Yeah, that makes a lot of sense. I did briefly think about Cody during the Wolfe/Rex confrontation, trying to remember where he was, but didn't go far enough to connect the dots you just did. I think you're right on this one.
Which really sucks.
Spoilers Bad Batch Season 3 - February 21st
- Thread starter Tuskin38
- Start date
Which really sucks.
Goodbye Cody.
I was also thinking Cody. Rex finding out and maybe having to put him down could be the reason he takes off with Wolffe and Gregor for Seelos. Something needs to happen for Rex to abandon taking on the Empire and, as of right now, he's still all in on fighting them.
While watching Rex in action these two episodes, I was pondering what could make Rex go into retreat and how that could be effectively sold by the end the show's run. I couldn't come up with anything. But revealing Cody as the brainwashed operative fits into that puzzle perfectly.
I'm not disagreeing with the assessment of Cody, but I will point out that Tech as the unknown operative seems like it would be be the more dramatic choice, where by dramatic here I mean in terms of how much direct impact there would be on the main characters. Tech was one of the Bad Batch, Cody wasn't. Plus, they think Tech is dead, whereas him fighting against them irreversibly brainwashed (if it is irreversible) might be worse than dead for them. Although we've kinda already been there with Crosshair, we haven't really, because this would be a shift in loyalty backed by brainwashing that wasn't present in Crosshair (at least as far as we know right now).
If they reconditioned Tech like this and he's one of the operatives it would be grim, and not improbable given that they tried it with Crosshair.
Of course, it's highly unlikely they were cloned from recently from someone we knew, because even with the accelerated aging there's probably not enough time?
Of course, it's highly unlikely they were cloned from recently from someone we knew, because even with the accelerated aging there's probably not enough time?
But, hypothetically, cloning could be somehow involved in healing Tech, I'd imagine.
It could easily be Tech. It seemed awfully convenient that we never saw his dead body.
Glad to know I'm not the only one who thought the operative might be Tech. They're definitely creepy, and it would be even creepier if the current one was someone like Tech.
It was nice to get a bit of set up for how Wolfe ended up joining up with Rex and the other clones from Rebels.
It was nice to get a bit of set up for how Wolfe ended up joining up with Rex and the other clones from Rebels.
As a counterpoint, this episode featured EVERY SINGLE major named clone (who was alive last time we saw them) that has appeared in this series EXCEPT for Cody (and Cut Lawquene, but his absence makes sense in context).
Think about it. Rex, Howzer, Gregor, Scorch, and now even Wolffe to complete the Rebels trifecta, but nobody even MENTIONS Cody?
The absence is itself noteworthy. Unless the episode actually DOES include Cody and we just don't know it yet.
I would also personally consider it bad writing to have it be Tech after introducing the idea that Crosshair was immune because he was a 99. Not that writers are above being dishonest with the audience, or that Crosshair couldn't just be wrong, but such a reveal would denigrate Tech. Mark him as lesser than Crosshair in a fundamental way.
Whereas Cody is a reg, and doesn't fall under the same umbrella.
Also, not for nothing, but the Operative has shown skills more in line with Cody than Tech. Cody being both a skilled shot and an excellent knife fighter have both been established previously, where there is no indication Tech could go head to head with Crosshair and match him. Similarly, Tech would have been readily able to repair his arm computer device, while Cody likely wouldn't have the know how.
Like I said prior, I thought of Tech first and all the reasons you mention. I just don't think he fits the evidence thus far. But it still wouldn't shock me either way.
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Another solid pair of episodes. This season so far has been all meat and no fat! Indeed the show as a whole has been far more consistent than the previous shows. They really have a clarity of focus when it comes to what this show is about.
Anyway, random notes time: -
Given how cheap the latter would be and that it would be retreading ground from Echo's own history, I'd say the chances of that are low. If he was nobody; why spend so much time on him and keep him alive by the end of this episode? If it didn't matter who he was then that waterfall should have been the end of him. There also has to be a story reason why they re-introduced Cody last season, establish that he'd deserted, and yet NOT have him appear in Rex's group.
So what if he never deserted? So far as I can recall Rampart never had anything to do with Necromancer and Tantiss; just War-Mantle. From Rampart's indifference it seemed to be disappearing clones were a not uncommon occurrence; but what if most of them weren't clones deserting? What if he genuinely thought Cody had gone AWOL, but in reality, that's just a cover Hemlock uses for what happens to those "recruited" for the Shadowtrooper program.
Anyway, random notes time: -
Infiltration
- I always seem to forget how strong of a 19th Century Persian vibe Pantora has, at least in terms of architecture.
