The fifth episode of this third and last season of The Bad Batch sets up the rest of the series. Clone Force 99 will attempt something that seems impossible, to rescue all the clones in Mount Tantiss.
Story Recap
After combining their knowledge, skills, and experience, Omega and Crosshair managed to escape Mount Tantiss on an Imperial Shuttle. Due to the damage the shuttle sustained, they were forced to land on a world occupied by Imperials.
Once they mixed with the locals (kind of) Omega used her gambling abilities to earn enough money to buy tickets for transport out of the planet. Everything was going fine until an Officer decided to take Batcher as payback after Omega beat him in a game card.
After a chaotic rescue, all three of them were able to steal another Imperial ship to finally reunite with their brothers in a very discrete location. Hunter and Wrecker were thrilled to see Omega but the sight of Crosshair made them feel uneasy, to say the least.
Back Home
After many months of sleeping in a cell, we can see how happy Omega is to be back in her “room”. She’s hugging her doll and her expression is exactly the one that anyone has after having an excellent night of sleep.
Back in Tantiss, she had to constantly think of what could happen to Crosshair or the other clones while also trying to find any way to escape one of the most secure Imperial facilities.
She never considered why Nala Se constantly destroyed her blood samples, and this was probably a good thing. Adding even more stress to an already difficult situation wouldn’t have helped.
Thankfully she’s now back with her brothers, a lot of things have happened and everyone will need time to adjust. Omega is stronger, smarter, and braver than when the Empire took her and this will impact how she behaves and the decisions she makes.
Omega won’t consider any missions “too dangerous” after she managed to escape Mount Tantiss but this won’t apply to Wrecker and Hunter. What Crosshair said might not be completely fair but it’s still true, Hunter failed to protect Omega and that kind of burden can completely change someone.
Unlike Wrecker, Echo, and Crosshair, Hunter is the father figure of Omega. Since day one he’s been the one more concerned with her safety and growth, he will have to realize that there’s no true “safe place” for the kid as long as the Empire exists.
Save all the clones
During their escape, Omega said that she wanted to return to save everyone. That possibility was discarded immediately due to the tough circumstances but I seriously thought that the topic wouldn’t be brought back anytime soon.
Which is why I was very surprised when they started to think of a way to free all the remaining prisoners. To me, this is completely insane and a mission with no return. I can only think of three different scenarios in which this can be achieved.
The first one would be by launching an all-out assault with a massive force, if we consider that Palpatine has approved the use of any resources to ensure the success of Project Necromancer then it’s safe to assume that no one could do such a thing before the Empire can react and counter-attack with overwhelming force.
The second way is by infiltrating a very small force, capable of navigating without getting detected before, during, and after the release of the prisoners. Considering what happened with Omega and Crosshair I doubt that the security remains the same.
And that’s without even considering that to move so many clones out of Tantiss they require a very big ship or multiple smaller ones. These ships would get blasted the moment they’re spotted in Imperial scanners.
The third and only way that I could see this working out is the combination of the previous ideas. A distraction so big and menacing that the Empire would have no other choice but to move most of their forces to neutralize it while a small group releases and rescues every prisoner.
But who in the galaxy would even consider doing such a dangerous thing? The Empire has many enemies but willing to risk so much to rescue a group of clones isn’t something that many would risk their lives for. After all, it was the clones who betrayed the Jedi Order and the Republic. It’s not crazy to think that no one cares about what happens to them.
Maybe what they need isn’t an army, but a creature that the Empire themselves are holding captive. The Zillo Beast made a long-awaited return in the second season, this is a beast that can only be overpowered by very specific weaponry. The chaos it can unleash would be unmatched, but the problem is taking it out of where it’s located and then transporting it to Tantiss.
We can only wait and see how the story unfolds and if they actually end up attempting such an impossible mission.
Earning a second chance
Crosshair’s betrayal hit differently, he wasn’t under the influence of an inhibitor chip but still raised his weapon against his former squad. Not only that, he continuously hunted them and aided the Empire by eliminating people who were trying to defend their homes.
Eventually, he realized what the Galactic Empire is all about. Their troopers are canon fodder and loyalty isn’t something truly valued by Officers. Soldiers are just expendable resources that can be replaced at any moment, no matter how efficient, loyal, or brave they are.
