Updated: Aug 19, 2021
Ok, so I may have said that my last post was covering the season finale of Star Wars: The Bad Batch. However, the conclusion to the two-parter aired Friday, as opposed to the beginning of the next season! My apologies, fellow blerds! So, why don’t we get into the second part of the conclusion!
As Admiral Rampart is overseeing the sub-orbital bombardment of Kamino, the Bad Batch with former member Crosshair must find a way off the lab that is sinking below! While Crosshair is still standing by the Empire, even though they tried to kill him and deemed him expendable! While Crosshair is fine with that, saying that he knew the risks. Hunter and Omega are trying to get through to him, but they have bigger worries, such as trying to escape the flooding facility before they all drown. The clone troopers, along with Omega and her droid companion AZI, traverse deeper down the flooded facility to move up towards their ship. Along the way, Omega and Crosshair save each other’s lives, during the escape! While Crosshair is still loyal to the Empire, he makes no move against the Bad Batch, when they eventually reach their ship. Crosshair is left, waiting for an Imperial scout ship to pick him up, Meanwhile, the Kaminoan scientist Nala Se arrives with her own squad of Clone Commandos and meets with an unknown Imperial Commander on an unknown planet, with the commander saying that “they’ve been expecting her arrival!
Now, this episode, while lacking in the action, is more symbolic. It really feels like the true end of the Clone Wars era in the Star Wars. Where the Bad Batch goes from here, is really anyone’s guess. Will they help the rebellion? Will they meet any Jedi? Will Crosshair eventually rejoin the group, or will he remain loyal to the Empire? And, just what was Nala Se doing with the Empire? Perhaps another cloning experiment?! Time will tell, but for now, all we can do is speculate until the next season arrives. While the Clone Wars era was perhaps my favorite time period of Star Wars, this episode was a fitting end to that era, with Clone Force 99 looking at their “home” sinking into the ocean, and with Omega saying that “It’s…all gone.” My overall opinion of the show hasn’t changed much, though. I would prefer lees side missions and more straight-to-the-point storytelling, in the next season. But that’s it for me, till next time fellow blerds!
Updated: Aug 11, 2021
First off, apologies for not reviewing every episode of Star Wars: The Bad Batch. I don't know, but the show kinda fell off, in my opinion. For every two great episodes, we almost always saw them on some side quests, which weren't advancing the plot of the story! But here we are, the season finale is here, and it may be one of the best episodes yet! But let's do a quick recap of what happened...the Imperial Invasion on Ryloth happened as planned. And while it was nice to see Star Wars Rebels character Hera in a few episodes, I feel a bit too much time was spent on her. The Bad Batch's handler Cid had to fight off rival crime organizations, and Hunter was taken hostage by Crosshair in the last episode! So with that said, let's get after it! By the way, SPOILERS AHEAD!
We start off with a tense reunion of sorts with Hunter and Crosshair debating on how the Empire is just using Crosshair and Crosshair being fine for the most part with it. Crosshair is also aware that the rest of the Bad Batch will come for their "brother", so he devises a trap for them. By using Hunter's comm-link, Crosshair leads the team back to the planet Kamino, where all clone troopers were created. With the team picking up Hunter's signal, the team is in hot pursuit, Crosshair is met by Admiral Rampart with orders to terminate the clones. But some of the Stormtroopers question Crosshair's allegiance to the Empire. Rampart devises a plan; either Crosshair kills his old squad or Rampart will order all of the clones to be put to death.
