Every time an episode of Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord lands, Fantha Tracks will be giving their responses, and here are our initial gut feelings, deep dives and thoughts on episodes three and four of season one, ‘Whispers in the Unknown’ & ‘Pride & Vengeance’. Beware of spoilerific elements in here.
Daniel Lo
Screenwriter Matt Michnovetz described Janix as “untouched by the Empire. It’s got a functioning democracy and law enforcement doing a good job of policing their own community. It’s a rich environment for crime and gangsters, but so far there’s been a very peaceful accord between all of them in the interest of business.” Since the show had already opened with a robbery, we never fully get to see this. After the third and fourth episodes of Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord, that door now seems closed forever.
In the first week’s review, I had mentioned that the dynamic between Maul and Devon reminded me of Palpatine and Anakin: a dark force user playing a long game in order to manipulate a young Jedi. That barge appears to have sailed as well. Maul likely lacks Palpatine’s finesse, while Devon may be a bigger skeptic than Anakin. Surviving Order 66 would do that to anyone.
Within these two episodes, Maul makes quick work of the Pykes and places a new puppet boss in charge, Devon escapes and reunites with her master, and the Empire finally shows up. We also get a couple of lightsaber duels, of which the outcome of the second still isn’t clear. How badly hurt is Daki? The power balance between Maul and the Empire is also unclear. Surely whatever a Star Destroyer can do is insignificant next to the power of the Force? Then again, Maul is currently “hurt“, too.
If I had to choose one scene that felt out of place, I would go with Lawson’s appearance at his son’s game only to be promptly called away again. This makes for a disappointed Rylee when he notices his dad is gone, but so far the younger Lawson doesn’t play an obvious enough role to guess how consequential that is.
The show is still dark and gritty. For me this means that as an animated show, it remains much more engaging. At this point, I’m left with no reason to think this might change. So far so good, but why does Two Boots need to blink?
Melissa T.Miller
Episodes 3-4 move the story along at just the right pace. I’m eager to get to the finale but actually glad it’s broken up into an hour a week so I am forced to take my time. There’s a lot to like in these episodes, from big and thematic to small and quirky. I loved the tension and inevitable break between Lawson and Two-Boots that leads to the Empire riding in at the last moment. The idea that once they arrive on Janix, they will never leave is a daunting one – as it’s meant to be. Finding out that Lawson’s ex is Imperial feels like something that will come back around as well. Did they split because of political ideology? I want to know!
Smaller, non-story beats intrigued me as well and kept my eyes on the screen. I want to see more of the lacrosse-like sports game that Riley plays. Jedi Master Eeko-Dio reminds me of the aliens from Independence Day, an all-time great movie. When I saw that Episode 4 is called “Pride and Vengeance,” I hoped for some small Jane Austen easter egg but didn’t pick up on any.
I assume it’s been done before, but I didn’t know or remember that Maul’s two-bladed lightsaber can come apart and operate separately. And watching a red vs red lightsaber battle is rare, so even if Maul was taking it easy on Devon, I loved it. I could hear the echoes of every Sith we’ve seen on screen, tempting Jedi to give in to their darker emotions. It is a truth universally acknowledged that a Master must be in want of an apprentice, but who will win Devon’s soul?
Eric Onkenhout
Episodes 3 and 4 of Maul – Shadow Lord dropped this week, and despite the name of the series, it’s about more than just Maul’s character. Captain Brander Lawson is a shadow of Maul in that, like Maul, he lets his pride rule his decisions. While Lawson might be right in that if the Empire does arrive, they won’t leave, but he uses that as an excuse to apprehend Maul under his command. Where this pride comes from hasn’t been fully revealed yet, but Two-Boots mentioned Lawson’s ex-wife is an Imperial, so there could be something there. Of the two episodes, one of the things that stood out to me the most was how Two-Boots said “authority” to Lawson. This tells me that even Two-Boots, a police droid, has the wherewithal to sense that there’s something going on with Lawson that he’s not telling. That is something to watch for in future episodes.
Speaking of cracks, it’s not hard to see that Maul’s words are having an effect on Devon. She’s feisty, and Maul sees that and is using that to manipulate/groom Devon into joining him. While Daki and Maul exchange words about the difference between living and surviving, it’s evident in her face that she doesn’t disagree with what Maul is saying. But while she’s fighting to keep Maul’s words from making sense, Devon is also remembering her Jedi training. She’s been taught compassion and patience her whole life up to now, but the current state of the galaxy is making it quite difficult for her to maintain that level of Jedi-ness. Her scream during her earlier fight with Maul was a telling sign. That scream wasn’t anger, it was frustration because she knows Maul is right, from a certain point of view.
And then there’s Maul. Former Sith? I’m not sure how one can go from being a Sith to not without complete redemption but as far as I’m concerned, Maul is still a Sith. He can tell himself whatever he wants, believe whatever he wants, but Maul is still a Darth Maul. In fact, Maul lies to himself just like Lawson lies to himself. They are two sides of the same coin: criminal and law enforcement. Both are fighting their own demons. Maul manipulates Devon the same way Sidious manipulated Maul. Join me, and we will defeat the Emperor. Where have we heard that before?
