- Created by Dave Filoni
- Developed by Dave Filoni and Matt Michnovetz
- Based on Star Wars by George Lucas
- April 6, 2026 to present
- Disney+
Voice Cast
- Maul-Sam Witwer
- Devon Izara-Gideon Adlon
- Det. Brander Lawson-Wagner Moura
- Two-Boots-Richard Ayoade
- Master Eeko-Dio-Daki-Dennis Haysbert
- Looti Vario-Chris Diamantopoulos
- Rylee Lawson-Charlie Bushnell
- Rook Kast-Vanessa Marshall
- Spybot-David W. Collins
- Marg Krim-Stephen Stanton
- Police Chief Klyce-Keiko Agena
- Rheena Su-Pamela Adlon
So here we are at the third and fourth episodes of Star Wars: Maul-Shadow Lord. I have my issues with them. Can this show build upon its basic foundations?
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Maul continues exacting revenge and consolidating his power.
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Chapter 3: Whispers in the Unknown
- Directed by Steward Lee
- Written by Julia Cooperman
- April 13, 2026
Maul works to turn Devon while a rift grows between Lawson and Two-Boots over whether or not to call the Empire to help with their investigation.
There is a mix of good and bad in Chapter 3: Whispers in the Unknown. Aside from a cool title that references nothing about the episode, it is feeling like a bit of a contrivance how often and conveniently Lawson’s work takes him away from his responsibilities as a father. Here Two-Boots reminds Lawson of Riley’s big game so Lawson makes his way to it. He is there long enough for two things to happen with the first being to disappoint his child when he gets called away.
The other is to have a suspicious (to a cop) talk with Eeko-Dio-Daki who pops on over to the game. All their talk does is let Lawson know his investigation will take him to places he is unprepared for. This Jedi master does more to wet Lawson’s appetite than he does to warn him away. As a scene it expands on nothing other than to show Lawson prioritizes work over family and let us know his estranged wife works for the Empire.
There’s a growing tension between Lawson and Two-Boots. Two-Boots is pushing harder here to bring in Imperial help for the investigation going so far as to go over Lawson’s head to Chief Klyce who kicks the droid to desk duty. Their screentime ends with Two-Boots placing some stuff in front of a picture of the duo in happier times. I liked the pairing and their banter. I hope this does not become a thing.
Maul spends his time speaking menacingly with Izara. That is about it. Cannot tell if he implanted any doubts. I chuckled a little bit when they were fighting and Maul stated she was one of the few Jedi to survive. REALLY?! I’m not sure how many Jedi there were but given the number that have shown up over the TV shows, I found his line unintentionally funny. We get at least one a series.
I had hoped the scene between the pair would be a little more philosophical and more discussion oriented. It opens with Maul offering. What we got wasn’t bad but it lacked bite. Far too vague and not pointed enough. The only noticeable moment was when Maul vaguely alluded to feeding her master and they made a point of showing her reaction. Slaughter of friends and the ending of a comfortable and stable was not enough to stir emotion in her but getting a meal was? There was plenty to be upset over.
Vario in small doses is fine but the more we see the less I can believe he is an effective criminal. He is too spineless and fearful to do much serious crime. Due to the action against the Pykes he is prominent here but the character is undermining the credibility of the story.
I am not coming down entirely on this episode. The Lawson storyline is growing on me. I thought that was the best part of the show. I just wish they would not fall into the now cliché trope of the unintentionally negligent parent. Lawson is an interesting cop character, and he looks to be one of the few Star Wars characters ever that looks at droids as relatively equal rather than something closer to a slave class or talking furniture. Build on his positives.
Chapter 3: Whispers in the Unknown was a bit of an upturn. A little more substantive at least when they stepped outside of the Maul stuff. It could’ve been better but it wasn’t bad.
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Chapter 4: Pride and Vengeance
- Directed by Nathaniel Villanueva
- Written by Amanda Rose Muñoz
- April 13, 2026
Maul attempts to make a deal with Lawson.
I must say that Chapter 4: Pride and Vengeance opens cool having some good lightsaber action mixed with a clever though almost expected bait-and-switch on the part of Maul. It is part of a rather audacious plot to not only take back the Pyke portion of his criminal empire but get a little revenge. Very action focused like the entirety of the episode.
The Two-Boots/Lawson story gets a bit more intense for the pair. Despite showing an inclination to treat droids as something intelligent rather than the general disregard that is shown, Lawson hits Two-Boots’ off switch when he once again tries to call the Empire though that effort ultimately proves pointless. I hate to say it but intentionally or not they show Two-Boots wanting to get the Empire involved is the right call for them.
Lawson leads a raid (sans Two-Boots) after learning Maul’s location. I know some time has passed since Jedi were in prominence, but I would think some cultural memory would survive and he would get just how bad of an idea it is to go against a Force user. He may not know Maul but the sword should be a clue. The scene does extend the action of the episode while also moving the story of the series forward.
Pride and Vengeance shows Lawson has a near obsession with handling things himself. Yes the Empire is bad but the man is clearly in over his head. He does everything he can to keep things quiet and fails miserably each time. Lawson and Maul had a nice back-and-forth during the raid. Maul was quite prepared for it and offered Lawson a deal. He would behave on Janix if Maul calls off the investigation.
The tension is palpable by the episode’s end between Two-Boots and Lawson. Yet they manage to not be at a point where it would be improbable that they could reconcile. The duo is really growing on me.
Chapter 4: Pride and Vengeance is limited on story while being heavy on action leaving little to discuss. Not complaining since I did enjoy myself but I did want more.
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I am enjoying myself so far. I can’t say I think Star Wars: Maul-Shadow Lord is great Star Wars, but it is a good Star Wars. It’s exciting and nice to look at. The story seems to be picking up though I am left with the feeling that this like Season One of Ahsoka should have been a movie.
Warren Watched A Movie 