This is the conclusion to what started in last week’s episode. “Retrieval” is about Hunter, Tech, Wrecker, and omega recovering their ship and learning that the Empire is not the only evil in the galaxy.
This episode is more laid down than the previous three. There aren’t any emotional scenes or big plots happening, it’s just another entertaining adventure.
This review contains spoilers.
Recap of the story so far
After Echo’s departure, the Bad Batch was sent to mine Ipsium, a valuable but volatile mineral. Before they could leave the planet, the Havoc Marauder was stolen and they had to seek shelter due to an approaching storm.
They end up getting trapped inside another mine. Tech and Wrecker blame each other for their current situation and Omega is overwhelmed by her emotions.
Later, Omega and Tech have a brief but deep talk about how everyone deals with their feelings in a different way. Just because Tech isn’t vocal about it doesn’t mean that he feels less than Omega or anyone else.
After escaping the mine, they find an abandoned settlement that could provide them with the means to find their ship.
Catch up with my previous reviews of The Bad Batch Episodes!
Definitely not Ipsium miners
After the Havoc Marauder and Gonky were stolen, Omega had an idea to track them down. Her idea worked and the Bad Batch ended up in a mining facility. Benni, one of the “workers” at the mining site and the one responsible for stealing the ship has no other choice than to help them.
Benni’s reaction to the skills that Hunter, Wrecker, Tech, and Omega have was pretty funny and at the same time reminded me that even if sometimes they are goofy or silly, Clone Force 99 is still one of the best squadrons of the former Galactic Republic.
There’s a good reason why they did what nobody else could with such a high success rate. Their current situation might not be the best one but messing with them is something that only a fool would do.
Most of their missions or experiences have been simply a job, missions that would be impossible for regular troopers were just another day for the Bad Batch. I’m really eager to see them involved in a matter that is really personal and meaningful for them. The destruction of Kamino is the closest thing to what I want to see but for me, it didn’t feel as personal as it was for other clones.
Crosshair hasn’t appeared in a few episodes so I think he’s going to be involved one way or another. With Omega’s relationship with her brothers getting stronger and deeper it’s going to be interesting how they interact with Crosshair the next time he shows up. I guess it also depends on how’s his attitude when this happens.
No one’s left behind
One of the best qualities that clones possess is loyalty. Many people consider them to be almost as expendable as battle droids but if anyone earns the loyalty of a clone trooper that will last forever (unless inhibitor chips are involved). This is one of the reasons why soldiers from the same squad develop such powerful bonds.
That sentiment of brotherhood increased after the Empire took over. With human recruits replacing clones, they have to stick together if they hope to have a future at all.
The Bad Batch knows what is like to be segregated due to their differences from regular Clone Troopers. They were already close but when Omega joined things changed a little bit, they’re still a squad but also a family, and families look out for each other.
Worrying about Gonky was my first reaction after the Havoc Marauder got stolen. It was nice to see that both Wrecker and Omega care about it.
On the other hand, Benni couldn’t understand why a droid can be considered important. When Hunter infiltrated the mine he even suggested bailing out the moment things look complicated. The kid doesn’t know what true loyalty is, but that’s not his fault.
It’s clear that Benni has grown up under brutal conditions where he has no one to look after him. Having to contend with other kids to simply get a full bowl of soup is something outrageous. To be honest he could have turned way worse after being basically enslaved by Mokko.
Earning respect
I disliked Benni as soon as he appeared on camera but that doesn’t mean that I can’t feel sorry for him. He’s probably been alone for many years and the closest thing to a parental figure is Mokko.
Despite how he treats them, everyone respects and looks up to him. It’s only natural for someone to try to earn the respect of someone “superior”. I can’t judge Benni for trying to get a decent portion of water and food, Omega also understood this which is why she wasn’t too upset or surprised when her new partner in crime betrayed her.
Seeing how Hunter, Wrecker and Tech respect and care for Omega was such an alien concept to Benni. The sad thing is that Mokko would never think of him in such a high way, he and the other kids are simply workers that are being fed just the minimum to keep working. For Mokko, they’re almost like droids, at least he will no longer bother those poor kids.
Seeing how every member of the Bad Batch trusts each other with their life is something admirable. I loved how Omega didn’t hesitate to make a maneuver that would leave her and the enemy droid falling to the lava. She was one hundred percent sure that Hunter would catch her, not many would have such faith in their companions.
Tyrants across the galaxy
Enslaving and labor camps existed before the Galactic Empire. Entire populations have been forced to work until exhaustion for thousands of years. These practices aren’t exclusive to powerful organizations or governments, anyone with some power over others can become an autocrat.
