After being given a job to save a separatist senator from the Imperial occupation of his homeworld, The Bad Batch grapple with the idea that the are actually finding themselves on the same side as their former enemies. Meanwhile, under the fear that the bounty hunters are after her, Omega is left behind with Cid and struggles with the idea that she isn’t really useful to her team.
I liked this episode. Granted, it wasn’t incredible like last week’s outing was, but it does show more of what I want to see and what this show should logically be about: The Bad Batch adapting to life outside of war. Having them go on a mission to rescue a Separatist was actually a stroke of simplistic genius. It made sense, it brought about a lot of self-actualization and adaptation among the characters, and forced them to ask big questions and face bigger ramifications.
The action was reasonably inventive and I enjoyed the amusing droid that accompanied them. All in all, even if you just look at the episode as a strict action piece, everything from the infiltration of the estate, the escape, and even the slow walker chase… everything worked and worked well.
As I said, though, the think that truly elevates this episode is the theme of growing beyond what you were built for. Hunter, Tech, and Wrecker are finding that their new life had grown far beyond a simple battle of “us vs. them” and, to see The Bad Batch finally explore that theme in earnest is highly satisfying.
I even enjoyed how the show dealt with the inevitable, “This mission is too dangerous for you, Omega!” storyline that we all knew was coming. I liked how The Bad Batch knew that this development was logical and needed, but instead of patronizing Omega as “just a kid,” it showed how she actually does have value and can contribute to the team and, more importantly, how she should contribute to the team. I’ve said this before, but Omega is such a great character — she is a child and she is naïve, but she’s never written as an annoying know-it-all savior or someone who’s confidence outmatches her ability (Early Asoka, basically). Rather, she’s a gifted kid who has use. She knows she’s in over her head, but she’s brave and she listens to others. Omega is the most well-written child character I’ve seen in a very long time. She’s just so… realistic.
I’m also enjoying Cid. Rhea Pearlman has really created a rascally, enjoyable character and the fact that her bar is basically Cheers in space is so silly that I love it.
I’m also enjoying that her abilities make sense. She’s empathetic, she can see patterns… it’s obvious that she’s Force sensitive, but the show isn’t tipping its hat on that matter too early. Besides, as observant as The Bad Batch has been about things right in front of them in the past, it’s not like they would notice anyway.
Jason Gaston 