Star Wars: The Bad Batch-Season Three Pt. One

• Created by Dave Filoni
• Developed by Dave Filoni and Jennifer Corbett
• Directed by Brad Rau (Supervising)
• Based on Star Wars created by George Lucas
• May 4, 2021 to Present
• Disney+

Starring

• Cut Lawquane, Captain Rex, Captain Howzer, Captain Wilco, Commander Cody, Commander Mayday, Gregor, Scorch, Hunter, Wrecker, Tech, Echo, Crosshair, Barton Coburn-Dee Bradley Baker
• Omega-Michelle Ang
• Nala Se-Gwendoline Yeo
• Doctor Royce Hemlock-Jimmi Simpson
• Emerie Karr-Keisha Castle-Hughes
• Emperor Palpatine/Darth Sidious-Ian McDiarmid
• Lady Isa Durand-Anjelica Huston
• Mox-Daniel Logan
• Asajj Ventress-Nika Futterman

A group of clone troopers on the run with genetic mutations that help them resist Order 66 take on mercenary missions in the aftermath of the Clone Wars.

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Confined

• Directed by Saul Ruiz
• Written by Jennifer Corbett
• February 21, 2024

Truthfully not a lot happens in Confined. One of this shows strengths is its world building and that is the purpose of this episode. Confined sets the stage for much if not all of this third and final season. But I’m not complaining. You get a good view of Omega’s situation and how each character stands.

I can’t say I’m a fan of CGI animation, but when it comes to Star Wars more often than not it creates the perfect Star Wars look. Very close, but not quite there equal to anything live action. Maybe my general love of Star Wars causes me to be a little bit more forgiving than I otherwise would be. The nature of the final product makes you feel as if you are in a high quality Star Wars film.

Despite nothing too much happening Confined will hold your attention and leave you wanting more. It teases greatness.

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Paths Unknown

• Directed by Nate Villanueva
• Written by Matt Michnovetz
• February 21, 2024

That scene with the Durands in the opening was great. And Anjelica Huston in a voice cameo?! I knew I recognized the voice. Short and to the point, but with a sense of desperation and duty. It serves to demonstrate the loyalty Hunter and Wrecker have for Omega. Plus, it didn’t make it ridiculously easy feeling that they got the information the needed even though they showed very little of what the characters went through.

This episode has a nice horror survival vibe to it once the narrative moves to Hemlock’s abandoned facility. Pretty common on television, but always a nice treat. Especially in Star Wars since there is so much more weirdness that can be injected into it than most fictional universes.

Omega’s attachment to Crosshair feels a bit hopeless. Maybe pointless. How is this child going to get him out let alone himself? Then again this is the same fictional universe with magic space wizards.

As with the preceding episode are themes of loyalty and duty to friends and comrades. Specifically the character of Mox must decide if he should along with his friends who plan on taking Hunter and Wrecker’s ship leaving them to die or do the right thing and save them. Not heavy, but certainly interesting.

In less than 30 minutes Paths Unknown tells a great story. Some people cannot do that in an hour or two.

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Shadows of Tantiss

• Directed by Steward Lee
• Written by Matt Michnovetz
• February 21, 2024

The Emperor shows up and any appearance by the Emperor is welcome. He just shows up and makes things a little more dangerous no matter the story. But his appearance accomplishes absolutely nothing in terms of moving the story forward. Providing some cool Emperor stuff does not advance a narrative. It is just fanservice. The characters though could’ve simply talked about him and accomplished the thing. Easy payday for Ian McDiarmid I bet though.

Action heavy and just plain exciting. Emperor Unnecessary aside, we finally learn what makes Omega so very special which also serves to solidify plot elements of The Rise of Skywalker that have been meme fodder since it was released while also using less overtly not really beloved elements introduced by George Lucas. The whole point of the Mount Tantiss facility and Project Necromancer is to make TROS possible.

I do think Omega’s three episode push to save Crosshair was moved from delusional to worthy though by a near implausible (even by Star Wars standards) set of fortunate circumstances. The Emperor, access to what amounts to a master key to everything, and the expected inability of Imperial Forces to notice squat.

Shadows of Tantiss is a very good episode. It’s exciting, it’s narratively rich, and it leaves you begging for more.

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The first three-episode premiere of Star Wars: The Bad Batch is a promising start to the season. Narratively dense and action packed, it’s everything Star Wars should be. I look forward to the rest of the season.