Review | Star Wars: The Bad Batch Episode 11 “Devil’s Deal”
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Max Nocerino 
The Bad Batch “Devil’s Deal” was quite a surprising episode. And while the animation is stunning, the series is repeating the same tired storyline
The Bad Batch “Devil’s Deal” was quite a surprising episode. Surprising in the fact that we got to see a young Hera Syndulla, daughter of freedom fighter Cham Syndulla; a highly respected individual on Ryloth at the end of The Clone Wars. Seeing Hera so young and sporting the Twi’leki French accent was very cool. And Chopper is the same as when we see him in Rebels decades later.
OCCUPATION ON RYLOTH
Ryloth, much like Raxus Prime, has a senator trying to get the people on board with the newly instated Empire on their world. But the people are not too keen on the occupation. Surprise. Surprise. The only difference is that the Senator, in this case, is not a good being. He is the obese blue Twi’lek Orn Free Taa, who appears as a background character in the Prequel movies.
Orn Free Taa is a slimy, greedy jerk who cares more about himself than Ryloth. And he quickly finds himself at odds with Cham Syndulla and his wife. Also, Admiral Rampart and Crosshair have their ulterior motives and hatch a scheme to root out traitors and implicate Goli. Who is like Hera’s uncle? Hera and Omega briefly meet and it occurs to me how similar these two young women are.
HERA AND OMEGA
Both are wise beyond their years, kind-hearted, and yearn for a bigger purpose. Hera is obsessed with becoming a pilot and this episode puts her passions to the test. I loved the artwork animation this show has created for the various visuals of Ryloth. The image of Ryloth on the horizon of its rocky moon is stunning and the view of the clouds was breathtaking. Hats off to the animation department.
RESCUE MISSION
This episode sets off another rescue mission. And while it was so fun to see Young Hera, I can’t help but feel that the story formula keeps repeating itself. Crosshair is working in the shadows, and his actions are probably the most “original” of the storyline. And I really really want to see what happens to him at the end of this season.
I also find it fascinating that Lucasfilm decided to give Twi’lek’s French accents. I don’t know why aliens would have an accent that we would identify as French, but perhaps their language is very similar to French. I don’t know. I think it’s rather silly and unrealistic, even more so than faster than light propulsion and glowing laser swords, to be honest.
VERDICT
I enjoyed all the components of this episode, yet I am not crazy about it as a whole. Nothing different is happening and different is always good in my book.
The Bad Batch is streaming exclusively on Disney Plus NOW!
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!
