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Star Wars: The Bad Batch Episode 16 Review

Well, everyone, we’re finally here. Season one of Star Wars: The Bad Batch has officially come to an end. Fittingly, the finale takes place entirely on Kamino, where the show, and the Clone Troopers, first began. Rather than go out with a massive bang, though, The Bad Batch chooses to end on a somber, bittersweet note as everyone, both in-universe and in the real world, realizes that things can’t go back to the way they once were. No matter how hard we may want them to.

A Surprise Disaster Survival Scenario

At the end of the last episode, the Empire made the decision to tie up loose ends on Kamino by destroying their major cities and cloning facilities, condemning them to life back under the sea. In more immediate concerns, though, the Bad Batch find themselves trapped on the sea floor in the ruins of Tipoca City with very little chance for survival. As a result, the team and their former squad mate Crosshair have to work together to escape to the surface.

This episode has all the hallmarks for a disaster film. A group of people trapped in a desperate situation. Rising tensions between group members. And most of all, things continually go from bad to worse as the team tries to beat the odds. The Bad Batch has been in tough scrapes before, but this pushed their survival skills to their limit. It’s a really good premise, and the show does a fairly good job of showing it.

However, it’s not the impending death that’s the big draw. It’s the characters themselves.

Crosshair’s Uncertain Future

Crosshair has been the black sheep of the Bad Batch since the series first began. Following Order 66, we saw him ultimately remain loyal to the Empire while his brothers and Omega deserted. At the time, many of us thought that his decision was not of his own free will; that it was the inhibitor chip forcing him to act like that. However, last episode dropped a bombshell by revealing that Crosshair got his chip removed some time ago. This called into question just how much of Crosshair’s choices were of his own accord and which were because of the Empire’s manipulation. Unfortunately, the season finale offers few in the way of answers.

In a particularly somber moment, Omega tries to talk to Crosshair about his decisions. She admits that she wanted to believe that it was the chips that turned him into what he is, but now thinks that it may have just been him the whole time. In other words, it’s the nature vs. nurture debate in full force, and Crosshair may be on the nature side.

Then, just when we think that Crosshair’s not going to change, he ends up saving Omega’s life. But when the time comes for the others to leave, he chooses to remain loyal to the Empire, despite seeing how they’ll just use him. It’s a very mixed message about Crosshair’s future, much like it was for Ben Solo, and while it leaves the door open for him, I’m not sure how many fans will appreciate it.

Tie-In to The Mandalorian and Sidious’ Ressurection

The final moments of the episode, though, are when things start to get interesting again. Having been taken off-world by the Empire, Nala Se’s relocated to a new world to continue her working in cloning technology. If the Empire’s phasing out Clone Troopers, though, why do they still need to work with the technology. Those who have seen The Mandalorian and The Rise of Skywalker may have figured it out.

In The Rise of Skywalker, we learn that Darth Sidious continued using cloning technology decades after the Clone Wars. Firstly, it’s stated that he created Snoke using that tech. More importantly, though, he used it to create a new body to possess after Anakin killed him. While it’s not said on-screen, it’s all but implied that he was using the Kaminoan’s technology to do all of this. Now, we may see the beginning to that project. If it is, then The Bad Batch may have just started to fix the flaws of The Rise of Skywalker.

No Idea On Season 2

While it was nice to get a continuation of The Clone Wars, I have to admit that, in hindsight, the first season of The Bad Batch has been a mixed bag. It’s had some pretty great moments and gave us some franchise-altering information. On the other hand, the plot of the season had little cohesion between episodes. Worse, the season finale does little to hint at what Season 2 might be about.

Despite these misgivings, though, I still think that The Bad Batch has potential when it comes to bridging the gap between the prequels and original trilogy. If we’re lucky, then maybe season two will give us the prototypes to the TIE Fighters, something I’ve always wanted to see in Star Wars. Here’s hoping!

I Give “Kamino Lost” a 3/5

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Star Wars: The Bad Batch Episode 2 Review

Even though The Clone Wars show ended last year, The Bad Batch makes us feel like it never did. As we saw in the hour long premiere, The Bad Batch went out of its way to make it seem like a continuation of The Clone Wars. Some fans have even jokingly called it “The Clone Wars, Season 8.” I don’t think they’re wrong, either. Case in point, the second episode to The Bad Batch brings back a character that only longtime fans of The Clone Wars may remember.

