Spoiler alert: This article contains major spoilers and details from the ‘Star Wars: Maul-Shadow Lord’ series. Reader discretion is advised if you haven’t seen it yet.‘Star Wars: Maul-Shadow Lord’ continues to deliver drama, action and more with episodes 3 and 4. These episodes were picked up immediately after the events of the first two episodes. Maul has yet to assert his dominance as a crime lord, and these episodes advance that project in significant ways. At the end of episode 4, however, the stakes have changed dramatically with the introduction of a new threat that complicates the situation for all of Janix.
What happens in ‘Star Wars: Maul-Shadow Lord’ episodes 3 and 4
Maul’s main focus is rebuilding his criminal empire. His journey leads him to the Pykes, whose leader he kills, and brings him one step closer to his overall goal. Along with this, he continues his attempts to win over Devon, one of the new survivors of Star Wars’ Order 66, as a potential apprentice.Meanwhile, Lawson remained steadfast in his mission to bring Maul to justice, as did Devon’s master, Daki. This sets the stage for a major confrontation in the closing moments of Episode 4, as Janix’s law enforcement clashed with Maul’s forces.Despite Maul’s best efforts to resolve things peacefully, Lawson could not bring himself to make a deal with the former Sith. What followed was a massive shootout, a lightsaber battle between Maul, Daki, and Devon, Two-Boots’ betrayal, and the arrival of the show’s true villain: The Empire.
The coming of the empire and what it means
Two-Boots’ betrayal of Lawson sees the droid follow his ingrained protocol and call upon the Empire, something Lawson desperately wanted to avoid. Episode 4 ends with the rise of the Imperial March as a Star Destroyer enters Janix’s atmosphere.Crucially, the Empire’s presence is as bad for Maul as it is for Lawson. Maul wants to avoid Imperial jurisdiction on Janix so that his plans can proceed unhindered. He is not yet ready to challenge the Empire and wants to keep quiet until he is. Lawson, on the other hand, has no love for the Empire and wants to bring Maul without the Empire’s interference squeezing his planet. This shared enmity gives Maul and Lawson something in common, making the Imperials the true main villain of the show.
Is Devon closer to joining Maul?
Episodes 3 and 4 followed Maul’s efforts to recruit Devon as his new apprentice. He believes that he is able to help defeat Darth Sidious in the final game. In episode 3, he somewhat takes over, forcing Devon to take on his rage in order to defeat him in battle. Maul could have killed Devon several times during their fight, but chose not to, making it clear that he still has plans for him.Episode 4 Devon met Daki, saved his life and left with his master. However, Maul tries to convince Devon that he is not the total badass the Jedi thought he was, and his attempts to recruit him are far from over.
How can Maul defeat the Empire?
With the Empire present and Maul still without an apprentice, the Imperial question turns to how he can free himself from Janix. Trailers for the show have already teased clashes between Maul and various Star Wars Inquisitors. The surest way forward involves eliminating the Inquisitors, potentially with the help of Devon and Daki, while he continues to build his criminal empire in the background.
