Deleted scenes from Return of the Jedi suggest that not all Imperial officers were fully loyal to Emperor Palpatine and Darth Vader. While the Empire projected strength and control, the reality was more complicated. Some officers, even those who remained within the Imperial ranks, may have disagreed with Palpatine’s ruthless rule.
One of the most revealing cut storylines centers around Moff Jerjerrod, the commander of the second Death Star, who openly showed resistance to Palpatine’s orders and even mocked Darth Vader.
Moff Jerjerrod’s Disdain for Darth Vader
Deleted Scene: Jerjerrod vs. Vader
- In an unused scene from Return of the Jedi, Moff Jerjerrod confronts Darth Vader.
- Unlike most Imperials who cower before Vader, Jerjerrod appears smug and deliberately blocks his entry, stating, “You may not enter.”
- This act of defiance is highly unusual, as most Imperials feared Vader’s power.
- Vader quickly Force-chokes Jerjerrod, but the scene raises an important question—was Jerjerrod simply arrogant, or did he harbor deeper resentment toward Imperial leadership?
Possible Interpretations
- Blind arrogance: Jerjerrod, newly promoted after the destruction of the first Death Star, may have overestimated his power.
- Hidden defiance: His dismissive attitude toward Vader could indicate personal disdain for the Sith and their control over the Empire.
- Dissatisfaction with Palpatine’s rule: His later hesitation to follow orders suggests that his loyalty to the Empire was conditional.
Imperial Officers Were Not United Behind Palpatine
While many high-ranking Imperials embraced Palpatine’s authoritarian rule, Jerjerrod’s reluctance to blindly follow orders suggests that some officers disliked his leadership style.
Key moments from Jerjerrod’s deleted scenes:
- Hesitation to destroy Endor: When ordered to fire on Endor, Jerjerrod voices concern about the Imperial troops still stationed on the moon.
- Physical distress: As the Rebels disable the shield generator, Jerjerrod appears visibly troubled, implying he wasn’t as ruthless as Palpatine.
- Silent dissent: He even glances at his fellow officers, as if gauging whether others shared his unease.
What does this mean for the Empire?
- Not all Imperials were fanatical: Some officers, like Jerjerrod, may have disagreed with Palpatine’s brutality.
- Fear over loyalty: Palpatine ruled through intimidation, not inspiration—suggesting many Imperials followed orders out of fear, not devotion.
- Internal fractures in the Empire: Even among those who remained, cracks in Imperial unity were evident, paving the way for future defections.
Why These Deleted Scenes Matter
Return of the Jedi ultimately portrays the Empire as monolithic, but these deleted scenes add depth to Imperial characters. They suggest that:
- Not all Imperials were equally ruthless.
- Some officers resented Sith control over the Empire.
- Palpatine’s leadership was not universally respected.
Expanded Star Wars media explores this theme further:
- Star Wars: Lost Stars by Claudia Gray highlights how some Imperials struggled with their allegiance.
- Several Imperial defectors—like Agent Kallus, Galen Erso, and Bodhi Rook—proved that loyalty to the Empire was not absolute.
