Max Nocerino 
Already on a shaky premise, this week’s episode of THE BAD BATCH delivers a mediocre, suspenseless set-up.
In the last episode, I mentioned how absurd it was that The Bad Batch hitched a ride on the Science Vessel by attaching to its outer hull like a lamprey, and the Imperials did not notice. The suspension of disbelief can only be utilized so much. The fact that the Imperials did not detect them is the silliest plot hole I’ve ever encountered in Star Wars. Sure, the Millennium Falcon escaped detection in Episode V by latching to the Star Destroyer hull, but that wasn’t a good plot moment either. The creatives behind this series should not follow in its footsteps!
ARRIVAL ON TANTISS
After the Science vessel leaves hyperspace, the ship detaches, and the Imperials (under Hemlock’s orders) shoot it down. The team manages to survive, drop down to the jungle, Rampart and all, and slowly make their way into the undergrowth. I am pretty bored and tired of Rampart. While I found his pompous cowardice amusing a few episodes ago, the appeal has worn off. Now, I feel he is just a cliche distraction. The episode sets up that he may betray the team (with his dialogue with Crosshair about the Empire betraying both of them), and I very much see a possible (and predictable) eventuality of Rampart trading the clone’s capture for redemption and reinstatement into the Imperial army. How how-hum and uncreatively expected.
OMEGA
The Omega storyline is also a fizzle, as the children stall the remaining doctors as Omega puts her plan into action. Because laser cannons are pretty loud, she knows her brothers have found her, and she does a quick scouting mission to see how she can liberate herself and her cellmates from the compound. Ava does a good job stalling the doctor, but I feel that is the only merit of this sequence. This show has finally caught up with the repetitive nature of Omega being captured and re-captured. I am glad the story is almost over.
This may seem harsh (especially given my previous enthusiasm for previous episodes), but The Bad Batch needs to be retired. It is running out of appeal and story development. The show only has two episodes remaining. Ventress’s overall involvement has been so nil this season that I question why they brought her back in the first place. Unless, of course, she is getting her own show.
VERDICT
The high point of this episode is definitely Emerie’s indecision. Since Echo had originally been on the Science vessel, he is already in Tantiss Base and encounters the female clone-turned-scientist, whose moral compass finally fully activates. She is going to lead Echo to Omega and the other kids, as she knows what the Empire is doing is wrong. Meanwhile, Omega has made a discovery that will potentially aid them all.
With so much mediocrity and predictability, despite this development, I must award this episode a dismal C-for lack of creativity. Also, there isn’t much lore to dissect, so this episode will have no Force Facts.
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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!
