by JAMES HANTON
Season Two of The Bad Batch got off to something of a stuttering start, with genuine quality hiding amidst filler episodes and almost overwhelming deep dives into wider lore. The second half, however, is a welcome improvement, particularly as far as characters are concerned. And the motley crew at the heart of Dave Filoni’s series has always been its greatest strength.
Filoni is not gratifying those wishing to retcon the sequel trilogy, instead tying The Bad Batch directly into Palpatine’s secret cloning operation that reveals itself in The Rise of Skywalker. With a clearer focus and higher stakes than the first eight episodes, the Emperor’s shadow looms large over Clone Squad 99 as they fight an apparently losing battle. But this dogged determination, and their ever-evolving relationship with Omega, make them worthy heroes. Several of the batch get moving, satisfying arcs – particularly Tech, who marks a significant step forward in representation for the franchise, and Crosshair, for whom lingering doubts about the Empire finally come to the fore. Even minor characters elicit more empathy this time around, despite you being well aware that a happy ending is frustratingly out of the question.
It is fascinating to watch The Bad Batch bridge the aesthetic gap between the prequels and the original trilogy, with the glossy animation style allowing for much visual experimentation. The result is a series that looks as good as it feels. Still rewarding for dedicated Star Wars fans, yet relying more favourably on its overarching plot and characters rather than singular adventures, The Bad Batch steps up and establishes itself firmly as a worthy Clone Wars spin-off. Mission accomplished.
EPISODES REVIEWED: 9-16 | WHERE TO WATCH: DISNEY+
