Friday, 18 June 2021

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.


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