Max continues to sink his teeth into the triumphant return of The Clone Wars in Season 7.2 – “A Distant Echo”
‘A Distant Echo’ is the second episode in the “Bad Batch” arc and Rex, Anakin and Clone Force 99 are trying to get a mission approved to go to Skako to investigate the mysterious live signal, that may or may not be the lone Echo (as the title informs) that was presumed killed. Rex really cares about Echo and is 100% sure he is alive.
Before the mission, Anakin shares a tender holo-conference moment with his wife Padme. She strangely seems to be wearing the outfit she wore when she goes to Mustafar, at the end of Revenge Of The Sith. She doesn’t look pregnant yet, but it is mostly completely certain that she is, as this season takes place in 19 BBY amidst the Outer Rim Sieges, which Padme said in Sith that it was that event that took Anakin away from her. I’m sorry, but I find it fun to place Star Wars on a timeline. However, one of the things that always bothered me about Clone Wars, was how often it steps on the Prequel Trilogy’s shoes.
Padme and Anakin’s marriage is supposed to be a secret, yet Rex “covers” for Anakin during his rendezvous (guarding the door) and Obi-Wan is no fool. He knows Anakin is talking to Padme and tells Anakin to say that he says hello. I honestly don’t know how this can be more suspicious; that Anakin may have a deeper relationship with Senator Amidala. Obi-Wan doesn’t seem to care, and that isn’t in his character. He is a responsible mentor and friend and I know he would question him. Just saying. Anyway, Anakin strong-arms this unadvisable mission to retrieve the Republic algorithm and also rescue Echo, if he is indeed alive.
They have a bit of “local” trouble on Skako, and I can’t help but notice how inexperienced a general Anakin is. Also, the Anakin I hear in my head will always be Hayden Christensen and I cringe when I hear Matt Latner. He makes Anakin sound like a too-nice-dumb-jock. Anakin is edgy and weird and severe. This guy sounds too normal. The Bad Batch continues to impress me with their tactics and general badassery, but Crosshair has a really bad attitude problem and doesn’t respect unaltered clones (or as he calls them; regs). It’s interesting to see this division between the clones and I wonder if there are more clones out there who were augmented. Wrecker the one with superhuman strength is afraid of heights, which I find hilarious, as it shows that even the toughest guy around, can have phobias.
The team infiltrates the Techno Union lab with the help of some of the local primitives and strange, B1 variation droids are about as useful as a Jawa against a Noghri. Wat Tambor makes an appearance and declares that the Techno Union is neutral in the war, which is complete rubbish; as they heavily fund the Separatists. It reminds me a little of one of the Boba Fett books, where the Intergalactic Banking Clan was also a sham in its neutrality. These greedy executives show just how corrupt benefactors can be in a war.
The big reveal is not at all surprising, as it was highly implied from the get-go, but it was very tender when Rex told a barely conscious Echo that he had come back for him. Echo is in BAD shape. He looks like death and has many prosthetics. That and the fact the lab was very archaic and had electrical discharges from two tower-like devices; reminds me of the lab of Dr. Frankenstein.
I’m very much looking forward to the next episode of this awesome arc, as it is one of my favorites, alongside the Krell and Mortis arcs. Most of my only complaints are Star Wars nerdy nitpicking, and I award this episode a solid B.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars is streaming now exclusively on Disney+
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Max Nocerino is a new addition to the Future of the Force roster. He is a passionate Star Wars fan and loves the literature of the galaxy far, far away. Follow him on Twitter @MaxN2100 where he channels his passion frequently!
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Max Nocerino is a regular Staff Writer for The Future of the Force. He is a passionate Star Wars fan and loves the literature of the galaxy far, far away. Follow him on Twitter where he shares his love of the Force frequently!
