To some, the clash between Kenobi and Maul at the end of The Phantom Menace stands firmly as the best lightsaber battle spanning across any of the Star Wars films. Let's face it, the battle was absolutely incredible...With fast-paced slashes, flips, kicks, a Force push, and even a snarl that would send most dentists away, this duel had it all. After the Sith warrior took out Kenobi's master, Qui-Gon Jinn, you knew these two would be at each other's throats until the death.
After nearly falling down a pit himself, Obi-Wan surprises Maul by using the Force to launch himself back up to the platform while simultaneously retrieving his master's lightsaber. Within a matter of seconds, Maul went from having the advantage in this duel, to being sliced at the torso and sent tumbling down a Theed Generator Complex pit in defeat.
At this point in time, many fans believed that Darth Maul was dead, forever eliminating one of the most well-trained Sith warriors of all-time from the galaxy. Well, in Season 3 of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, the widely-accepted idea of Maul's demise was put to rest when Mother Talzin's crystal ball revealed that Maul (no longer a "Darth") was still lurking out there somewhere. From Obi-Wan's perspective, Maul fell at his hand on Naboo. Killing him was his ticket to Knighthood.
Savage Opress, another Zabrak from Maul's bloodline, was originally thought to be Maul, but that idea was quickly put to rest. It wasn't until Season 4 of Star Wars: The Clone Wars that Maul in the flesh was revealed.
Savage Opress is able to find his brother, but he's clearly not the same warrior we'd been used to seeing. Fitted with semi-functional spider-like legs and obviously suffering from mental issues, Opress seeks the help of Mother Talzin who does her best to return Maul to his previous warrior-like state.
Feeling refreshed and "new" again, Maul can only think of one thing....getting revenge against the Jedi who took everything from him, namely Obi-Wan Kenobi. Sending murderous holovids to the Jedi, the Zabrak brothers team together and call for Kenobi to come and face them or more innocent people will be slaughtered. Since Obi-Wan is a selfless Jedi, he obliges. During this reunion, Maul and Savage nearly obliterate Kenobi. They probably would have, too, if it weren't for an unexpected ally, Asajj Ventress. Working as a team, Kenobi and Ventress hold off the Zabrak brothers to fight another day.
The Clone Wars Season 5 is where things really get serious. Maul, after assuming rule of Mandalore, now has the Darksaber-a symbol of power on Mandalore and a second lightsaber in his possession. Duchess Satine (the former leader of the planet) is clearly in danger and sends for her love, Obi-Wan Kenobi, for help. Sensing the connection between Satine and Kenobi, Maul decides he'd rather have ObI-Wan suffer (like he did all those years- you know, that whole revenge thing) instead of granting him a quick and merciful death. Looking back on it now, one would think Maul may have changed his mind on that approach as Obi-Wan survives this skirmish on Mandalore.
The last we see of Maul in The Clone Wars is after he's been beaten in battle by Darth Sidious for becoming a "rival" of the Sith. Sidious shows him mercy by letting him live, but the Dark Lord also hints at "another use" for Maul. Since The Clone Wars ends before we get to see what is meant by that, our story fast forwards to Star Wars: Rebels.
First revealing himself in Season 2, Maul comes to Ezra Bridger on Malachor with the alias "Old Master". With the help of the young and somewhat naive Ezra, Maul regains strength as the Dark Side once again fuels his desire for revenge on Kenobi. Planting seeds of the Dark Side in Ezra's mind, Maul attempts to sway the young one to be his apprentice. After blinding Kanan and taking out a few Inquisitors, Maul bolts to fight another day.
Maul and Ezra meet up later in the story to join together a Jedi and Sith Holocron. The purpose of this is to discover truths about what is most wanted by each person. Revenge against Obi-Wan is clearly Maul's top desire. The only information Maul gets from combining the holocrons is "a desert planet with Twin Suns" Tonight's episode of Rebels is titled "Twin Suns". Here is the trailer:
A rematch between the two highly-skilled Force users is all but inevitable. After losing possession of the Darksaber, it will once again be Maul and his double-bladed lightsaber against a more level-headed and wiser Obi-Wan. We know Obi-Wan will survive the battle, but will this be the end of Maul for good? Find out if the decades' long conflict between Obi-Wan Kenobi and Maul will finally reach its end on Disney XD tonight at 8:30 EST.
By: Eric Pfeifer