"Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord" Season One Talkback (Spoilers)

[Yojimbo]

​

Set after the events of "The Clone Wars," Maul plots to rebuild his criminal syndicate on a planet untouched by the Empire. There, he crosses paths with a disillusioned young Jedi Padawan, who could be the apprentice he is seeking, that will aid him in his relentless pursuit for revenge.

Chapter 1 "The Dark Revenge" - April 6, 2026

In the criminal underworld of Janix, Maul enacts a plan to consolidate his power.

Chapter 2 "Sinister Scheme" - April 6, 2026

Maul seeks to enlighten his new prisoners while Lawson pursues him.

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External Links
-Star Wars.com page
-Disney+ page

 

[Yojimbo]

Haven't watched much of the animation and skimmed the foot notes but even I thought this was a strong open. A real riveting crime story that Book of Boba Fett could have been. So it seems like during the Clone Wars, Maul resurfaced and tried to consolidate the big mob families but the alliance fell through but he still managed to briefly take over Mandalore then lost that, and is now on the hunt for the mob leaders that betrayed him while cultivating a survivor of Order 66 possibly into an apprentice.

Lawson is an interesting one. Like I assume most planets, I can see the ticking time clock of him trying to solve the case before the Empire gets involved because the implication is once the Empire comes, they park there perpetually and the planet is further under its thumb. Like we've seen in other shows like ANDOR. Based on the trailer, sounds like time runs out for Lawson and Two-Boots and the Empire sends in Inquisitors to investigate. I wonder if that will be the season finale, Maul and his apprentice vs. them or will Vader make an appearance?

Pretty cool they got renewed for a second season already. I take it they could do as long as they want to fill in the gaps up to Maul's death in REBELS.

As for visuals of Janix. Like I said with the tie-in prequel comic, love the Blade Runner neo noir vibe. Great design, use of dark and shadows, muted coloring contrasted with the bright blue and pink neon lights. Animation style looks way better that past shows I've seen clips of. Seems they really stepped it up for this show.

 

[Frontier]

Just when I think Lucasfilm Animation can't make their shows look any more beautiful, they prove me wrong.

Darth Maul lost at Mandalore but he's returned to get back what he feels he deserves...revenge against those in the Shadow Collective who betrayed him, retake control of the galactic underworld, and get him an Apprentice to satisfiy his Sith need to continue the Rule of Two until he's ready to take on Darth Sidious.

I appreciate this show coming up with an excuse for Vanessa Marshall to use a British accent. Or just having Vanessa Marshall around in the first place.

It's rough going being a Jedi in a Galaxy run by the Empire. Reduced to being beggars, getting arrested for theft like common criminals, having to do everything to hide who they actually are. I don't know if the Force works in a completely karmic scale level, but it's funny how the moment Devon tries to do something wrong by stealing food, she gets busted.

You know Maul is officially the protagonist when he now has a Droid sidekick who is as slightly psychotic/sadistic as he is.

I appreciate Two-Boots respecting/mourning the Droids who were just killed for following their programming.

Lawson feels like a good man, an honest lawman, in a Galaxy where that's becoming increasingly rarer. All he wants to do is fight the good fight, keep the peace in his city, and keep the Empire from coming and ruining it all. Even as he finds himself caught up in a conflict that is far above his weight class.

I'm not sure how I'd feel about a police force managed mostly by Droids. They would probably be more efficient (and replaceable) but I feel like that lack of a human touch would also have a negative effect on law enforcement.

I feel like I can count on one hand the amount of police officers who have happy, stable, family lives. Lawson is a workaholic who can barely find any time off from work, feels disconnected from his son, and something is up with his wife that she's not around but he feels he needs to be there for his son to go see her.

So I'm going to hazard a guess Daki's lightsaber is in his cane...and maybe Devon's too? Or in the cloak she gave him before she was taken into custody.

Devon still believes in the Jedi tenets, and has no love for a Sith Lord, but you can tell she's not satisfied with where her life is now from following the Jedi creed or her Master. Which Maul can obviously exploit.

Vario not realizing there's no reality where he survives this, but Maul is just letting him be useful until it's time to finally kill him.