Cut Lawquane Knows the Bad Batch

After deserting the Empire and their brainwashed buddy, the Bad Batch has to lay low and figure out their next move. Thus, they seek out the help of an old friend on Saleucami: Cut Lawquane.

For those who don’t know or remember, Cut Lawquane is a Clone Trooper who deserted after his entire unit was killed. Ever since, he’s been living in peace with his wife and step-children, with Rex even covering him. However, it turns out Rex wasn’t the only one who knew about Cut. The Bad Batch not only knows about him, but they’re close with his family. Cut’s kids even call Wrecker “Uncle Wrecker.”

If the show expected us to enjoy this reunion, it might have failed. Firstly, we’ve only seen Cut once before today, so any emotional investment in him is going to be limited. Secondly, the fact that the Bad Batch knows him comes out of nowhere with no explanation. It’s implied that Rex told them about Cut, but that’s about it.

The Iron Grip of the Empire Already Taking Hold

That said, the Bad Batch went to Cut for a reason: to learn how to lay low, which is now very hard with the Empire in control. Cut’s trying to take his family and move elsewhere, but the Empire’s not letting anyone leave without a chain code. A chain code is basically a fancy way for the Empire to track everyone around the Galaxy, which is something someone like Cut and the Bad Batch can’t afford.

Seeing the Clone Troopers, who we’re used to knowing as the good guys, act so cold and detached is both frightening and sad. The Clone Wars only ended a few months ago, and the Empire is already becoming the despotic regime that fans are familiar with. And the worst part is that the Clones don’t even realize they’ve become puppets for Darth Sidious.

In the end, the Bad Batch comes up with a plan to create forged chain codes to help Cut’s family get off-world. However, when the plan goes awry, the Bad Batch has to fight their fellow Clones in a brutal stand-off. While Bad Batch doesn’t have a strong rapport with most of the normal Clone Troopers, it’s still tragic to see them fight their genetic brothers. However, they know they have no choice if they want to survive and protect Omega.

Omega Chooses her Family

Speaking of Omega, she’s the center of much of the B-Plot for this episode. Having never left Kamino, everything she sees is brand new and exciting for her. Seeing her get excited over something as simple as dirt or playing with a ball is very sweet to watch. However, it also reminds Hunter that she’s still a kid. And they may not be the best people to look after her. Thus, he tries to talk her into going with the Lawquane’s in the hopes of giving her a normal life.

Omega’s not having any of it. She chose to go with the Bad Batch, and she’s going to stay with the Bad Batch, much to Hunter’s joy. As sweet as it is, though, it also feels like the show rushed the growth of their relationship. Omega’s only known the team for a few weeks at best. Plus, it makes it feel like an attempt to recreate the famous bond of Mando and Baby Yoda. Then again, those two became close in a short amount of time, so it’s not impossible.

More Familiar Faces to Come for Bad Batch

After the drama and tension of the premiere, it feels like the second episode was a bit on the slow side. There was action to be had, but not on the scale of The Clone Wars, and I doubt there will be anything like that. But that’s part of the point behind the show. It’s not about massive armies fighting for control of the Galaxy, or the Jedi protecting it. It’s about the (subjectively) normal people trying to find their place in a changing Galaxy. So, while this episode seemed slow, I’m hoping that this won’t be the trend for the show.

In addition, the show gives us plenty to look forward to. Thanks to the trailers, we already know that Rex will make an appearance, and it may be sooner than we think. According to Cut, Rex visited the Lawquane’s the day before the Bad Batch arrived. Sooner or later, the team will run into him. And I can’t wait.

I Give “Cut and Run” a 3/5

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Star Wars: The Bad Batch Premiere Review

Just because I’m mad at Disney over screwing over Amphibia doesn’t mean I’m going to let it ruin May the Fourth for me. Star Wars may be owned by Disney now, but it’s always going to stand by itself, mouse or not. And speaking of standing out by itself, so do the clones of Clone Force 99, the Bad Batch. Introduced in the final season of The Clone Wars, I fell in love with the Bad Batch right away. They were like GI Joe crossed with the Ninja Turtles, and easily stood out from most of the other clones. Unfortunately, the fact that they stand out sets the tone for the series premiere of their spin-off of the same name. As the Galaxy reels from the aftermath of the Clone Wars and the rise of the Empire, the Bad Batch has a choice to make. Stay with the Empire, or do what they think is right?