Maul – Shadow Lord is beautifully created. I mean, this is top-notch animation. The way the lightsabers blur when being swung around at velocity isn’t just super cool, it’s so detailed and clear, it’s nothing short of astonishing. But Maul – Shadow Lord doesn’t rely on its looks alone; it has brains and personality. There’s depth, and we’re only four episodes in, with six to go, plus another season. This series has the potential to have deep implications for years to come. Definitely a keeper.
Greg McLaughlin
At the risk of overstating it, we’ve most likely just all witnessed one of the most iconic, most discussed tea times, since Alice, a rabbit and the fellow with the hat sat down. It was interesting that Maul could almost step back and analyze how he was perceived, and how he could compartmentalize it. ‘Would you like me to be that person? I am capable.’
There was so much to love in that dialog between him and Devon, that to be honest, kind of made the Devon-Daki reunion seem a bit one dimensional, as he and his newly freed padawan discuss if and how they should get involved.
To be fair, besides Obi-Wan and Yoda, we haven’t seen too many other remaining Jedi Masters, so it is interesting to see how they try to not only survive, but find their place in the universe and move forward.
It made me return to the scene from Star Wars Rebels when Ezra meets a vision of Master Yoda. He asks for help on how to win against the Darth Vader and the Empire. ‘Win? How Jedi choose to win, the question is.’
Although I don’t feel that Master Daki has long to live in this series, I am really curious how these conversations between our Jedi pair will go. Maul seems to have made some arguments to Devon that are sticking. I think the tension will only continue to ratchet up there.
Lastly, you can still tell that Maul is carrying his quest for revenge and to right the wrongs done to him. If I can though go back to Rebels one more time, Obi-Wan’s dressing down of Maul also starts to resonate a little more: ‘If you define yourself by your power to take life, desire to dominate, to posses, then you have nothing.’
Paul Naylor
By the end of these two episodes, Maul’s power play on Janix is interrupted by the arrival of the Galactic Empire. But plenty happens prior…
In Whispers in the Unknown, psychological tension and horror is in play as Maul begins “training” Order 66 survivor, Devon Izara. Maul manipulates Devon into accessing the Dark Side to escape her holding cell. He positions himself as a tragic mentor, bonding with her over their shared trauma caused by Darth Sidious.
In a sequence reminiscent of a horror movie, Maul stalks Devon through his hideout in the shadows. He eventually forces her into a duel where she wields one of his own lightsabers. Maul’s syndicate, aided by Rook Kast, targets the Pyke Syndicate. They use their captive, Vario, to set up a meeting with Pyke leader Marg Krim, allowing Maul to consolidate his criminal grip.
Detective Brander Lawson is shown struggling with his priorities. He misses his son’s “botekin” game to pursue Maul, highlighting his obsession with justice at the cost of his family.
In Pride and Vengeance, the stakes escalate from a criminal turf war to a full-scale Imperial occupation. Maul attempts to bribe Lawson, offering to keep the Empire away from Janix if the local law enforcement ignores his activities.
Lawson refuses, leading to a massive shootout between the police and Maul’s crew. A major three-way lightsaber battle occurs between Maul, Devon, and Jedi Master Daki, reminiscent of the legendary clash at the end of The Phantom Menace.
Maul pushes Devon to tap into her rage, nearly breaking her. Fan theories suggest Devon may be on a path to becoming Darth Talon. The droid Two-Boots, following its core programming despite Lawson’s orders, calls in the Empire, with the episode ending with the dramatic appearance of an Imperial Star Destroyer eclipsing the city, accompanied by a familiar, menacing score.
Yet another two great episodes, with the sort of cliffhanger that lands – leaving you wanting to know more. Who will be on that Star Destroyer? Vader? Thrawn? The Emperor? Time will tell…
Ross Hollebon
Like the flames in the introduction’s lettering to each episode, there is a majesty engulfed in the terror and mayhem of Maul. His ceremonial approach to preparing the cassius tea, while luring Devon to “his” side of his story, is beautiful. It evolves into his posture and movements as they begin a lightsaber duel—continuing his Sith shadowing of the padawan’s mind. Maul is menacing in the shadows—a Star Wars version of an Edgar Allan Poe tortured anti-hero.
In episodes 3 and 4 there is a constant push and pull amongst the audible dissonance and whispers sneaking through Maul’s veil of shadows. It creeps into the relationship between Captain Lawson and Two-Boots, suffocating the space between protocol and doing what is “right,” and Janix’s Tactical Defense Force and Imperial occupation. It further divides the Pykes and Looti Vario’s syndicate as the Dathomirian continues his path of punishment to those he was betrayed by.
Devon and Daki became more important in these episodes but only to ignite the star and allow him to steal every lightsaber scene with his Sunday stroll coming across like Vader fluidly slicing through rebels aboard the Tantive IV. Even more Maul, please.
Sander de Lange looks at all the reveals and easter eggs in Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord – The Guide: Chapter 3 ‘Whispers in the Unknown’
Sander de Lange looks at all the reveals and easter eggs in Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord – The Guide: Chapter 4 ‘Pride & Vengeance’
Hear Mark Newbold and Mark Mulcaster discuss Chapters Three and Four of season one on Making Tracks Reaction Chat: Maul – Shadow Lord Episodes 3 & 4
Watch Brian Cameron and Paul Naylor discuss episodes 3 and 4 on Your Weekly Star Wars News Recap For 24th April 2026 | Good Morning Tatooine
