Apart from looking like a high-ranking member of the Third Reich and eloquently discussing how simple it would be to destroy the Rebel Alliance before its even begun, Tarkins contribution towards that particular goal makes for very depressing reading. He makes a lot of idle threats that basically equate to a lot of frowning, seemingly oblivious to the fact he has the most awesome intergalactic weapon ever conceived at his disposal yet only uses the thing, what, once? Idiot. He doesnt appear to accomplish anything apart from blow up a planet that was completely irrelevant to the plot of the film as well as stubbornly refuse to acknowledge that the Death Star is probably going to get turned over by a bunch of rebellious vigilantes in garish orange jump suits. He displays a tactical naivety that would make even Jar Jar Binks point and laugh. Yet Grand Moff Tarkin was one of the uber-Fuhrers of the Galactic Empire. Its no wonder the Rebels totally did a number on them.