- This fugitive Senator really should learn the meaning of the word "disguise". I know he's on the lamb, but it's been at least a year! Surely they could have gotten him something else to wear! (I know, it's probably a budget thing; no point building a new asset just for one scene when they already have a perfectly serviceable one!)
I suppose the story justification could be that he insisted on dressing in his full regalia for the occasion, given that he is essentially meeting what a former enemy. - The design of these Shadowtroopers has always struck me as a little odd. Almost insect-like with those eyepieces, and hardly at all like any other Imperial mask designs. Could it be more of a Sith thing perhaps?
You can tell it's a stealth suit because it has green glowey bits. Nothing says "you can't see me in the dark" like green glowey bits that light you up in the dark!
- Am I the only one that mistook the name 'Greer' for 'Gree' and were momentarily curious how he still has a head attached?
- I have a very nasty feeling Chuchi isn't making it out of this show alive. She's clearly leading a rebel cell, and yet is nowhere to be found in Rebels, Andor, or Rogue One. Indeed, now they I think about it; Pantorans in general were entirely absent in Rebels, which doesn't bode well for their world under the Empire. It may go the way of Raxus, Ryloth, and Kashyyyk.
- I do like the world building here. There was more to the rebellion than just Bail & Mon, and at this very early stage things are going to be very fragile and the players very very cagy. This isn't a time of inspiring acts of defiance, it's a time of furtive shadowy meetings and whispered agreements. Also appreciate some more in-narrative acknowledgment that a good portion of the Alliance were probably former Seperatist worlds. It's been aluded to here and then, but this is pretty concrete, even if the cell may be doomed.
- I know the reason is: "narrative expediency" but CX-1 getting in so easily via the sewer sure makes Rex look sloppy. They should at least have shown him circumventing some kind of security system to get that close. A lasertrip, and alarm, a lock on the hatch. Something!
- Rex goes for the bomb, while the two Pantoran guards sheild the senators with their bodies. Between this and last season; these guys may be the most competant guards in all of Star Wars! (Especailly including the Red Guard.)
- Weird seeing Teth again so soon after it showing up in 'Ahsoka'. And with a quote of the old Clonetrooper theme for that extra bit of 2008 nostalgia (and now I feel old . . . for like the 15th time this week alone. I may just actually be old at this point.)
- Side note: the last time we saw this planet (in animated form, anyway) was in 'Hunt for Ziro' featuring Quinlan Vos. This episode begins on Pantora, which is also where Vos first meets Ventress in the 'Dark Disiple' arc ('Lethal Alliance', specifically). I'm not saying the implied connection between those two points and the note the next episode ends on is intentional, but I'm not NOT saying it either . . .
- I kind of want to go back through the Clone Wars movie and see if they re-used any interiors . . . but I just don't have the time for it. I do have a vague memory of that lower landing platform playing a role though.
- CX-1 knows his tooth has been removed, and yet stll keeps trying to bite down on it. Nice way to show how deep his conditioning goes. Activating that thing isn't a choice, it's a conditioned response to capture. They can't help but kill themselves. Grim.
- I doubt we'll ever get an answer since only about 0.5% of the audience are even aware of the significance, let alone care; but three seasons in and I still would very much like to know what the deal is with Scorch being here and where the other Deltas are.
- "Activated"? Curious choice of words. Are these Shadowtroopers kept in stasis or something, or are they embedded agents within the remaining clone ranks? Would be a logical evolution of the control chip; to have spies and assassins that don't know they're spies and assassins until "activated".
- Now Omega is mimicking Crosshair? Can't say I'm surprised, but it's both cute and interesting who she seems to pick as her role models; the paternal leader, the independent rogue, and now the anti-social curmudgeon? I can't help but wonder what they have planned for her character beyond the show (because you know there has to be a plan, right?!)
- I like how Omega's energy crossbow seems to have been designed to look like it's a prop built from an actual real world firearm with extra bits bolted on, just as it likely would be if it were made in live action. Not sure if they based it on a specific real world pistol, but it certainly looks like it. Feels like it's similar to Margolin MCM they used for Leia's blaster, but the details don't seem to match.
- Either way; quite the contrast to the other more stylised weapons. Indeed the DC-17 asset they're using is still the chunky, highly stylised one they've had from Clone Wars day one!
- The design of this dagger ship is interesting for a number of reasons, not least of which because this is what the small two-man Imperial fighters (still called "Star Deastroyers") looked like in the early drafts of ANH, until they were scaled up to capital ships. Indeed, this is partly what inspired the Jedi Delta starfighter design, but making this a small-ish Imperial ship kind of feels like bringing it full circle.
