I decided to rewatch Star Wars: The Bad Batch from start to finish now that the series has come to a close, and it caused me to notice a few key details about the animated Star Wars series that I hadn’t fully picked up on before. The Bad Batch has been a favorite of mine ever since it started in 2021, which means that I’ve already rewatched seasons 1 and 2 a few times each. After The Bad Batch season 3’s ending, however, I knew it was time to go back and watch this story as a complete narrative.

In a broad sense, I found that The Bad Batch is one of Star Wars animation’s most cohesive stories. Every episode carries Clone Force 99 further along their arc to laying down their roles as soldiers and seeking a life of peace on Pabu, all while setting up the conflict and darkness that’s still to come with Dr. Hemlock and Mount Tantiss. Each character also goes on their own spectacular journey, though some are more tragic than others. More specifically, however, are these 10 interesting things I noticed while rewatching, which have only deepened my appreciation of this series.

10

The Show’s Ending Is Heavily Foreshadowed In Season 1

A Life Of Peace Without War Is Often Referenced

One of the first things I noticed during my rewatch is that the ending of The Bad Batch is heavily foreshadowed throughout season 1, especially in its first half. “Cut and Run” is the second episode of the entire series, and it already sets up the eventual ending of the story to a fascinating degree. Cut Lawquane very much functions as a future version of Hunter himself, modeling how to raise a child and providing solutions for not being found. One scene even sees Cut telling Hunter to do exactly what they end up doing on Pabu.

You wanna know how to disappear? Put being a soldier behind you and make a new life for yourself.

It takes 3 seasons of struggling for Clone Force 99 to eventually heed Cut’s words, but in the end, they do. Season 1 takes it a step further with Hera Syndulla’s mother, Eleni, telling Hunter in episode 12 “Rescue on Ryloth” that the brewing war will be Omega and Hera’s fight – which is exactly what Omega says to Hunter in The Bad Batch‘s emotional epilogue before she leaves to join the Rebel Alliance. These storytelling seeds being planted so early in the show only makes this story feel even more complete and satisfying.

9

There Really Aren’t Any Filler Episodes (Every One Counts!)

Watching The Series Cohesively Proves That Each Episode Has Value

“Filler” is a word that’s highly debated amongst Star Wars audiences, and it’s most often been used in reference to episodes of Star Wars television – particularly during the course of The Bad Batch. With the week-to-week drop schedule, it was easy for many viewers to discount the more episodic adventures of Clone Force 99 as “filler,” especially while they were still running jobs for Cid in The Bad Batch seasons 1 and 2. Rewatching it all together, however, proves that this really isn’t the case.

I was amazed to see how episodes that even I had previously considered to be less valuable had new importance in light of the series being completed. Each episode contains at least one important element that will factor in either the very next episode or even many episodes later. One such case is season 1, episode 13 “Infested,” when Cid’s parlor is overrun by Roland Durand and the Pykes. This episode didn’t get its full payoff until season 3, episode 2 “Paths Unknown,” and now that it has, it feels even more enjoyable upon rewatching.

8

Omega’s Been Capable Ever Since The Beginning

She’s Always Been Much Stronger Than She’s Given Credit For

The earliest criticisms of Omega’s character during The Bad Batch season 1 were that she often causes issues for Clone Force 99 simply by veering from a plan or doing anything a child in that situation would do. While this does happen to a certain extent, knowing the strength of her character throughout the series makes it clear that her actions in season 1 always come from a wise and capable place. Omega understands plans and strategy straightaway; she just doesn’t have the training yet to execute them, even if she tries to.

Her actions in season 1, episode 5 “Rampage” are responsible for not only freeing her squad from captivity, but also giving them access to the real target they’re after. Later on, she’s the one who frees herself from both Cad Bane and Fennec Shand, even if the Batch has to intercept when her pod stops working. She even improvises with Hera on Ryloth for a plan that’s successful, albeit chaotic. There’s no doubt that Omega makes mistakes along the way, as do fellow members of her squad, but I can easily recognize how capable she has been from day one.

7

Crosshair’s Season 1 Story Is Even More Tragic To Watch

Knowing What He Goes Through Makes His Loyalty To The Empire A Tragedy

It’s always been hard to watch Crosshair seemingly betray his brothers in The Bad Batch season 1, but the knowledge of what he goes through because of the Empire makes it even harder to witness upon rewatching. The twist in season 1 of Crosshair removing his inhibitor chip and continuing to display loyalty to the Empire intentionally makes it even harder to root for him, especially when he’s constantly hunting down his own squad. What’s revealed in seasons 2 and 3, however, makes it clear that Crosshair gets caught up in the wrong side of the confusion after the war.

Hunter and Crosshair’s argument and heart-to-heart in season 3, episode 5 “The Return” makes this even more evident. Crosshair confesses his regrets to Hunter for pledging his loyalty to the Empire, but provides one key reason for doing so: “I thought I was being a good soldier.” While this certainly doesn’t make Crosshair’s actions right, it does make them even more tragic. He truly thinks he’s on the right side of history in season 1, and that the heartbreaking betrayal we as the audience see him doing is actually what his brothers are doing to him.

6

It’s Hard To Even Watch Tech Now (Especially In Season 2)

Tech Is One Of My Favorites, But His Tragedy Makes It Hard To See Him

Tech is my second-favorite member of the Bad Batch, but I’ve found that his eventual death in The Bad Batch season 2 ending makes it hard to watch him at any point in the series. Even in the lighthearted moments of season 1, far from Tech’s heroic sacrifice in the season 2 finale, I still find myself haunted by the tragedy that’s still to come. His hilarious quips and retorts will never fail to make me laugh, but I almost feel guilty enjoying him in the narrative when I know how empty it is without him later on.

