TV Review | Star Wars: The Bad Batch Series S3:E15 (The Calvary Has Arrived)
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Max Nocerino 
Filoni and his team compensated for the story’s shortcomings in the final season of The Bad Batch. I couldn’t have hoped for a more exciting conclusion.
Sometimes people are wrong. I have continuously critiqued the final season of THE BAD BATCH over the last few episodes. They were built on shoehorned plot points (Rampart’s involvement and not having Ventress do anything) and blatant lazy plot holes. Loose narratives like the Batch latching onto the underbelly of the science vessel to get to Tantiss. However, all these reservations seemed qualized by how fantastic the series finale was.
THE JUNGLES OF TANTISS
We were left off with Hunter, Wrecker, and Crosshair in the jungles of Weyland, making their way on foot to Tantiss. Omega, meanwhile, hatches a brilliant plan to liberate her and the other children from the Vault and bring them home to freedom. Her plan to reprogram the medical droid and immobilize the Doctor displayed a level of cunning that I have come to expect from Omega. Her freeing the Zillo Beast was also a great move. It was a perfect distraction, and her ability to rally the scared and unsure children, together with kindness and encouragement, really moved me. Omega truly is a wonderful character. I feel that she is a character with a pure soul. She only cares about her friends and other innocent people, and she is brilliant.
All the pieces came together magnificently. But for me, the real heroes of the tale (arguably Omegl) were Dr. Emerie and Echo. If it hadn’t been for the Doctor’s realization that what she was doing was wrong, I don’t think Echo and Omega would have been able to succeed in their mission.
GOING OUT WITH A BANG!
The action and tension in this episode were incredible. Every second passed when Dr. Hemlock’s evil was thwarted; I waited to see the cold and emotionless scientist lose his nerve. It took a lot, but once things got tough for him, he dropped that silky rasp that his unconcerned voice usually held, and I finally saw him get what he deserved. I also admire the bravery and sacrifice of Nala Se, who ensured that Omega’s bloodwork and all the other details of Project Necromancer were erased for good. In doing so, she set the Emperor’s most important project back several years.
In the end, all the loose ends were tied up, and we are left with the potential for Dave Filoni to embark on another great adventure someday. My only annoyance is that I felt Ventress was completely underutilized for the episode. Perhaps I am speaking prematurely, and her presence may resurface.
VERDICT
Filoni and his team compensated for some of the story’s shortcomings plaguing the final season. I couldn’t have hoped for a more exciting conclusion. I got goosebumps at the end as we saw that nothing can last the test of time. All children grow up and need to face the wider world (or galaxy). As I approach my 31st birthday, I lament how long it has been since I was a child. I feel a sense of sadness seeing the epilogue. However, happy endings are hard to come by in most media today. I am thankful for the hope and inspiration it has given me.
Farewell, Clone Force 99. It’s been fun.
Star Wars: The Bad Batch is streaming exclusively on Disney Plus now. Stay informed and never miss a story with our frequent updates at Future of the Force.
FORCE FACTS
We noticed various Force facts, Easter eggs, trivia moments, and observations throughout the episode. How many of them did you see?
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The Zillo Beast was contained in what resembled a spent nuclear fuel rod pool, which was also reinforced at the surface by what appeared to be ray shields. I like this design for a form of high-tech security, and I got major Jurassic Park vibes from the Zillo Beast when it roared.
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After Hemlock’s death, Tarkin shutters the facility and redirects its funds into Project Stardust, which fans know is the project codename for the Death Star. It is unknown how Project Necromancer gets put back on track, as it is mentioned years later in the Ahsoka series, but I am sure the Emperor is not happy with this, and Tarkin probably could not be happier as Stardust was his pet project.
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Omega grows into a young woman and leaves Pabu at the end to pursue a career as a pilot in the Rebellion. I’m not sure when in the timeline the epilogue takes place, but Omega appears to be in her early 20s, so perhaps 2-0 A.B.Y.? It would be fun to see her interact with Luke Skywalker or other heroes of the Rebellion, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it does.
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!
