Last week, “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” animated spinoff “The Bad Batch,” starring Dee Bradley Baker, wrapped its second season in a truly tragic fashion. It Follows a group of specially enhanced clone soldiers, codenamed Clone Force 99, featuring our main group of renegades: Hunter, Wrecker, Tech, Echo, and Omega. The season consisted of multiple storylines entangled between our main group of heroes, the group’s lone defector from last season, and the Galactic Senate. With Dave Filoni’s excellent leadership, the show’s writing, character development, and stunning visuals compound into an emotional watch. The resounding success across all aspects of the program has further proved that the best “Star Wars” television/streaming programs currently reside in the animation sector, rather than the live-action one.
The series continues to add further depth to the aftermath of Order 66 and the rise of the Imperial Empire. More and more clones are beginning to question where their loyalties lie after Order 66, with some trying to bring to light the destruction of the Clone home world of Kamino that took place last season. This has gotten some clones assassinated in the dark. At the same time, the empire works from the shadows to phase out the clones, in order to make way for the new recruitment program of the Imperial Stormtrooper—which was discussed in an arc that took place in the middle of the season. This arc showcased the return of some beloved senators known to Clone Wars fans and one over-arching theme working throughout the entire show: political corruption.
Throughout this season, the empire has been attempting to build a connection to the unfavorable sequel trilogy by sewing in the empire’s desire to experiment on the clones created by the Kaminoans to seemingly duplicate their work. This has resulted in a new character, scientist Dr. Hemlock, tracking down and capturing a particular member of Clone Force 99, which has kept them on the run. While some “Star Wars” fans may not desire this connection, it intermingles well with the story concepts given to us, aside from a few filler episodes at the beginning and end of the season. We also begin to see a significant plot point that correlates with this: the mistreatment of veterans.
With the Clone War over now, clones are being phased out, captured, murdered, experimented on, and disrespected by the Imperial Empire. This is shown mainly through the eyes of Crosshair, the former sniper of Clone Force 99, who, throughout this season, slowly begins to show his discontent with how he and other clones are treated poorly. Crosshair reaches a breaking point this season and gets arrested after murdering an imperial officer, after the death of a newly introduced clone. The Empire’s utter disgust for the clones and all they’ve sacrificed will leave you with empathy for the clones, who have been nothing but pawns in Palpatine’s rise to power.
The series finale left a hollow feeling in the hearts of many fans after a member of the Bad Batch sacrifices his life to save the others, as he seemingly falls to his death. Many tears will be shed for our fellow Clones. There will be tears of joy, sadness, and anger as we continue to follow our
renegade heroes. The finale frustratingly ends with multiple cliffhangers, seemingly setting up season 3, which is believed to be getting announced at Star Wars Celebration Europe this weekend.
Lucasfilm has been in a tough spot after the overall negative fan reception to the Boba Fett and Kenobi shows and the low viewership of “Andor.” Even season 3 of “The Mandalorian” is struggling to bring in the ratings and fan reception Disney had hoped. Disney would do well to heed the advice of myself and many “Star Wars” fans. Follow the example of your animated shows: “Clone Wars” season 7, “Tales of the Jedi,” and “The Bad Batch.” These are your best shows, and it is becoming evident that outside of “The Mandalorian,” your animated shows are better than the live-action ones.