Star Wars: The Bad Batch - S01E09 "Lost Bounty"

Taun We - condemmed to death from the minute this order was given.

Another highly entertaining episode injected with a degree of peril as Omega finds herself stuck between a battle of bounty hunters; Fennec and Cad Bane. We discover that Fennec was hired personally by Nala Se without the knowledge of the Kaminoan PM. This adds credibility to Fennec’s “caring” persona towards Omega in this episode and the previous time when one was unsure how sincere Fennec was back then. Turns out, she was actually more truthful than we thought. As she dramatically fights it out with Cad Bane, memories of The Clone Wars episodes are constantly reignited in my mind. Their jostling for advantage in battle is clever, as is their armoury and tricks of the trade. One might think Cad Bane has had it when tied up and sent flying over the edge, but alas those rocket boots save the day! His arm flame throwers also never fail to be dramatic. An absolutely delicious tussle in what can only be described as atmospheric (quite literally) and gorgeous scenery. The mist/dust/cloud effects were like butter melting on top a baked potato – absolutely dreamy. One assumes this is an old Kaminoan factory now abandoned for some reason? On a different planet? Different star system to Kaminoan? Whatever fell out one of those massive glass tubes looked a little Snoke like but think I saw big eyes on it so probably not, and it’s far too early for a Snoke wannabe to lurking about. Still, very intriguing. 

Cad Bane’s sidekick droid Todo was the star of the episode. As undoubtedly useful to Cad as he is, he’s also rather hapless at times, being totally misled by Omega initially, and failing at quite a few tasks subsequently. Still, he was a hoot and very much added to a great episode. The quick escape from Crosshair at the start was unexpected as one thought that had all been concluded somewhat last week but nevertheless that was the only minor oddity to the episode for me. Everything else was top notch entertainment. We also got even more reinforcement of Hunter becoming a father figure to Omega as previously it had really been only Wrecker shown to have the best relationship with her. Of course, one totally knows the end sentence is going to end up slapping him in the face with his promise of her never going back to Kamino. She’s SO GOING BACK TO KAMINO! 100% guaranteed now he’s said that. Also, given we find out exactly what it unique about Omega now, and it’s nothing to do with force power DNA as the conspiracy theories might have thought, but she’s essentially Boba’s sister? Alpha was Boba and Omega is, well, Omega. The only other last remaining clone of original pure DNA goodness. The likelihood of Boba showing up has now just gone up a big notch too. 

She's so going back to Kamino!

Star Wars: The Bad Batch - S01E08 "Reunion"

The one we'd been waiting for and wondering when the gang would be reunited with Crosshair. I was starting to think it might be left for the finale or mid-season cliff-hanger but thankfully they've given us a taste of the conflict sooner. In some respects it's a little bizarre it’s taken this long as sometimes it has seemed like the Empire were after them and then not really bothering. With three shuttles worth of troopers (Clones one assumes) and Crosshairs Stormtrooper wannabes squad in toe, we get a really good equal matchup between the remaining Bad Batch and the Empire. Quite why it never occurred to any of the Bad Batch that Crosshair would anticipate their plans I don't know. Hunter is a leader, but he's not as yet been shown to be that clever. I would have expected Tech to have thought that Crosshair would be likely figuring out their plans given they kept to their typical routines. I suppose we had to see an episode where the Bad Batch would learn the hard way that Crosshair would be aware of what they might plan, and this is it, but you'd think they'd have thought about that previously.

Fantastic comradery between the Bad Batch once again this episode. Omega is really one of the team now, which makes the ending all the more potent. If this had happened a few episodes ago I doubt we'd have been as heartbroken, but it's clear now that Omega fits in perfectly with the gang and they are learning and growing to utilise her in everything - Tech called Omega up to help him on the bridge. Sure, it was to do a simple task, but it shows she has integrated. We still don't know what's special about her yet, although I'm sure a few hints have been put in place. The Kaminoans refer to her as part of their contingency plan. Contingency for what? If the Empire saw no use for their clones? That seems the most likely reason but it's all hush hush. What's the plan? Omega is a much better clone? Maybe she can control the other clone? She needs to be cheaper too as it's unlikely that even a super clone (which in ways the Bad Batch already are) is likely to be something the Empire are interested in given their desire to spend money elsewhere. Death Star anyone?

All the scenes in this episode are atmospheric and gorgeous. Big vibes of The Force Awakens and The Rise of Skywalker here with the insides of downed Star Destroyers. Loved the textures, the creaky sounds, the clanking of rusty metal - absolutely beautiful. And then, the surprise appearance, which even for me was totally unexpected - a reunion with a beloved character from The Clone Wars in Cad Bane. This is Afterall The Clone Wars Season 8 in all but name and Dave Filoni has the opportunity of a lifetime to continue stories from The Clone Wars and hell he's going to do so. I remember a scene from one of the unfinished episodes with Cad Bane against Boba Fett? Was it Bane? Didn't Boba kill him? Well, it was unfinished episode and I guess it never happened in that respects. It was dramatic to see him back and a real tense moment. You know Cad would be quicker even though Hunter is a clone. It had to be Cad who won the battle or pointless bringing him into the scene. He was awesome. But how did Hunter survive the shot? Not really explained although he's clearly winded or injured at the end.

The stakes are rising in this show and I'm loving it.