‘Star Wars: The Bad Batch’ Season 3, Episode 11 Reveals The Dark Side Of The Empire
by Frank Martin
There are two types of episodes in a show like Star Wars: The Bad Batch. The type that don’t move the overall arc along and those that undoubtedly have consequences for the future. This episode absolutely falls into the latter as it ends on a pretty depressing cliffhanger. Right from the start, it’s clear that this episode is going to set up the endgame for the rest of the season. It’s filled with action, suspense, and even some political intrigue as the audience gets to view some of the internal squabbling of this young Empire. It just goes to show that even though the main characters are just small players in the grand scheme of the galaxy, they are integral to the Empire’s plans.
After taking a detour away from the Bad Batch last episode, they are reintroduced in this episode as they realize they must leave their temporary home. They are putting everyone on the island in danger. Unfortunately, they are too late to leave. The Empire finds them and essentially takes over the village, indiscriminately destroying buildings until they find Omega (Michelle Ang). Hunter (Dee Bradley Baker) does his best to escape, but Omega knows the village will always be in danger as long as they’re looking for her. She voluntarily gives herself up, hoping her friends can track her, but they fail. Omega is taken away in the episode’s closing moments.
Anyone that’s not a Star Wars fan who thinks the animation side of the franchise tones things down has obviously never seen an episode of this series. This is one of the darkest episodes of The Bad Batch yet as the Empire completely takes over the village and presses their thumb on every single villager until they get what they want. It’s important to remember just how recent the Clone Wars are during this time. It wasn’t long ago that this very same army was run by the Jedi, who did everything in their power to treat people with respect. This episode very clearly shows just how quickly things can change, and that even when the “good” side of a war wins, the “good” guys can still lose.
Star Wars: The Bad Batch streams Wednesdays on Disney+.
