odds and ends and everything in between

Dinner after the mission

The more I get into Clone Wars/Rebels the more sadness I feel for Maul. Yes he’s a vicious character who’s done terrible things I’m not trying to deny that, but he really epitomised the result of the Dark Side path alongside Vader. 

Spoilers for Clone Wars, Rebels and a bit of Solo and the Mandalorian.

I always loved him as this Evil Badass in Ep 1 and in some ways I wish they hadn’t made him quite so pitiable esp in Rebels, yet his journey and character development is so rich and Sam Witwer plays him so well.  

What I find so sad and intriguing is that despite being so shaped and ultimately brought down by the Sith Code, he still at core driven by a need for loyalty and love. He craves a special bond with someone - his brother, his mother, Ahsoka, Ezra, even in some twisted way Sidious at least until half way though CW. But because he was kidnapped and raised by Sidious the only way he can conceive of such a bond is via the Sith Rule of Two. You can see how perplexed Savage Oppress is when Maul insists on it in their relationship. And how affected he is by being replaced by Dooku and later Anakin. He uses the Sith Code to survive for years after being cut in half by Obi Wan.

Ahsoka is interesting because they truly are equals in a way, he still at times tries to assert dominance (”follow my lead”, “the Padawan needs one more lesson…”) but he reaches out to her in a vulnerable manner the way he never does with others. Now people forget how cunning he is, he’s had info from Jesse and he was trained by master manipulator  - the effete Sidious - so he’s presenting himself in the way that would most appeal to her ex-Jedi sensibilities, but his need is palpable. Why reach out his hand like that? Does he seriously expect her to take it? And what - hold hands with him? Shake his hand? I know it’s a visual motif from Vader and Kylo Ren, but Vader makes sense - Luke is hanging off a bridge and needs to be pulled up, Kylo has touched hands with Rey before, they have a Force Bond and there’s definite romantic undertones to their previous interactions. Maul and Ahsoka have been enemies up til now, but it’s like he needs that physical connection with her. Yes he’s manipulating her and not to be trusted, but the underlying truth is that they are both outcasts, opposites on the same spectrum; they are in a unique position and as such it’s a real shame the creators didn’t take that forward in some way, because it would have been really interesting and a unique opportunity to explore both their characters and the use of the Force unrestricted by Jedi and Sith ideologies.

Do you see that?^

Because the rivalry wasn’t always there. 

Because she was little once. 

Because there was a time when she wasn’t a strategic genius and a firebending prodigy. 

Because he didn’t always have to live under her shadow just ‘cause their scumbag of a father said so. 

Because once they were just kids.

Sam: It’s your bed, right? Your bed, it’s too soft. When I was over there, I’d sleep on the ground, use rock for pillows, like a caveman. Now I’m home, lying in my bed, and it’s like… Steve: Lying on a marshmallow. Feel like I’m gonna sink right to the floor.

He's also clingy and loves Mando.

I don't think he wants anything to do with the Jedi anymore.

He just wants to travel around on his dad's cool spaceship and have snacks.