“The Bad Batch” Season 3 brings the titular fractured sqaud of misfit’s journey to freedom from the Empire to an epic conclusion while expanding the Star Wars Universe.
From introducing Ashoka Tano and Clone Force 99 to helping create the Mandalorian, Dave Filoni has been responsible for much of what we have seen from a Star Wars universe that distances itself from the Skywalker Saga. For him, it has always been about the epic journeys of outsiders, lost people, misfits, and orphans like Ahsoka Tano, The Mandalorian, and The Bad Batch – an elite group of clones whose genetic aberrations give them extraordinary abilities that separate them from other Clone Troopers. There’s Hunter, the tracking expert who takes his likeness from Rambo. Wrecker, the muscle-bound demolition expert. Crosshair, the sharpshooting sniper. Echo is a Clone Trooper with cybernetic augmentations. Finally, there’s Omega, a young female clone who is a high-value asset to the Empire. Though considered defective, Clone Force 99 are the most effective soldiers and, more importantly, are a family unit.
This review only takes a look at the first eight episodes.
Season 3 takes a rather unconventional approach to the usual mission-of-the-week structure while also tying itself to the larger mythology built by Filoni. These are multilayered episodes, each with individual self-contained arcs but ultimately part of a larger story. As these stories unfold, we see what the Empire has planned for its disposable assets and how freed Clones work in concert with The Bad Batch to hit Tantiss hard and free their brothers.
No longer tools for war, the Empire’s science division, led by Royce Hemlock, takes blood samples from the Clone Troopers, including Omega and Crosshair. At first, Omega is more than just a pawn to ensure Nala Se cooperates with the Empire’s research. The Kamino genetic scientist explains that the Empire seeks the reproduction of a genetic M-count, but the experiments on the specimens have yet to yield the desired result. The episode purposefully keeps the audience and Omega from learning what these specimens are through a well-time interruption from Hemlock that will elicit an angry reaction from the viewer. As such, the mysterious project serves as the plot device for the remainder of the series and keeps the audience tuning in weekly to discover the truth about the project.
So Nala Se does everything she can to dispose of Omega’s blood discretely. But she can only do that for so long before Hemlock discovers what she’s doing. And when she realizes that time is running out, Nala Se instructs Omega to get off the planet. Omega agrees but will only do so if she can bring Crosshair. Meanwhile, in an unknown part of a faraway galaxy, Hunter and Wrecker are desperately looking for Omega. They go from planet to planet, looking for clues to her whereabouts without stopping for a break. Along the way, they discover young clones left behind by the Empire and their brethren. While they may not share the same warfare experiences or biological acumen, they find commonality in being “lost people.”
Separating the Bad Batch into two parties means we see the individual members of the crew shine. As Omega and Crosshair are left to their own devices while imprisoned on Tantiss, Hunter and Wrecker come to grips with their failure to protect one of their own. In a way, these episodes reveal what they mean to each other and how much their absence affects them as a family – more so for Omega and Crosshair than Hunter and Wrecker. Each pair can bounce off each other in fun ways, resulting in fascinating dynamics. Omega’s childlike demeanor and efforts to emulate being a soldier don’t initially impress a defeated Crosshair. However, his attitude changes when he starts advising her on what she needs to do to make a successful breakout. It’s quite the about-face for the sniper who always believed that good soldiers follow orders and a testament to Omega’s kindness. And to watch them escape, with a bit of help from Omega’s friendly lurca hound named Batcher was one of the most thrilling breakouts in Star Wars history- not nearly as cool as the one in “Andor” though.
