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 article contains major spoilers from this episode and references events from previous episodes.
Recap of the story so far
Hunter, Wrecker, Crosshair, Echo, and Rampart infiltrated an Imperial Station to obtain the coordinates of Tantiss.
It wasn’t as easy as they thought so they had to improvise and lock themselves into a science shuttle that was heading to Tantiss.
All of this happened while Omega figured out as much as she could about the installation where she and the other kids were held captive.
She knows that her brothers will get there, and when that happens she must do everything in her power to facilitate the extraction.
There goes the stealth approach
The Bad Batch was able to get into the Imperial Station and lock onto the science shuttle but I really thought that it would take a lot longer before the Empire found out.
In previous episode breakdowns, I talked a couple of times about how Imperial incompetence allowed not only Clone Force 99, but many other groups to defy and defeat the Empire on different occasions.
Since his days as a member of Delta Squad, Scorch has been everything but incompetent. His extensive training combined with the experience of fighting the CIS droid army, Trandoshan slavers, and even rogue clones earned him the position of commander in the Empire’s most secret project.
It would have been interesting to see Hunter, Crosshair, Wrecker, Echo and Rampart infiltrate the base and coordinate an escape without getting noticed. But I can’t deny that watching them blast their way in and out is even more appealing.
Don’t get me wrong, I still feel sad every time someone mentions Tech and the chances of losing another member of The Bad Batch are very high. To be honest, my prediction is that at least two more characters will perish during this (final?) mission.
No matter how good the plan is, how coordinated they are, and how much luck they get, it’s inconceivable to think that someone like Hemlock doesn’t have enough resources and protocols to counter any plan that endangers Project Necromancer. The future of the Empire and his life are on the line.
Echo’s successful infiltration
Sending Echo to board the ship was probably the smartest thing they could do, he’s perfect to do any sort of infiltration. His cybernetics provide capabilities of protocol droids.
If the movies have taught us something is that having a reliable protocol droid is vital when getting inside an enemy compound.
Imperials are very strict when it comes to security lockdown protocols. But with every trooper being moved from their regular posts this also provides an opportunity to navigate Mount Tantiss without every corner being watched by TK Troopers or Clone Commandos.
With a TK Trooper armor on, It’s a lot easier to get information about Omega, the other clones, security measures, communications, and maybe even a way to get out of Mount Tantiss.
Even if things go badly, he can act as a regular trooper to create a distraction and divert the attention of the Empire. There are areas he can’t access as a low-ranked TK Trooper, but that might change with the help of Dr. Emerie Karr.
Has Edmon Rampart really changed
Edmon Rampart knew Crosshair when both were still part of the Empire. The former Admiral ordered Crosshair to hunt down his brothers, and he did without question.
Many things have happened since then, the destruction of Tipoca City was brought to the public eye and Rampart was the scapegoat. Crosshair finally understood that for the higher up he was as expendable as cannon fodder.
Faith has brought them back together and both need of each other if they intend to complete and survive this mission. I really enjoy seeing how similar but at the same time how different Crosshair and Rampart are.
One of them was always a part of a squad, even if he was the most isolated, it was still his team and all of them looked after each other.
The arrival of Omega turned the Bad Batch into a family and even if it took a really long time for Crosshair to realize it, he finally returned to them.
On the other hand, Rampart is probably a typical case of a regular man who worked hard to climb the rank ladder. Someone willing to lie, betray manipulate or do anything necessary if that means that he will be able to get more power. He has never felt part of something bigger than him.
Rampart lives only to help himself and will probably die that way. Crosshair understands what’s at stake and I’m a hundred percent sure that he would sacrifice himself if that means saving Omega.
Rampart’s survival skills
I’ve always found it hilarious how Imperial Officers look completely helpless when they are outside of their comfort zone.
All of them always seem very calm and self-centered but when things get out of control they start panicking and don’t know what to do.
Rampart is no exception to this, he has tried multiple times to convince the Bad Batch to abort the mission because of how dangerous it is but this has obviously not worked. It was very funny how he started screaming hysterically when they had to jump off the shuttle.
At first, I thought that it was just a moment of panic, which is understandable for someone who isn’t used to this action but his further actions in the jungle proved that he’s only suited to give orders in a fancy office.
