Seriously there are a lot of parallels between them. Both are disgraced persons who once held great esteem and honor amongst their fellow species who eventually turn against the ones they were loyal to and help bring about their down fall. With Variks this seems to be taking more time in a way but if the parallel continues then he will soon be at the head, or at least one of the heads of the eliksni race. This is what I hope as I think it would be awesome.[spoiler]if you don't know who Thel Vadam is you are not a true Halo fan.[/spoiler]