Bad Batch 1x01 "Aftermath" - Reaction & Review
Added 2023-01-30 12:04:05 +0000 UTCHey everyone! Here it is - my reaction to season 1 episode 1 of The Bad Batch!!! WOW!!!! I did NOT expect us to start off with baby Kanan and his master, holy cow!!! What a way to kick us off!! It gives insight as to why he was so jaded on clones too, poor baby. It's fun to see the guys in action here, trying to piece together what's going on. I have a feeling our new young friend is going to be very important! Meeting up with Saw and having to see the writing on the wall was great and very interesting. But watching a friend slowly slip away to the Empire's manipulation was pretty sad!!! GREAT twist though! Wow guys, I love it already! Can't wait to see more! Great ep!! Enjoy! ~ MH
Comments
Oh that's good that you were aware! I know, I love that they added that! Awww that's so sad about Tom Kane!!! I know, what a twist! And the speech was crazy to hear here too, it really ties it all together. I know there's lots of good reason to be mad at Nala Se!!! I did like her more by the end of the series, but I get it! I can totally see how the look resembles Dark Troopers too. Omega learns so fast! And Saw!! I love it when he pops up! Oh that's true, CW also started with a movie huh! The music is amazing as always. Hope you love my reactions!!!
Melissa Moore
2024-07-12 15:11:16 +0000 UTCI think I had just watched far enough in Rebels to know about Depa Bilaba and Kanan when this season premiered. So it was a big surprise seeing all that at the beginning. And it was really cool that we got another few quick shots of ROTS recreated here. I love how right off the bat they let you know that this is kinda the end of the Clone Wars era with the logo burning away and Tom Kane narrating the intro one last time (which was also really sad cause I’m pretty sure this aired right around when he had a stroke). Crosshair turning was so unexpected, and of course they had to hit us with that trigger phrase again “good soldiers follow orders”. Was so cool hearing them reuse Palpatine’s speech from ROTS. And we get introduced to Omega, a curious new character who’s the assistant to Nala Se, the Kaminoan behind everything with Fives. 😠 We also got to see TBB fight what looks like an early version of the Dark Troopers from Mando S2, though without the heavy armor. Also I love how you can see Omega copying Hunter’s mannerisms so much. And we get to see Saw again! Already starting to look more gruff than when we saw him in CW s5. I forgot just how much there is to talk about in this cause it’s basically movie length. Fitting considering this all started with the Clone Wars movie. Also of course we once again have the Kiners killing it with the music. So many returning faces in this show, excited to see the reactions to them.
Cody
2024-07-11 21:38:28 +0000 UTCAgreed!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Melissa Moore
2023-02-02 14:53:43 +0000 UTCThat's such a great point about Kanan!! Even some of the strongest Jedi had problems dealing with the aftermath of all this; I can't imagine having to be a kid on the run who hadn't even completed all the training and whatnot. No worries, these are great insights! I kinda noticed that too, that the Clones aren't really themselves anymore.....the individuality they developed working with the Jedi seems to be gone or at least dulled. Oooh, I have so much to look forward to!!! Interesting about the Jedi on Kamino. I wonder if they'll ever address it! Omega is such a bright shining light in all this darkness! Can't wait to know more!!
Melissa Moore
2023-02-02 14:53:26 +0000 UTCHe only cut it off when he reached Masterhood. Legend.