The Bad Batch infiltrates the Imperial facility, with Omega feeling upset about returning to her "home" planet. Hunter tries to reason with Crosshair, telling him that the Empire will eventually "retire" all clone troopers. Crosshair coldly responds, "only the ones who don't matter". The Bat Batch enters a lab where they were created, alongside where Omega was created. Not many Kaminoan scientists survived the Empire's occupation. I love the relationship with Hunter and Crosshair; it's very much like a Leonardo vs Raphael vibe. As Hunter begins to tell Crosshair about the inhibitor chip, the Bad Batch makes their move! They head to the training room, where Crosshair is waiting for the team! Hunter questions what Crosshair's plan is, to which Crosshair retorts with how the team betrayed him. He gives the team a "chance". Then Crosshair goes on a tirade, about how the Empire is a necessary evil. When questions about his trust, Crosshair responds by killing four Stormtroopers with a ricochet blast! Crosshair pleads one more time to join the Empire and not to make him an enemy. Hunter responds that they never were. Just then, a group of battle droids was activated, and the team not only have to fight off the machines but keep Crosshair alive!
When Admiral Rampart gets wind of what's happening, all Imperial troops evacuate to a nearby Star Destroyer. Rampart gives Admiral Tarkin an update on the situation. As the clones take out the battle droids, the Bad Batch corner Crosshair, telling him that it's the inhibitor chip making him follow the Empire. Then, Crosshair drops a bomb, saying that he had his chip taken out a long time ago! They stun him unconscious and evacuate the facility. Just then, the Star Destroyer opens fire on the facility, destroying the lab and...cutting to credits!!!
O.K, my thoughts on the show; overall it was well done when it came to the main characters. I love the rivalry between Hunter and Crosshair. And can we say that Crosshair is one of the deadliest shooters in the galaxy!? The way he just bounces blaster bolts into their targets like it's nothing is amazing. The special guest characters were fun, like Kanan and Hera from Rebels, Cad Bane from The Clone Wars, and Fennec Shand from The Mandalorian. Hopefully, in the next season, we can see some surviving Jedi from Order 66, more emphasis on the Bad Batch, and fewer filler missions. I give e the show a 7 out of 10. Post your thoughts below, and until next time fellow blerds!
Updated: Jul 14, 2021
Once again, this episode doesn't really move the main plot forward much, but what it does is capture just how planets react to the Empire conquering whole systems and claiming that it's in the name of "peace and security". That is the whole theme of the show, and a certain Rebel makes an appearance! Spoilers Ahead, continue at your own risk!
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On the planet Ryloth, citizens are on the verge of rioting, due to the Empire's presence and militarization of certain locations. According to the citizens, the Republic was supposed to leave after the Clone Wars were over. Of course, this didn't happen, and the Imperial representative, Vice Admiral Rampart wants Senator Taa to settle his fellow Twi'leks down. But their "unofficial" leader and guerrilla tactician Cham Syndulla calms the townsfolk down. As it turns out, Cham is the father of Star Wars Rebels character Hera Syndulla, who also makes an appearance! Rampart satisfied, for the moment anyway, Cham shares his concerning his wife and brother, Gobi about the occupation of the Empire. While Cham just wants peace after years of war, Gobi and Eleni wonder if they've paid a price that's too high! Meanwhile, a young Hera and her droid Chopper spy on an Imperial location to see what's the Empire really doing on Ryloth! Meanwhile, Crosshair is with the Vice-Admiral and will follow the Twi'Leks to see what they're up to.
As it turns out, Gobi has contacted The Bad Batch, through their handler Cid, for weapons and munitions for the beginning of rebellion! Omega and Herashare a nice moment together, and Hunter warns Gobi that bring more weapons will attract more attention. But Crossahair follows them, and a plan set by Rampart is in motion. Crosshair assassinated Senator Taa, framing Cham and Eleni Syndulla for the kill. aid that the Senator actually survived this blaster bolt to the head, in the book Lords of The Sith. I have to re-read, for clarification.) This action should quell any signs of decent from the citizens of Ryloth, which is what Rampart wants.
This episode, again not really move the plot forward. However, I do appreciate how planets are reacting to the Empire's aggressive tactics in militarization. A far cry from how the Galactic Republic would handle things, as they would rather deliberate and negotiate than to simply use brute force and superior firepower. Hopefully, we can see another run=in with Crosshair and The Bad Batch, I feel we need some action-heavy episodes, getting the show back on track. That's all for this week, till next time my fellow blerds!
