Khajiit doesn't get the reference.

I finished up my Last Jedi figure collection, I didn't really need much to finish. I got Old Man Luke Skywalker and oddly enough he didn't come with a lightsaber, oh well I got tons of green lightsabers for him to choose from.

Watching the The Force Awakens again and it suddenly struck Khajiit that .

Hmmm---interesting.

And apparently Khajiit is not the only one who has thought this. Looked it up after the idea came to this one and sure enough, there is a fan theory about it. The resemblance between the two is quite strong.

Considering the scale of the retcon that would be required to accomodate that fan theory(since we actually see Tarkin rubbish the idea of evacuating, and the Death star goes up in such spectacular fashion, pretty much ruling out the possibility of his surviving), I'd put that below even the level of the Darth Jar Jar theory.

I'm totally up for Tarkin surviving since it would be interesting to see how he deals with the new political scene post-Endor, but personally, this theory ends when you consider Snoke's force-sensitivity; something Tarkin lacks.

Is Snoke force sensitive though? Has he shown any sign of being force sensitive?

The Star Wars Databank says he is strong in the dark side of the Force. As for showing signs of being force sensitive, well. His is subtle compared to the raw theatrics of Sidious but;

"There has been an awakening in the Force. Have you felt it?"

As for Tarkin, why did Palps take such an interest in him? Has this ever been explained?

It was while Tarkin was attending the Sullust Sector Spacefarers Academy that they met-or rather that Palpatine had sought him out. Tarkin had just returned to the academy's orbital facility from long hours of starship maneuvers in an Incom T-95 Trainer when someone called his name as he was crossing the flight deck. Turning to the voice, he was astonished to find the Republic senator walking toward him. Tarkin knew that Palpatine was part of Supreme Chancellor Kalpana's party, which included his administrator Finis Valorum and several other senators, all of whom were on station to attend the academy's commencement and commissioning day ceremonies. Most of the graduates would be moving on to positions in commercial piloting, local system navies, or the Judicial Department. Dressed in fashionable blue robes, the red-haired aesthete politician flashed a welcoming smile and extended a hand in greeting.

"Cadet Tarkin, I'm Senator Palpatine."

"I know who you are," Tarkin said, shaking hands with him. "You represent Naboo in the Senate. Your homeworld and mine are practically galactic neighbors."

"So we are."

"I want to thank you personally for the position you took in the Senate on the bill that will encourage policing of the free trade zones."

Palpatine gestured in dismissal. "Our hope is to bring stability to the Outer Rim worlds." His eyes narrarowed. "The Jedi haven't provided any support in dealing with the pirates that continue to plague the Seswenna?"

Tarkin shook his head. "They've ignored our requests for intervention. Apparently the Seswenna doesn't rate highly enough on their list of priorities."

Palpatine sniffed. "Well, I might be able to offer some help in that regard-not with the Jedi, of course. With the Judicials, I mean."

"Eriadu would be grateful for any help. Stability in the Seswenna could ease tensions all along the Hydian Way."

Palpatine's eyebrows lifted in delighted surprise. "A cadet who is not only a very skilled pilot, but who also has an awareness of politics. What are the chances?"

"I might ask the same. What are the chances of a Republic senator knowing me on sight?"

"As a matter of fact, your name came up in a discussion I was having with a group of like-minded friends on Coruscant."

"My name?" Tarkin said in disbelief as they began to amble toward the pilots' ready rooms.

"We are always on the lookout for those who demonstrate remarkable skills in science, technology, and other fields." Palpatine allowed his words to trail off, then said: "Tell me, Cadet Tarkin, what are your plans following graduation from this institution?"

"I still have another two years of training. But I'm hoping to be accepted to the Judicial Academy."

Palpatine waved in dismissal. "Easily done. I happen to be personal friends with the provost of the academy. I would be glad to advocate on your behalf, if you wish."

"I'd be honored," Tarkin managed. "I don't know what to say, Senator. If there's anything I can do-"

"There is." Palpatine came to an abrupt halt on the flight deck and turned to face Tarkin directly. "I want to propose an alternative course for you. Politics."

Tarkin repressed a laugh. "I'm not sure, Senatorÿ..."

"I know what you must be thinking. But politics was a noble enough choice for some of your relatives. Or are you cut from so different a cloth?" Palpatine continued before Tarkin could reply. "If I may speak candidly for a moment, Cadet, we feel-my friends and I-that you'd be wasting your talents in the Judicial Department. With your piloting skills, I'm certain you would be an excellent addition to their forces, but you're already much more than a mere pilot."

Tarkin shook his head in bewilderment. "I wouldn't even know where to begin."

"And why should you? Politics, however, is my area of expertise." Palpatine's relaxed expression became serious. "I understand what it's like to be a young man of action and obvious ambition who feels that he has been marginalized by the circumstances of his birth. Even here, I can imagine that you've been ostracized by the spoiled progeny of the influential. It has little to do with wealth-your family could buy and sell most of the brats here-and everything to do with fortune: the fact that you weren't born closer to the Core. And so you are forced to defend against their petty prejudices: that you lack refinement, culture, a sense of propriety." He stopped to allow a smile to take shape. "I'm well aware that you've been able to make a name for yourself in spite of this. That alone, young Tarkin, shows that you weren't born to follow."