Saltire
2023-02-02 01:04:40 +0000 UTCYeah Nick I know the comment Crosshair later makes and it is something to dwell on when he says it. There was nothing Caleb could do for his master, he'd have been shot and killed had he went back, he didn't have the training or experience Ahsoka had to get her through it, though that perhaps says more about Ahsoka's preternatural fighting gifts when the clones were able to take down Jedi Masters like Depa, Aayla Secura and Ki-Adi Mundi,. And the Grand Inquisitor's comments (funny was just watching him again last night as I rewatched Obi-Wan) I think was just meant to unsettle Kanan, and he was feeling survivors guilt as he hadn't yet dealt with his issues. They do something similar in Jedi : Fallen Order when Cal Kestis has to face himself in dealing with his own master, Jaro Tapal's sacrifice for him during Order 66. Until they deal with that, neither Jedi can move on. Heck we saw how bad even Obi-Wan got after the war in his series. I wonder how Yoda dealt with it. Obviously he had no master as he would have outlived them by centuries (and we have never known who Yoda's master was in canon), so had those centuries of experience behind him; but we saw he still felt the guilt about order's imminent demise in his season 6 arc in TCW, and later when he speaks about how he was acting in fear throughout the war, to Ezra. I think he just went a little bananas, judging by how he acts around Luke when he first meets him! :D Anyway I'm rambling on as always, back to Bad Batch! I do like the model they used for Sidious here during his speech, his features look so corrupt, which conveys who he is. The clones themselves have indeed been hardened under the influence of the chip, which robs them oftheir individuality; and this is reflected in something else I may comment on later, but I want to see if Mel can get it as the series continues. These couple of things will become a subtle highlight in a two-parter later that I know Mel will love; but we'll get to that soon enough! ;) Nobody has been able to fully answer who the dead Jedi was on Kamino. Shaak-Ti was based there and worked with the clones, but she was on Coruscant when Grievous attacked the capital and presumably was killed there (in one version of her many deaths!). One Jedi its speculated on, was Rig Nema, the health assistant looking after Yoda in season 6; however her lightsabre doesn't quite match. We'll never know unless Filoni confirms it, as the design teams change things all the time; Depa Bilaba's lightsabre here doesn't quite match her one in the movies for example (though Jedi can alter or change their sabres throughout their lives with the likes of Obi-Wan having three different sabres as padawan, Knight and Master), and Ahsoka's lightsabres in Tales Of The Jedi, don't quite match her green TCW ones. We find out more on Omega later, and one or two things arise from this, that can be speculated on. I do really like her though, she is an innocent in a dark, ruthless world.
Saltire
2023-02-02 00:39:47 +0000 UTCOh yeah, I hear you about discussing Rebels and whatnot....honestly I've gotten comments the other way, saying "please stop dancing around these details as these shows have been out for years now and it's not a big deal" lol so I guess it's a matter of perspective! :/ Oh, I already knew Dee Bradley Baker was voicing them all! The man's a legend! Glad this will be a good rewatch! That's too bad about the original Tarkin actor! This one is doing a good job too. So well said that Palpatine may have orchestrated things, but most of all he knew how to manipulate what was already there. No kidding about being employee 66 when Ep. 3 came out, whoa!!!!! But yeah, makes sense it would be a confusing time. Doesn't that scene just jump out at you now!!!! I'm so glad I saw Rebels first! That's a good point that technically Crosshair is the least "defective". Ohhh, could she possibly be a mind reader too or something? Ohhhhh that's interesting that they kind of wanted Omega to get away, hmmm. I thought maybe she was the last but then they showed babies still being cloned so I wasn't sure. Yeah that's the thing, no one has any idea what the heck is going on with the Empire yet. HAHAHAH I knew someone would mention the RWBY food fight :P Hahaha yes just let Dave Filoni run wild please, the results will always be amazing!!!!!!!!!! :D
Melissa Moore
2023-02-01 14:50:17 +0000 UTCI know, we're jumping around when it comes to timing! Awww that's so sad about Tom Kane! :( Seeing Kanan was so out of nowhere and I loved it! OMG he was in THAT position wasn't he?! That force jump was excellent. Interesting about the variation in the details from this story vs. the book/comic. Poor Kanan, he's got a long road ahead, but he gets it sorted out eventually! Oh I know, I'm so glad I saw Rebels first!! LOL friggin Tarkin!!! Yeah the first impression could have been better haha, oh well. Crosshair is pretty freaking cool!! Right, I'd kinda forgotten what he looked like in CW, and hearing his "original" VA was cool too! Oh no kidding about Omega copying movements! She's a cutie! Wow, Omega's theme is just gorgeous! Thanks for sharing the full version! So sad about Crosshair, I hope we get him back one day! And now we have Omega too! I can see how this is a combo of all the techniques they've learned over the various series, and wow does it show!!! It's stunning! Can't wait for more!
