Bad Batch - Devil's Deal Recap

THIS RECAP CONTAINS THE BAD BATCH SPOILERS

This week saw a complete change of pace for The Bad Batch as our favorite rogue clones were relegated to cameo status. All that did was clear the way for a familiar face as Clone Force 99 continues to weave a fascinating trail of run-ins with notable characters from across the galaxy.

Over the next few months, we’ll follow up each new episode of The Bad Batch with a quick recap while you’re excitedly yelling in our Discord (don’t forget those spoiler tags!) and waiting for our weekly Bounty Hunt live stream. 

While we’ll stick to recapping each episode here, both our Discord and Bounty Hunt will be perfect places to discuss reactions and predictions for what’s to come. THERE WILL BE SPOILERS BELOW.

Let’s dive in.

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In “Devil’s Deal” we continue to witness the (forced) transition to galactic occupation by the Empire with a visit to Ryloth. The Twi’leks have assembled to hear an official statement from Senator Orn Free Taa, including Gobi Glie and his more…militant-supporters.

Crosshair takes notice and reports the sighting to Admiral Rampart who expresses disappointment with Senator Taa that the Imperial propaganda of the new refinery hasn’t been received with open arms.

Taa tells the admiral their presence is most certainly welcome. The proof? Why, the support of General Cham Syndulla and his wife, Eleni, of course!

While Senator Taa does little to quell the unease in the crowd, General Syndulla steps forward and urges his fellow Twi’leks to trust the clones and turn over their weapons in the name of peace.

(Because what better way is there to ensure an outside force stays true to their word than removing all potential threats to their control?)

After a coy conversation noting Hera’s absence to the events of the day, viewers have little time to question whether we are going to see the future Rebellion general before we’re introduced to YOUNG HERA SYNDULLA AND CHOPPER on a recon mission!

Taking a moment to gaze at some passing birds (fueling her own passion to soar amongst the stars), the two future Rebels are found and turned over to her father by Howzer, the local commander. He’s willing to ignore Hera’s presence in a restricted area this time, but only when Chams assures him it won’t happen again.

(Narrator voice): It happens again.

Hera’s “fiery spirit” and eagerness to fly leads her to accompany Uncle Gobi on a “simple supply run” where Clone Force 99 is simply the go-between for Gobi’s simple purchase of illegal weapons from Cid.

Hera meets Omega and shares a “kindred spirits” moment with the young clone as she leads Hera through a tour of her spacecraft/home. Hera discusses how flying is more about “feeling” than spec knowledge, a concept completely lost on Omega and the clones.

Meanwhile, Crosshair secretly added a tracker to the ship prior to their initial departure and is lying in wait when they return to Ryloth. He shoots out an engine forcing the ship down and allowing the capture of the wanna-be smugglers by Admiral Rampart.

Word of Hera’s capture and accusation of treason (courtesy of Senator Taa) forces Cham to lead a daring rescue attempt. Once Admiral Rampart realizes the comms are jammed and reinforcements are not coming, he uncharacteristically admits defeat and submits their surrender.

Cham then confronts Seantor Taa at blaster point and accuses him of being the true traitor after selling out the people of Ryloth for his own personal gain. Cham is convinced to lower his blaster, but Rampart signals Crosshair to remove Taa from his current (and future) position…permanently.

Cham and his wife are subsequently arrested for Taa’s attempted assassination while Rampart tasks Howzer with tracking down a fleeing Hera as the episode fades out.

And although we know Hera’s eventual fate...her next steps are laden with mystery.

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Catch recaps of each new episode of The Bad Batch right here, and don’t forget to tune in to Bounty Hunt, Youtini’s Star Wars TV aftershow, every weekend for full spoiler reactions and discussions from your favorite The Living Force podcast hosts.