"The Lawless" represents the sixteenth installment within the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars's fifth season. Its original broadcast occurred on February 2, 2013.
In her cell located on Mandalore, Duchess Satine finds herself liberated by her nephew Korkie, his companions, alongside a faction of Death Watch dissidents under the leadership of Bo-Katan. As they make their escape via speeders, they are pursued by a number of Mandalorian super commandos. Despite Bo-Katan and her group's efforts to fend them off, the speeder is ultimately brought down. The Duchess is then captured by the commandos, but only after she manages to transmit a hologram addressed specifically to Obi-Wan Kenobi, pleading for assistance from the Jedi.
Within the communication center of the Jedi Temple, Obi-Wan, Yoda, as well as Ki-Adi-Mundi are on the receiving end of Satine's message. Yoda makes sure to remind Obi-Wan about the planet's neutral status, emphasizing that the Jedi are unable to provide aid until the Senate gives its consent. Choosing not to delay, Obi-Wan departs for Mandalore aboard Anakin's starship, known as the Twilight. Concurrently, Almec informs Maul about Satine's failed escape attempt, and her success in getting a message to the Jedi.
Upon his arrival, Obi-Wan is greeted by a super commando, who demands to know if he possesses a landing permit. Obi-Wan tricks him into the ship, where he subdues the commando and takes possession of his armor. Unbeknownst to Obi-Wan, Bo-Katan is observing him from a vantage point above. He then locates Satine within her cell and attempts an escape, but their cover is blown when a commando requests the authorization code for a prisoner transfer. A chase ensues until they reach the Twilight, where Satine insists that they must make contact with her sister. Maul then makes his appearance at the docks, instructing his commandos to unleash fire upon the Twilight. Obi-Wan and Satine leap from the ship just moments before it is destroyed. They land at the feet of Maul, who instructs his men to bring them inside.
Within the throne room, Maul uses the Force to choke Satine, all the while pushing Obi-Wan to succumb to his anger. When Obi-Wan refuses and rebukes Maul for his weakness in embracing the dark side, Maul brandishes and activates the Darksaber, pulling Satine towards the blade, resulting in her being impaled. Satine collapses into Obi-Wan's embrace, professing her enduring love for him. As the Duchess breathes her last in Obi-Wan's arms, Maul orders his men to spare his life, instead imprisoning him below to suffer in despair.
Simultaneously on Coruscant, Darth Sidious senses a disturbance in the Force and instructs Mas Amedda to ready his personal vessel.
Obi-Wan is being transported to his prison cell when he is rescued by the Death Watch dissidents. Amidst a battle with Maul's commandos, they guide Obi-Wan to the docks. Bo-Katan urges Obi-Wan to inform the Republic regarding the takeover. When he expresses concern that the Republic may invade the planet, Bo-Katan retorts that while Maul will meet his end, Mandalore will endure, as it always has. Obi-Wan then comes to the realization that Bo-Katan is Satine's sister, and offers his condolences before his departure.
Sidious subsequently journeys to Mandalore, heading towards the palace where Maul and his brother are located. Maul, taken aback, senses the presence of his former master as he enters the throne room. Maul immediately kneels, reaffirming his allegiance to his previous Master. However, Sidious recognizes the deception and informs Maul that he has become a rival. A lightsaber duel ensues. Sidious demonstrates his superiority over the brothers, even when they fight together, managing to isolate Maul long enough to impale Savage. As Savage dies, Sidious tells Maul that he was an unworthy apprentice. The Nightsister magic fades from Savage's body, and he returns to his original form. Sidious reminds Maul of the Rule of Two, and tells him that he has been replaced. Consumed by anger and grief, Maul ignites both the Darksaber and his own lightsaber, launching another intense duel against Sidious. Maul fought harder than Opress, but was soon outmatched by Sidious' superior skills and power, and is ultimately disarmed and overpowered. As Maul begs for mercy, Sidious reminds him that the Sith refuse to show mercy and then tortures him with Force lightning. Sidious assures Maul that he is not going to kill him, as Maul may be useful for his future plans, and the torture continues...
Footage originating from "The Lawless" was initially previewed during Celebration VI in August of 2012. It underwent adaptation into a young reader's book titled The Clone Wars: Darth Maul: Shadow Conspiracy. Star Wars Insider 137 initially reported this episode as the fifteenth of Season Five; however, this order was later revised after the magazine's release.
This particular episode is dedicated to the memory of Ian Abercrombie, who provided the voice for Palpatine/Darth Sidious, and who had passed away a year prior to its broadcast. The episode also contains some of his final recordings as Palpatine. However, Tim Curry actually recorded Sidious's final lines in this episode. Furthermore, this episode marks the first physical appearance of Darth Sidious within the context of The Clone Wars, as he had previously only been depicted as a hologram.
According to the Trivia gallery for the episode on Starwars.com, Palpatine's ability to wield two lightsabers simultaneously was hinted at earlier in Revenge of the Sith, and stated that he was unable to use two lightsabers against Yoda in their skirmish in that film because Mace Windu had knocked one of his lightsabers out of the window during their duel. The same source also confirmed that Bo-Katan's last name was indeed Kryze, something that was only hinted at in the episode itself with Satine Kryze being revealed to be her sister.
Obi-Wan Kenobi's attire upon arriving on Mandalore was the Rako Hardeen disguise previously employed during the bounty hunter story arc in Season Four. The Twilight featured a decal depicting a cartoonish version of Anakin Skywalker in his podracer during the Boonta Eve Classic with the Aurebesh word for "Wizard!!!"
The Moogan traders seen briefly unloading supplies had previously appeared in the episode "Corruption." Their presence suggests that Almec, now back in power, is summoning his former allies.
As per Jason Fry, the original script, as well as Shadow Conspiracy, initially intended to indirectly allude to Bo-Katan's familial connection to Satine Kryze. However, the aired version explicitly stated this relationship.
During the show's development, the writers planned a 4-episode story arc to explore Maul's adventures following this episode. These episodes were to be titled "The Enemy of My Enemy," "A Tale of Two Apprentices," "Proxy War," and "Showdown on Dathomir." The show's cancellation prevented their completion, but their narratives were later adapted into the four-issue comic series Darth Maul—Son of Dathomir.
Upon sensing Sidious's approach, Maul utters, "I sense a presence, a presence I haven't felt since..."; This line was also spoken by Darth Vader concerning Obi-Wan Kenobi's presence on the Death Star in A New Hope. In both instances, the line is spoken in reference to the speaker's former master.