Top 5 Moments of The Bad Batch Season 3 Ep 1-4

 

The return of The Bad Batch in late February brought a feeling of homecoming.  We left this family of soldiers at the end of season two in a state of loss, separation, and desperation.  The excitement of adventure returned with a certain purpose to reunite and continue to make the Empire feel their presence. 

Here are my top 5 moments of the first four episodes: Confined, Paths Unknown, Shadows of Tantiss, A Different Approach.   

5. Any mention of Tech: His presence if felt throughout the first four episodes and I don't believe that will change as season 3 continues.  His impact on all of the characters is clear, but especially with Omega.  She learned a lot about being a clone, a soldier, and herself from conversations she had with him.   In his own way, he had a lot to give beyond his technical expertise and quirks.  I will miss him as the season continues, but something tells me that a return of Crosshair might help to ease that loss. 

4. A visit from the Emperor:  In Shadows of Tantiss, the Emperor shows up to the lab and is "most eager to see the progress" Doctor Hemlock has made.  The thunderstorm that accompanies the arrival is not by accident.  What impresses me and I quickly note the grace and confidence that Hemlock displays in the presence of the Emperor and red helmeted and cloaked guards (I still think these are the most awesome costumes).  Shall we mention Project Necromancer at this point?  It's too chilling to discuss.  

3. Hunter returns the horn of Isa Durand's son:  Upon completing and turning over a Pyke prisoner to Isa Durand, Hunter tosses Roland Durand his missing horn.  This was a highlight for me, because it reminds me that The Bad Batch isn't just good at what they do; they pay attention to the details. They also know that to get the information they need from Isa Durand, they will need every favor they can get.  It is the small things to the Bad Batch, and I look forward to more of that as their story finishes up. 

2. "Did they teach you plan 72?"  This brings up one of the Tech mentions from above, but this demonstrates that Crosshair hasn't lost his edge with strategy.  I also can't imagine that he doesn't think of the others, his friends when he thinks of plan 72.  It also reminds me, with the mention of Tech, that Crosshair doesn't know Tech's fate.  

1. "All right, let's try things your way."  After spending most of the events in episode four following Omega's plans of negotiation and stealth, she and Crosshair find themselves surrounded by Captain Mann's troopers and local guards.  Captain Mann insists on handing over all the credits that she won from him earlier in the episode and surrenders for Hemlock's arrival.  Omega tosses the credits and utters the quote.  I love this because it gives a real sense of Crosshair's return.  It also demonstrates that Omega is willing to trust and work with Crosshair.  Their relationship is strengthened throughout this episode, and this moment is a defining one.  

An honorable mention has to be the conclusion of episode four when the Bad Batch reunites.  There numerous things to mention regarding that scene, but rather than write about it here, just listen to the Coffee with Kenobi podcast episode 731, where host Dan Zehr and I break it down in detail.  

A Picture Filled with Memories

I found this picture in my office at work.  It was drawn by my then seven-year-old daughter who at the time was excited about Star Wars and her new Star Wars hero, Rey.  I love the little kid image of a person with arms coming off the body instead of coming off of shoulders.  When she drew it, I remember talking with her about the detail of Rey's triple ponytail hairstyle that she included with detail in the picture.  I also really enjoyed her depiction of BB-8  with the orange circle designs and ball shape.  

It brought me joy when I came across this picture that she had drawn 9 years ago.  I was instantly taken back to a time when my daughter was little and loved everything Star Wars.  It reminded me of when she would wear her  Rey costume for Halloween and any comic convention we would attend.  One time she wore a mash-up Rey/BB-8 costume to a museum event.  The museum had an exhibit on dragons, and she pretended that she was fighting one of the dragons.  Maybe she was pretending it was a Krayt Dragon!   

It is funny how things change.  She still likes Star Wars, but not with the same passion as then.  She has moved on to her own hobbies and activities.  She hangs out with friends now and is working her first job.  She is in color guard with the marching band, is a cheerleader, does pole vault, and is on the speech team. I love who she has become even if it doesn't still include weekly viewings of new Star Wars shows.  She just doesn't have time.  It reminds me of the truth in Cat Stevens' song, Cats and the Cradle. 

I hope her love of Star Wars and watching the stories return (maybe even in adulthood), but what is most important to me are the memories this picture brings back.  It made me sit back and smile.  Even better than that, when I showed her the picture I had found, it made her smile too.  She couldn't believe  I still had it, but she remembered drawing it a long, long, time ago, in a galaxy not so far away.