Darth Maul is Officially Back & Better Than Ever

The following contains spoilers for Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord Season 1, Episode 1, "Chapter 1: The Dark Revenge"

Darth Maul is one of the most popular characters in all of Star Wars. He made his franchise debut in Star Wars: Episode 1 — The Phantom Menace and quickly became a fan favorite. Darth Maul would apparently perish in his premiere film, before being posthumously revived in the Star Wars: The Clone Wars television show. Once again, Maul hastily became one of the most beloved characters on the show.

Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord covers the former SIth in the direct downfall of the Jedi empire. Fans might know Maul's ultimate fate as of Star Wars: Rebels, but this series will likely connect the dots between Maul's animated series' appearances. Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord's premiere episode offers a surprisingly strong start for the franchise, and many fans are readily tuned in to see what their favorite former Sith might do to seek revenge.

Maul's Television Return Is Very Promising, With Some Slight Drawbacks

The Animation and Art Style is Perfect for the Former Sith

Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord Episode 1, is an overall promising start to what could be the decade's most popular Star Wars animated series. The episode highlights many of the series' apparent highlights, including an improved art style, quick pacing, and concise, but integral action. The overall animation is reused from previous series like The Bad Batch and Star Wars: The Clone Wars Season 8, but has been given a clear stylistic overhaul. The backgrounds and many of the finer details have been obscured to offer a more intense and dynamic viewing experience.

Like previous Star Wars series, the series also demonstrates that a good deal of its more subtle storytelling will be conveyed with the lighting. The way the light bounces and reflects off each character is almost as important as key dialogue or action sequences. Maul must balance his thirst for revenge on those who wronged him without fully giving himself away to the Empire. This conflict is demonstrated through the episodes' lighting as well as through the incredible dialogue.

That is not to say Episode 1 is without its flaws. The premiere begins with Maul leading what remains of the Shadow Collective as he attempts to get even with everyone who has profited after his disappearance. The episode does a fantastic job highlighting all the important players, and an even better job showing them in action. Nonetheless, the episode blatantly ignores one of the characters' biggest flaws.

The brief sequences of Maul using his lightsaber are enough to indicate the former Sith is more capable than ever. However, his new greatest weapon comes in the form of his undeniably capable, but ridiculously small organization. Yet, Maul clearly doesn't see any of these players as equals. Episode 1 leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to explaining Maul's overall plan. The audience feels just as left in the dark as the rest of the Shadow Collective, and likely isn't going to work well for the series or its fans.

Each New Character is Surprisingly Charismatic and Entertaining

Even the Droids Perfectly Fall into Place

Easily one of the biggest positives of the new animated series is its brilliant and charismatic cast of characters. Each member of the Shadow Collective gets a relatively small individual screen time, but they are each given a plethora of personality. Equally, entertaining are the members of the police force chasing them across Janix. Brander Lawson, played by Emmy-winning Wagner Moura, is joined by the witty and comedic titan, Richard Ayoade, who plays Lawson's droid companion Two-Boots. The pair carry nearly every scene where Maul is not involved.

Another of the most compelling pairs of the series comes from the mysterious Jedi, voiced by Dennis Haysbert. The talented actor has previously starred in popular movies and series like Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Kung Fu Panda 2, and The Unit. His interactions with his likely padawan, played by Gideon Adlon, highlight another equally mysterious figure who will likely play a huge part in the upcoming series. She might already be another's Padawan, but the episode makes it clear that she could become Maul's apprentice by the end of the series.

Outside the characters, the series' action is its clear highlight. The franchise is clearly very intentional with what it shows and doesn't show. The series' has had plenty of action, but it is clearly reserving lightsaber to lightsaber combat for later in the series'. At this point, Dave Filoni clearly knows what the fans want and is willing to deliver, at least sometimes. Each of the premieres, small skirmishes are expertly choreographed and hint at the larger series' epic potential.

Maul is Eager to Make His Place in the Ever-Changing Galaxy

The Former Sith Lord Seeks an Apprentice to Help Him Achieve His Goals

All in all, Episode 1 is a relatively strong start to what could become the most popular Star Wars show of the decade. The Bad Batch was fantastic, but it slowly began to fall through as the series progressed. Hopefully, Maul can continue building on Episode 1's momentum, and then maintain that energy for the remainder of the series. Unfortunately, recent Star Wars series have a history of blatant cancellation, but that could change now that Kathleen Kennedy is no longer at the helm.

Maul is one of the most interesting characters in all of Star Wars media. He has appeared in almost every single animated series since Dave Filoni first resurrected him and is clearly a staple of the animated franchise. The fact that he has his own series now means that Filoni clearly has a plan for him in mind, whether the direction is good or not. The series clearly has a lot going for it, but the fact that it takes place in such a tumultuous era for the franchise has already drawn the ire of several fans.

Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord Season 1, Episode 1, is certainly worth the watch. It has the most potential for a premiere out of any animated Star Wars series, but the overall direction leaves something to be desired. At this point, Maul has made his entire purpose revenge, and that can become somewhat overdone after several animated series. Yet, many fans have held out hope that Filoni has at least somewhat of an interesting idea planned for Maul. The series can't contradict either Star Wars: The Clone Wars or Star Wars: Rebels, but that could ultimately work to the new series' benefit.