"From a certain point of view" - by now you've probably realized that the Jedi and Sith are ultimately just working from the same playbook, just applied differently.

I love how Two-Boots is close enough to the family that Lawson's son asks about him.

"I'm...uh, free for dinner!" - Spoken like someone who knows the wife isn't 100% still in the picture. Honestly I feel like Lawson could carry his own show. "Tales of Security," coming soon to Disney+!

It feels like every Star Wars cartoon has a new design for the Pykes.

 

[Yojimbo]

Chapter 3 "Whispers in the Unknown” - April 13, 2026

As Maul's plans come together, Devon considers her options.

Chapter 4 "Pride and Vengeance” - April 13, 2026

A confrontation between Lawson and Maul threatens everyone.

 

[Yojimbo]

Chapter 3

Oh, man. Maul got into Devon's head. Abandoned by the system they defended. Deemed criminal. An unfulfilled destiny. Bitter. Angry.

I could see them using Vario as an unassuming bomber for this meet up.

Two-Boots is probably going to contact the Empire.

Fantastically devious visual to end chapter 3 with it fading black and seeing just that bit of Maul's face and eyes. So good!

Chapter 4

Ah, the ol' stowaway bit.

Oh! Tricked them with one of the henches. And there's goes Krim. Maul got another mob leader and assumed control of the Pykes through a puppet leader. So there's what Black Sun and the Hutts left on Maul's revenge list?

interesting. Offers Lawson a truce instead of straight up having his crew ambush the squad. That's why Maul didn't kill him at the police station. But of course, he can't accept the deal. And they are overwhelmed. Lawson's really going to be in trouble with the Chief.

Loved the ideological debate then the Sith vs. 2 Jedi battle format. So good! Use power to rule or use power to serve. Passive or aggressive. Taunting Daki the Jedi didn't learn their lesson post-Episode III and what their beliefs got them, on the run begging for handouts. Devon even had that look briefly.

Wonder if there's more to Daki. Old age? An illness he was hiding from Devon? Still, managed to get that kick in on the prosthetic leg - which Maul didn't like one bit.

Yep, Two-Boots contacted the Empire. Oh, boy. Spybot sure said it. Going by the trailer, two Inquisitors are on that cruiser. A new wrinkle in the plan.

 

[Frontier]

Darth Maul is a civilized Sith Lord who begins his corruption/getting to know you phase over tea. I'm oddly reminded of another Disney+ show that saw a Sith trying to corrupt/recruit a Padawan in the Acolyte (is Maul as hot as Manny Jacinto? I'll leave that up to you."

Devon has a strong sense of justice and tether to the Jedi way but she's angry and unsatisfied with where she's at and where the galaxy is, a Jedi who has lost her role and the status she feels she deserves. How can one maintain their ideals and fight for good when doing so is the hardest it's ever been and no one will reward her for it?

Not often you see Maul fighting one saber style, but it's good for practice fighting with his new Apprentice.

The Pykes have like the worst luck of any crime syndicate.

The real Maul would never get taken down by a stun bolt.

Do you know how much aura farming is in killing someone with a lightsaber they're literally holding?

If I had a nickel for every relationship ruined by the Empire, I'd have too many nickels. What are the odds that Lawson's ex-wife is on that Imperial Star Destroyer returning to her home planet and family so she can "help" with the transition to the Empire? Along with the Inquisitors, of course.

Vario is that one character who you can ultimately on trust to save his own skin but you kind of want to see how far that will take him in a show where multiple characters are probably looking for an excuse to kill him.

I've seen enough fiction to know the moment Lawson actually made it to his sons' game, he wasn't staying.

It's laudable of Devon and Daki to try to apprehend Maul and do the right thing as Jedi, even in a world that is hunting and trying to kill them for that status. But unless you're name is Obi-Wan, Anakin, or you're on the Jedi Council you don't stand a chance against Maul. Points for actually hitting him where it hurts in his mechanical leg, though, Daki.

