By Ben Wright (@iamzavagno | www.xgeeks.co.uk)
This review is spoiler-free.
Just like the season opener, this week we are treated to a double helping of The Bad Batch, in what is essentially a two-part conspiracy thriller.
For this review, I will split it into two, allowing each episode to get the right amount of attention because trust me, they deserve it!
Episode 7: The Clone Conspiracy
The story focuses on the decommissioning of active clones and pushing through the legislation of Admiral Rampart’s Defence Recruitment Bill. This requires senate approval, so for this first episode, it’s off to Coruscant and time to visit a few familiar faces! Senator Bail Organa and Senator Chuchi! We actually follow Chuchi as the lead character in this first episode, with none of the Bad Batch characters appearing at all! What we do get, is an exhilarating thriller as Chuchi tries to uncover what truly happened on Kamino – with the assistance of two rogue Clones who want the truth to be revealed.
This felt like one of those vintage conspiracy episodes of The Clone Wars, they were always done so well, even if we know the hero in the story is never really going to ‘win’. The same issues are present here, we know there cannot be a victory in this, and we know the Empire prevails during this period. With that said, it was still tense and dramatic, and overall a really great episode.
We end on a cliffhanger that really sets up the next episode and I, for one, am grateful that they have dropped both episodes, as I wouldn’t want to be hanging on for another week for a conclusion to this story!
Episode 8: Truth and Consequences
Making up for their absence in the previous episode, we immediately kick off with the Bad Batch and Omeaga, which leads to a lovely interaction between Echo and Omega that looks back at both the previous episode as well as Echo’s captivity during The Clone Wars. The Batch is recruited by an ally to help retrieve the data we learned about in the previous episode. That of course is a huge risk, as the Batch and Coruscant is a dangerous combination! Luckily their ally and Senator Chuchi are on hand to offer assistance.
While the Clones head to the Imperial Shipyard, Omega joins Chuchi inside the senate. I liked that they separated them here and I think giving Omega this chance to observe the skullduggery and politics of the Senate will be an invaluable less for her going forward. This also leads us to a reunion with Senator Halle Burtoni, previously used as a red herring in the “Senate Murders” episode of The Clone Wars. I love that we are getting all of these returning faces from the political world of the galaxy!
At the Imperial Shipyard, the Batch works their way through Rampart’s ship, in order to recover the data drive that should, hopefully, expose the attack on Kamino. It was a tense stealth mission. At one point you really struggled to believe the Batch would make it out of this scrape, but even against overwhelming odds, you should never underestimate the Bad Batch!
As for the ending… wow. I am lost for words, even though I expected at least one of the outcomes! Regardless, it was a great moment. There was also a further stinger to the two-parter that caused some watery eyes right before the credits hit. I understand why they have done this, and considering this history involved, I support the move, albeit begrudgingly.
This was a fantastic two-part story that delivered everything it promised! It was great to have returning faces and themes that were such a big part of The Clone Wars, and just further solidifies the two shows together. Exciting, thrilling and emotional, what a great two-parter!
What did you think of the latest episodes of The Bad Batch? Let us know in the comments or find us on social media.
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