Synopsis: In Strange Allies & The Dark Lord, Maul is forced into an uneasy alliance with the Jedi as they attempt to flee the Inquisitors and a certain Sith Lord.
The Story
Picking up from last week’s episode, Maul is contacted by Dryden Vos, who offers him a way off-world. In exchange, Vos wants Maul’s help overthrowing the current leader of Crimson Dawn. With little choice, Maul agrees, but must first figure out how to reach the arranged rendezvous point.
Using the Force, Maul reaches out to Devon. She awakens believing it to be a dream, but quickly realises it’s a message. Her master, Daki, deciphers it and informs Devon, Captain Lawson, and the rest of the group that escape is possible, but only if they put their trust in Maul.
The uneasy alliance forms as Maul meets with Devon, Daki, Captain Lawson, Two Boots, and Rylee Lawson. Together, they follow a route Lawson recalls from a past case, making their way toward the extraction point. What begins as a straightforward journey soon spirals into chaos when Imperial troops and two Inquisitors arrive to hunt them down.
A fierce lightsaber battle erupts, costing Maul many of his followers, including his spybot, as the group retreats across open ground to gain distance. But there’s no respite. Just as they escape the Inquisitors, Darth Vader arrives.
Vader proves overwhelming. Even with Maul, Daki, and Devon combined, they cannot match his power. As Captain Lawson, Two Boots, and Rylee push toward the ship, the others hold the line. Devon is forced to break away to confront the Inquisitors, while Maul and Daki face Vader.
The outcome is brutal. Vader impales Daki, and as he falls, Devon loses control, unleashing her rage to kill one of the Inquisitors. With Maul’s help, she defeats the other, and together they make a desperate escape, boarding Vos’s ship just as it prepares to jump to hyperspace.
The cost is heavy. Captain Lawson sacrifices himself to ensure Two Boots and Rylee escape. Maul loses nearly all of his people, save for Looti Vario.
As they leave Janix behind, Maul turns to Devon with an offer… to teach her the ways of the dark side.
She accepts.
Voice Acting
Scott Whyte delivers a solid, if brief, performance as Dryden Vos, effectively bookending both episodes. He first appears to make Maul his offer, and later returns to facilitate the group’s escape from Janix. Whyte’s take on the character lines up nicely with what Paul Bettany brought to the role in Solo: A Star Wars Story, maintaining that same calm but dangerous edge.
Sam Witwer is, as ever, rock solid as Maul, and his scenes with Devon (Gideon Adlon) build nicely toward their eventual payoff. Devon’s decision to let Maul train her feels earned, but it’s also clearly a case of manipulation. Maul is absolutely taking advantage, exploiting her trauma and grief after losing her teacher to pull her closer to the dark side.
Overall
This was a strong season finale that neatly sets the stage for what’s to come in season two. It seems likely the next chapter will focus on Maul beginning Devon’s training, while also helping to install Dryden Vos as the new leader of Crimson Dawn.
- Story9.8
- Voice Acting10
- Animation10
- Incidental Music10
Oh cool Maul met Vader! Great review Ian.
Putting aside the story itself, I wonder if they unleashed Vader so early, because they didn’t think they’d get a second season.
Not sure if that would be the case in this instance. For one thing there’s a certain part of the fan base that have likely been gagging to see Maul Vs Vader so there is that. But my hunch is they likely chose to get the duel with Vader out of the way so they can push forward with the Crimson Dawn part of Maul’s story, which is kind of unfinished business from Solo: A Star Wars Story. So would not surprise me if we see Qi’ra pop up as she was working with Dryden Vos in the movie.
Darth Venamis prequel when? 😉