We may be witnessing something special. For years fans have been crying out for an exploration of the dark side of Star Wars, both literally and figuratively, and little did we know it would come in the form of an animated series.
This chapter centres on the execution of Maul’s plan to absorb the Pyke Syndicate into his growing Shadow Collective. The episode opens on Oba Diah, the Pyke homeworld, where Looti Vario arrives under the guise of alliance but with hidden intentions orchestrated by Maul. What follows is a calculated strike that removes the Pyke leader, Marg Krim, allowing Maul to install a more compliant figure at the head of the syndicate. This sequence demonstrates the series’ ongoing interest in the mechanics of criminal consolidation, showing how Maul leverages misdirection and timing rather than relying solely on brute force.
The action on Oba Diah is handled with precision. A hooded figure, revealed to be one of Maul’s capable Nightbrother operatives, creates an opening, drawing out the guards and creating the necessary distraction. Maul’s eventual entrance is direct and effective, remaining in the shadows until the moment demands his personal involvement. The confrontation is brutal and swift, leaving Maul in control. Back on Janix, Detective Brander Lawson, increasingly aware of the scale of Maul’s operation, coordinates with local forces to raid what they believe is a key Shadow Collective location after a tip off from Master Eeko-Dio Daki.
The evolving dynamic between Devon and her master, Eeko-Dio Daki, adds depth. Daki represents the traditional Jedi values of patience, detachment, and quiet resistance, urging his Padawan to remain hidden, avoid drawing attention, and preserve what little remains of the old Order. Devon, shaped by fear and displacement since Order 66, begins to question whether such restraint is still viable. Their conversations reveal the first cracks in their relationship: Devon pushes for more proactive measures to take down Maul, while Daki cautions against any action that could expose them to Imperial hunters. These exchanges plant the seeds of an ideological clash, contrasting Daki’s commitment to Jedi orthodoxy with Devon’s growing frustration and openness to alternative paths of survival and strength.
The episode highlights Maul’s strategic patience throughout, whether in his handling of the syndicate takeover or his response to the approaching law enforcement. During the raid Maul attempts to negotiate a truce with Lawson, underscoring his new identity as a crime lord who prefers calculated outcomes over unnecessary chaos. Then Lawson’s refusal to bend the knee to Maul leads to a fire fight.
Two-Boots, Lawson’s droid partner voiced by Richard Ayoade, brings a distinct procedural perspective that underscores the mounting pressure on local authorities. Programmed to follow protocol with unwavering logic, Two-Boots repeatedly advocates for alerting the Galactic Empire as the only viable solution to the escalating threat posed by Maul and the Shadow Collective. He views the situation through a lens of protocol and resource assessment, arguing that Janix’s security forces lack the means to contain a figure of Maul’s capability without external support. His insistence creates friction with Lawson, who is determined to handle the matter independently and protect the autonomy of planetary law enforcement. This internal conflict adds layers to the investigative storyline, illustrating the difficult choices faced by those caught between criminal syndicates and the looming shadow of Imperial control. The droid’s measured delivery heightens the tension, and his eventual decision to act on his programming, despite Lawson’s direct order, serves as a pivotal in the series.
Everything in the episode builds up to a lightsaber duel involving Maul, Master Eeko-Dio Daki, and Devon that ranks as one on the best in Star Wars. Triggered after Maul’s measured attempt at dialogue with the Jedi, where he challenges their decision to hide from the Empire rather than live fully with their power, the clash unfolds in the confined, dark corridors of the Shadow Collective’s lair during the ongoing raid. The animation captures a distinctive intensity that builds on the weighty, motion-captured style of later Clone Wars duels while adding a more stylized, kinetic edge. Blades clash with heightened force, producing distorted light trails and brief flares that illuminate the dim surroundings in stark red and blue hues. Maul’s movements remain precise and economical, his double-bladed lightsaber spinning in controlled arcs that emphasize reach and leverage, yet he appears to hold back at key moments, testing rather than fully overwhelming his opponents.
Master Daki fights with experienced caution, his strikes aimed at disrupting Maul’s balance; one well-placed kick buckles into one of Maul’s cybernetic legs, a detail that visibly destabilizes the former Sith for a brief instant. Devon, caught between loyalty to her master and the pull of Maul’s words, channels an emerging frustration. Her participation grows more aggressive as the duel progresses, culminating in a decisive block when Maul presses an advantage against Daki.
The sequence is staged with clear spatial awareness, using the environment to heighten tension and limit overly flashy maneuvers with lightsabers striking the surroundings. Quick cuts flow smoothly even as the pace accelerates, allowing you to easily follow the action. Rather than serving as pure spectacle, the duel advances character dynamics: it reveals Maul’s strategic patience and interest in Devon’s potential, Daki’s protective resolve, and the internal conflict building within the young Padawan. The fight concludes on a note of restraint, with Maul again allowing the Jedi to withdraw after Devon’s intervention, further underscoring his calculated approach over indiscriminate destruction.
Maul’s pursuit of the Shadow Collective is not presented as mere revenge but as a deliberate restructuring of power in the underworld. At the same time, the Jedi survivors’ involvement highlights the precariousness of their existence, forced to navigate alliances with local authorities while remaining hidden from the Empire. Detective Lawson’s perspective grounds everything, showing the strain on planetary security forces caught between criminal syndicates and the looming Imperial presence.
By the episode’s close, there has been a clear escalation. The raid and duel resolve in a manner that leaves immediate outcomes hanging while heading toward larger developments. The arrival of Imperial forces introduces a new level of threat. This ending lands with appropriate weight, suggesting that Maul’s operations on Janix will soon face the scrutiny of the Empire, which will be no good for anyone.
Pride And Vengeance is a perfect example of the series’ serialised approach. It deepens the portrayal of Maul as a tactician rebuilding influence through leverage and selective action, while giving space to the supporting cast to react and evolve. The various plot threads are growing and crossing over, creating multiple cliffhangers while balancing character exploration and well-executed action. You are now fully invested in the fates of Maul, Devon, Lawson, and the world of Janix as the Empire is about to come crashing in. This is definitely a levelling up for Lucasfilm animation.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
We Have Issues 