First launched within the remaining season of The Clone Wars, The Bad Batch have returned for a second season in their very own titular present, and Star Wars followers are delighted to see extra of the “defective” clones of Clone Force 99 and their misadventures in The Bad Batch because the Empire rises from the ashes of the Republic. As within the first season, we discover The Batch (all brilliantly voiced by Bradley Dee Baker) and Omega (Michelle Ang) are nonetheless pulling mercenary work for Cid (Rhea Perlman), looking for a approach out of the Empire’s tight fist.
Yet, as determined and deadly as The Bad Batch are, the present noticeably is holding them again, firming down excessively on tone and maturity within the aftermath war-torn galaxy. The Batch and different characters do not use all means at their disposal; even the Empire that’s searching them down had grow to be much less evil and easily simply menacing. The Bad Batch offers with heavy matters just like the genocide of whole races, frequent floor with enemies, and betrayal between brothers but paves over them as if the viewers cannot deal with such issues. The Bad Batch ought to be capable of take care of the stakes as they’re, being the direct successor to The Clone Wars, in each phrases of story and motion.
Other characters are held again as nicely, such because the Twi’lek rebels led by Cham Syndulla (Robin Atkin Downes), who all fought within the brutal Clone War as nicely, utilizing any means crucial of their combat for freedom. When Admiral Rampart (Noshir Dalal) sentences Cham’s daughter Hera and different rebels to loss of life, he leads a rescue try, but makes use of stun rounds in opposition to an enemy making an attempt to kill him and his daughter. It is not sensible for a insurgent like Cham to carry himself again in such dire circumstances with such excessive stakes, and the story feels restricted and fewer actual. As the direct sequel and successor of The Clone Wars, a present which handled very heavy matters and mature themes that spoke to adults but have been nonetheless accessible to youthful audiences, this type of restraint would not really feel proper in The Bad Batch and limits the present’s potential.
We’ve seen The Batch use deadly bolts in opposition to their enemies as they combat for his or her lives. They are additionally not combating for their very own lives however for Omega’s as nicely, as each the Empire and the Kamainoans have despatched clone troopers, bounty hunters, and even their very own clone brother Crosshair to convey their “property” again for termination. The stakes are excessive and private, and The Bad Batch has no cause to carry again, particularly given the present’s tone.