Melissa Moore
2023-02-01 14:37:48 +0000 UTCYes love the animation in this - just like Tales of the Jedi. Since this is my second viewing of this season it’s an opportunity to spot things I missed or was puzzled by first time round. On that, when Crosshair has his chip augmented by the Kaminoans this episode, that reminds me of a comment Crosshair makes much later on this season. I’ll try and remember to raise this again when it’s safe to do so without spoilers. You can probably guess which comment I am referring to, and the question it raises? Seeing Kanan again is great and it’s worth noting that he went back to help his Master during order 66: he was braver than the Grand Inquisitor was suggesting. I think it was right that it was the same voice actor even though Caleb is very young here I love Palpatine’s speech after order 66 to the Galactic Senate from Revengeof the Sith put into animated form here. It’s an incredibly memorable speech and very well delivered. Awesome stuff. Less awesome, but highly suitable, are all the clone troopers watching and cheering along. One of the interesting aspects is watching the behaviour of the Clone troopers here, even after order 66 was carried out: they seem to have lost their compassion, for want of a better word, and are generally acting in a more hostile, aggressive manner even when there are no Jedi left to ‘execute’ for ‘treason’. On that last point, which dead Jedi was being carried away on a stretcher when the Bad Batch first come back to Kamino after order 66? Most likely one we have never seen before, but who knows … One of the most memorable aspects of this series was Omega: she’s cute and charming. And given she is a Clone like those in Clone Force 99, what has she been bred for? What is her enhancement? And it’s great to have Saw Gerrera in this from the off. He’s quicker than most to spot how wrong and dodgy the Empire is. And his animation is fabulous: he looks great!
Nick
2023-01-31 14:20:00 +0000 UTCI know, they did a great job! Lol it's a little jarring to hear that deep voice coming out of a little boy, I get it haha, but Saltire's got a point that it might be worth it to have Freddie back!!! (Omg the smoking analogy, I cracked up!!!)
Melissa Moore
2023-01-31 13:27:05 +0000 UTCWhoa, no kidding!! I'd be curious to know if they addressed that too!!
Melissa Moore
2023-01-31 13:26:17 +0000 UTCI knoooooow!!!! Hahaha I hear you, they hit the ground running when it comes to feels didn't they :O
Melissa Moore
2023-01-31 13:25:39 +0000 UTCThe ponytail. He has the pony. That did it for me. It hasn’t even been 10 mins and it has me. I had to take a break before proceeding 🤧 🏇
Manny
2023-01-31 10:20:54 +0000 UTCA couple of quick housekeeping notes before I get into my thoughts: First, it’s not really that big of a deal to me or most of us, but you ARE being a little bit loose with information about other Star Wars content someone may not have seen yet. Second, when you talk about “we didn’t see these characters in any of the movies after this…” keep in mind that a lot of these story arcs were made AFTER the movies and they’re just making it up as they go along. Maybe they’ll fit, maybe they won’t - but there’s nothing stopping them from going any particular direction they want to as long as certain story beats in the overarching franchise are hit. :) Also, you seem to have missed this credit but Dee Bradley Baker is voicing ALL of the Bad Batch characters. I’ve actually watched the first six episodes already but it’s been a while - I got busy with other stuff and just kind of stopped watching so the first few weeks will be a brush up for me. The original actor for Tarkin passed away some time ago but whoever is doing his voice is really good at imitating him. The first thing to happen for evil to thrive is for good men to do nothing. How’d the Empire come to be? There was a lot of clever planning of course, but Palpatine also understood people’s psyche and how to manipulate them. The key is nobody realized what was happening until after it already did. It makes sense there would’ve been a whole lot of confusion in the days immediately after Order 66. (Oh, fun fact - at the time Episode III came out I was working at the cinema myself and my employee number was 66. I had a little fun with that.) The scene with Caleb didn’t have any meaning to me the first time I watched it -now it makes more sense. I think what they were doing is trying to tie in previous viewers to the new show and using a familiar character to get everyone on the same page. This obviously came after Rebels, but that’s what makes the most sense to me. Crosshair is probably the least defective of the clones because he has a desire to follow orders. He hasn’t changed much at all from the start of the episode - he’s very by-the-book, which is exactly what the Empire wants from its army. The others have more of a disposition to think independently. There was an interesting exchange between Omega and Crosshair in the cell - she said “I know what you’re about to do, and you can’t help it, but please don’t do it.” Hmm… might this be a clue as to what her purpose is? Oh, speaking of that, Omega is referred to as the last of something. You’ve heard the phrase, “I am Alpha and Omega: the beginning and the end.” Alpha should make sense to you from RvB - but maybe she’s the last clone evolution? Nala Se kept the hangar door open so she could leave with the clones - and when she talked to the Prime Minister later it seemed like it was implied that they were scheming to let her get away. We’re only a few days into the Empire and they’re already burning bridges. Keep in mind nobody really knows what exactly the Empire IS yet. There will be plenty of time to explore that. We did get a food fight, but, eh… I’ve seen better. :) At least George Lucas seems to have figured out one thing - when Dave Filoni says he wants to do something Star Wars related, just say yes and let the man do his thing. He knows what he’s up to, clearly. 😉
Tyler Stobbe
2023-01-31 05:15:40 +0000 UTCInterestingly enough, in Legends, in the campaign for the video game Star Wars Battlefront 2, there was a Clone Rebellion on Kamino and you fought them as Vader's Fist, Imperial Clones who comprise of the remaining Clones from the 501st. When watching this Season I originally wondered whether or not they'd bring that Legends story into the new canon.