If this were the Clone Wars, or even Rebels, the heroes' attempt to stop Maul might've worked or had an impact. But as it is they accomplished nothing other than losses on their side and proving they're totally out of their depth against Maul...heralding the arrival of the Empire. Because this isn't the kind of show where good triumphs over evil. It's good trying to survive while being surrounded by evil and often failing.

Should Lawson have taken the deal? Morally it wasn't the right thing, but in the grand scheme of things it might've been the only option they had that avoided needless bloodshed and the Empire showing up.

Sometimes I wonder if it's possible to have a truly equal and mutual friendship with a Droid when it 's someone you can deactivate when they do something you don't agree with. Then again, I guess Lawson could have used a stun bold if Two-Boots were human so it's not totally unfair.

Lawson will have to deal with his authority being undermined by the Empire, the Jedi AND Maul will have to deal with the Inquisitors hunting them. I imagine this will make for some strange bedfellows.

 

[Yojimbo]

Chapter 5 "Inquisition" - April 20, 2026

Captain Lawson faces a sobering new reality.

Chapter 6 "Night of the Hunted" - April 20, 2026

Pushed to their breaking point, our heroes have no choice but to run.

 

[Yojimbo]

Chapter 5

Everyone tries to lay low as expected. Lockdown. Survival mode.

We got Marrok so far. Creepy entrance.

Oof, the Jedi mind trick did not go so well.

Also finally, the mom.

Ah, the Jedi end up at Lawson's place, heh.

Chapter 6

Oldest trick. Let the mark go home and follow, hoping the other rats are there to roost. But oh boy, the Lawsons are fugitives now, too.

Ballsy to jack an imperial ship for the getaway car.

Do you see what you did now, Two-Boots?

Overall, fantastic chase and battles. Ooo, Maul with the save. Not only Devon but he also saved Rylee.

 

[Frontier]

Welcome to your new Imperial Occupation! Complete with Storm Trooper gestapo!

Dang, the Empire worked even faster than I expected in removing and "reassigning" Klyce the moment they walk into the station. Also Blake is such a quintessential stuffy, condescending, and controlling Imperial jerk.

It's just funny to me that the Empire is now on Janix but all Maul cares about is getting his Apprentice. Rook is becoming increasingly less and less satisfied with the situation and Maul's priorities. Also Vario, but nobody cares about him.

Daki is probably right that the smart thing is to get out of dodge and leave Maul and the Empire to deal with each other, even if Devon isn't satisfied with that or their life of constantly being on the run.

Poor Rylee. If my honorary Droid Uncle turned me away because of protocol while not explaining anything because he thinks everything is hunky-dory while also insinuating my dad might be in serious trouble...I wouldn't take it well either.

I'm sorry Rylee, your mom is going to be no help. She's drinking the Imperial Kool Aid and thinks everything will be solved by just following orders and doing what they tell you. And classic Imperial mom, ends up hanging up so she can get back to work and leaving her son in an emotional crisis. Oh and she's not surprised her ex-husband is proving a problem.

We learned an important lesson in this episode: the best way to overcome the Jedi Mind Trick is the buddy system!

Lawson was just trying to keep his nose clean and do the right thing and now he's got stuck babysitting Jedi and being a fugitive for a situation he didn't ask for. Though even if he's not happy about it...he'll still do everything he can to protect his son and, begrudgingly, the Jedi.

I like how the "dads" pair up with Daki and Lawson and the "kids" with Rylee and Devon. I would be shocked if Devon is not the first girl Rylee has ever had in his room.

I'm really curious how Rylee is going to process all this because as far as he's aware, the Empire are "good" but suddenly these Jedi show up and he and his dad end up fugitives. I feel like the thing keeping him from jumping ship is A. the Empire trying to kill him without due process, B. the Jedi seem like decent people, and C. Marrok is...Marrok.

I love the look on Maul's face when he sees an Inquisitor: "What paltry imitation of a Sith is this!?"

Don't mess with the Imperial Inquisition! Especially when the Inquisitors actually come off genuinely intimidating and competent when not fighting someone from the Clone Wars era! Nice use of an actually alive and not reanimated Night Sister corpse version of Marrok.

