“Maul: Shadow Lord” delivers another exciting and nuanced chapter as Maul’s plans for Janix threaten to be undone by the arrival of the Empire, Devon continues to be tempted by Maul’s words, and Brander and Rylee Lawson contend with their new way of life under imperial rule.
Spoilers Ahead
The Empire’s Wrath Comes to Janix
After weeks of buildup, Lawson’s fears have finally come true. The Empire has come to Janix, and it doesn’t take long for their presence to be felt. Imperial Lieutenant Blake begins to audit the local authorities’ activities and take over the search for Maul. Blake isn’t the only Imperial at work. The Inquisitor known as Marrok makes his introduction to the Janix police force. He first interrogates Captain Lawson’s chief before turning his attention to Lawson himself. Unlike when facing off with the legends of the Rebellion like Ahsoka Tano, Kanan Jarrus, and Ezra Bridger, the Inquisitorious is intimidating and dangerous when dealing with civilians who never encountered a Force wielder. “Shadow Lord” successfully manages to not only make inquisitors look competent, but terrifying.
Two-Boots’ and Lawson’s new reality
Two-Boots continues to defend his decision to call the Empire, despite the lockdown putting pressure on Janix’s citizens. Lawson and Two-Boots appear to have recovered their friendship after the events of the previous episode, but Two-Boots remains loyal to the protocol he was programmed to adhere to, much to Lawson’s chagrin. But with the growing Imperial influence, it’ll be interesting to see if it eventually forces the droid officer to re-evaluate his choices, or if he doubles down on them.
Tensions Rise
Tensions begin to rise within Maul’s faction as well. His fearsome 2nd in command Rook Kast curbs the frustrations of two Mandalorian mercenaries who are unsettled at the thought of contesting the Empire. Maul refuses to take the opportunity to flee the system, ordering Kast to stick to the plan of building up his power on Janix. Maul also remains interested in staying near Devon. His precarious situation provides a wrinkle to a fragile situation, revealing that Maul isn’t the unstoppable force that he appears to be when facing off against outmatched police officers or criminals.
A House Divided
Tylee Lawson, Brander’s son, reaches out to his mother, Drea, who makes her first on screen appearance. Rylee expresses concern for his father, who remains detained. Drea, notably wearing the uniform and badge of an Imperial employee, encourages Rylee to cooperate and trust the Empire. The scene offers some insight into the divided house that once was Brander and Drea Lawson’s marriage. Brander, no fan of the Empire, only ever sees the government as a sign of oppression and fear. Drea sees it as a benevolent entity that exists to protect. In the middle of their staunchly opposed positions is their son, who works to forge his own path.
An Unwelcome surprise
While weighing the possibility of escape with her master, Devon continues to struggle with Maul’s manipulation. Maul’s attempts to convince Devon that he can prove a strong ally against the Empire continue leaving marks on her. Unsurprisingly, Daki opposes any entertainment of the former Sith Lord as a potential ally. While Devon and Daki don’t dominate the episode, they share a candid moment with each other. Devon openly wonders to Daki if Maul’s words about the Empire ring true. As the Empire begins to settle in, Brander’s day isn’t over. He comes home to Devon and Daki sitting in his dining room with Rylee, putting them on a collision course with the Empire.
Chapter 5 of “Maul: Shadow Lord” continues to boast a compelling story. It showcases the impact of an imperial takeover, the different perspectives of Imperial occupation, and the dangerous road of Dark Side temptation.
You can catch two episodes premiering each week on Disney+, with the final two airing on the Star Wars holiday, May the 4th.
