Star Wars In Memoriam: Farewell, Maul

Image Credit: Lucasfilm

In Darth Maul’s stead, Count Dooku became Darth Sidious’ new apprentice sometime after the former’s defeat on Naboo.

With the onset of the Clone Wars, Dooku began training his own apprentice, Asajj Ventress. As her powers grew, she soon drew the ire of Sidious, who ordered Dooku to kill her. Ventress barely survived Dooku’s attempt, and eventually made her way back to her homeworld, Dathomir.

Seeking revenge, Ventress enlisted the aid of the Nightsisters, who gave her an apprentice to use against Dooku. This new apprentice, Savage Opress, soon betrayed Ventress as well. Thinking he had no one left in the Galaxy to turn to, Opress returned to Dathomir to seek out a new purpose.

Despite Opress betraying one of their own, the Nightsisters were willing to assist him. Their leader, Mother Talzin, revealed that Opress’ brother was still alive and that only Opress could find him because of their shared blood. Opress was successful in his search and eventually found himself in the presence of a deranged and crippled Darth Maul.

Opress quite literally dragged Maul back to the Nightsisters, who managed to repair Maul’s fragmented mind. Suddenly coherent, Maul found himself in a galaxy that had long forgotten about him. A new Sith Lord was leading the Separatist movement and the Clone Wars had already begun. Consumed by despair and hatred for his missed chance and those who took it from him, Maul swore vengeance.

This was the first time that audiences truly got to know Darth Maul. The Phantom Menace had Maul as a silent servant of the Dark Side. The Clone Wars would have him as a cunning threat, desperately searching for a new place in the Galaxy.