Maul – Shadow Lord episode 8 tunnel visions explained: all the references to Maul's Star Wars past

Maul – Shadow Lord has already given us plenty of new insight into the titular spiky ex-Sith, but episode 8 might give us our best deep dive into Maul yet.

That's thanks to a series of visions Maul experiences in the episode, which reference key events from his past. Consider this your warning that there are spoilers ahead, so turn back now if you're not up to date! In the episode, Maul escapes from Inquisitor Marrok and the Eleventh Brother into a tunnel, in which he is tormented both by the memory of the Inquisitors telling Maul "there is no surrender for you, the Emperor wants you dead," and these glimpses at his past.

Below, we've broken down all the Star Wars references in the Maul – Shadow Lord visions, so you can understand exactly what Maul saw in the tunnel and what it all means. For even more, check out our Maul – Shadow Lord review for our spoiler-free verdict on the show.

Maul's tunnel visions in Shadow Lord episode 8 explained

Darth Sidious

The visions begin with Maul seeing a much younger version of himself, along with his brother, Savage Opress. The sinister Darth Sidious is also with them, and, as Savage pleads with his brother "don't go," Maul responds, "I must, my brother." Sidious then takes Maul away, and Savage cries "what have you done to my brother?" This is followed by Maul being tormented by Sidious's Force lightning.

This vision is an insight into Maul's training at Sidious's hands, before the events of The Phantom Menace on the Star Wars timeline. As you might have expected, it's not a pleasant experience for young Maul – or Savage, who was left behind. Eventually, Maul recruits Savage as his own apprentice in The Clone Wars, but Savage is killed by Sidious after Maul assumes the throne of Mandalore.

Obi-Wan Kenobi

Maul then sees himself getting attacked by Obi-Wan Kenobi – who can be heard shouting "no!" – and then we get a look at Maul with robotic spider's legs.

This, of course, refers to the showdown between Maul and Obi-Wan in The Phantom Menace, after Maul killed Qui-Gon Jinn. Obi-Wan cut Maul in half and the Sith apprentice fell backwards down a reactor shaft. That seemed to be that, until his brother Savage found him in The Clone Wars in a junkyard, sustained by his anger and the dark side, and with robotic legs like a spider. Maul was later mentally and physically healed by the Nightsisters of Dathomir and given new legs (just two, this time).

Mandalore and Savage Opress

Next, Maul sees Savage being killed by Sidious. This took place on Mandalore, after Maul had previously won the Darksaber in combat and became leader of the planet.

Maul allied himself with the Mandalorian sect Death Watch, which included Bo-Katan Kryze among its ranks, and began consolidating the galaxy's crime syndicates into one group called the Shadow Collective. Then, they took over Mandalore from Bo-Katan's sister, Duchess Satine Kryze. Maul then betrayed the Death Watch's leader, Pre Vizsla, and challenged him to a duel, in which the ex-Sith won the Darksaber and took the planet for himself. Later, Sidious arrived to fight Maul and Savage, and, while he killed Savage, he left Maul alive.

Mother Talzin

Finally, Maul sees himself with green Nightsister magic, as a voiceover says "you must have your revenge."

This is a reference to a comic book story, Darth Maul – Son of Dathomir issue 2. It was adapted from an unused Clone Wars script before the show was cancelled. In it, Maul seeks guidance from Mother Talzin, leader of the Nightsisters (and also his actual mother). Talzin tells Maul to ready himself for battle against Count Dooku and General Grievous, and Talzin sends Maul the Nightbrothers, male warriors from Dathomir, to help (Nightbrothers are also among Maul's crew in Shadow Lord). Maul succeeds in capturing Grievous and Dooku, and, at the end of the comic, Talzin promises Maul, "Soon Sidious will follow… and together we will have our revenge."

This comic series does not end with Maul and Talzin having their revenge, however, but instead with Grievous murdering Talzin, with help from Sidious and Dooku. That explains why Maul, after experiencing his visions, shouts, "My home, my family, my brother, all taken from me. Sidious, you did this to me. You did this to me. You did this!"

Maul then sees a younger version of himself in his own reflection, and tells him: "It's alright, it's alright. I won't let him do this to anyone else." The reflection then flickers back to his older, angry self, and Maul gets back up. The next episodes look set to be huge, then…

You can keep up to date with our Maul – Shadow Lord release schedule. Or, catch up on Maul's story with our guide on watching The Clone Wars in order.