‘Star Wars: The Bad Batch’ Season 3, Episode 6 Shows That The Clone Story Isn’t Over Yet
by Frank Martin
Just when it appeared as if Star Wars had completed the story of clones within its universe, Star Wars: The Bad Batch throws a curveball into the mix. Crosshair (Dee Bradley Baker) demonstrated what happens when a clone is dedicated to being a good soldier for the Empire. But he was still his own man despite betraying his comrades. He hadn’t completely crossed over into the realm of becoming a machine, such was the allegory during the Clone Wars of having the clones fighting droids. But the Empire wasn’t done yet. It turns out, they did turn some clones into machines, or as loyal as machines can be. And these group of shadow clones are some of the most deadliest foes yet.
The sixth episode of season 3 starts off in the realm of politics as two senators, who were formally on opposing sides of the Clone Wars, gather in secret to plot against the Emperor. An assassination attempt is foiled by their clone security, and it turns out that their would-be assassin was a clone himself. Having been stripped of his identity, this clone was, essentially, a brainwashed agent of the Empire and had Omega (Michelle Ang) as a target. The senators contacted the Bad Batch to warn them that Omega was in danger, but the brainwashed clone had a tracking device that led the Empire right to their secret hideout.
Fans will have to wait until the next episode as this one left off on a cliffhanger, but it’s clear that there is a lot more clone drama on the horizon. The powers that be at the Star Wars offices weren’t happy enough just making clones prisoners of the Empire — after all, the Empire isn’t known to squander resources. They found a way to twist and mangle even the most difficult clones into their loyal servants. What’s also interesting about this episode is that it highlights just how vulnerable the Empire is in these early days. Palpatine has to push down the Senate, which still remembers what it’s like to be a free and fair democracy. All of this, combined, makes for very entertaining television and Star Wars.
Star Wars: The Bad Batch is now streaming on Disney+.
