The Bad Batch S01E03 is the third episode of an animated scifi space opera action-adventure streaming TV series set in the Star Wars universe. Basically a spin-off of the final season of The Clone Wars, The Bad Batch features five ‘deviant’ clone troopers who come together like The Dirty Dozen (click on the link if you are too young to get the reference!) to take on missions that ordinary clone troopers are not equipped to handle.
Entitled “Replacements”, The Bad Batch S01E03 continues to explore Star Wars lore between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope viz. the transition from The Republic to The Empire. In particular, of course, the replacement of the clone troopers of The Clone Wars with the conscripted stormtroopers seen in the original trilogy. In addition, the series gets to tell stories related to the nascent rebellion as well, about two decades before the events of A New Hope.
READ OUR REVIEWS OF THE BAD BATCH.
The tone of The Bad Batch S01E03 treads a fine line between children’s fantasy and darker adult themes. Omega – the Kamino clone – is clearly intended to represent young viewers with this segment of audience engagement obviously in mind. All well and good as Omega proved herself to be an asset to Hunter and gang, not simply a potential liability.
The move to break Crosshair away from Clone Force 99 and made a pawn of Moff Tarkin’s machinations is a brilliant one as it sets up dramatic conflict within the former comrades. Also, the Kaminoans’ fear of losing their lucrative clone production contract provides grist for the mill, how they will resolve that problem will be intriguing to watch.
READ OUR REVIEWS OF THE MANDALORIAN.
All told, while The Bad Batch overall does not have the cache of The Mandalorian, the series is proving to be a important spin-off for the fans of The Clone Wars to latch on to. Still recommended viewing.
Now streaming on Disney+.
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