This is a feeling that I imagine will pass with time, though. The wound is still quite fresh as of now; Tech’s death was only just over a year ago, and even then, there was still a chance of him being resurrected until The Bad Batch series finale confirmed his sacrifice would be honored. In time, Tech’s appearances throughout The Bad Batch seasons 1 and 2 will be nothing but cherished memories of the wonderful soldier and brother he was, bringing comfort to all who seek it. Until then, however, I find it hard to even watch him.

5

Cid Was Never Actually On The Bad Batch’s Side

We Really Should Have Seen Cid’s Season 2 Betrayal Coming

Cid’s betrayal is certainly foreshadowed in The Bad Batch season 2, specifically in “Faster” – when Tech, Omega, and Wrecker are outright told to watch their backs – but it’s still quite a shock when it actually happens. Though the Batch came to trust her over time, she actually never really gives them a reason to. Going back to season 1 reveals that Cid does everything on her own terms, and that her trust is extremely fragile.

The first firm foreshadowing of her betrayal comes just after their first meeting, when Cid threatens Hunter by hinting that she could reveal their location to the Empire at any point. Watching with the knowledge of Cid’s eventual betrayal makes that threat hang over every single one of their interactions even more. Just about everything Cid does for the Batch is purely transactional, because at a certain point, she needs them as much as they need her – and when that relationship comes to an end, she doesn’t hesitate to turn on them.

4

Hunter Has It Harder Than We Often Give Him Credit For

The Weight Of Every Tragedy & Failure In The Bad Batch Falls On His Shoulders

As the leader of Clone Force 99, Hunter has long since had to carry the responsibilities of the entire Batch on his shoulders. My view of this has only been enhanced by an excellent thread of posts made by s0ftbatch on X, who offers an in-depth analysis of the events of The Bad Batch through Hunter’s eyes. One of the heaviest truths comes at the very beginning of the series: Hunter goes from leading his squad to a 100% success rate during the Clone Wars to their desertion and the loss of Crosshair in one episode’s time.

Rewatching The Bad Batch shows just how much pressure is on Hunter in every single episode. No matter how big or small a mission or a job is, Hunter is constantly evaluating the risks and rewards, because he’s now responsible for not only helping his squad to succeed, but for keeping them alive. Over time, Hunter loses not just Crosshair, but also Echo, Tech, and Omega – an unimaginable burden to have to bear as the one who’s made himself responsible for them. It’s no wonder that he’s constantly trying to make the safest move possible throughout the series.

3

Wrecker Is Very Much The Heart Of The Batch

Wrecker’s Emotional Intelligence Is Highly Underrated

While it cannot be argued that Omega is the driving force who encourages the Batch to be the best versions of themselves they can be, rewatching the series makes it clear that Wrecker has long since been the emotional pulse of the group. Even as the biggest and strongest amongst them, Wrecker is the one who’s most often voicing his honest feelings. In season 1, episode 3 “Replacements,” he’s the first of them to admit that he misses Crosshair, even though most of them are still hiding behind their animosity towards Crosshair’s actions.

This makes it even more devastating when he’s the one whose inhibitor chip activates, and it’s clear on the faces of his brothers in that moment just how horrifying this is for them. Still, Wrecker’s quick to apologize for his actions, especially to Omega. This pattern continues in the other seasons, especially when he acts as the main source of comfort for Hunter at the beginning of season 3. Though he’s also hurting, he’s eager to guide Hunter through his own desperation and grief. Wrecker is always the one who’s ready to comfort his family.

2

Season 3 Is So Much Darker Than The Other Two

Rewatching The First Two Seasons Proves How Dramatic This Tone Shift Is

The Bad Batch seasons 1 and 2 are quite similar in terms of tone – until the season 2 finale. The Bad Batch season 3 carries this darker tone throughout its entirety, and it contrasts greatly with the other two seasons. I was shocked at first to return to the lightheartedness of the first two seasons when I had become so accustomed to the darkness of season 3, and sitting down to watch it back-to-back only made it even more jolting.

This, however, is a wonderful way to show just how high the stakes are for the duration of season 3. It certainly explains why I was so shaken up watching The Bad Batch series finale for the first time. The darkness of the series continuing after Tech’s death in the season 2 finale cast a shadow over all the other characters, leaving their fates entirely up to chance. If season 3 had been as lighthearted as the first two, this would not have worked, and the story would not have had as much weight as it did.

1

Watching The Entire Series Proves Clone Force 99 Deserved Their Happy Ending

The Bad Batch Has Been Through So Much Throughout This Show

The most clear thing to me after rewatching is that the series’ happy ending is more than well-deserved for Clone Force 99. There’s so much hope that drives each and every episode, and so many hidden promises about a life beyond being soldiers that the Batch can enjoy. The loss of Tech is a major sacrifice that the Batch endures to get the happiness and peace they so rightfully deserve, and it truly doesn’t come easy. Every single character in The Bad Batch suffers before getting to this ending.

Crosshair lives without his family for a long time, and he never even gets a proper reunion with Tech before he eventually makes amends with the squad once again. Hunter will always make himself shoulder the burden of Tech being gone, but he can at least rest knowing he helped to keep the rest of them safe. Wrecker gets to be with his family for a lifetime, and Echo gets to keep fighting the good fight. What’s most rewarding, however, is Omega getting to choose her own path in The Bad Batch‘s epilogue, proving they are all finally free.