Since this is the Empire, though, the choice should be a no-brainer. At least, it should be.

Order 66 and a Young Kanan

In an interesting start to the episode, viewers see the Bad Batch in the final hours of the Clone Wars fighting alongside Debi Billaba and her Padawan, Caleb Dume. Or, as fans of Rebels know him, a young Kanan Jarrus. Then, Order 66 comes down, and we get to see Caleb’s master die while he flees for his life. These are things we already knew about and saw happen in comic form. However, what made this scene interesting is two things. Firstly, the Bad Batch (sans Crosshair) doesn’t participate in Order 66. They don’t even know what that is. As we later confirm in the hour long premiere, because of their mutations, Bad Batch is immune to the inhibitor chips that brainwash them. As for Echo, his got fried when he was captured. Secondly, the fact that we see how Caleb escapes Order 66 is a nice bit of continuity for the franchise. Just something to consider.

Aftermath and Omega

Then, we all know what comes next in the aftermath. The Empire rises, and the Galaxy is plunged into darkness. And the Empire doesn’t appreciate the free-thinking ways of Bad Batch.

The premiere makes it clear that a lot of Clones don’t like the Bad Batch for being different. In a surprising moment in the mess hall, one Clone even calls them “The Sad Batch.” Having known the Clones as the good guys for years, seeing them act far colder to everyone in the aftermath of the war is a chilling sight. Fortunately, that prejudice doesn’t extend to everyone.

Which brings us to Omega. Since her introduction in the trailer, fans speculated about who she is. While the Bad Batch speculates that she’s an abnormal Clone like them, the premiere gives no concrete answers.

I like the concept that Omega’s Clone, and it makes sense. When creating millions of clones from a single source of DNA, abnormal clones are certain to exist. Thus, it makes sense that there could exist a Clone that is essentially a gender-swapped version of Boba Fett. In addition, there’s the symbolic meaning behind her name. Omega is the final letter in the Greek Alphabet. This could mean that Omega may be the final Clone to be born from Fett’s DNA. Therefore, it’s fitting that she’s an abnormal Clone, and even more fitting that she takes a shine to the Bad Batch.

Too bad Tarkin doesn’t.

They’re Their Own People Now

We all knew that the Bad Batch was going to desert the Empire, but I still wanted to see how it happened. As it turns out, it’s Saw Gerrera who serves as the catalyst. When the squad’s sent to wipe out “Separatist Insurgents” on Onderon, they balk at the fact that it’s essentially women and children running from the Empire. Saw confronts them over this, and it’s his resolve to fight the new Empire that proves to be the final straw. The Bad Batch chooses to desert the Empire. Except for Crosshair.

It was leaked that Crosshair would remain loyal to the Empire, and it’s made apparent why. Unlike the rest of his squad, Crosshair’s inhibitor chip remains partially functional, making him obey Order 66 despite his past history of not following orders. Sadly, Tarkin gets to him before Bad Batch can. By the time they see each other again, Crosshair’s as brainwashed as the rest of the Clones.

I loved this moment. Star Wars has made it clear that the Clones are just as much victims as everyone else who suffered from Darth Sidious’ actions. But Crosshair? Seeing him physically brainwashed into following the Empire is downright tragic. Now, he looks set to be the main antagonist of The Bad Batch, albeit a very tragic one.

Can’t Wait to See What Comes Next

I absolutely adored “Aftermath”, and think that it helped The Bad Batch hit the ground running. From seeing the fall of the Jedi and rise of the Empire from the Clones perspective to Crosshair turning on his brothers, this episode was just amazing. If this is what we have to look forward to in the rest of the show, I think fans will enjoy this show.

I don’t know what will become of the Bad Batch or Omega. Will they live to see the fall of the Empire? What will happen to the rest of the Clones? Why was Omega made? I’m hoping that we see all these questions answered and more.

I Give “Aftermath” a 5/5

May the Fourth be With You!

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