I honestly have to respect that despite his age and how his body is barely keeping together, Daki is really putting up a good fight.

I was hoping we'd get more context into Lawson and Rhee's relationship and they apparently really go way back. Like "owing each other our lives and loyalty" from their days pre-Janix. I also can't help but think there were periods where their relationship was less than platonic, something I think Rylee picks up on, though I'm curious how Lawson' marriage factored into it.

I hope Rhee manages to get away clean. She probably has a better chance than the main cast.

Is First Brother not already on the planet or is he going to come later? Or Vader sends him since Marrok informs him that Maul IS on the planet at the end.

Hard to argue the Empire is for the best when your best friend is now being hunted down by them and they immediately insult you, eh Two-Boots?

It's ironic that Marrok wasn't even here to kill Jedi, just hunt down Maul, and yet Maul arrives to save the Jedi Marrok has now pivoted to hunting. And we even them competing in dual-bladed sabers!

Welp, Devon is throwing in with Maul now...and so is Rylee. I'm sure this will end well!

 

[Yojimbo]

Chapter 7 "Call to the Oblivion" - April 27, 2026

As enemies close in, Maul is forced to make a stand.

Chapter 8 "The Creeping Fear" - April 27, 2026

A hasty escape plan proves dangerous, while an isolated Maul regroups.

 

[Yojimbo]

Woot, this show is firing on all cylinders.

Naturally, Maul knows Devon won't waver if Daki remains alive.

Amusing the 2 Inquisitors on this show are both later put down by Ahsoka. Well, Marrok was likely killed at some point first then brought back with Nightsister magick.

The cybernetic leg caught up to Maul. But still another great battle. Pity Scorn was a casualty. Since they seeded it earlier, no surprise those Mandalorians seized the chance to abandon everyone, only to get shot down and killed. But even Rook Kast has misgivings with his interest in Devon.

Seeing Maul down in the dumps, seeing a vision of his awful past, and... crying was definitely not on my bingo card. To see Maul isn't so infallible and we got a peek into his psyche, into his pain and anger -- you're rooting for this guy but then wait he's a Sith. Yet, he wants to defeat Sidious so he doesn't create another 'Maul' - a bit too late for that but certainly an interesting take on the Sith master and student dynamic and it's not really a conventional arc of a student wanting to become stronger than their master when it comes to Sidious and Maul.

Glad Two-Boots finally did the right thing and got Rylee out. Even droids can realize Imperial law is meant to keep the system in place, not to help people. "The deal is off." Oh snap moment was Daki Force throwing the speeder bike trooper into the ship.

Lot of nice details here and there like the lightsabers steam as the Inquisitors went past the waterfall.

Ah at last, Crimson Dawn and Dryden Vos. Looks like we might see when Maul takes over Crimson or at least seeding it.

 

[RoyalRubble]

Animation Scoop interview with Sam Witwer and Gideon Adleon.

 

[Frontier]

I love Dario acting all smug when he's basically just the groups' gopher at this point.

"Boy" - I mean, I guess Devon is an adult by Jedi standards (and maybe Twi'lek?).

Spy-Bot expecting Rylee to die. I can't get enough of this Droid! He and Chopper would be great friends.

Devon finally decides to stand and fight and in the process she prioritized fighting over protecting Rylee. Which got him taken. Not very Jedi like of her, even if understandable considering the circumstances.

I wasn't 100% sure if they killed the chief or not, but I guess we're going with that. Could Marrok have tortured her to death?

Does the mom know what's going on? Has she been informed by the Empire? Actually, knowing the Empire, they'd probably use/treat her like a criminal just for her relation to Lawson/Rylee.

Rook Kast is loyal to Maul as the Mandalore but the same isn't true for ALL the Mando's. Though it was convenient that the traitors who only cared about the money helpfully displayed how they couldn't get out of there via the ship by stealing it for themselves and dying!

I think the Storm Troopers actually hit/killed at least one guy! For them that's a huge achievement!

RIP Scorn. Zabrak brothers stick together and fight together, even if it gets them killed. Though I can't help but feel like Maul was getting bad flashbacks to Savage being killed in front of him there.

