Ryan Shoots First: The Bad Batch (S1 Ep1) “Aftermath”

It’s finally here Season 8 of The Clon…. Oh wait no it is Season 1 of The Bad Batch! The spiritual successor to The Clone Wars. If you recall the Bad Batch made their debut in season 7 of the clone wars as a ragtag bunch of specialized clones either by genetic engineering or modification, they are somewhat seen as outsiders and after the events of their arc in TCW they have added Echo to their squad. The series picks up following those events which if you recall was right before Order 66 so with a 75 minute runtime and the title “Aftermath” lets see how the Bad Batch get through Order 66. And of course, as it is Star Wars day May the 4th Be With You!

We pick up the show right after the events of the Clone Wars with a Jedi and her troops pinned down waiting for reinforcements. A young padawan comes up and informs them the 5 reinforcements are here. The troops are not too pleased but the Batch is on the scene and these are troopers unlike any other. After an introduction Tech informs them that Obi-Wan has encountered Grievous so we are very close to Order 66. The clones take the young padawan with them who is named Caleb, yes that Caleb, Caleb Dume or as we know him Kanan from Star Wars Rebels. As soon as they leave Order 66 is given and the clones turn on the Jedi. Caleb hears this and turns back to see his Master gunned down. He runs to aid but she emplors him to run. He meets up with the Batch who don’t seem affected and Caleb runs into the woods. They split up to find the kid and also find out what Order 66 is. Crosshair locates Caleb and tries to shoot him as he is following orders but Hunter tells him to stand down as they are not sure what the orders are. As they discover the directive they locate Caleb who goes on the offensive. Hunter is able to talk down Caleb from finishing off Crosshair but Caleb who retreats to a cliffside leaps the ravine and runs away. Crosshair asks Hunter where he went and Hunter lies that he fell and didn’t make it. 

Flashforward and we see the crew arriving on Kamino. Crosshair is still skeptical of Hunter and his story. As they arrive it is clear something is very different. Hunter notices them hauling out Jedi bodies and troopers from all over are assembled. Crosshair confronts Hunter about letting the kid go and the two get into it. Tech figures out that the enhancements they received has them immune to the programming. They head to the meeting where they see the Emperor’s proclamation from Episode 3 declaring this the “First Galactic Empire”. As they leave the meeting they are followed by Omega, a small girl who knows all their names. She is a medical assistant working with the Kaminoans. 

Grand Moff Tarkin shows up on Kamino to inform them they no longer need Clones and breaks the contract with the cloners. Omega comes back and eats with the Batch after some clones make some remarks about them being the Sad Batch Omega throws some food at the clones, after Wrecker gets involved we have a full on brawl in the mess hall. Echo gets knocked out but once rehabbed with the help of Omega they all go to meet the Tarkin. Hunter tells Omega they are trouble and he needs to keep his distance. Tarkin decides to test the Batch in a battle simulation. The simulation gets real once Tarkin advises to switch to live rounds. The team still manages to pass the test to Tarkin’s chagrin. Tarkin is interested but is concerned that they didn’t finish off the Padawan by reports from Crosshair. The batch isn’t happy about the Live fire use but Tarkin comes in and gives them a mission to go track down some Separatists forces still lingering. Tech begins trying to crack the code to find the intel on these “insurgents” that the Empire has locked away. Omega catches up with Hunter to warn him not to trust Tarkin. Omega asks to come along but Hunter says no. There is something about Omega that seems to be getting at Hunter. 

As the squad approaches the camp they discover it is not Separatists but they are not droids they are refugees. Crosshair again is all about taking them out but before they can they are captured by the insurgents. They meet Saw Guerrera and Republic fighters. Saw tells Hunter the old ways are gone and they need to adapt to this new world and prepare for the coming Civil War. As they head back to their shuttle there is a probe droid watching them. Crosshair once again steps out and challenges Hunter that he is not fit to lead the squad before he can Hunter draws his pistol and takes out the probe droid. Tech reveals that Omega is in fact an enhanced clone like them. The 5 they mentioned did not include Echo as he was not engineered by the clones. Hunter decides they will go back to save Omega. Despite Crosshairs reservations. While rummaging through the Batch barracks Omega is captured by clones who are gathering up all the Batches stuff. As they arrive on Kamino they are ambushed by clones they are accused of treason by Tarkin and thrown in the brig where they are reunited with Omega. Troopers come and take Crosshair and discover his inhibitor chip is effective but just not as flawlessly as it did on the other clones. They intensify the programming of the chip to make him even more compliant. Omega helps them escape the prison cell earning her stripes. While retrieving their gear Crosshair leads a squadron to take them out. After a pretty sweet standoff Hunter ducks a sniper shot from Crosshair and the battle is on. Crosshair tries to seal the doors but the Kaminoians help to keep the bay open. Crosshair has Hunter in his sights but before he can fire Omega takes out his sniper rifle with a nearby blaster and the Batch escapes. With nowhere to hide from Crosshair they decide to head to J-19 to meet an old friend. As they head into Hyper space we see a shot of the hyperspace effect in Omega’s eyes as she leaves Kamino for the first time. 

Very much enjoyed the first episode and the idea of one of their own leading the hunt for them gives some big stakes and a contained threat. The time after the fall of the republic is maybe one of the most under explored times in Star Wars from a visual perspective so to see some more of that immediate aftermath should be fun to see. I also want to give a huge shout out to Dee Bradley Baker who is a low key one of the most important actors in Star Wars as the voice of all the clones. From Rex, to Cody to now the Bad Batch he manages to make them all recognizable but also fit in the same vocal tone of a clone. Excited to see where the Batch goes next! Oh and I REALLY hope we see Caleb show up again down the line. 

Observations 

• I like the new opening showing characters from the animated properties as opposed to the one before Mando. 
• Love the clone wars logo burning away with the title card aftermath.
• Did he say Battlefront??
• Depa de what now? 
• Ummmm, That Padawan sounds like Freddie Prinze Jr…..
• I guess it is the Mass Effect fan in me but their armor gives off big time N7 vibes. 
• I can’t help but think Wrecker didn’t want to say blow “something” up. 
• Ummmm That Padawans name is Caleb holy crap it is Kanan from Rebels OMG
• Ok I need a Caleb mini series next. 
• The Bad Batch ship is cool.
• I love when these shows tie right in with the events of the movie. 
• I’m sure Star Wars fans will LOVE Omega /s
• Wrecker with the german suplex
• The sim gun -shot to knife-take out was pretty sweet. 
• Who knew Saw Guerrera would be one of the most important Star Wars characters of all time. Guy shows up everywhere. 
• I can already see what will happen with Omega. Fans will think she is annoying. In 12 years she will be the best thing in Star Wars and everyone will demand all new contact revolve around her. 
• I love Wrecker. He is a big oaf but never compromises the team because of it and when need be he actually can be smart. He’s a meat head but he isn’t stupid. 
• I do kinda want to see Omega in a cute little mini Bad Batch N7 armor. 
• I never get tired of seeing shots of people in Star Wars experiencing hyper space for the first time.