Star Wars: The Bad Batch - Disney+

[Hikuro]

2 episodes out, much darker toned than Season 7 of CW or the 1st season of Bad Batch. Maybe it's just me as well but I've been noticing every season in particular getting better in terms of quality and style since the early days of the CW. I'm hoping for a really good dramatic and thrilling Season 2.

[Bolt]

I'm enjoying season 2. Although they are definitely compromised, emotionally, having Omega around. Which is most of the point. Their decision making ( or at least Hunter's) is too heavily influenced by concern for the kid. Nevertheless, I'm looking forward to more!

[Mog]

Just watched Season 2, Ep. 3.

Damn, that’s more like it.  Definitely one of the better episodes of Bad Batch and can stand alongside the better parts of Clone Wars and Rebels.

Spoiler

As much as he’s a loner, you can tell Crosshair wants to be part of a team again.

Still want a clear explanation of WHEN exactly he removed the chip.  But eps like these are good.

 

[Mog]

A theory (backed by solid observations) of when Crosshair likely got the implant removed:

https://starwarsthoughts.com/2021/08/24/the-bad-batch-creators-confirm-that-crosshair-did-have-his-inhibitor-chip-removed-and-that-we-can-figure-out-when/

[azrael]

Ah yes...

Spoiler

They wanted Cody to be around in Obi-Wan but took that out during scripting. Guess that story point stuck around in other projects. Howser arrested. Wilco dead. Now Cody AWOL.

I don't know if there will be this "Clone rebellion" the rumor mill keeps pumping. Otherwise, wouldn't that clone from Obi-Wan have been on the run instead of being a homeless bum? Or all the other clones out there won't have been able to continue wandering about.

 

[Mog]

The Empire is probably gonna pull an Office Space Milton, wait for the Clones to age out, and just “close the loop” on the problem.

The Empire’s probably just calling these isolated instances or calling those clones that act out “defective.”

[TehPW]

11 minutes ago, azrael said:

Ah yes...

  Hide contents

They wanted Cody to be around in Obi-Wan but took that out during scripting. Guess that story point stuck around in other projects. Howser arrested. Wilco dead. Now Cody AWOL.

I don't know if there will be this "Clone rebellion" the rumor mill keeps pumping. Otherwise, wouldn't that clone from Obi-Wan have been on the run instead of being a homeless bum? Or all the other clones out there won't have been able to continue wandering about.

 

Spoiler

You think 'removed because of script changes'. I think 'removed of $$$ issues in paying a toon more $$$ for a guest appearance on a lean budget. But that's just me. As for the clones? I CAN imagine the clones being ordered into formation (minus helms) on SDs Hangars and the like, given a pep talk (while the Hangar Crews get to safety), then someone hits the button marked 'Blow em out'... I really believe by the time of Rogue One and Eps 4, there are no clones on the Empire's official ToE. All because a few clones started to realize, 'the Empire's Coolaid isn't as good as The Republics Coolaid...' (I don't think the empire would wait for the clones to expire at their accelerated rates)

 

[Mog]

Bad Batch is already showing how the Empire’s transitioning out the clones (replacing them with natural born conscripts, making clones train the new folks, and still utilizing them for enforcement).

By the time of Rebels, the clones have already aged some.  Even by the time of the Obi series (which I believe happens before Rebels), the clones are already aging out.

For story purposes, it makes sense for the Empire to use them up and then just discard them like a used-up resource.

[sh9000]

Excellent episode 3.  I want more episodes like that.

[Bolt]

I enjoyed the newest episode, but..

Spoiler

They had to go and do another speeder race.. but except it's called riot racing. Not Swoop bike racing (a la The Old Republic) or Pod Racing (TPM) . It's got to be another kind of the same. A bit recycled, but whatever. At least it was Tek who won the final race , rather than Omega, which is what i was expecting.  And i did enjoy the droid Teo. He was delightfully annoying.

Next episode should deal more with the main story, I expect.

[mechaninac]

Other than a bit of foreshadowing for Cid as a character, episode 4 was 100% filler... fun filler that eschews the more annoying tropes of "current year" storytelling, but filler nonetheless.

[technoblue]

I would call that another fun filler episode. Next week’s episode Tribe could either be the third in a filler trio or we could be back to the main story. Time will tell…

[mechaninac]

Really solid two-parter.

I truly amazes me that one only finds really solid Star Wars (Star Trek too, for that matter), with exception(s), in the animated productions of the franchise.

[Mog]

I think the Disney overlords leave the animated stuff alone and don’t value it as highly as the live action stuff.

But yeah, this was a solid two-parter.

And if I’m a Clone with a massive secret about the Republic or the Empire, I’m staying the hell away from that bar!

Edited February 9, 2023 by Mog

[TehPW]

That SUCKED. sucked Hard. Why did Echo leave?

[azrael]

41 minutes ago, TehPW said:

That SUCKED. sucked Hard. Why did Echo leave?

I think they (the writers) didn’t know what to do with the character. Hunter’s the father-figure, Wrecker’s the brother, and Tech is the teacher. ‘Not sure what Echo is. Writing him out as a a regular in the show is probably the only plan they can come up with right now. 

[Mog]

Because he was redundant with Tech?

Because he doesn’t have a genetic quirk like the original Batch members?

Because the writers can’t write stories that actually deal with Echo’s issues and struggles?

Story reasons?  Because Echo wants to help Rex save their fellow brothers, and he knows the Batch’s main goal is to protect Omega and try to stay off of the Imperial’s radar.

EDIT:  Echo was becoming the conscience for Hunter and the voice of reason amongst the team.

Edited February 15, 2023 by Mog

[sh9000]

Bring on a series with Rex, Cody, Echo, and other rogue clones.