- While this ship definitely looks like Sienar's handywork it's clearly not meant to directly evoke the TIEs, or eve Maul's infiltrator. One assumes they're holding off on any TIE adjacent designs, at least for now and sticking with just left-over Clone Wars ships.
- What's even more interesting is how they seem to have invested a lot of time and though into it's design, inside and out. While the Remora is full of re-used parts and pieces from 'The Ghost' and elsewhere; this thing looks totally unique so far as I can tell. Even it's sound effects are distinct!
- I think Rex knows, or at least suspects what "M-count" means. At the very least knows that it's something Jedi related, but doesn't want to say anything unless he's checked with an expert. Whether said expert or experts are of the Togruta, Dathomirian, and/or Kiffar persasion remains to be seen . . .
- The more they imply Crosshair could be a plant (knowingly or otherwise) the less I believe it. They're telegraphing it too much for it to be an actual twist. Indeed, it's not a shock if the least trusted person in a group turns out the be the traitor.
- That said there are holes in his story; if the conditioning didn't work on him, why is he still alive, and why isn't he on the list? The latter could simply just be how little Hemlock thinks he's relevant to retrieving Omega (doubtful, given they escaped together, and were last seen cooperating.) As for the former; could be they were planning to study how he survived the process at all without it working.
- Crosshair also very clearly recognised that specific clone. He visibly reacted and very suddenly got very eager for them all to leave immediately.
- Only a matter of time before Wolffe showed up! Curious the he has both Clone Commandos, Regs, AND TKs all under his command. It's usually and either/or situation.
Extraction
- Interesting how they're spending so much time both humanising CX-2, and showing how relentless he is. Shades of both 'The Terminator', and Yul Brynner's Gunslinger android in 'West World' in regards to the latter.
Nice touch showing Crosshair adapting to his condition rather than trying to brute force it in vain. Outsmarting his enemy rather than just out-shooting them. - If I remember the fluff from last season, the Remora's Leech pod is a repurposed mining vehicle; so having it latched onto the side of the cliff with a hole drilled though the wall makes perfect sense. It's literally what it was designed to do!
- "You're as bad as Hunter" "Oh, I'm much worse!" Omega & Crosshair's relationship continues to delight!
Wilhelm? I thought they'd called a moratorium on using that in Star Wars! - Interesting how Hunter is stunning people, while both Rex & Crosshair are going for lethal shots. Not sure who this says the most about, character wise.
- Between the M-Count thing, and the mention of Rex's "death", these two episodes are trying very hard not to say the words "Ahsoka Tano".
- Yup. Just letting a group of fugitives plus a high value target for a black-ops outfit just walk away seems liek a sound career move. No way this will have any ramifications for Wolfe!
- So . . . next stop Ventress? I mean unless Ahsoka & Rex have reconnected already, they're going to need advice on some Jedi stuff. I don't know how they make that specific connection, but I can take a few educated guesses about hidden paths . . .
Given how cheap the latter would be and that it would be retreading ground from Echo's own history, I'd say the chances of that are low. If he was nobody; why spend so much time on him and keep him alive by the end of this episode? If it didn't matter who he was then that waterfall should have been the end of him. There also has to be a story reason why they re-introduced Cody last season, establish that he'd deserted, and yet NOT have him appear in Rex's group.
So what if he never deserted? So far as I can recall Rampart never had anything to do with Necromancer and Tantiss; just War-Mantle. From Rampart's indifference it seemed to be disappearing clones were a not uncommon occurrence; but what if most of them weren't clones deserting? What if he genuinely thought Cody had gone AWOL, but in reality, that's just a cover Hemlock uses for what happens to those "recruited" for the Shadowtrooper program.
Assuming we even see that. We've not seen any of the other rebel clones have theirs' removed, but there's no way they haven't been by this point. Indeed I won't be shocked if this is the last we see of Wolfe on this show; I don't need them to connect all of the dots for me. Right now it's enough to know that the seeds of doubt have been planted, and however he gets there, we know where he ends up with regards to Rex.
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We have very different definitions of what constitutes fat. "Omega builds a relationship with Crosshair while on the run" and "The Batch learn to work together again with Crosshair back" feel like pretty significant and episode worthy developments to me.
Nope
If those were "fat" then shovel more of that delicious gristle onto my plate and keep it coming.
You're only saying that because of that time you were stuck in an elevator with Tony Robbins.
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