Why Maul Shouldn't Be In 'Obi-Wan Kenobi'

Obi-Wan Kenobi is set to debut with its first episode on May 25, commemorating the 45th anniversary of Star Wars. Running for six episodes and starring Ewan McGregor in possibly his final return to the titular role, the series will follow Obi-Wan as he temporarily leaves Tatooine to protect Luke Skywalker from the Empire. It will also see the old Jedi once again come face-to-face with his fallen apprentice Darth Vader in a duel taking place a decade before their final encounter in A New Hope.

The show is shaping up to be a grand adventure and an introspective look into Obi-Wan's character. There are also rumors of flashbacks to Obi-Wan's happier times with Anakin Skywalker during the Clone Wars, which could also pave the way for more grim flashbacks of the various traumas Obi-Wan has endured over the years. With this in mind, it's easy to see why many fans speculate about whether or not Maul will play any role in the series.

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Since striking down his master Qui-Gon Jinn and being bisected in return in The Phantom Menace, Maul (formerly Darth) has been one of Obi-Wan Kenobi's greatest adversaries. After being left and stranded on the junk world of Lotho Minor for thirteen years, Maul was discovered by his brother Savage Opress near the end of the Clone Wars. Upon being returned to his homeworld of Dathomir, Maul was revitalized by his mother Talzin and given a new set of mechanical legs.

Unfortunately, Maul and Savage would then make Obi-Wan's life a living nightmare, as they put him through torture and trauma in the name of revenge. These tortures included capturing and brutalizing Obi-Wan before his rescue by Asajj Ventress, pushing him to his physical and mental limits on Florrum, and, the most evil of all, killing Satine Kryze before his eyes to push him towards the dark side. So with Maul being so intertwined with Obi-Wan's character and story, you can see why fans would want him to play a role in the upcoming Obi-Wan Kenobi series. Personally, though, I'd rather Maul not appear in the show at all. My reasons for feeling this way are as follows.

1. It Would Break Continuity

Maul cannot be involved in the hunt for Obi-Wan because he doesn't yet know that the Jedi is on Tatooine. He doesn't even find out that Obi-Wan is still alive until the Star Wars Rebels episode titled The Holocrons of Fate. So there isn't any way that Maul could be involved in the search for the Jedi without contradicting existing continuity.

2. The Show Is About Obi-Wan And Anakin

As big of a role Maul played in Obi-Wan's story in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, he had little impact on his relationship with Anakin. While he did cause Obi-Wan to become Anakin's master and prevent Ahsoka from helping Anakin back from the dark side, his direct offensive against Obi-Wan did not play much of a role in his and Anakin's fallen friendship, which was largely spurred on by Anakin's selfishness, distrust in the Jedi Order and lack of faith in his mentor. If Obi-Wan Kenobi focuses on Obi-Wan and Darth Vader's broken relationship, then Maul wouldn't serve any true emotional purpose to that story.

3. Obi-Wan And Maul's Story Is Done

For me, Twin Suns was the perfect way to finish the story between Obi-Wan and Maul, as it reaffirms Obi-Wan's commitment to the light side of the Force and gives Maul a tragic ending that caps off his obsession with the old man and still leaves hope for the future. So what more is there to add to Obi-Wan and Maul's story that hasn't already been said? The only reason I can think of to bring in Maul one last time would be for a fan-service-filled face-off, which would most likely distract from the story rather than enhance it.

At the end of the day, Maul's story with Obi-Wan has been told. While you could say the same for Vader's story with his former teacher, there is a real emotional beat in their relationship that has yet to be seen, which Obi-Wan Kenobi may fulfill. But when it comes to Maul, I think they should just leave his story instead of digging it (and Maul) back up yet again.

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Written by Zach Bernard

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