Brandon Dodge
2023-01-31 00:03:18 +0000 UTCNa, if its a choice of using someone else, or getting Freddie Prinze back, I'm picking the latter all day long! Even if young Caleb sounds as if he smokes 50 a day! :D
Saltire
2023-01-30 21:31:22 +0000 UTCThe use of various textures is great on a more subtle level. But the way lighting is used you would think you were watching an old black and white film noir from the 30s or 40s! Absolutely stunning. My only nitpick is that I feel they should have recast Caleb with an actual child actor. Still only a nitpick though because it's such a small part. Oh and it sounds like you are under the weather or at least your voice is a bit strained so stay safe and get better whatever the deal is okay.
Brian Settles
2023-01-30 17:07:32 +0000 UTCIts strange to come back to the end of the Clone Wars when last week the Battle Of Endor was mentioned! There we heard about the Empire's defeat, and here we are back to see the beginning of it. On a sad note to start with, the voice over at the start that was prevalent during TCW was the last we hear of Tom Kane (who also did Yoda and Yularen too amongst others) as the poor guy had a stroke and can't now speak, which must be horrible for a voice actor. Its why we never heard Yoda speak in Tales Of The Jedi too. :( I always get excited to see Kanan in anything else, and seeing him here again was a joy! Btw, look again as he is sliding down the snow when introduced - he is in THAT position! Its also horrible to see his Order 66, and why he had issues with Rex and co for a long time after. This version of his Order 66 is different from the comic and perhaps book (not read those yet - I really must!), but the end result is still the same, and it fits in nicely still with what we see from him later. It is horrid still to watch though and see the fear and confusion in his eyes wondering what is going on. Look at that force jump though, as I said in Rebels, no one else we've seen, is able to jump like that regularly. Thats him off to struggle with his own identity for years. One of the great reasons you did Rebels first, as you now have an association with Caleb/Kanan, that wouldn't be there had you watched this first. It still works for those who haven't seen Rebels, but those who have, it just hits more emotionally. Haha I knew you would react seeing Tarkin again! He's in his element here, helping reshape the galaxy in Sidious's image. And already he's undermining the clone programme as thats something they don't yet fully control, and is looking at other ways to police the galaxy. The clones will do for the time being until they are replaced. They don't exactly give him a good impression of being in his plans though with the fight in the mess hall, which Omega caused! :D Crosshair's shot with the knife in the 'training exercise' is just so good. He may be the most difficult of the Bad Batch team, but he is also the coolest! I hate the line Tarkin uses when the Kaminoans say the clones are extraordinary, and he replies "that remains to be seen". He is full of hubris and ego there, he's seen how impressive the clones are in battles, how efficiently they took out most of the Jedi, won the war for him; and just watched the Bad Batch demolish his training exercise. I also think he may feel if he can't contol the clones, they could be a threat to the nascent Empire as they are a force to be reckoned with. Saw's look is directly from his season 6 TCW version, and even the voice actor is the same as there. He is off to start his own rebellion, though we know how that goes for him. Rewatch Omega when she is recruited, she copies Hunter's movements, like kids sometimes do with their parents. She is so sweet. And that music at the end, is Omega's Theme, and is one of the best new pieces done by Kevin Kiner and his crew in the animations, its a really great theme, very rousing. Here it is if you want a listen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcxigOvmehI So our crew found out just what being an imperial is like, and unfortunately lost Crosshair to them, but gained Omega. They are all going to have to adapt to life under this new regime. The animation is indeed stunning; this is the culmination of everything they learned making the Clone Wars specifically, but there is definitely a lot of elements of Rebels in there too, specifically the painted backgrounds which were used a lot in that show, that really made some scenes pop out beautifully. Tales Of The Jedi too uses the same tech as here, and things like lighting and depth of field are jaw-dropping. Its movie level animation for a tv series.
Saltire
2023-01-30 16:29:58 +0000 UTC
