May The 4th is fast approaching at hyperspeed and what better way to embrace the Force than with the grand Season finale of “Star Wars: The Bad Batch”?
Time and again, the animated corner of the “Star Wars” galaxy has proven itself with quality storytelling and rich character constructs. “The Bad Batch” spawned 3 years ago, taking the focus off from Jedi and the Force, and instead expanding into the lives of several extraordinary clone troopers, Hunter, Wrecker, Crosshair, Echo, and Omega.
With the third season confirmed to be the last, the Bad Batch’s final adventure has wrapped and we have some threads to unravel.
EMPEROR PALPATINE’S GOAL
One of the greatest plots that The Bad Batch has weaved into the narrative is the paranoia surrounding the clone conspiracy.
This original conspiracy was previously used as a plot device in the predecessor, “The Clone Wars”, whereby the Jedi Council went snooping around for answers about the origin and purpose of their friendly troopers. They were ultimately unsuccessful in unravelling all of the threads, which led to their downfall during the Jedi Temple massacre.
While the clones during the era of “The Bad Batch” had generally served their purpose and had been phased out or integrated into other sectors of the Empire, the value of their existence remains. Especially with Omega, her genetic makeup appeared vital to Project Necromancer’s development.
Ultimately, Project Necromancer is destroyed explosively. In a particularly riveting scene, Rampart finds the database holding all of the research. He holds the Kaminoan Nala Se at gunpoint, demanding to know what it was. Nala Se’s defiance rubbed the former admiral the wrong way and he executes her. However, she activated a grenade, and it exploded, killing Rampart and destroying the database.
Now, it’s a shame that Project Necromancer has never officially been explained and the finale does nothing to provide any more information other than it being about transferring midichlorian counts and Omega being the key to its success.
Despite that, we strongly believe that it has to do with the Emperor’s experiments that came to fruition in the sequel era. The re-emergence of Palpatine in “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” was abrupt and made little sense. If this was confirmation that there was indeed some cloning in the works since the era of the Empire, then, at least, it does not feel so bizarre.
“There is nothing of greater importance than to secure the future of this Empire”
With the information gone, Moff Tarkin later deems the program defunct. He instead redirects the funding to Project Stardust, which as we know, is the Death Star program headed by Orson Krennic in “Rogue One”.
FREEDOM
With Omega’s planning and help, the children who were part of Project Necromancer escaped the Tantiss facility, unleashing a giant Zillo Beast in the process.
Nevertheless, Echo and Dr Emerie Karr, the latter of whom empathized with her subjects caught up with them, providing them with an edge to escape. Eventually, Dr Karr flies the children away on a shuttle while Omega and Echo stay behind to help their fellow comrades.
WAR AND PEACE
As all hell breaks loose in the facility, Dr. Hemlock captures and handcuffs Omega and attempts to stow her away. Hunter and Crosshair catch up to them but Hemlock threatens to kill her if they make any moves.
Omega takes note of the advantage she has of the situation, stating that Hemlock would not kill her either due to her value. Ultimately, she breaks loose of his hold and Crosshair manages to snipe at the cuffs linking the two.
With Hemlock separated, Hunter and Echo blast the scientist, eventually sending him over the edge into the depths of the river below.
Hunter, Wrecker, Omega, Crosshair, and the lurca hound, Batcher return to their safe haven in the form of Pabu. Echo and Karr discuss working together to get the displaced clones settled. As for the Bad Batch, they’re free to follow their own path.
THE REBEL
Omega has always been a rebel. She’s always been the type to break from the norm. While that got her in trouble many times in the past, it’s also helped her to escape sticky situations due to her smarts.
In an epilogue, Omega meets up with Hunter. This time, she’s grown. She’s more mature. It’s revealed that she’s been fighting alongside the Rebellion.
Hunter is apprehensive of the situation at first but Omega reminds him that his time as a soldier is over. He’s fought enough and doesn’t have to keep her safe any more.
The story ends with Omega flying away to fight. When will she be back? Who knows? Our best bet is that we might see Omega come back in future “Star Wars” projects set within the Rebellion era. But at this point, all we know is that everyone is enjoying a happy ending.
“Star Wars: The Bad Batch” is currently streaming on Disney+.
