TV Review: ‘Star Wars: The Bad Batch’ Season 2, Episode 13
by Frank Martin
The problem with a television show containing many episodes in a given season is that it’s impossible to keep the tension going week after week. There are bound to be lulls in the pacing. It’s just inevitable. So many shows are unable to avoid some serious slowdown in their episodes — Star Wars: The Bad Batch included. Still, even though this week’s episode was light on the Bad Batch’s connection to the Empire, it still managed to deliver some good action and set up the characters for some much needed growth.
After the Bad Batch (all voiced by Dee Bradley Baker) works with Phee Genoa (Wanda Sykes) on one of her jobs and avoid answering a call from Cid (Rhea Perlman), Phee invites them to Pabu, a remote and peaceful civilization. Part of her reasoning: Omega (Michelle Ang) deserves some time to be a kid. They all get to enjoy the break in the action and actually view Pabu as a place they could stay for an extended trip. Some drama ensues when a sea surge produces a tidal wave. Much of the island is destroyed, but the Bad Batch vows to stay and help the civilization rebuild.
In terms of plot, this episode pretty much had no connection to the Bad Batch’s larger struggle against the Empire. But it did shine some light on a rather peculiar dilemma the Bad Batch faces. They’ve been soldiers all their lives, so they’re not quite sure what to do now that they are no longer part of an army. The question of settling down and finding a place to call home has always been lingering over their heads. Now, they finally have an opportunity to do just that. Of course, nothing ever lasts, so it’ll be interesting to see what develops in future episodes.
Star Wars: The Bad Batch streams Wednesdays on Disney+.