Edited February 24, 2023 by sh9000

[technoblue]

Hm. This two parter started out promising, but for me it didn’t quite stick the landing. 

Spoiler

The gluttonous, greedy mining overlord was a bit too stereotypical and simplified. The animated series has given the audience better antagonists in the past so this guy being more two-dimensional was unfortunate.

 

[Hikuro]

I'll be honest, this season has been rather flat. 

[Mog]

Well, the protagonists have been pretty one-dimensional too, except for Crosshair.

Edited February 25, 2023 by Mog

[azrael]

These “filler” episodes probably have a point to them, but yeah, with half the season done, this has been a sh*t season. 
I’m guessing they’re deconstructing Omega’s concept of family and home. Unfortunately, most of the stories just haven’t been very good.

[sh9000]

Captain Rex and crew in Star Wars:  Rogue Troopers.

[Bolt]

I just caught the latest episode, missed it while tripping over myself to watch The Mandalorian.  
Now the plot thickens..

Spoiler

We finally get to see clone commandos! Does anyone recognize that squad leader Does anyone recognize that squad leader near the end point? And you know when a clone commando is running scared (the opening) , you need to sit up and pay attention. I thought they were gonna bring out the zombies from the old novel (but then I remembered it's Disney) . So the revelation that the Empire wanted to control cloning (that's why they destroyed Kamino, the only game in town worth mentioning) , is a direct correlation to Snokey and Palpy in the newer trilogies. And finally the empire is onto the existence of Omega..

Overall, I enjoyed this episode. As usual, great eye candy.

[levzloi]

2 hours ago, Bolt said:

I just caught the latest episode, missed it while tripping over myself to watch The Mandalorian.  
Now the plot thickens..

  Hide contents

We finally get to see clone commandos! Does anyone recognize that squad leader Does anyone recognize that squad leader near the end point? And you know when a clone commando is running scared (the opening) , you need to sit up and pay attention. I thought they were gonna bring out the zombies from the old novel (but then I remembered it's Disney) . So the revelation that the Empire wanted to control cloning (that's why they destroyed Kamino, the only game in town worth mentioning) , is a direct correlation to Snokey and Palpy in the newer trilogies. And finally the empire is onto the existence of Omega..

Overall, I enjoyed this episode. As usual, great eye candy.

Clone Comando’s have actually been in several Clone Wars and Bad Batch Episodes, I think this is Scorch’s third episode.  

[Bolt]

35 minutes ago, levzloi said:

Clone Comando’s have actually been in several Clone Wars and Bad Batch Episodes, I think this is Scorch’s third episode.  

Seen plenty in Clone Wars. Just not so much in Bad Batch. 

[Mog]

The homages to Alien and other sci-if horror films was strong.

Was actually a nicely done ep.

Though a part of me was surprised they rounded up the villagers, rather than do the usual “leave no witnesses” methods the Empire is famous for.

[azrael]

Good episode that finally moves the plot but still surrounded by, what appears to be, filler episodes .

Now will it be Crosshair be the one assigned to go after them...again or will they be sending someone else.

[technoblue]

Indeed. The Alien homage was strong with this one, although if I’m being honest it is another sci-fi trope in a season that is relying a lot on tropes to drive its loosely connected stories.

I mean, the episode was okay but it will be interesting to see if what happened to the creature or the villagers actually matters.

The pieces we do get are related to intelligence gathering among the clone regulars who broke their programming and Omega’s plot. These have been slowly developing since the first season, and I’m still waiting for the proverbial other shoe to drop.

Edited March 6, 2023 by technoblue

[Dynaman]

I forgot, was it mentioned why the Empire cloned (or tried to clone) that particular creature?  I mean if you going to clone something for a test that creature is not the best of the lot to choose.  The episode was a good one though.  Much better then the filler ones.

[azrael]

Good episode this week. Better than the other Star Wars show running right now. I just don’t like the fact it’s taken us this far along in the season to get here. 

[Bolt]

On 3/6/2023 at 3:12 PM, Dynaman said:

I forgot, was it mentioned why the Empire cloned (or tried to clone) that particular creature?  I mean if you going to clone something for a test that creature is not the best of the lot to choose.  The episode was a good one though.  Much better then the filler ones.

I don't know, but it makes me think there might be a clue in the clone wars series. 
I enjoyed the latest episode. 

Spoiler

It's about time Crosshair got a clue about what's in store for his breed . And how the Empire rolls, for that matter. Honestly, i was surprised he shot the Lieutenant, though that pompous ass needed it badly. Now , i wonder, if his old mates are going to catch wind of his capture. If the Empire does manage to get Omega, maybe they'll be locked up in the same facility..

 

[Axelay]

Well that certainly took a rather dark turn. Never once before have I ever stopped to think that the clones and First Blood-era John Rambo might have something in common. They were trained for one very specific purpose, and so what do they do with their lives once they are no longer ordered to serve that purpose?

I am very curious to see where Crosshair has wound up.

[Bolt]

The story is finally gaining momentum. I've been waiting to see what Echo has been up to. Quite the contrast from what the others are doing. I'm very curious to eventually learn who Omega is a clone of. The creepy Imp is well done. 

[levzloi]

2 hours ago, Bolt said:

The story is finally gaining momentum. I've been waiting to see what Echo has been up to. Quite the contrast from what the others are doing. I'm very curious to eventually learn who Omega is a clone of. The creepy Imp is well done. 

I’m fairly certain this was addressed in the first episodes, she is a modified (Female instead of Male) clone of Jango Fett.  Boba Fett is Alpha, she is Omega.  That’s why they hunted for her in the first season, they needed access to her pure genetic strain.  Now they just want her to secure the Kaminoan Geneticist's cooperation.

Edited March 22, 2023 by levzloi