Now that Crosshair is back with his brothers things are a little tense, understandably so. Omega doesn’t hold any grudges against him, even Echo and Wrecker seem ok with his presence but Hunter isn’t convinced yet.
After some encouragement from Omega, Crosshair finally opens up about what made him betray the Empire and the consequences of this. I got the impression that Hunter was very receptive but if Crosshair really wants to regain the confidence of everyone he must back it up with actions.
Secondary effects
Something far more concerning than Crosshair’s loyalty is the fact that his condition, whatever it is, isn’t improving. Failing to hit an immobile object is something that could be expected from a Stormtrooper, but not from an elite marksman.
Whatever they did to him has severely affected him, in the long run, it could make the difference between rescuing the clones or die trying. Some kind of doctor or healer must check him, otherwise he won’t be as useful in the upcoming episodes. Considering what they’re planning to do, they need someone with Crosshair’s abilities.
Easter Eggs and References
Watch out for the Raptors
The moment where Wrecker must go out alone and prime the breaker is very similar to a scene of Jurassic Park in which Dr. Ellie Sattler must do the same to restore the power of the entire park.
Sandworm – Ice Wyrm
The Wyrm that attacks is very reminiscent of the sandworms that appear in Dune. In this episode, the sensors are used to keep the Wyrm away from the base in Barton IV while in Dune, the thumper’s purpose is to draw the attention of the sandworms. Their functions might be opposite, but the principle is the same.
Mayday
One of the helmets that Crosshair picks up from the floor used to belong to Commander Mayday, the clone trooper who helped him retrieve the stolen material only to die after Lieutenant Nolan refused to provide medical attention.
Star Wars The Bad Batch Season 3 Episode Breakdowns
Each article in this list breaks down an episode from The Bad Batch Season 3 and analyses its story, digs for secrets and easter eggs, and explains how the events of the episode relate to and reference the rest of the Star Wars franchise!
The Bad Batch Season 2 Recap and Review
The Bad Batch Season 2 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!
The Bad Batch Season 3 Premiere Breakdown and Easter Eggs
This is a review of the premiere of The Bad Batch Season 3 which includes – Episode 1: “Confined”, Episode 2: “Paths Unknown”, and Episode 3: “Shadows of Tantiss”. It includes a breakdown of the key moments, easter eggs, and references!
The Bad Batch Season 3 Episode 4 Breakdown and Easter Eggs
The fourth episode of the third season of The Bad Batch shows how capable Omega has become since her first appearance in Star Wars. This episode ends with a reunion that many thought would happen later in the series.
The Bad Batch Season 3 Episodes 6 and 7 Breakdown and Easter Eggs
With this double-episode release, the third and final season only has eight episodes left. The Bad Batch is slowly but surely gathering all the information needed to storm Mount Tantiss while also reuniting with some old allies.
The Bad Batch Season 3 Episode 8 Breakdown and Easter Eggs
The Bad Batch brings back the less chaotic side-quest aspect of the show. Fennec Shand's return sets us up for an interesting things to come.
The Bad Batch Season 3 Episode 9 Breakdown and Easter Eggs
We're slowly getting to the point of no return. This week's episode, The Harbinger, shows how The Bad Batch continues to seek explanations, but everything gets more intense when their answers arrive in the form of Asajj Ventress!
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…
The Bad Batch Season 3 Episode 12 Breakdown and Easter Eggs
We are getting close to the end of the series. Hunter, Wrecker, and Crosshair venture into an Imperial-controlled system to rescue the only man who can lead them to Tantiss, former Admiral Rampart.
The Bad Batch Season 3 Episode 13 Breakdown and Easter Eggs
In episode Thirteen "Into the Breach", Hunter, Crosshair, Wrecker, and Echo finally begin the first phase of the plan to rescue Omega from Mount Tantiss. But even with the help of Edmon Rampart, things will not go as planned.
The Bad Batch Season 3 Episode 14 Breakdown and Easter Eggs
Flash Strike is the second to last episode of the series. The Bad Batch has finally found Mount Tantiss but from now on it will only get more dangerous. How will they manage to rescue Omega and everyone else?
The Bad Batch Season 3 Finale Breakdown and Easter Eggs
The Cavalry Has Arrived is not only the final episode of the third season but the last one of the entire series. Will Clone Force 99 be able to rescue Omega and escape Tantiss without casualties?
