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“Star Wars: Maul — Shadow Lord” emerges as a seamless evolution in the Star Wars animated saga, propelling its visual narrative to unprecedented heights. This series, with its concise format akin to “Tales of the Jedi,” focuses on the enigmatic Maul, who has become a quintessential figure in the animated Star Wars universe. The series showcases dynamic choreography and breathtaking lighting, reflecting the seasoned skills of Lucasfilm Animation. However, its thematic essence closely mirrors a live-action series on Disney+ that was prematurely canceled.
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The series in question is “Star Wars: The Acolyte.” Despite its challenges, including uneven production quality and an initial set of episodes that failed to captivate audiences, the latter half of the series boasted standout moments. Although its cancellation seemed inevitable, the passage of time has allowed fans to appreciate its strengths while overlooking its shortcomings. (And for critics still dwelling on its flaws, perhaps it’s time to express those thoughts elsewhere in the vast expanse of the internet.)
Fortunately, the core narrative of “The Acolyte,” which delves into the intricacies of master-apprentice dynamics and the transmission of personal philosophies, continues to resonate within “Maul.”
“The Acolyte” centers on characters eager to impress their ideologies upon their pupils, seeking to cement their intellectual or spiritual legacy. The series’ villain, the Stranger, portrayed by Manny Jacinto, is driven by a desire to find a disciple, hoping to earn recognition as a master. Meanwhile, Jedi Master Sol, played by Lee Jung-jae, is consumed by his longing for a true apprentice, challenging the Jedi teachings of detachment.
In the opening episodes of “Maul — Shadow Lord,” this theme is prominently explored. Maul, voiced by Sam Witwer, is once again on a quest for an apprentice. His journey of mentorship began when his brother Savage rescued him from madness in “The Clone Wars,” only to be cut short by Darth Sidious, who killed Savage. Maul then turned to Ahsoka Tano, attempting to lure her to the dark side. Even in “Star Wars Rebels,” an older Maul persists in his search for a disciple. Now, in his own series, he sets his sights on a young Jedi fugitive, Devon Izara, played by Gideon Adlon.
Maul — Shadow Lord and The Acolyte are about the same thing
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“The Acolyte” is all about characters who want to impress their own specific ideologies onto a pupil, thereby securing their own intellectual and/or spiritual heredity. The show’s antagonist, known as the Stranger (Manny Jacinto), is obsessed with this idea — desperate to find an acolyte of his own so that he might be recognized as a master in his own right. For Jedi Master Sol (Lee Jung-jae), the desire for a true protégé is almost a corrupting force, leading him away from the no-connection teachings of the Jedi.
In the first two episodes of “Maul — Shadow Lord,” that same idea is front and center. Maul (Sam Witwer) wishes to find an apprentice too, and not for the first time. After being rescued from a life of madness by his brother Savage in “The Clone Wars,” Maul becomes his master. After Darth Sidious hunts them down and murders Savage, Maul tries to seduce Ahsoka Tano to the dark side in his place. Even in “Star Wars Rebels,” an older Maul is still determined to find a novitiate. So it’s no surprise that he’s doing the same in his own show, targeting a young Jedi on the run named Devon Izara (Gideon Adlon).
Why the fixation on apprenticeship? Because in both the Jedi and Sith doctrines, it is the ultimate sign of mastery. Despite his rage against his former master, Palpatine, Maul still seems beholden to a certain dogma that demands he pass on his own ideals in order for them to be properly legitimized.
Star Wars has always been about mastery and apprenticeship
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Since 1977, this has been the story of Star Wars. Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader fight over Luke’s soul throughout the original trilogy, not just because of a desire to claim him, but because of what his devotion would mean for their own legacies. Maul, perhaps more than any other Star Wars character, is obsessed with the idea of legacy. He believes he was meant to be at Palpatine’s side when he conquered the galaxy, and he hates that he was cast aside so easily. Training a successor is the only real way he can continue to believe in his own ongoing significance as time continues to pass him by.
These foundational thematic parallels — what George Lucas might describe as “rhyming” — is a core facet of Star Wars. And while “The Acolyte” will never get a chance to continue the intriguing threads laid out at the end of its sole season, part of the fun of being a fan is getting to lay one story on top of another and see the ways they continue to speak to each other.
New episodes of “Maul — Shadow Lord” — which finally makes good on an eight-year-old Star Wars promise – drop every Monday on Disney+.