Darth Maulis introduced as a Sith Lord inStar Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, yet whether his Lordship was deserved is questionable. While the Jedi refer to themselves as Knights who serve the will of the Force, theGalactic Republic, and innocents of the galaxy, their ancient enemies use the title of Lord instead. The first Sith may have been fallen Jedi, but the Sith Order soon developed its own distinct culture from the Jedi. Sith are Lords because they rule (or seek to rule) the dark side of the Force, the galaxy, and its beings.
Sith Lords, especially those in Darth Bane’s dynasty, are not as keen on fighting their enemies directly as the Jedi Knights are. The Sith manipulate galactic events from the shadows, with many Sith coming from positions of political, economic, or social positions of power and influence. When a Sith must engage their enemies directly, however, they are seemingly unstoppable opponents, withdark side powersand lethal lightsaber skills that allow them to make quick work of even the formidable Jedi. InThe Phantom Menaceand non-movie materials in canon and Legends, Darth Maul lacks key qualities of a Sith Lord.
Darth Maul Was Only Ever Really A Sith Assassin
In the context ofThe Phantom Menace, Darth Maul is not shown functioning as most Sith Lords do – especially as a member of Darth Bane’s dynasty. Darth Maul is an exceptionally skilled warrior, murdering the formidable Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and nearly killing then-Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi. YetDarth Maul is not shown or implied to be a behind-the-scenes manipulator like Palpatine(Darth Sidious) or his successors, Count Dooku (Darth Tyranus) and Darth Vader. Maul only serves as an assassin for Sidious, displaying the appropriate martial prowess of a Sith Lord but not the station of one.
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In the original Legends continuity, Darth Maul died inThe Phanom Menace, having been bisected by Kenobi. In the modernStar Warscanon, Maul somehow survived this dismemberment and resurfaced during the Clone Wars. Due to this, Darth Maul’s appearances in the Legends continuity predominantly show him during his training or on missions for Palpatine. In the modern canon, Maul finally begins to act as a Sith Lord – manipulating crime organizations and consolidating them under his rule – butby this point, he is no longer an official Sith and his manipulations appear to be uncharted territory for him.
Palpatine Never Considered Maul Anything More Than A Tool
Darth Maul’s position within the Sith Order was elaborated on by James Luceno’s 2012 novelDarth Plagueis. Although Darth Maul’s training granted him the fighting prowess of a true Sith Lord, Palpatine refrained from completing his training – particularly in the realms outside of combat and assassination. Darth Maul’s Sith Lordship – whether deserved or not – was official, and it broke the Rule of Two, since Darth Plagueis was alive at the time. Nevertheless,Palpatine notes that he views Darth Maul as a fighting machine rather than a genuine Sith pupil.
Asajj Ventress would be in a similar position during the Clone Wars in both canon and Legends, but she never had a Darth title.
In the modernStar Warscanon, Darth Plagueis is implied to have died before the events of The Phantom Menace, suggesting that Darth Maul’s Sith Lordship did not break the Rule of Two in the newer continuity. Even if this is the case,he is only depicted as a tool of Palpatine’s during his time as an official Sith Lord. Although this does not necessarily mean that Palpatine viewed him as little more than an assassin in the modern canon, he still did not display the appropriate manipulation and leadership skills of a Sith Lord before his defeat on Naboo.
Darth Maul Never Truly Became A Dark Lord Of The Sith
If Darth Maul won his battle with Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan, he might have truly grown into the role of a Sith Lord. Of course, this is less likely to have happened in the Legends continuity, given Palpatine’s commentary inPlagueisand his use of the wealth, political connections, and charismatic leadership skills of Count Dooku. In all likelihood,Maul would have been slain and replaced by Dooku, with Palpatine orchestrating their conflict.
Who Is The Better Sith, Maul Or Dooku?
Both Darth Maul and Count Dooku ended up being pawns in Palpatine’s grand Star Wars plan, but which of them would have made the best Sith Master?
Despite Darth Maul’s seeming unworthiness of hisDarth title,he is not the only Sith to have attained Lordship before displaying the appropriate qualities of a Dark Lord. Darth Vader is one such example, having sacked the Jedi Temple and assassinated the Separatist Council before any of his formal Sith training began. Darth Vader grew into the role of a Sith Lord, embodying the manipulative traits by the events of the original trilogy. Darth Maul’s defeat inStar Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menacerobbed him of the opportunity to similarly grow into his role as a Sith Lord.
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace
Cast
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace is set in a galaxy facing political turmoil, as Jedi Knights Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi seek peace while encountering Anakin Skywalker, a slave with great potential in the Force. Meanwhile, the Sith begin their resurgence, threatening the stability of the Republic.
