It’s like poetry. . .

I will stand by my opinion that bringing Maul back was the best executed bad idea in a long time. He had served his purpose, narratively and in-universe. I think the better concept was to give Savage Maul's story. Transplant TCW Maul personailty to Savage, let him have Brutale as an apprentice with orginal Savage's personality. Start it the same, he finds Maul on the junk planet, Maul attacks, Savage overpowers him, etc. But then Maul has a moment of clarity, tells Savage his story, and dies.

That all being said. They weren't lazy with it like they could have been, and everything they did with Maul was great. And of course, the ending was fantastic and would have had to be different if they didn't bring him back. But just because it worked out great in the end doesn't mean it was the right choice from the beginning.