Star Wars: The Bad Batch Put Politics Back on the Menu, Barely

Omega is protected, however the galaxy continues to be in turmoil. What’s a bunch of enhanced clones to do? The newest episode of Star Wars: The Bad Batch sent Clone Force 99 on one more facet mission, one which reminded us the place the galaxy has been, the place it’s now, and that the Bad Batch are the proper heroes for the second.

Episode 10 of The Bad Batch is known as “Common Ground” and it started with the Empire looking for some. On the planet Raxus, final seen on Star Wars: The Clone Wars because the dwelling world of the Separatist Senate, the Empire has now invaded however the public isn’t being cooperative. An Imperial captain named Bragg warns the folks of Raxus that they have to give into the occupation and urges their Senator, Avi Singh (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine legend Alexander Siddig), to persuade them to take action. Senator Singh begins to communicate on behalf of Bragg however in the end can’t—he modifies his tune and speaks out towards the Empire, and the folks of Raxus adore it. Quickly and predictably, Bragg captures Singh earlier than he can say an excessive amount of and sends in her troopers to intimidate the general public. Luckily, Singh’s droid, DS-8, already has detailed directions that contain calling everybody’s favourite bar proprietor, Cid, and getting some assist despatched. That assist, after all, is Clone Force 99, who’re hoping to take some quiet break day after the whole lot they’ve been by way of just lately with Omega. Those hopes fade shortly although as Cid tells them about this rescue mission. They don’t wish to go, they usually undoubtedly don’t wish to put Omega again at risk, so Hunter comes up with the compromise: depart Omega with Cid so possibly she gained’t be picked up by one of many a number of bounty hunters who’re after her. The Batch are conflicted about this mission, although. They spent the Clone Wars combating towards the Separatists. Do they actually should threat their lives to free a Separatist senator?

Therein lies probably the most attention-grabbing subtext in “Common Ground,” which is that now that the Empire is answerable for the galaxy, all different teams have mainly grow to be united. Either you’re with the Empire, or towards them, and since Senator Singh is towards them, he’s really one of many good guys. What he could have been previously not issues. That thought doesn’t precisely get explored very a lot within the episode, however the thought is there, as Clone Force 99 go about their rescue mission. Once on Raxus, the troops meet up with DS-8 and get to work. Here, we acquired a showcase of simply how significantly better the Bad Batch are than each different Clone Trooper on the market. Like taking part in a online game on its Easy setting, they shortly take out a number of Clone Troopers, surveillance programs and extra, making their solution to Singh in a short time. (And that he’s being held in his wine cellar made me suppose, “We need more episodes about Star Wars alcohol.”)

Acquiring Singh is only one a part of the plan, although. Now they should get him, and themselves, out of the jail that Singh’s former property has grow to be, which is being invaded by many, many extra Clone Troopers after Captain Bragg despatched out a sign proper earlier than being shocked. Again although, that is simply one other likelihood to see simply how superior the Bad Batch are at their jobs. First, they commandeer an Imperial walker—properly, as we all know it, an AT-TE, somewhat than the AT-AT simply but—prefer it was a speeder bike, taking out half a dozen Clone Troopers on the best way. And when that walker will get blasted, they simply commandeer one other one. The complete scene performed out like a lumbering, Star Wars model of a monster truck rally and demolition derby, with the massive walkers stomping by way of Singh’s property, blowing one another up, and strolling over each other. Eventually, Singh’s suggestion of taking place a dead-finish alley pays off they usually’re capable of finding a secret escape route out of the town by way of the sewers. The mission is full, and although Singh contemplates staying on Raxus to assist his folks, Hunter lets him know he can do extra good from afar.

Meanwhile, as all of that is occurring, Omega is sulking round Cid’s bar. She’s accused of being ineffective, which could even be true, if not for the very fact Cid discovers she’s acquired an uncanny expertise for holochess, aka dejarik. From there, The Bad Batch went from a conventional Star Wars present to Searching For Bobby Fischer meets Rounders, as Cid makes use of Omega’s abilities to hustle patrons out of cash. By the time the Bad Batch return with Singh, Omega has made a lot, she’s paid off their money owed. “I wanted to be useful even if I couldn’t be on the mission,” Omega says. And she definitely was.

“Common Ground” had our fundamental characters all doing what they do greatest. For the Bad Batch, that’s kicking ass and combating towards the Empire. For Omega, that’s strategizing and serving to out in anyway she will be able to. You sort of wished extra of every of these tales, however in the end it’s simply good to see these characters justify why we’re spending a lot time with them. No one else within the galaxy can do what they do.

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