‘Star Wars: The Bad Batch’ season 3 episode 5 ‘The Return’ recap/review

Despite a predictable narrative, ‘The Return’ is a beautifully executed and highly entertaining episode.

March 7, 2024

Last week’s episode of Star Wars: The Bad Batch concluded with Omega finally reuniting with Hunter and Wrecker. Things won’t be easy with Dr. Hemlock pulling out all the stops to find them, but at least the family is sort of back together again — including Crosshair.

This week, we get to see how this intensely awkward reunion plays out.

As always, the recap portion of this review will contain plenty of spoilers along with some brief explorations of Star Wars lore. The order of events has also been streamlined a bit for the sake of clarity.

Island to Ice

Star Wars: The Bad Batch (Disney+)

Omega awakens on Pabu to a much happier life than she had during the last several months. Things certainly aren’t perfect, but she’s safe and back with her family — although things on the homefront are justifiably tense. After heading outside, she finds Crosshair struggling with some target practice due to his shaky hand. When Omega mentions that he should talk with his former teammates, Crosshair isn’t eager to do so.

Meanwhile, Hunter and Wrecker watch their former teammate from a nearby ledge. Hunter doesn’t think it was a good idea to give him back his sniper rifle, but Wrecker says that Omega deciding to trust Crosshair is good enough for him.

Before they can debate the matter any further, Echo arrives for a reunion and to gather intel about the Tantiss Facility. Omega and Crosshair don’t know much concerning the base’s coordinates, although Omega does still have Nala Se‘s old datapad. It won’t give them anything without being plugged into an Imperial portal, but Crosshair knows a place one might be accessible — the base on Barton IV where he gunned down an Imperial officer (and where we got one of the best episodes of the series).

Hunter tries to tell Omega to stay back on Pabu, but she won’t hear of it. This is her fight, too.

Wyrming Toward the Answers

Star Wars: The Bad Batch (Disney+)

As the group gets ready to leave, Crosshair tells Omega not to be too hard on Hunter for how protective he is of her. Wrecker then gives Crosshair his old armor after explaining that it didn’t feel right to get rid of it.

The team (which wonderfully includes Batcher now) arrives on Barton IV and finds the icy outpost completely deserted. They notice that the sensors which previously kept the raiders at bay are still up and running. Before shoveling away the snow to get inside the base, Crosshair and Hunter begin arguing. Echo manages to break it up, pointing out that they have much more important things to focus on.

Once the group gets inside, they discover that the base’s remaining power supply is being drained by the sensors. As Omega gets to work diverting power back to the base, Hunter watches Crosshair solemnly pick up the discarded clone trooper gear and place the helmets next to each other.

Star Wars: The Bad Batch (Disney+)

The power redirect causes the base to come to life and makes the datapad start sharing info. It doesn’t have any coordinates, but they do learn that there were a whole lot more clones being held prisoner there than they thought.

Meanwhile, a nearby rumbling starts to make Batcher anxious. Crosshair (who is developing an adorably subtle trust/attachment with the creature) decides to go outside and investigate things. Hunter follows, demanding to know what happened at this base that has him so shook. After Crosshair reveals what he did, he lays into Hunter for not protecting Omega well enough. The pair are about to start throwing hands when they hear Batcher barking like crazy.

Turns out that the sensors were keeping away a species of giant wyrms, one of which has decided to make a not-so-friendly visit to the base.

Star Wars: The Bad Batch (Disney+)

Hunter, Crosshair, and Batcher barely make it back to the outpost. Once they arrive, the group realizes they’ll need to restore power to the sensors to make the wyrm go away. Wrecker goes off to trip a nearby fusebox while Hunter and Crosshair team up to lure the wyrm back outside the perimeter with Echo acting as overwatch. Their attempt results in Hunter falling through the ice, where he finds a series of tunnels made by the wyrm.

Hunter decides to use the tunnels to lead the creature back beyond the perimeter. The plan works, but also ends up trapping him in the process. Crosshair and Batcher work together to pull him up just in time, leading to a thrilling final chase behind the sensor seconds after Omega reactivates it. Hunter and Crosshair have a moment where they appear to finally understand each other again — which is nearly overshadowed by Crosshair scratching Batcher’s head and my screams of delight.

Later, as the group prepares to leave, Crosshair tells Hunter that he understands the Empire isn’t what he thought it was. He also admits to doing horrible things while in their employ. Hunter assures him that while they all have regrets, they also have a chance to keep moving forward — this time as a team/family.

The Verdict

Star Wars: The Bad Batch (Disney+)

This episode really shouldn’t have been as good as it was. Every story beat was so predictable that you could probably write an accurate outline for the episode after watching for five minutes. That said, “The Return” was so exceptionally executed that it’s impossible not to enjoy.

I’ll fully admit my bias towards stories with dogs (particularly ones that look like an alien version of a pitbull). I should also admit that my own dog/best friend dying a few weeks ago probably shades my view on things. But I absolutely LOVE the way this series is handling Batcher — especially her dynamic with Crosshair.

It would’ve been so easy to do something contrived or unearned between the pair. Instead, we see subtle indicators of the pair bonding in a way that makes sense for both of them. While Batcher is obviously smitten with the human who wants her the least, Crosshair’s thawing happens in smaller ways — a brief look, trusting Batcher’s instincts, a quick scratch behind the ear, etc. If anyone has watched a family member go from hating to loving a dog, then you know exactly what I’m talking about.

As for the humans/clones, Hunter and Crosshair’s reconciliation might have been compressed, but it was also very well done. This is largely due to the brilliant animation, great voice acting, and the Kiners’ brilliant musical score. But it should also be noted that the pair got plenty of quiet moments to make the olive branch between them feel significantly heavier.

Meanwhile, Omega’s maturity as a character is really beginning to shine through — both via her actions and the way the narrative treats her. After insisting on going on the trip, a lot of stories would’ve immediately put her (or any other child character) in a position where she needed to be rescued. Instead, Omega proves herself to be an indispensable member of the team while also keeping her head during an extremely stressful situation.

When you add in the cool-looking monster and some great action sequences, “The Return” was far better than had any right to be. We may have gotten cheated out of a longer path toward redemption for Crosshair, but that aspect of this episode still packed a significant punch.

Oh, and if Hasbro doesn’t make a Batcher toy soon I’m going to lose it.

Next Episode: ‘Infiltration’