For the newest chapter of DLB (which was fabulous as usual!), I think I may have missed some of the political nuances and wanted to check. Here’s my read on things:(1) Tarkin implies Leia’s a minor useless flunky; (2) Darsana is not seated as respectfully as he should be at the table because he’s a non-human; (3) spelled out implications that Padme = naïve and Bail&Darsana = uncaring/uninvolved w/their real jobs in favor of greed at trade opportunity;
You know, I had not exactly realized how much happened in this last chapter, but when you outline it like that...no wonder it took me so long to get down... Yikes. Glad you're enjoying it.
So most of these look pretty correct. I'll clarify a few, since we're already here.
4) Palpatine is not trying to feel out Leia's relationship, he's name dropping the Jedi into a situation where he knows Tarkin does not like them and associating Leia with the Jedi will drive a wedge between them (unnecessary because Leia would not really ally herself with Tarkin if her life depended on it at this point--and it might)
7) Tarkin is less making a comment about what Leia knows about economics and more gloating that he's so savvy and doing so well, rubbing it in knowing Naboo can't copy him
9) Leia isn't suggesting they can stay with the Trade Federation as much as they can't switch to Eriadu. Tarkin is looking at this as an opportunity to take up more market space and make a larger profit, and Leia is pointing out that will only work if he's already a big enough deal to break into the monopoly that the Trade Federation have. Tarkin and the Federation are in competition, he's saying this could be his time to gain ground, and Leia's like, nah the Republic screwed you over already, sorry bud. *blinks innocently*
10) Related to the above, Tarkin doesn't have a monopoly of his own, and wants to break the Federation's monopoly, which can only really be done in the Senate at this point. And yes, this does put him at odds with the Chancellor's plans, though Tarkin wouldn't know that because he's not in on the overarching Sith plot. He thinks the Chancellor sort of wants the Federation out, but his hands are tied. (He is, of course, wrong)
Hope this helps. :)
