The Bad Batch The Bad Batch Season 2 Discussion (Spoilers Allowed)

It was fantastic to see Palpatine as the master manipulator again and it’s always great to see Rex!

It makes sense for Echo to leave the Bad Batch and go with Rex. He joined them because that’s where he felt he belonged and now his feeling of belonging lays elsewhere. Whether the creators do it or not I’m not sure, but having Echo go with Rex now offers another storyline perspective to explore. We’ve got:
1) Bad Batch - Whatever they’re up to
2) Crosshair - What the empire are up to
3) Rex and Echo - Looking to free disillusioned clones

While the Bad Batch could have been a perfectly good vessel to explore the galaxy with, these two episodes have shown me that the show may have been better off being named something else, as more of a continuation of TCW rather than having to cram the BB into every story thread

 

Well see you episode 11 I guess. I don’t care about acid and her episodes at all.

 

Lol, i enjoy the fun silly episodes, same as with clone wars and rebels.

 

I really like all of your points Bor and really agree with them, but the one that resonates the most with me is point 3.

Unlike what Rex says at the end, like yours, my read of the events that occurred in the Senate Chamber was one of damage control. Despite all of the accusations by Chuchi, despite all of the too-ing and fro-ing between Senators and despite all of Rampart's arrogant denials, the only time Palpatine's pod raises from the floor was when the physical evidence of the attack on Kamino is shown to the Senate. And even in animation, the anger in Palpatine's eyes is clearly evident as he skewers both Chuchi and Bail Organa. Then, to save the face of the Empire and continue the illusion that this is a good government and he is a good leader, Palpatine assumes damage control by throwing Rampart under the bus in saying this is some sort of lone wolf attack. Palpatine had been letting things play out until the risk to the Empire had been too great - and he hadn't been prepared for this. But in true Palpatine form, he shrewdly makes the situation work for him by saving face and by passing the bill. So I too don't like the Rex phrase and I hope it can just be viewed as a throw-away line like "oh, I knew they'd do that".

Because to expand on your point from how I see things and like things in Star Wars, I don't like the idea of an "all-knowing" eye. This ventures dangerously close to superhero/villain territory and where the Star Wars Superhero/Villains are concerned, I like the idea that they can succumb to the same emotions as others and can have their plans twarted by the average Joe Blow.

Like with TPM, Palpatine loses Maul beyond his control, but seizes opportunity by starting to narrow in on Anakin. Then the Clones appear at the Battle of Geonosis; yet another unplanned and unknown part to his grand plan. But again, Palpatine seizes opportunity for a Grand army, emergency powers and to prolong a war that effectively sends Jedi away from Coruscant and to all corners of the Galaxy. Then there is Anakin fearing to lose Padme, then there is Luke as a replacement for his father and so on. Palpatine doesn't plan for all of this, but adapts effectively each time to the variables of the equation he creates. Some can argue Operation Cinder. But this was only a contingency in case of his demise brought on by moments of doubt in Vader and his commitment to the Dark Side.

Palpatine is a master manipulator....true. But this doesn't mean his plans can't be undone to a limited degree by something he could not plan for or control.

I think Rex's line needs to be just a throw-away line and not have the narrative say that he planned to have this done to Rampart. It cheapens the narrative and does what you said it does Bor.

 

Exactly. Great points. Palpatine as a “master manipulator” is far more interesting than him as “mastermind.” And though the difference between those two things might seem like semantics to some, they are actually very significant - and can make a big difference in the quality of the writing and drama.

 

Palatine was in the trailer

 

Not everyone watches trailers to avoid spoilers.

 

Its spoilers that they actually put out to intice the audience.

 

Considering that the Kashyyk episode was near perfect, yes, there have been millions if not billions of greater quality jumps

But I agree with everything you said about Episodes 2X07 and 2X08. And now I am going to go and read it.

