Maul’s plans continue to set in motion in Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord Chapters 3 and 4.
Things are picking up with Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord Chapters 3 and 4. Maul and his shadow collective are slowly gaining their control of power back. Furthermore, we get to know a little more of our young beggar.
Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers about the episode. Read at your own risk.
Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord Chapters 3 and 4: “Whispers in the Unknown” and “Pride and Vengeance”
After the events from the previous chapters, the young beggar breaks free from her prison thanks to her connection to the force. She is redirected by her captors to a waiting Maul. He continues to persuade the young beggar that they are both the same, but she does not bite. She ignites Maul’s lightsaber, but he is unfazed. Maul continues to manipulate, using the dark to his advantage, as he seeks to exploit the young beggar’s vulnerabilities and draw her deeper into his schemes.
Back at the police precinct, Lawson is slowly connecting the dots of Maul’s involvement in their planet. Additionally, Two-boots humorously praises Lawson for his “deviant connections” and reminds him that he needs to go to his son, Rylee’s, game.
Two-boots and other law enforcement troops gather intel that a Pyke syndicate shipment is on schedule, which they infiltrate. Just when they are going to put the Pykes in custody, Rook Kast and other followers of Maul ambush them. Two-boots attempts to apprehend them, but they escape.
A lawman’s duty
The older beggar from before approaches Lawson at his son’s game. His name is Daki, and he asks Lawson of her niece’s whereabouts. Both cannot come to an answer, but they agree that Maul is an extremely dangerous individual that must be stopped. Lawson knows of the attack on the Pyke shipment and leaves. Rylee, after scoring a point, discovers his father left, expressing disappointment.
At the shipment docks, Two-boots assures Lawson that it is fine but must follow protocol and report it to the Empire. Lawson disagrees and continues to argue that bringing the Empire to their planet brings more harm than good. Two-Boots replies that Lawson may be avoiding his former wife, as she is a member of the Empire. Lastly, Lawson orders Two-Boots that the conversation is over and his decision not to call the Empire is firm and final. We witness Lawson’s pride and honor as a lawman on display; it makes us root for him to get the job done on his terms.
Lord Maul – Manipulator and Tactician
The Shadow Collective ambushes the Pykes by making them believe Maul to be their prisoner. They fall for it after one of their allies pretends to be like Maul, showing movements similar to him. Moreover, just as the Pykes seem to claim victory, the real Maul arrives and slaughters the Pyke leader. He assigns the second-in-command to be in charge but to answer to him.
We are already aware that Maul is one of the best lightsaber wielders. But, through years of experience from the Clone Wars to now, we also see him improve his tactical skills, allowing him to execute more complex strategies in battle and outmaneuver his opponents. After persuading the young beggar, Maul finally knows her name. Devon, the young Jedi whom Maul senses is done hiding, uses her anger as a way to introduce her to the dark side.
The manipulation and field tactics from Maul continue, as he successfully lures Lawson and his troops to a secluded place. He offers Lawson a deal, his protection in exchange for turning a blind eye to his criminal operations. Lawson, the honorable man that he is, refuses. We see a trend here: Maul keeps getting turned down every time he offers a deal.
Daki and Devon discover where Maul is hiding, and we get a call back here from The Phantom Menace as Maul readies his iconic battle stance once again against two Jedi, a master and an apprentice. Again, like poetry, it rhymes. Maul overpowers Daki, injuring him, but keeps Devon on the side, not hurting her too much. Devon protects her master, bravely facing Maul. But we all know Maul is holding back here. He escapes as reinforcements from Lawson arrive.
A familiar march
After the conflict, Two-boots approaches Lawson. They apologize to one another, with Two-boots informing Lawson that it contacted the Empire. A Star Destroyer looms over the planet, and we get tunes of the iconic Imperial March. Things just got more complicated for Maul and Lawson.
Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord Chapters 3 and 4 thoughts
This week’s batch of chapters continue to pick up where it left off. We kind of see a slow burn here; some questions now have an answer. Like, Devon and her master Daki being Jedi survivors from Order 66. Maul, regaining control of the Pykes. The big elephant in the room now is, how is the Empire going to handle this situation from now on?
Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord Chapters 3 and 4 are now available to stream on Disney+.
