Star Wars

‘Star Wars: The Bad Batch’ season 3 episode 11 ‘Point of No Return’ recap/review

‘The Bad Batch’ once again rivals ‘Andor’ in its ability to reveal how evil the Empire is.

April 5, 2024

The last episode of Star Wars: The Bad Batch reminded us just how terrible the Empire truly is. While that didn’t do a whole lot to push the overall narrative, we did learn that CX-2 has a lead on Omega’s location. As you may imagine, this leads to a very dark and tragic sequence of events.

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.

Target Spotted

Star Wars: The Bad Batch (Disney+)

The episode opens with CX-2 tracking Phee to a docking station. After sneaking aboard her ship, he downloads its location history and escapes moments before being discovered. Later, he reports to Commander Scorch that Phee frequented a planet on the Outer Rim (Pabu). Scorch says that he’ll have a full battalion on their way behind him.

Over on Pabu, the Bad Batch are getting ready to flee the planet after Ventress‘ warning. Omega is understandably glum about this for several reasons — one of which is having to leave her friend Lyana.

Before departing she gives her Tech’s ruined glasses and Wrecker’s tooka doll, Lula. Omega doesn’t seem optimistic about returning, but it at least represents some hope that it could happen.

Star Wars: The Bad Batch (Disney+)

Meanwhile, CX-2 slips into Pabu undetected and spots Omega along with the rest of the Bad Batch. He reports in to Scorch, who tells him to make sure Omega is contained and unharmed until he and his troops can get there. As for the Bad Batch, they can be eliminated if necessary.

Hunter can sense something is up and tells Shep and his family goodbye. While this is happening, CX-2 shoots explosives onto the Marauder, which blows up and nearly kills Wrecker. (No word on Gonky, but it didn’t look good for him, either).

While tending to their unconscious teammate, Scorch’s battalion arrives and begins brutally locking down the city. When Shep tries to stand up to him, the clone assassin assures the mayor that his island will burn until Omega is found.

Elsewhere, Batcher sees some citizens getting roughed up by TK stormtroopers and attacks them. Crosshair assures Omega that the creature can take care of herself and gets her safely to Shep’s house — where the incapacitated Wrecker is being hidden, as well.

Meanwhile, Hunter is spotted by a TK squad, but manages to jump aboard a passing gunship. He takes out the two remaining soldiers on board, causing the pilot to try and shake him off. When that fails, CX-2 snipes the pilot (!), causing the ship to crash into the ocean. Hunter survives, but it’s enough to make Omega decide that their only hope is to let the Empire capture her. Crosshair is obviously opposed to idea, but Omega insists it’s her choice. She also plans to bring a tracker and requests him to shoot a secondary tracker onto whatever ship takes her so they can finally locate Tantiss and free the other clones.

Target Acquired

Star Wars: The Bad Batch (Disney+)

Omega walks out and gives herself up to CX-2. As expected, she’s scanned for a tracking device. When it’s found and removed, CX-2 begins taking Omega away while Crosshair watches from a distance.

Meanwhile, Hunter emerges from the ocean and is greeted by Batcher. The pair rush back toward the city while Crosshair takes up a position to shoot a tracking device onto CX-2’s ship. Before he can fire, a squad of TK troopers find him and begin shooting in his direction. He takes them out and rushes back to his position, but is unable to hit CX-2’s ship as it takes off.

Both Crosshair and Omega sigh as they’re separated once again.

The Verdict

Star Wars: The Bad Batch (Disney+)

Let’s first discuss two of the big theories about this episode that are circulating online:

CX-2 is actually Tech.

I don’t buy it. If that were the case, he would have at been much more familiar with Pabu even if he was brainwashed.

Hunter and Batcher got onto the ship.

This one seems much more plausible. It wouldn’t exactly be easy, but not impossible. Also, it makes the random scene of Hunter and Batcher reuniting make a lot more sense.

As for the episode itself, it was surprisingly thin on the narrative. CX-2 found Pabu, showed up, and accomplished his objective. That said, character work on the way there was superb — especially Crosshair’s. I also love Omega taking a stand and putting the mission before herself. It wasn’t fair and made my heart break, but it’s hard not to believe in this kid who we’ve watched grow so much over the last three seasons.

“Point of No Return” also made sure that anyone who didn’t completely hate the Empire after the last episode certainly does now. They’ve obviously always been the bad guys, but I think it’s fair to say that Andor is the only other Star Wars property that’s made them look this evil.

Let’s hope Omega’s return to Tantiss is the start of them finally getting some comeuppance.

Next Episode: ‘Juggernaut’