he was really stupid so much easier to manipulate).
Also, I have the feeling that every apprentice served a specific purpose for Palpatine :
- Dooku was needed to start the Clone Wars (which got old Palpy a new job)
- Anakin was needed to bring down the Jedi Order
Darth Maul's purpose I don't know : maybe there's something in the EU but I'm not familiar with that.