Our one episode with Hunter and Wrecker isn’t enough time to flesh out how the pair needs Omega and Crosshair. We already know they can operate as a two-man team. The two are seen pulling odd jobs like bringing back fugitives in exchange for information that could lead to Omega’s whereabouts, and they have no qualms about how it’s done. The best part of their episode is how it trusts Hunter and Wrecker run into a trio of younger clones discarded by the Empire. The two see much of themselves in the three, especially when Wrecker tells them they are “lost people too.” Though it is an emotional connection, the episode delves into horror movie territory when the crew learns that the only thing standing between them and a computer console that could reveal Omega’s location are sentient vines, creepy-crawlies that look like twisted versions of a face hugger, and a swamp version of a Sarlacc pit.
But seeing how Omega and Crosshair work together to break out of their prison and find their way back to Hunter and Wrecker is a total blast. Crosshair spent the majority of the first two seasons trying to capture Omega. In contrast, Omega spent those seasons trying to stay out of Crosshair’s crosshair. There is a “Paper Moon” vibe that comes into play when the two are together, especially in Episode 4’s “A Different Approach,” where they are trying to find another ship. Omega has to hustle players into giving her enough credits to buy her, Crosshair, and Batcher off the planet. Of course, it won’t be easy, especially when a sinister Imperial Officer enters the picture.
“The Bad Batch” may be about a group of misfit clones. Still, the animated series widens its scope by highlighting politics and how the Empire has found a new use for Clones to protect their galactic dominance. Planets and star systems’ desire for peace means unifying to oppose the all-powerful Emperor. However, without a unifying force, they are at a disadvantage. So, to crush these plans, the Empire sends Shadows, special operations clone troopers who engage in solo stealth and espionage missions. Their stealthiness, expertise in close-quarters combat, and loyalty to the Empire make them a deadly force to be reckoned with.
One mission sends a Shadow to assassinate Senator Chuchi and Senator Singh, two political leaders conspiring to overthrow the Empire. The Shadows’ designs, movements, and purpose help distinguish the special ops troopers from their brothers-in-arms while giving them a new purpose for their use as the Star Wars lore continues to expand under Filoni’s watchful eye. Though these Shadows are incredible to watch in action – it reminds me of how they move like Solid Snake in “Metal Gear Solid” games – we also see how expendable they are. It’s already hard to identify one clone from the other, and the Empire goes the extra mile by wiping out their identification numbers. Moreover, they will send in other shadows to neutralize captured ones to ensure that they cannot be interrogated and forced to disclose secret information. It’s another way to show audiences how cruel the Empire can be towards the Clones.
While you can expect to see Rex, Gregor, and Fireball make some appearance in one form or another, other cameos include the pirate Phee Genoa and the bounty hunter Fennec Shand. The former provides an assist by giving some vital information to Hunter and Wrecker. The latter needs their help to cross a swamp planet filled with space gators and depth charges. That episode provides a new meaning to don’t go into the water.
It’s refreshing to see how “The Bad Batch” takes a nuanced look at their relationships with the other members of the squad and other clones, particularly with Crosshair, who rejoins the cause but only after Omega was able to save him. Of course, it won’t be easy with all the bridges Crosshair has burned. Crosshair has betrayed and killed his own people, so it stands to reason that his brothers aren’t too keen on him being part of the team again. So Crosshair has to let his actions rebuild that broken trust. Inevitably, we learn that the squad and clones all have their regrets, and because nobody understood what was happening as the Empire established its dominance, they can only move on and try to be better people.
“The Bad Batch” remains one of the best additions to the Star Wars universe because it operates mainly as a standalone series full of intelligent, mature, and intriguing stories that bind the Skywalker saga together. Unfortunately, that also means being attached to the canon that’s been laid out before them. As such, the titular crew can’t veer too far off course, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be a part of the new unexplored arcs of the Saga. But it is still exciting to see how Filoni and company take “The Bad Batch” on high-stakes adventures across the galaxy while also expanding the Star Wars lore. Filled with incredible action sequences, terrific animation, and well-placed cameos, the final season is expected to be an epic spectacle.
The final season of “The Bad Batch” debuts with a three-episode premiere on February 21, 2024, exclusively on Disney+.
9/10
