The Convoluted History of Darth Maul

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Darth Maul has a surprisingly extensive backstory for a character who was initially presented as a quiet, enigmatic fighter and then seemingly killed off in his first scene. Despite being cut in half by Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, he somehow returned and became a key figure in several Star Wars animated shows, including Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels. He even starred in his own Disney+ animated series, Maul – Shadow Lord.

Ever wondered how Darth Maul survived falling down a seemingly bottomless shaft, even after being cut in half? We explain it all! Our new video breaks down nearly 30 years of Darth Maul‘s story in under 30 minutes, getting you ready for his return on Disney+. Check it out below:

Enjoyed our deep dive into Darth Maul’s story? Check out more videos! We’ve got one on the new Star Wars trilogy and whether it can revitalize the franchise, a breakdown of all the hidden details in the latest The Mandalorian and Grogu trailer, and a look at why Count Dooku deserved better in the Star Wars prequels. You can find even more content on the ScreenCrush YouTube channel – subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes! Maul — Shadow Lord is available to stream on Disney+. And don’t forget to check out our recap of the premiere!

10 TV Show Flops That Turned Out to Be Huge Hits

M*A*S*H (1972-1983)

The TV show MASH is now considered a classic, celebrated for its humor and insightful commentary. However, it almost didn’t make it past its first season. Ratings were so low that the cast thought the show would be canceled. Luckily, re-runs started to build an audience, and CBS decided to give MASH a second chance. That decision proved to be a huge success, and the show went on to become one of the greatest of all time.

Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987-1994)

Even devoted fans and those who only occasionally watched will agree that the first season of Star Trek: The Next Generation feels a bit uneven. The show hadn’t quite found its footing yet, and the relationships between the crew of the Enterprise-D felt awkward and hadn’t developed into the close friendships they later became known for. Because expectations were so high after the original Star Trek ended, many viewers were initially confused and let down by this new take, but TNG eventually became one of the most beloved series in the Star Trek franchise.

Seinfeld (1989-1998)

It’s hard to believe now, but NBC almost cancelled Seinfeld after just four episodes! They thought the show was too strange and focused on local New York humor to appeal to a national audience. Luckily, NBC executive Ricky Ludwin, a 32-year veteran of the network, believed in the show and used his budget for special programming to fund four more episodes, completing the first season. Viewers loved it, leading NBC to order a second season and eventually turning Seinfeld into a huge success. Ludwin had a knack for spotting potential hits, also championing popular shows like The Office and Late Night with Conan O’Brien throughout his career.

Freaks and Geeks (1999-2000)

Despite its cancellation after just one season, Freaks and Geeks ultimately gained a dedicated and passionate fanbase. The show suffered from inconsistent scheduling and issues at the network, meaning only 12 of its 18 episodes actually aired. However, after it ended, positive word-of-mouth spread, leading to widespread critical acclaim. It’s remarkable to consider how many of its actors – including James Franco, Seth Rogen, and Jason Segel – went on to become major stars. Even though it’s set in a 1980s high school, the show still resonates with the universal experiences of being a teenager in America.

Firefly (2002)

As a huge cinema fan, I always think about shows that deserved more time on air, and Firefly is right up there with Freaks and Geeks. It’s hard to say if it would have become a true classic with more seasons, but Joss Whedon’s show is always on those ‘canceled too soon’ lists. With Nathan Fillion leading the cast, it was such a unique blend of space opera and western, delivering a powerful anti-war message and a really fresh take on life in space. Sadly, only 11 of the 14 episodes actually made it to air before Fox pulled the plug, likely because they aired the first few out of order. But it found a strong audience on DVD, and the fanbase has only grown since. It even became popular enough to get a movie sequel, Serenity, which came out in 2005.

Arrested Development (2003-2006, 2013-2019)

From the start, Arrested Development received praise and awards, but after three seasons, Fox canceled it due to low ratings. While popular with a dedicated fanbase and considered a sign of good taste among DVD collectors, this wasn’t enough to save it. Years later, Netflix noticed the show was gaining popularity through streaming and revived it in 2013, giving the Bluth family another two seasons to continue their chaotic and funny misadventures.

The Office (2005-2013)

It’s hard to believe now, but The Office got off to a rocky start. The first season wasn’t a hit, and felt too similar to the original British version. The characters were strange and didn’t quite connect with viewers – many fans even skip the first season altogether. It wasn’t until the second season that the show started to find its own voice, allowing for the funny moments and character growth that eventually made it a television favorite.

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2005- )

The show It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia didn’t initially find success. It premiered after a poorly-received sitcom and struggled to attract viewers. However, a deal with Hulu and airings on Comedy Central helped it gain an audience, and the addition of Danny DeVito as a main cast member—a well-known name, according to Rob McElhenney—proved to be a turning point. From there, Always Sunny became a major hit, now in its 16th season, continuing to both fascinate and shock audiences with the outrageous and often terrible behavior of its characters.

Breaking Bad (2008-2013)

The beginning wasn’t easy for the creators of Breaking Bad. The first episode aired at an inconvenient time, and the writers’ strike forced them to shorten the first season from nine to seven episodes. Surprisingly, instead of losing viewers, Breaking Bad actually grew in popularity as it went on. Strong reviews and its availability on Netflix helped the first couple of seasons gain a large audience, and ultimately, the show became a massive hit, eventually being hailed as one of the best TV shows ever made.

You (2018- )

Despite the unfortunate fates of Joe Goldberg’s victims, the show You has defied the odds and continued beyond its first season. It’s become a pattern for shows that unexpectedly thrive on streaming services—finding success after struggling on traditional cable. But You’s journey was particularly remarkable. Originally a somewhat campy serial killer drama on Lifetime, it only became a huge hit after Netflix started streaming it. When Lifetime decided not to continue with the series, Netflix stepped in, and it has since become one of their most popular and long-running original shows.

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2026-04-06 19:27