The scale is different, but we’ve seen something similar in Andor when the Shore Troopers arrest Cassian for basically looking suspicious and send them to Narkina 5. Once he’s there, a similar phenomenon happens with the prison guards.
The control they had over Cassian Andor and the other prisoners made them feel powerful and important. Making them work very hard and compete against each other for something utterly meaningless as flavor in their food.
Mokko granted the top earner a full meal while the rest had to share. These kids accepted this as the norm because that’s how they grew up.
When Omega said that they shouldn’t have to do that Benni simply responded with “that’s how things work here”, not even contemplating the possibility of the situation being wrong.
The Galactic Empire might be one of the best representations of how evil looks in Star Wars but they’re far from being the only ones. Criminal syndicates, corrupt politicians, or minor warlords can enforce the same “policies”.
Easter Eggs in Season 2 Episode 10 “Retrieval”
This episode’s easter eggs are related to two massive movie franchises. One of them set the bar for action films while the other is beloved by many Star Wars fans.
Ghost Protocol
Every time that I see someone “walking” down a wall it reminds me of Mission Impossible. Hunter’s scene was short but it made me want to see Ghost Protocol just to rewatch that specific part of the movie.
The Temple of Doom
Star Wars has taken many ideas from different movies and adapted them. Retrieval does this with how Mokko controls the children just like the children are enslaved to search for the Sankara stones in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.
Star Wars The Bad Batch Season 2 Episodes Reviews
Reviews of each individual episode of Star Wars The Bad Batch Season 2. Each article breaks down a single episode and analyses its story, digs for secrets and easter eggs and explains how the events of the episode and scenes featured in it relate to and reference the rest of the Star Wars franchise!
The Bad Batch Season 2 Premiere Episodes 1 and 2 Review and Breakdown
Review and analysis of The Bad Batch Season 2 Episodes 1 and 2. Find out how much Clone Force 99 has changed and what are their new goals.
The Bad Batch S2 Episode 3 Review and Breakdown
Review of Episode 3 from the second season of The Bad Batch Star Wars Animated TV Show. Breakdown of scenes, events, references and secrets!
The Bad Batch S2 Episode 4 Review and Breakdown: Faster
Episode 4 of Star Wars The Bad Batch Season 2 lacks any planetary-level threats. Instead, it focuses on developing an unexpected character!
The Bad Batch S2 Episode 5 Review and Breakdown: Entombed
The Bad Batch’s S2 Episopde 5, is an enjoyable episode but one that raises many questions about the direction this series is going!
The Bad Batch S2 Episode 6 Review and Breakdown: Tribe
The sixth episode of The Bad Batch’s season 2, Tribe, is out on Disney Plus. This has been my favorite episode of the current season so far!
The Bad Batch S2 Episodes 7 and 8 Review and Breakdown
The Mid-Season Review of The Bad Batch’s second season includes episode 7 "The Clone Conspiracy" and episode 8 "Truth and Consequences".
The Bad Batch S2 Episode 9 Review and Breakdown: The Crossing
After last week’s intense Mid-Season, The Bad Batch Season 2’s ninth episode “The Crossing”, which focuses on Character development!
The Bad Batch S2 Episode 11 Review and Breakdown: Metamorphosis
The Bad Batch Episode 11 of season 2 is surprisingly dark and answers two questions that have haunted Star Wars fans for over ten years!
The Bad Batch S2 Episode 13 Review and Breakdown: Pabu
The Bad Batch S2 Episode 13, Pabu, is the most relaxed so far. Animation can be exceptionally beautiful and this one is a testament to it!
The Bad Batch S2 Episode 14 Review and Breakdown: Tipping Point
The Bad Batch S2 Episode 14 “Tipping Point” shows what Echo has been doing with an Imperial Senator’s help and an update on Chrosshair’s fate.
The Bad Batch S2 Season Finale Review and Breakdown
The Bad Batch Season Finale is out and it left many of us speechless. What started as a standard mission quickly turns into something that will change The Bad Batch forever.
The Bad Batch Season 2 Recap and Review
The Bad Batch has come to an end and there are a lot of things to discuss: What happened, how it made us feel, and what's next for the Bad Batch.
The Bad Batch Season 3 Episodes 10 and 11 Breakdown and Easter Eggs
These two episodes, Identity Crisis and Point Of No Return are the prelude of the final arc of the season. Dr. Emerie Karr learns what's inside the Vault while Omega makes a choice that could change everything, for better or worse. The Bad Batch face their toughest moment, so far.
