At a Glance
The Bad Batch aired its series finale on May 1, 2024, and there are currently no shows in production that are set to continue the storylines.
Key Facts
Release Date: May 4, 2021
Seasons: 3
Total Episodes: 47
Creators: Jennifer Corbett, Dave Filoni
Where to Watch: Disney+
When: Immediately after Revenge of the Sith
Recent Coverage
What is The Bad Batch?
Star Wars: The Bad Batch is an animated series following the troopers of Clone Force 99 in the aftermath of Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. First season in Season 7 of The Clone Wars series, the members of the Bad Batch (who are all clones with altered abilities) avoid Order 66 and set out on their own adventures in the galaxy to discover the truth behind the rise of the Empire. Along the way, they meet Omega, another altered clone, who joins their crew but is desperately wanted by the Empire for unknown reasons. Throughout the show, The Bad Batch examines life under the burgeoning Empire as well as the moral implications of the very existence of the clones. The show is a spiritual successor to The Clone Wars as it brings back multiple characters that featured heavily in the prior series, but it achieves a much more intimate feel by focusing mainly on the core group of Hunter, Wrecker, Tech, Crosshair, Echo, and Omega. A show that is never afraid to ask hard questions regarding the duty of a soldier in the face of unjust orders, The Bad Batch stands out as one of the most morally fascinating and well constructed Star Wars projects.
Are The Bad Batch from The Clone Wars?
Yes, the main characters in The Bad Batch debuted in Season 7, Episode 1 of The Clone Wars. The spin-off series was announced less than 2 months after The Clone Wars finale aired. While prior viewing of those episodes is enjoyable, they are not required to begin The Bad Batch.
About The Bad Batch
Jennifer Corbett, Dave Filoni
Disney+
TV-PG
Action-adventure, Drama
26-51 minutes
3
47
Kevin Kiner, Deana Kiner, Sean Kiner
Immediately after Revenge of the Sith
Cast
When Does The Bad Batch Take Place in the Star Wars Timeline?
The Bad Batch is set in the Star Wars timeline immediately following the events of Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and during the formation of Palpatine’s regime, making it part of the era known as the Reign of the Empire.
Reviews
Story and Characters
Star Wars: The Bad Batch follows the members of Clone Force 99 in the aftermath of the Clone Wars as they attempt to figure out the truth behind the fall of the Galactic Republic. Early on in their journey, they meet another clone, Omega, who appears to be very special to the newly empowered Emperor Palpatine. Fearing for her safety, the Bad Batch sets off on a mission that will constantly keep them in peril while hopefully staying one step ahead of the Empire.
As the series progresses, Hunter, Wrecker, Crosshair, Tech, and Echo all come to terms with their identities as clones in different ways. The show interrogates the idea of a soldier’s purpose in peace time, the duty of those under fascism to fight against it despite overwhelming odds, and the overwhelming power of a found family. Alliances form and break, characters from elsewhere in the Skywalker Saga occasionally enter the show to offer insight or obstacles, and despite occasional episodes filled with levity and humor, the show never forgets the stakes of the fight in which the characters find themselves.
By the series finale, The Bad Batch cements itself as one of the most unflinching Star Wars projects when it comes to its dedication to revealing the cruelty of the Empire. As the secret behind Omega’s purpose begins to reveal itself, the lengths to which the Imperials will go to achieve their goals is as diabolical as it is clinical - adding yet another layer of darkness to the full story of Palpatine’s regime.
Hunter
Arc
The de facto leader of the group, Hunter begins the show as the consummate soldier who finds himself forced into the part of the reluctant father figure. His relationship with Omega changes him considerably as the show goes on, resulting in the softening of his hardened exterior and his role as her closest companion.
Significance
Despite The Bad Batch being considered an ensemble show throughout its run, Hunter can quite easily be considered the leader of the crew and the protagonist of the series.
Wrecker
Arc
Wrecker enters The Bad Batch as the lovable big brother who has a penchant for making things go boom, and for the most part, he maintains that fantastic persona through all three seasons. However, as the sacrifices pile up for the crew, the true vulnerability behind Wrecker’s armor begins to show itself, leaving us with a wonderfully well rounded man by series’ end.
Significance
Wrecker is the comedic backbone of The Bad Batch, and although he never makes light of the darker events that cloud their lives, he never loses the ability to make his brothers crack a smile.
Tech
Arc
The aptly named technical expert of Clone Force 99, Tech brings infallible logic and reasoning to every situation. Although his way of thinking is not always understood by his brothers, he is nevertheless completely accepted, and throughout the show, he accepts this
Significance
Tech’s problem solving abilities are second to none, and his ability to adapt to the most dire situations make him an invaluable resource throughout the show. His dedication to Omega’s safety also never wavers, showing a type of unique relationship rarely seen in Star Wars.
Crosshair
Arc
One of the most fascinating arcs in Star Wars animation, Crosshair begins the show slightly distrustful of Clone Force 99’s apparently traitorous activities. His loyalty fluctuates quite rapidly throughout the series as he attempts to discover his true purpose, and by the end of Season 3, the sharpshooter undergoes one of the most complex and fascinating character evolutions in the entire saga.
Significance
Crosshair acts as the audience’s look at a soldier who was made to follow orders and must come to terms with the fact that those who once praised him now find him expendable. Although he does occasionally split apart from the main crew, Crosshair’s storyline provides one of the more fascinating moral arguments we get to witness in Star Wars.
Echo
Arc
One of the original ARC Troopers from the Clone Wars, Echo remains The Bad Batch’s link to the clone companies of old. His military expertise combined with his cybernetic augmentations make him a key tactical asset to the team, but as the series goes on, his desire to help the burgeoning Rebellion refuses to be denied, and he chooses to aid his old friend, Captain Rex, in helping the larger cause.
