‘Star Wars: The Bad Batch’ season 2 episode 8 ‘Truth and Consequences’ recap/review

‘Star Wars: The Bad Batch’ caps off its doubleheader this week with a few bombshells along with a new direction for the series.

Nick Nafpliotis

February 9, 2023

In the first part of this week’s Star Wars: The Bad Batch doubleheader, we learned that the Empire has been keeping a lid on the fact that they destroyed Tapico City on Kamino. The man responsible for the massacre, Vice Admiral Rampart, is now attempting to get a defense bill pushed through the Senate that would fund the creation of a conscripted/stormtrooper military.

Rampart’s plan hit a snag when Senator Riyo Chuchi began pushing for a plan to take care of the remaining clone troopers after they’ve been phased out of the military. This leads her to discover the cover up on Kamino, which also results in her source (a clone trooper named Slip) being assassinated. Thankfully, Slip had been in contact with Rex, who was able to save Chuchi and knock out her would-be executor.

The assassin took a suicide pill before he could reveal anything, forcing Rex and Chuchi to look for a way to find a backup data log that Slip stored on Rampart’s star destroyer that proves what happened on Kamino. Thankfully, Rex knows a team of clones who might be up to the task

As always, the recap portion of this review will contain plenty of spoilers along with some brief explorations of Star Wars lore.

Reunion Tour

Star Wars: The Bad Batch (Disney+)

On Ord Mantell, the Bad Batch get some rest aboard the Marauder while waiting for Cid to return from somewhere. Omega asks Echo if he would like to join her in learning how to meditate. Echo responds that he had enough of being isolated during his imprisonment on Skako Minor. If it hadn’t been for the Bad Batch, he may still be there — or dead altogether.

*Side Note: In case you don’t remember, Echo was long thought dead after a mission during the Clone Wars. It was later discovered that the Separatists had hooked him up to a machine that allowed them to extract Republic battleplans from his mind while keeping him barely alive.

Rex calls in and asks if the Bad Batch can fly to Coruscant to help him with an extraction mission. The team isn’t thrilled about flying into the heart of the Empire, but agree to do it. When they arrive, Rex introduces them to Senator Chuchi before revealing the body of the dead clone assassin, who also had his identifying number wiped.

Rex and Chuchi then fill the Bad Batch in on what’s transpired and what’s at stake. Chuchi also explains that they have to acquire Slip’s backup log from Rampart’s star destroyer before the Senate votes on his defense bill tomorrow. The team agrees to the mission, but assigns Omega to stay with Chuchi (via fake credentials created by Tech) to make sure she’s safe.

Poisoned Position

Star Wars: The Bad Batch (Disney+)

The next day, Senator Chuchi and Omega cross paths with Rampart, who’s clearly surprised to see his political adversary still alive. After an awkward hallway encounter, Rampart is accosted by Mas Amedda, who remains unconvinced that the Vice Admiral can get the defense bill passed.

Meanwhile, Chuchi shows Omega the senate chamber. Omega is suitably impressed, but also disheartened to learn that her fellow clones don’t have a voice in the legislative body. Chuchi assures her that she’s fighting to make sure they do.

The field trip is interrupted by a message from Senator Bail Organa, who once again meets Chuchi to be vague and cryptic about everything. This time, however, he actually manages to provide some useful information, telling them to meet with former Kaminoan senator Halle Burtoni. When they do, Burtoni is initially evasive — equal parts aloof and angry at what’s happened to her people.

After a bit of prodding from Omega and Chuchi, she admits that Rampart has been siphoning off funds previously earmarked for Kaminoan cloning to fund his own projects. She’s hesitant to admit this in front of the Senate, but eventually agrees to do it.

Star Wars: The Bad Batch (Disney+)

Meanwhile, Rex and the Bad Batch begin sneaking aboard Rampart’s star destroyer to recover the data log. Along the way, Rex tells Echo about his mission to find and help other clones — a task made exponentially more difficult by how hard it is to find help.

*Side Note: Even though he’s wearing a helmet, you can tell this statement hits Echo in the gut.

At this point, we’re treated to an incredible sequence in which Rex and the Bad Batch successfully steal the data log and escape. Afterward, they find Omega and tell her to get the file to Chuchi as quickly as possible.

Checkmate

Star Wars: The Bad Batch (Disney+)

As the Senate prepares to vote on Rampart’s defense bill, Chuchi interrupts the proceedings to reveal that she has a witness who can confirm that the Vice Admiral has been illegally diverting funds to his projects. In true political fashion, Rampart attacks Burtoni’s character while simultaneously justifying what he did as “redistributing” money rather than misappropriating it.

Chuchi then drops the big bombshell: Rampart ordered the destruction of Tipoca City.

The Senate initially balks at what appears to be an outlandish conspiracy theory, but quickly turns when Omega arrives with the log. As a hologram of the attack on Kamino plays out in the chamber, members of the Senate on both sides of the issue begin shouting their shock and disgust at what Rampart did.

Just when it appears things are about to boil over, Palpatine rises on a dais in the center of the room

Star Wars: The Bad Batch (Disney+)

The Emperor’s mere presence causes the chamber to go silent. Things quickly get loud again, however, when Mas Amedda affirms Senator Chuchi’s accusation and has Rampart arrested.

As the Vice Admiral yells that he was simply following orders, Palpatine thanks Chuchi before expressing dismay that the clone troopers would follow his murderous orders…which leads to him suggesting that the galaxy requires a new conscripted military force now more than ever.

The Senate votes to pass the defense bill, playing right into the Emperor’s hands.

Star Wars: The Bad Batch (Disney+)

Later, Rex, Chuchi, and the Bad Batch lament that they basically handed Palpatine the means to discard all their clone brethren. Chuchi assures them that she’ll keep fighting for the clones no matter what.

Before the group departs, Echo reveals that he’s decided to stay with Rex to help him with his mission. Omega is devastated, but he promises her that they’ll be reunited one day.

The Verdict

Star Wars: The Bad Batch (Disney+)

Even after Rex’s pointed remarks during the retrieval mission, I definitely didn’t see that coming. Echo wasn’t an original member of the Bad Batch, but it won’t feel like the same team without him. It was also heartbreaking seeing how much his departure hurt Omega.

Let’s hope he and Rex are reunited with the team sooner rather than later.

As sad as the last few minutes were, the rest of the episode was an absolute blast. From the political intrigue to Palpatine’s master plan, it was a lot of fun to watch. The best part in my opinion was the retrieval mission, which may be the most exciting sequence of the season. We also got to see even more beautiful shots of Coruscant than before — once again proving my statement that the animation on this show never stops one-upping itself.

It’s a shame that Bail Organa was once again relegated to being a vague conspiracy contact, but at least he provide some intel that allowed us to see a somewhat familiar character from Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Her decision to help Senator Chuchi wasn’t very believable, but it did add some drama to the proceedings.

Speaking of drama, even a potential stand-alone episode next week should be interesting now that there’s a completely new team dynamic at play. My bet is that Hunter and Wrecker’s personalities will clash even more now that Echo is gone. I know he didn’t typically play the peacemaker, but the departure of a team member is bound to bring out the emotional side of both of them.

Whatever ends up happening, it should be a lot of fun to watch.

Next Episode: ‘The Crossing’