 

https://www.starwars.com/news/keith-kellogg-bad-batch-interview

 

Is "tipping point" another term for fulcrum? Episode 14, right before the finale, is Tipping Point.

 

I'm guessing its gonna have something to do with the clones rebelling. That's what they've seem to be hinting at.

tip·ping point

noun

1. the point at which a series of small changes or incidents becomes significant enough to cause a larger, more important change.
2. the critical point in a situation, process, or system beyond which a significant and often unstoppable effect or change takes place

 

I'm actually finding myself missing the C-3PO and R2-D2 outings. It feels like it's been so long.

Why not have some of the Batch do a job for Bail involving the droids (who are still establishing a dynamic post Threepio's memory wipe) which could also tie in Fulcrum? Probably a case of careful-what-you-wish-for, but I'm feeling nostalgic.

 

Yeah I too am getting a little tired of following the Bad Batch around on their various missions. The past two episodes have been much more interesting where they weren't the focus.

 

Wonder if we'll see the other members of Delta Squad at some point, given we saw Scorch training the next generation on Daro during S1

Maybe they're at Mount Tantiss getting turned into Phase Zero/One Dark Troopers as a "reward" for their loyal service to the Republic Empire

 

I would absolutely love that ( I'm pretty sure I heard something about them from a twitter post)

 

In my head canon that last planet is Aleena. I don't care what any episode guide says.

 

I think we’ve seen enough of season 2 to know the series for this season has turned into much more of an episodic weekly adventure series with the Batch getting into a problem they need to solve.

At the same time there is large river arcing story slowly happening in the background which may or may nit connect these unconnected episodes.

This isn’t bad. It’s what the show is. I just need to check my expectations that this isn’t The Clone Wars.

There is so much to like about this series. The animation is beautiful. The locations and lightning standout. The character animation is so becoming more fluid and able to visual convey subtle emotions.

It will really be fun in two weeks when we are getting two Star Wars series at the same time with Mando returning.

 

I repeat rewatch early Clone Wars or Rebels.

 

I feel The Clone Wars for most of its run is made of three and four episode story arcs that work like a series of movies. And then all of those arcs are pieces that fit into the larger puzzle which is the clone wars. And all of it is pushing the story of Star Wars from Attack of the clones to the state of the galaxy in Revenge of the Sith. It’s also setting up the Mandalorian with the story and establishment of Mandalore.

 

Were you one of the poor fans who was told to skip Season One of TCW? Season one is largely episodic just like this with exceptions like The Blue Shadow Virus episodes which don't feel largely important to any over arching plots. But like this episode Blue Shadow Virus has great character moments. Here Omega and Tech share great character moments in response to the overarch that Echo and before that Crosshair departed. Echo really seems like a jerk for turning off his communicator even if he has a great reason. I can feel how isolated The Bad Batch are. Rex is quick to call them for help but who is there for The Bad Batch in return? Cid's real colors were on display. Feels like the status quo is starting to change to me.

That wasn't a knock on S1 of TCW BTW. It's very underrated and has many gems in it. Chuchi was introduced in one of those.

 

I’m a big fan of the clone war. I didn’t skip any episodes. I watched it as it aired and watch all of them multiple times in rewatches. Seems to me a good portion of season 1 stand alone episodes get retroactively become part of multi episode story arcs.

Even blue shadow virus is a two episode story.

 

As am I. Blue Shadow Virus and Mystery of a Thousand Moons hold a special place in my heart because they are campy gooey goodness. They fit as puzzle pieces for Anakin and Obi-wan's relationship, Ahsoka's development, and even Padme's views on the Clones for the Pursuit of Peace. But TCW is never as direct as following up on Echo's departure with an actual discussion between characters about his departure in the next episode or arc. TCW would have come back to this in two seasons or left it in the gap for us to figure out the next time Echo popped up. But that was the appeal of TCW. Not being spoon-fed.

 

There’s a reason why I don’t revisit TCW before season 3, or Rebels before Twilight of the Apprentice.