He lets his fear take over, lacks any awareness of the surroundings, and even starts screaming like a maniac. Whatever training he received, it was certainly not for survival situations.
The worst thing is that he ran right into the enemy, I have no doubt that he will betray the Bad Batch if given the chance. We’ll see what Rampart’s true intentions are in a few days.
One way out
The first episodes of this season made it very clear that Omega and her brothers’ intentions were to rescue every single clone in Mount Tantiss. The mission seemed impossible and many people including myself made theories about it.
My guess was that a small army led by Captain Rex, and Commander Cody would attack the base, maybe even receive direct help from Asajj Ventress.
Even then if that happened, the odds would be against them. This base is impenetrable and with the Emperor pouring so many resources into Project Necromancer the idea of any force being able to overpower the Empire seemed impossible.
With this episode, we finally learned who will face the might of the Galactic Empire while everyone escapes.
The Zillo Beast remained a mystery for many years after its appearance in Clone Wars, It wasn’t until the second season of the Bad Batch that we learned more about it but only more questions were raised.
This beast is sentient, feeds on energy, and is virtually indestructible. You couldn’t think of anything better to distract the entire Empire while you attempt to escape.
Hemlock’s team already neutralized one but if it grows bigger and stronger that might be a lot harder to do.
When it gets unleashed, Hemlock must decide if he should go after the clones or saves the base. All the data and years of research would be lost if Mount Tantiss gets completely destroyed so I assume that all the resources will be used to take down or capture the giant creature.
It is time for Emerie to make the right choice
Emerie showed signs of remorse early in the season, it was refreshing to see that despite everything she still has a conscience.
Episode 13 dissipated my doubts about her dissipate but she needs something more than a “good moral” to do anything impactful.
Luckily, she found Echo at the perfect time. He brings out the fact that she has been doing experiments on her own brothers, Emerie immediately justifies herself by saying that she was only doing her job but that doesn’t convince Echo. At this point he has probably heard that countless times and is tired of the same excuse.
The good thing is that both understand that this isn’t the time to talk about past mistakes. She immediately mentions the other children and how Echo will have to trust her. Emerie seems genuine so I assume that’s why Echo didn’t doubt her.
This last season is showing different redeeming arcs and I really think that Emerie will join the list. Her past actions can’t be erased or forgotten but at least now she will help make things right.
I am worried about The Bad Batch’s ending
Before we get to the easter eggs and references from Episode 14, I want to share something that bothers me. While I have enjoyed the season, I am very worried about the closure. There are so many questions to answer and so little time left.
What will happen to the Bad Batch if they survive? Where are they going? Will we see how Wolffe walks away from the Empire? Where’s Batcher? What about Commander Cody? Did Asajj Ventress only appear once as a foreshadowing of a future series?
Even if the episode lasts thirty minutes I do not see a way of these questions (and many others) getting answered. May 4th is just a few days after the series finale so maybe a new series is going to be announced but I am not so fond of that idea.
As much as I love seeing how everything connects in Star Wars, the Bad Batch feels like a perfect standalone media. All I just said is completely irrelevant if everyone dies but I think the possibility of that is very small (but never zero).
At least in just a few more days, we’ll finally see how it all ends and if the finale sets up more stories that could be explored in the future.
What are your predictions for the next and final episode?
Easter eggs and references in Episode 14
TIE Fighter’s predecessors
The Shadow V-Wings are becoming more similar to the TIE Fighters with each season that passes. First, the red stripes were changed to black, and now both the sound of the targeting computer and the laser cannons are the same as we heard in the original trilogy during the Death Star trench run.
Do not disturb the jungle
The bear-like creature that makes the jungle such a dangerous place is a Dryax. This reptilian animal can grow up to 4.4 meters and is armed with big claws, sharp teeth a very thick skin, and feathers that, as Rampart found out, provide excellent camouflage.
Back to the Clone Wars
If you want to learn more about the mighty Zillo Beast, you can watch Season 2 Episodes 18 and 19 of The Clone Wars. These episodes show why the Zillo Beast is such a powerful creature and how dangerous they can be.
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