Significance
Although not an original member of The Bad Batch, Echo represents the connection the crew has to the original clones that they fought beside. This link is only strengthened by his choice to follow Rex and other old allies in order to help grow the Rebellion while still being available to aid The Bad Batch when they call.
Omega
Arc
The newest member of The Bad Batch, Omega begins the series as a perfectly content medical assistant on Kamino, but once she joins up with the crew, her eyes are opened to the true threat posed by the Empire. She evolves massively throughout each season as she sees more and more of the galaxy, and by the end of the finale, she appears ready to accept the mantle of Bad Batch leadership into the days of the Rebellion.
Significance
Omega is the character through which the audience experiences The Bad Batch and the moral compass for the crew, itself. She evolves continuously through each season, and as she understands more and more about the galaxy, she pulls the rest of the crew with her – allowing them to become the best possible versions of themselves.
Key Episodes
S1 E1: Aftermath
The show’s extended pilot sets up the entire premise for the series by showing the immediate aftermath of Order 66 and the introduction of Omega.
S1 E7: Battle Scars
The Bad Batch reunite with an old ally and discover the sinister purpose behind their inhibitor chips and almost lose one of their own in one of the most chilling episodes of the series.
S1 E15-16: Return to Kamio/Kamino Lost
S2 E3: The Solitary Clone
S2 E7-8: The Clone Conspiracy/Truth and Consequences
The Empire’s true plan for the future of the clones begins to reveal itself through the eyes of Senators and political figures loyal to the Republic. While not featuring the titular clones as much as other episodes, this arc is key for understanding the scope of the Empire’s cruelty.
S2 E12: The Outpost
Another landmark episode in the evolution of Crosshair, this is widely considered one of the best episodes of the entire series. An intimate story of what Crosshair is willing to do to help a fellow soldier, this episode’s ending changes the entire trajectory of his character.
S2 E16: Plan 99
Season 2’s heartbreaking finale brings ultimate sacrifice to The Bad Batch in ways few shows have done before.
S3 E15: The Cavalry Has Arrived
The series finale brings together all of the storylines that have been carefully curated throughout the previous 3 seasons in order to deliver a fitting ending for Clone Force 99.
Design
The Bad Batch uses the same design elements as its predecessor series, The Clone Wars. These designs focus on angular character models mixed with astonishingly realistic environments to create the most impressive feats of animation in all of Star Wars. The Bad Batch improves even further on The Clone Wars aesthetic by incorporating all of the lessons learned over the seven seasons of Prequel storytelling and combining them with the harsh, muted design elements of the encroaching fascist Empire.
These story beats allow The Bad Batch to explore marvelously different biomes from the waters of Kamino to arid deserts, vibrant forests, and even the bustling metropolis of Coruscant. With The Bad Batch continuously on the run, the show maintains the visual variety of The Clone Wars but allows each environment to be seen through the eyes of the same characters throughout.
Technology and Effects
Special effects
The Bad Batch is the most technologically impressive show in the history of Star Wars animation. By building upon seven seasons of experience with The Clone Wars, the animators begin season one with incredibly detailed character animations, stunning environmental designs, and dynamic camera movement that dwarfs anything that came before.
Nonetheless, the technology continues to evolve throughout the seasons, and the animators take advantage by incorporating not only different landscapes but vastly different weather patterns including desert biomes, frigid tundras, and the notoriously water-covered Kamino. The highly detailed character models also provide more opportunities for incredibly genuine acting performances which allow the show to feel just as grounded and real as any live-action project.
Behind the Scenes
The concept for The Bad Batch was originally created by George Lucas. He wanted to explore the idea that there were clones who were a bit more unique from one another and were part of a special forces unit, but before they could be brought into The Clone Wars, the show was canceled. A clip of their original arc was shown at Star Wars Celebration in 2015, but they finally made their way into Star Wars officially with the first arc in Season 7 of The Clone Wars in 2020. The spin-off was announced just two months after the finale of The Clone Wars aired with Dave Filoni returning as co-creator alongside Jennifer Corbett as head writer. The show found near-immediate success with fans of The Clone Wars and was able to finish its entire intended story ending with Season 3.
Related TV Shows & Films
The Clone Wars
The Clone Wars directly preceded the show and set up not only the characters themselves, but also many of the storylines that are continued throughout the series. In addition to characters and settings, the show also served as the primary inspiration for the animated style of The Bad Batch.
Rebels
When The Clone Wars was originally canceled, Rebels was the next animated Star Wars show to air before The Bad Batch. Series creator Dave Filoni was the head of Rebels and brought over plenty of characters, story arcs, and easter eggs from Clone Wars for the new show - some of which also appear in The bad Batch.
Books & Comics Related to The Mandalorian
Awards & Recognition
Saturn Award Winner
Best Animated Television Series or Special
2024
Saturn Award Winner
Best Animated Series on Television
2022
Top Critics
“The animated series isn't as flashy as The Mandalorian, but finds ways to reward the people most invested in its story.”
- Ben Lindbergh, The Ringer
“The prequels are just as full of rich potential as the original Star Wars trilogy, and The Bad Batch, like The Clone Wars before it, is set to do a lot of slow, careful work to tease out that potential.”
- Joshua Rivera, Polygon
“The Empire tightens its grip around the galaxy's throat as the seeds of rebellion take root. Star Wars: The Bad Batch returns with a superbly written, action-packed, and powerfully dramatic second season.”
- Julian Roman, MovieWeb
“Whatever you may personally think of Experimental Clone Force 99, the value of The Bad Batch as a series really lies in how it illuminates the era the story takes place in on the Star Wars canon timeline.”
- Jesse B. Gill, IGN Movies
