The fourth episode of The Bad Batch’s second season, Faster, is out on Disney Plus. This was a more laid-back episode, with no planetary-level threats or super high stakes. Instead, it focuses on developing a character that’s never the center of attention.
This review contains spoilers.
Recap of the story so far
The Empire continues to expand its territories, even the systems that weren’t part of the Republic are now being occupied.
Crosshair still believes that “good soldiers follow orders” despite the obvious fact that the new Imperial Officers couldn’t care less about him or the other clones.
Commander Cody also witnessed the true colors of the Empire, and as a result of it, he and other clones have gone AWOL (Absent without leave).
Pod racing is back!
The race of Boonta Eve is easily one of the most memorable things about The Phantom Menace. Each individual had a distinguishable pod racing speeder, which allowed us to track who was on the lead.
A three-lap race full of obstacles, speed, treacherous opponents, and Tusken Raiders made it a challenge that only a few could overcome.
After that, we’ve rarely seen proper pod racing in Star Wars media. The Nintendo 64 game Star Wars Episode I: Racer was very fun and entertaining but it was released in 1999. Knights of the Old Republic had something similar but nowhere close to the N64 game.
It wasn’t until April of 2022 that LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga made it possible for us to race again in Boonta Eve. It was a fun part of the game but I still wanted to see something on a series.
This episode of the Bad Batch made a good job showing that even if it’s in an animated show and the stakes aren’t that high. it’s still fun to watch pilots go against each other in a challenge that requires more than just being fast. The addition of weapons and sabotage tools makes Riot Racing even more fun.
The music made everything better; subtle but very fitting for the intense moments of the episode. Let’s hope that we don’t have to wait another twenty years to see pod racing in a series or movie.
Cid’s shady past
Cid has been around for more than just a few episodes, her role has been more of a facilitator for Clone Force 99. People come to her and she gives her new employees a job that they can do to earn some credits.
Someone who’s so connected with the underworld and black market is likely to have a “questionable” past. If Cid has a ghost haunting her it’s just a matter of time before Hunter, Tech, Wrecker, Echo, and Omega get involved in it.
As Tech mentions in this episode, they’ve had to save her more than once and I wonder if there’s a limit to what they’d agree to do. Cid has been nice to them but if they continue to get dragged into Cid’s problems someone might get hurt or worse.
Millegi warns them about Cid, considering that he knows her way better than them there’s probably a good reason for it. I just hope that we don’t find it the hard way.
Droids never disappoint
Almost every new movie, series, or videogame has introduced a sassy droid; BB-8, K-2S0, BD-1, B2EMO, etc. Most of them are usually accompanying the main character in his/her adventure, not only providing technical assistance but making us laugh every once in a while.
TAY-0 is a cocky, confident, and smartass droid that thinks he’s the best pilot on the track. It doesn’t take a lot to see that TAY-0 is full of itself, but this is a good thing. Secondary characters often feel “too bland”, not necessarily because it’s the writer’s intention but because they don’t get enough time on the screen.
I’m not complaining, secondary characters are secondary for a reason and they shouldn’t take valuable screen time from the main story/protagonists. But it’s nice to see a character that you instantly know-how is going to behave. The fact that it’s a droid makes it even better!
Sadly, what comes easy goes easy. TAY-0’s introduction was as unexpected as its tragic/funny end. I’d like to see more of it in one or two more episodes but at least I got a good laugh after the unfortunate incident that ended TAY-0.
Taking the spotlight
Tech is one of those individuals that only speak when and if he has something useful to say. In terms of how being outspoken he’s eclipsed by everyone else. The calm and analytical personality of this technological genius makes him look like what many would call an introvert.
As his name states, Tech’s skills are highlighted when the team must slice or get involved with any type of advanced technology. Aside from that, we rarely see him in the spotlight.
This episode has finally changed that. When things got complicated he didn’t hesitate and took care of the problem himself, I didn’t expect this, and certainly neither Omega nor Wrecker. Even if the situation wasn’t extremely dangerous it’s nice to see that he has confidence in his own skills.
The moment he was introduced to the race audience and later when he won reminded me of Anakin. He’s the only human participating and no one knows about him but after he crossed the line everyone went crazy and started to celebrate his victory, this has no impact on the story but I think that was pretty cool.
Setting up a future plot or filler episode?
This has been my least favorite episode so far. By no means I’m saying that it’s bad but it felt like one of the generic episodes of the first Clone Wars seasons. But considering how careful Disney and more specifically Dave Filoni have been with the recent projects I’m not one hundred percent sure that this is a filler episode.
If this episode had a purpose, it was to “open up” about Cid’s past. We didn’t learn anything significant but knowing that she’s someone that an older “colleague” considers untrustworthy might be the starting point of a future episode.
Not all episodes have to be nerve-wracking or with so many stakes at risk, it felt good to be able to watch an episode in a more relaxed mood.
Was this a filler episode or do you think it has a purpose that is yet unknown?
Easter eggs in Season 2 Episode 4 “Faster”
Familiar Voices
Every now and then, well-known actors from other franchises lend their voices to a Star Wars character. In this episode, Ernie Hudson (Ghostbusters, Quantum Leap) is Grini Millegi, and Ben Schwartz (Parks and Recreation, Sonic The Movie) plays TAY-0.
Dowutin
Speaking of Grini Millegi, Cid’s rival is a Dowutin. A big and powerful species that’s has seen working as guards, mercenaries, or any job that could use brute strength. Dowutins have had two previous appearances in Star Wars media; the first one was in The Force Awakens, when Rey, Han, Chewie, and Finn visit Maz Kanata. The second and most obvious one is the Ninth Sister in Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order.
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