‘Star Wars: The Bad Batch’ Flipped A Classic ‘Star Wars’ Dynamic

Star Wars: The Clone Wars had a very specific paradigm within the Star Wars universe: the clones were the soldiers in the army and the Jedi were the generals who gave them orders. This was more a matter of logistical convenience than any strict planning, mainly because the clone army was created in secret. But the dynamic worked well, for the most part. Order 66 changed all of that. But still, even with different levels of hierarchy within the clone army, the Jedi were the ones giving orders and dictating their military policy. So it was very interesting to see this dynamic flipped for the series finale of Star Wars: The Bad Batch.

The final story saw Omega (Michelle Ang) captured by the Empire. They were planning on using her blood to clone Force-sensitive children by retaining her M-count. However, putting Omega with the children in captivity was a huge mistake. She quickly used the skills she learned as a member of the Bad Batch in order to plan a daring escape. Even though she was a child, Omega was still the oldest of the kids being held there. Her plan worked incredibly well as she ordered and instructed the other kids to follow her lead.

The analogy isn’t perfect. Omega is not technically a clone soldier and the children were not Jedi. But it’s hard not to acknowledge the analogous relationship. Omega is definitely a clone and the children are sensitive in the Force, just like Jedi. But unlike during the Clone Wars, when the Jedi were the ones leading the charge, the clone was the leader this time. Omega was able to rally these children and direct them to safety. It was a shift that showed the relationship between clones and Jedi is far more interesting and multifaceted then a simple soldier and general structure.

Star Wars: The Bad Batch is now streaming on Disney+.