Dee Bradley Baker, the star who brings almost all of Clone Force 99 to life in Star Wars: The Bad Batch, has spoken about the show’s final season one month after its finale – and has shared some exciting and fun reveals. Baker has long since lent his voice to the clones in animated Star Wars projects, and in The Bad Batch, he worked with Omega’s Michelle Ang to portray the beloved Batch in three thrilling seasons. Now that the show has come to an end, Baker has gotten to talk more about the final season and its characters.

In an interview with THR, Baker breaks down a few elements of the show and its final season, most notably where its characters are concerned. From the tips and tricks he uses to keep each clone personality separated in his mind to the greater workings of The Bad Batch season 3’s story, Baker has a lot to offer for those who are already sorely missing The Bad Batch. Here are some of the most notable things Baker mentions, offering viewers unique insight into how Clone Force 99 came to life.

There Are Still More Storytelling Opportunities For The Clones

Clone Force 99’s Story May Be Over, But Other Clones Still Need Closure

When asked about Echo and the open-ended nature of his story in The Bad Batch‘s season 3 ending, Baker shares that he’s “encouraged that these threads are still open for storytelling.” He goes beyond just Echo, mentioning that clones such as Commander Cody and Commander Wolffe still have either unknown fates or story threads left to tie together to get them to their next appearance. This is thrilling for audiences who have been hoping for another clone-centric animated series from Star Wars, even if no promises have been made.

So I’m encouraged that these threads are still open for storytelling. Like what happens to [clone Commander] Cody? Where does Echo go? How do [clones] Rex and Wolffe and Gregor end up getting together and then eventually end up in a fishing spaceship on a [remote planet] at some point? How do these things happen? Everybody wants to know because they love these clones.

Omega Is The One Who Drives The Final Season’s Story

Season 3 Is The Culmination Of Omega’s Growth As A Member Of The Squad

In terms of season 3’s story, Baker discusses how Omega is actually the character who drives the events of the high-stakes season. He shares that it’s a “storyline where the kid comes online and becomes her own force to be reckoned with in the universe,” with Omega being the one who constantly pushes her brothers to rescue the others on Mount Tantiss – as seen from the moment she first reunites with Hunter and Wrecker. This, according to Baker, was the plan all along, for Omega to fulfill everything she had been set up for in seasons 1 and 2.

Baker also discusses how Omega helps to drive Crosshair’s redemption arc as well, which is another core aspect of The Bad Batch season 3’s story. He describes Crosshair as “the fallen angel, the fallen warrior who has made bad choices” and how most of his season 3 story is him trying to “find his footing again,” most notably “with the relationship with this child [Omega].” Baker even reveals that Crosshair “is finally redeemed with that hug that he gets from Omega,” proving just how much she drives each element of this season.

Each Bad Batch Member Has A Unique Thought Process Behind Them

Baker Paints Images For Each Character’s Individual Voice

Beyond the scope of season 3, Baker breaks down his thought process behind each member of Clone Force 99, attributing a very visual and tangible image to each voice. For Crosshair, Baker describes him as “a coiled snake that’s just ready to strike,” in that “it’s quieter; it’s lurking” – which surely fits his sharp yet calculated nature. Tech is, of course, “technical,” but Baker dwells upon what viewers love about him most: that he “kind of processes things differently,” even while he’s still a vital part of the team.

To Baker, the squad’s leader, Hunter, is closest to the central clone voice, but he also “has a dark, kind of a smokiness to him,” which derives from the fact that “he’s hunting, he’s listening, he’s smelling, he’s hearing” as a tracker with enhanced senses. In a fairly stark contrast, Baker closes out by describing Wrecker, who is “a big boy and he’s positive, and he doesn’t care about things being hard.” This reflects in the optimism of his voice, because “he wants to get it done” no matter what. This is an absolutely fascinating breakdown of these characters.

Bringing All The Clones To Life Together Is Like A “Family Reunion”

Baker Likens Bringing The Clones Together As An Event Or Holiday

When asked about the difficulty of keeping all these clone characters separate in his mind even while he’s voicing many of them at the same time, Baker uses the idea of a “family reunion” to help himself stay organized. In a way that’s truly endearing, he shares that he’s “grown up with them and so I can just kind of jump into these characters,” and that they’re “like people that I know, that I’ve seen, and that are here and available with me at any time.” These people, and relationships, are thus easy for him to portray at any point.

Baker’s Favorite Member Of Clone Force 99 Is Crosshair

It’s Crosshair’s Story Arc That Makes Him Stand Out

As a fun way to round out Baker’s discussion of The Bad Batch, he’s asked about his favorite member of the Batch, and he chooses Crosshair for his story arc. While Baker would “want to be Wrecker” for his “appealing, bright spirit,” Baker cites that Crosshair’s “story of falling away, of being taken to the brink and then finding his way back to the light” is “a really moving and a beautiful story.” Given how much growth Crosshair does in The Bad Batch by its peaceful ending, it makes sense that Baker is so attached to him and his journey.

Source: THR