By Ben Wright (@iamzavagno | www.xgeeks.co.uk)
This review contains spoilers.
It’s always a good week when there is a double-helping of The Bad Batch!
This final series has delivered with every episode, and after last week’s incredible release, the expectations were high going into episodes ten and eleven!
So, let’s get into it…
Episode 10: Identity Crisis
We’ve gained deeper insight into Project Necromancer, revealing its rather grim essence upon reflection. The “specimens” storyline is intertwined with another subplot involving the capture of M-count children, culminating in the return of Cad Bane!
As in previous seasons, we continue to witness the Empire’s activities, now through the perspectives of Dr Emerie. Dr Emerie’s previous interactions with Omega revealed a burgeoning empathy, sparking questions and displaying a growing burden on her conscience. It seems her character arc is steering towards a more morally righteous path.
Overall, this episode delivers another captivating instalment, particularly focusing on the Empire’s machinations. Dr Emerie remains a compelling character, and the introduction of Imperial political tensions between Tarkin and Hemlock adds greater depth to the scale of the Empire plotline. This episode effectively broadens the narrative scope, delving into darker tones and themes, and should be commended for doing so!
As for the cast, I genuinely loved the performance of Keisha Castle-Hughes. It was also nice to have a cheeky appearance by Steve Blum and a Stormtrooper and Villager!
Episode 11: Point of No Return
The episode began with a significant foreshadowing of what was to come, and as a fan of Pabu, I was dismayed!
The CX Trooper trails The Batch on Pabu, accompanied by a full division of Imperial Troopers. We lose the Marauder, and all the vehicles on the planet, trapping our heroes with no means of escape. The music intensified this devastating and emotionally charged sequence.
The episode’s title, “Point of No Return,” is apt, as the recaptured Omega will now lead The Bad Batch and the clone resistance to one destination – Tantiss! We always anticipated this as the final battleground, and anxiety is mounting even at this early stage!
This felt like a moment akin to The Empire Strikes Back for the show; the pain of our heroes’ losses is deeply felt. The triumph of the enemy is nauseating…
Overall, these were two standout episodes of The Bad Batch! The shift towards darker themes and focus on the Empire’s dominance was a refreshing change for this final season. It’s understandable why they chose to release both episodes together. The Emerie subplot added depth, and with Omega bound for Tantiss, the anticipation is high for what lies ahead.
It’s a tough pill to swallow this week, folks, but we’ll bounce back… there’s always hope!
What did you think about the latest episode of the final season of The Bad Batch? Let us know in the comments!
X-Geeks 