Originally posted by Darth Thor
We don't HAVE TO take Maul's statement at face value,
So it’s a concession?
but it would be pretty uncharacteristic for Maul to admit that if he had a shot.
It isn’t of much consequence. His in-character tendencies and the consistency at which he reverts to them, are not the important points. What there is to consider, is the reliability of Maul’s opinion. With that in mind...
I don't ever remember him saying any such thing about Obi-Wan Kenobi or Count Dooku.
1) Does he know the full extent of Mace’s ability, or he making an assessment from repute? I’m fairly certain he was unaware that the Council Master could leave Palaptine in a heap, parted from his weapon
2) Does he know the full extent of Vader’s ability, or is he making an assessment from repute. Because if he is, then the face of the new Empire is far more intimidating in notoriety, than anything Obi Wan or Mace Windu are presenting with their meager reputations
As for Maul’s boiler plate characteristics, why would they have stayed the same? I’m pretty sure this Maul has gone through some rather extensive character changes since TPM, and is likely to have adopted new traits and oddities that aren’t reflective of his TCW persona either. For example, we know that this Maul certainly doesn’t refrain from opening his mouth, even when it’s not necessary. He’s also seen employing verbal manipulation to meet his ends and his entire schtick for enticing Kanan, was to pose as a frail old master; Old Master Maul.
Then there's the fact that the people he was trying to convince bought that part of his argument at least. No one was like "I don't buy his reasoning. He wouldn't be afraid to challenge Vader.
And you seem to have trouble establishing a valid authority for this debatle. for starters, two people who’ve only just met the guy and Ezra? More importantly, it is both illogical and a fallacy to draw conclusions from their silence, and of course, their silence does not necessarily mean they ‘bought’ the notion either.
And when asked about that line Sam Witwer and FPJ talked about how Protective Filoni is of Vader.
Protective in what regard, though? Where they talking about the incessant need to portray him rofl-stomping everyone and their mothers in a direct confrontation? Or might they be talking about his character, and how despite having the creative license, they don’t want him to be much different from his classical 1980’s self?
As for Filoni, he confirmed that the initial plan was for Maul to die to Vader in that episode, but they ultimately decided they wanted Maul around a little longer.
There is nothing outside the source material. If it didn’t happen on-screen, it has no baring in-discussion.
Then there's their respective fights on the show. Where Maul was stalemating Ahsoka, Vader was soundly defeating Ahsoka.
Wrong. There were two relatively inconclusive fights, the last was cut short by an off-panel event, and injuries were sustained on both parties beforehand.
Where Vader handles Kanan easily one handed and has him and Ezra running for their lives, Kanan, while blind defeats Maul 1 v 1.
Muddy comparison, and one that only proves that Kanan had some unusual circumstance aiding him. I could just say that Ashoka has decent fights with both Vader and Maul, yet Kanan stifled the latter after… 3 blade clashes? Is Kanan > Vader?
So bearing all that in mind, I think we can safely take Maul's word for it that he can't defeat Vader alone.
All that in mind is just some relative convictions that have little bearing on the matter. So we’re back to taking Maul’s word as gospel, in spite of his misleading intentions.