I know Maul is fighting with a bad leg, but Marrok and Eleventh Brother held their own against him farrrrr better than they did against Ahsoka. I can't help but wonder if that's some Dave Filoni favoritism there.

So I see we're getting the Sith equivalent of a Force Vision Quest, which in true Sith fashion means doubling down on their tragic backstories and all the pain that fuels them and their ability to use the Dark Side, complete with the origin of Darth Maul.

I guess they couldn't do a Maul show without at least one appearance by KENOBI, although imagine if Obi-Wan had come in bisecting Maul with a "Hello There!" It's cool they got Ewan McGregor in there if only for a grunt.

I'm glad bootless Two-Boots came through.

It's cool Sam Witwer got to reprise Sidius (and do a lot of Darth Sidious cackles), got to play young Maul, AND got to play young Savage Opress all in the same episode!

Anakin/Ahsoka would approve of Devon's method of stealing a vehicle and escaping with it (and beating up the people who legally owned it, but what can you do?).

Dang, some of those Speeder Bike deaths were graphic.

It's interesting how Maul at first rejected his younger self but then became...consoling towards young Maul? And validating his quest for revenge in a fashion as that he's doing it so Sidius can never do what he did to Maul ever again. It's probably the closest Maul could ever get to something genuinely heroic.

It's funny how Maul came in almost exactly as they started asking if he was going to turn up.

Dario finally contributes something meaningful which is a connection to Crimson Dawn, thus beginning Maul's connection to them.

 

[Yojimbo]

Chapter 9 "Strange Allies" - May 4, 2026

Trust is tested as newly forged allies navigate the only way out.

Chapter 10 "The Dark Lord" - May 4, 2026 (Season Finale)

One last test, one last chance to escape and survive.

 

[Yojimbo]

Oooo, what a great season finale! Sneaky of them to keep the season finale title a secret. That would have totally given away Vader's appearance ahead of the premiere. Vader made another epic entrance, almost like out of a horror movie.

Sad to see Spybot go. But we have some sorta ambiguous deaths for Lawson, Rook, and Marrok so who knows maybe 1 or some will show up in season 2. I doubt Lawson is dead. Rook, idk, that didn't sound good but if we don't see a body...

Wow, so this was how Maul first encountered Vader and no clue who he was. But yeah, they really leaned into the power Vader was wielding and just how terrifying it is when he's hunting you down but thank goodness for old unstable jungle ruins.

RIP Daki. We all knew Maul was gonna betray them somehow.

Also, we seemingly find out how Dryden Vos is going to become leader of Crimson Dawn with Maul as the real leader. Vos wanted to make a deal to smuggle them out of Janix in exchange for Maul taking out the current leader. Sounds about right.

But the big one, Devon decided to cross that line and accepted Maul's offer at last. Can't wait for season 2!

 

[RoyalRubble]

AWN article about this being Lucasfilm Animation’s most challenging show".

 

[Frontier]

AWN article about this being Lucasfilm Animation’s most challenging show".

And yet they knocked it out of the park .

 

[wonderfly]

The News Team's Magmaster12 has a new review up on the front page of AnimeSuperhero.com:

"Review: “Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord”: Same Old Maul, But New Intrigue"​

"It had been 8 years since the 2016 Han Solo movie came out. When it was announced we would be getting a new Darth Maul, I was imagining a follow-up on Solo’s tease involving Darth Maul and the Crimson Dawn, expanding on what Maul was doing during the Empire. However, that is not what we got. Instead, what we have is essentially another season of the Clone Wars Cartoon in a similar vein to the Bad Batch.

Upon first glance, I was kind of bored by this series, as it focuses on Police Procedure on the Planet Janix, investigating a robbery committed by Darth Maul’s followers. I found the stuff with Officer Brander Lawson to be pretty boring, nothing more than another Police Procedure taking time away from Maul. However, as the series goes on and we get more involvement of his son, and the Jedi he is protecting, I found myself wishing they would go back to his storyline, as Maul’s devolved into a bizarre spiritual journey that went nowhere."

Read the full review here.