....orrrrr the implicit power trip for him, the bargaining opportunity of Sarah being in dire need. Or just StraightArt!Sarah in bondage. 
Not to take a dump on your being moved by the moment or anything.
But no, disregard my flippancy: it's kinda true. Jareth does desperately desire cues from Sarah that give him another role to play than her antagonist, a sign that she is willing to see him in another light.
Not that his second instinct wouldn't be to use the situation to his advantage and make it a power play, but yeah, there is a heartbeat's worth of something else.
Not to take a dump on your being moved by the moment or anything.
But no, disregard my flippancy: it's kinda true. Jareth does desperately desire cues from Sarah that give him another role to play than her antagonist, a sign that she is willing to see him in another light.Not that his second instinct wouldn't be to use the situation to his advantage and make it a power play, but yeah, there is a heartbeat's worth of something else.
Oh, I have no doubt that he would do everything in his power to turn the situation to his advantage, of he had retained the powers of speech, (not that I can blame him StraightArt!Sarah indeed) but it was the heart beat of something else, the fact that deep down he really doesn't want to be her villain that got to me. You see more of it later but here's one of the first hints in comic that he really wants something else. And, even if he would have messed it up in the second flat if she had asked him to rescue him (as demonstrated by KIDNAPPING HER FRIEND AND ROOM MATE AND MAKING THE WHOLE THING WORSE (face palm)) it's his to see that part of him.
I'm really glad that all comes through/makes sense to you. And that Jareth's plight can induce sympathy but not immediate fawning forgiveness and condoning of his effed-up actions. 