As someone who may be on the autism spectrum; I like that Star Wars: The Bad Batch is representing all walks of life in its characters
One of the best things about The Bad Batch is that it always stays true to the fact that it is a survival story. One where the characters need to fight to survive every episode. They also encounter many beings across the galaxy who need help. And the Batch will either help them or learn to help themselves. This episode is the latter.
STRANDED
The prior episode saw the Batch getting stranded on an unnamed world after a thief stole their ship. The thief’s identity in this episode is revealed. And I have to say I was very much surprised by who was behind the mask. It’s a young human named Benni and he stole the Batch’s ship to win favor with the boss of his operation. An odious alien named Makko. Makko treats the children he employs like garbage and makes them work for the meagerest of food while he eats like a pig in secret.
I got a lot of Oliver Twist vibes when he puts out a bowl of soup for the top earner. And then another bowl that was expected to be shared by at least 5 humans. Brutal! Makko also slightly reminds me of a pirate with his cybernetic hand that almost functions like a propeller blade. It’s a shoddy prosthetic and that fits even more with Makko’s personality.
MAKKO AND BENNI
Benni comes off as an annoying jerk in the beginning, but you slowly start to gain sympathy for him. He is a young boy who is constantly thirsty and starving, working tirelessly for Makko’s approval and always coming up short. The whole reason he stole the ship was so he could finally achieve top earner and get into Makko’s inner circle. However, he does it all for nothing as another boy wins the title. This begins to sow doubt in his young mind. And when the Batch forces him to help them repair and retrieve the ship, he gets a little taste of what it means to belong through Omega.
He is incredulous at how the clones treat Omega like one of their own and you realize that Benni isn’t such a bad kid after all. He has nothing and only wants to get his fair share and feel appreciated. Makko does NOT care about anyone but himself, and Benni slowly learns this and then begins to have a change of heart. I doubt he will appear in any future episodes but you never know.
LESSONS
I also like the lesson this episode teaches kids. Greed and sloth will always incur destruction. And if you oppress people long enough they will eventually rise up to topple you when the truth is revealed. I liked that Omega’s kindness and compassion touched another individual. And it is disheartening to her that the galaxy is full of so many people like Makko. Yet (in a strange moment of compassion), Tech reassures Omega that the galaxy is also full of beings like The Bad Batch team and that is something. Tech grew a lot in these two episodes by showing his soft and compassionate side. And I am very pleased with the character development. I also feel a pull to Tech as he described (in the last episode) how he processes things differently. But he still cared that Echo left the team.
This confession coupled with his massive intelligence leads me to believe that Tech may be autistic. And as someone who may be on the autism spectrum; I like that Star Wars is representing all walks of life in its characters. And not just the standard neurotypical individuals that most shows only consist of.
I am looking forward to the next episode as always and this episode gets a B+
Star Wars: The Bad Batch Season 2 is streaming on Disney Plus NOW!
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Author
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!
