Hands down my favorite episode since the first of the season. This had everything. Great stuff for Hera and Chopper. Big moments for Omega and Hunter. But also all the world building stuff I was hoping for. The Empire tightening the screws, the fate of the clones, the earliest rumbles of rebellion. I loved this so very much.
Howzer was done so well here. It looks like Order 66 wears off? Or didn't affect every clone the same way. And now we have division in the ranks, between those who still remember their mission, their very purpose, and those who believe a good soldier follows orders. Watching him come around and finally see the light was utterly thrilling. I love the clones. But also a little bit tragic, because we suspect that it ends really, really badly for them.
Also, Hunter being inspired by Omega and Howzer. "They're her family. I'd do the same for you," Omega told him. And Howzer refusing to give up on his squad. Hunter now knows he needs to do something to try and save Crosshair. Even as the latter sets his sights on bringing them in. They are on a collision course. Can Crosshair be saved from the 66 programming? Or will he force the Batch to kill him? Or worse still, will the programming be broken and Crosshair CHOOSE to remain Imperial? I suspect that last one, because what a knife to the heart that would be. I wonder if we'll go straight into the big showdown next week, or if they'll delay it for the season finale.
Speaking of Omega dropping truth bombs: "We can't just put ourselves on the line every time someone is in trouble," Hunter says. "Why not? Isn't that what soldiers do?" No, actually, it's not. But it is what Jedi do. In a galaxy without Jedi, they'll just have to settle for The Bad Batch. Or so it seems. The jury is still out on whether or not the Force is with Omega (I still suspect not), but she proved the kind of person she is right there.
I'm not going to lie, while I've been enjoying TBB, their were a few episodes there that were starting to feel a little aimless. Pretty classic first season stuff, establishing the world and the characters, so I wasn't too worried. But enough that while I wasn't bored the series didn't feel like a must watch. These last two have been so good, all the pieces are coming together in a really satisfying way. I'm really looking forward to it once again.
