The previous episode of Star Wars: The Bad Batch concluded with Sniper Clone X2 attempting to capture Omega. As if that weren’t consequential enough, we also finally got to see Commander Wolffe pre-chip removal.
Those two major plotlines set the stage for the explosive second half of this week’s Bad Batch doubleheader.
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.
Duel of Traits
Star Wars: The Bad Batch (Disney+)
While the Bad Batch and Rex‘s group of rogue clones look for a way out of their ruined base, X2 manages to rendevous with Wolffe and his squad, which consists of clone troopers, a clone commando, and TK stormtroopers. Wolffe is immediately ticked off by the sight of dead clones strewn around the burning building — especially when their objective was to retrieve Omega unharmed. He attempts to pull rank on X2, who doesn’t seem terribly concerned about the chain of command. As Wolffe begins working on a plan to seal their target inside the building, the clone assassin goes off on his own.
X2 finds the group before Wolffe’s team does and engages them. Crosshair fights back, leading to an awesome sniper duel. Crosshair is able to hold off the clone assassin long enough for him and the rest of the good guys to make it aboard an escape shuttle. As they take off, X2 shoots out their engines, causing the ship to crash. Rex is able to get a message to Echo giving their approximate location before hitting the ground.
Wolffe tells his team to search for the crash site before laying into X2 for jeopardizing the mission. X2 flatly responds that he prevented their target from escaping. This predictably causes Wolffe to become even more angry. Before things can boil over, the clone commando reports that they’ve located the crash site.
Star Wars: The Bad Batch (Disney+)
Meanwhile, everyone somehow survived the crash. As they emerge from the ship, Crosshair grills Omega on her condition and reminds her to be safe on the unfamiliar terrain. When Omega points out that he’s being more overprotective than Hunter, Crosshair replies that he’s actually much worse.
*Side Note: I love this exchange so much.
Later, Howzer tells Crosshair that he’s noticed how protective he is about Omega. When he asks what changed since his days working for the Empire, Crosshair responds that loyalty is everything to him. He found out the hard way just how expendable he actually was to the Imperials.
Fated Reunion
Star Wars: The Bad Batch (Disney+)
The group is eventually found and engaged by Wolffe’s squad, leading to another fantastic action sequence. The good guys win handily, but are still being tracked by X2. Crosshair spots him, although not quickly enough to save Nemec from being killed. After finding a good sniper position, Crosshair orders everyone to get to the extraction point while he draws X2’s fire. Omega isn’t a fan of this course of action, but he doesn’t care.
Following another great sniper duel, the pair are forced to battle each other at close range and near a waterfall. X2 nearly drowns Crosshair, but is stunned by Howzer and goes careening over the edge. Howzer then pulls Crosshair up, resulting in the pair exchanging a respectful nod.
Just when it appears the good guys are going to escape, Wolffe shows up with his remaining forces. After a brief standoff, he and Rex share a moment of disbelief at seeing each other again.
Star Wars: The Bad Batch (Disney+)
Rex explains why Wolffe is on the wrong side — something that should be plainly obvious since he’s been tasked with hunting down a child. Rex also reveals that the Empire has been experimenting on clones. He then implores Wolffe to join the fight on his side…or at least do the right thing and let them go.
After Echo’s ship arrives, Wolffe tells his soldiers to stand down and let everyone go. Once they’ve departed, the clone commando asks why the squad isn’t going after enemies who have been declared traitors by the Empire. Wolffe explains that even if they are traitors, they’re owed a chance at freedom as fellow clones.
*Side Note: Psssshh….
As Wolffe’s ship departs, X2 climbs up from the river below and onto an embankment. Meanwhile, Rex points out to Hunter that Omega will never be safe unless he figures out why the Empire wants her to fights back against them.
The Verdict
Star Wars: The Bad Batch (Disney+)
This episode is so beautifully shot and scripted that it could’ve been one of the series’ very best. Where it falters, however, is the compressed nature of some major character arcs.
“Extraction” should have been the beginning of Howzer making peace with Crosshair. Instead, it happened in the span of a few hours. That one could be forgiven, but Wolffe’s decision to let Rex go was tragically devoid of a proper build up. Yes, we saw him angry about clones being killed, but he was still the same great and dutiful commander we knew from the Clone Wars. There’s no way Wolffe would’ve just let them go like that — especially with all his troops watching.
And if you want to say that Howzer set the template for clones rebelling before their chips were removed, then I’d counter that at least his transformation took an entire episode. Even when you consider the shock Wolffe felt at seeing Rex alive, the turn shouldn’t have been that easy.
That major issue aside, this was still a great episode. In addition to the incredible production values, Crosshair’s begrudging paternal behavior toward Omega is both adorable and organic. He cares about her, but is still his icy/cantankerous self.
It should be great watching the dynamic between these two evolve as we approach the series finale.
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