Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Star Wars: The Bad Batch season 2, episode 3.Commander Cody returned in Star Wars: The Bad Batch season 2, and it made Obi-Wan Kenobi cutting his role seem even worse. Cody became one of the most popular clone troopers thanks to his appearances in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith and then later Star Wars: The Clone Wars, which in large part owed to his close relationship with Obi-Wan Kenobi. The two served together throughout the Clone Wars, developing a strong bond and friendship, which made Cody’s turn against him due to Order 66 all the more tragic.
Unfortunately, that was the last viewers saw of Commander Cody, until Star Wars: The Bad Batch season 2, episode 3. It revealed Commander Cody’s fate after Order 66, with him still working for the Empire but turning against the regime, questioning its methods and ultimately going AWOL. However, Cody almost returned even earlier. In the plans for the Obi-Wan Kenobi movie trilogy (which eventually became the TV show), Cody would have reunited with Obi-Wan, overcoming his programming and looking after Luke Skywalker while his old Jedi friend left Tatooine on a mission. That entire subplot was obviously changed, but Cody’s return made it unfortunate that it never happened.
The Bad Batch Shows Obi-Wan’s Cut Commander Cody Story Should’ve Happened
Cody’s return in Star Wars: The Bad Batch was not only a reminder that he is one of the most compelling clone troopers, but that there’s a lot of potential in showing his redemption. That’s something he deserves, given just how big a part he played in the Clone Wars, but it’s also intrinsically linked to his friendship with Obi-Wan. Indeed, a subtle reference to this in The Bad Batch makes Commander Cody being cut from Obi-Wan Kenobi worse, because it so clearly highlights his regret over what happened during Order 66.
In a conversation with Cody, Crosshair referred to the Jedi as “traitors.” Although Cody didn’t specifically mention Obi-Wan Kenobi in response, he did look both very unsure and upset at Crosshair’s comments. The implication was that Cody was thinking of Obi-Wan, remembering his old friend and not believing he could have been a traitor. That means Cody’s history with Obi-Wan, and guilt over his own actions, were a major factor in going AWOL from the Empire. That’s good in and of itself, but would have been much stronger knowing the ultimate payoff – Cody and Obi-Wan’s reunion – happens. This would then flesh out and set up those events, giving Cody’s arc a sense of completion.
Commander Cody & Obi-Wan Could Still Reunite (In Kenobi Season 2?)
The Obi-Wan Kenobi TV show changed movie plans that would’ve included Commander Cody – they also involved Obi-Wan having a vision of himself fighting Luke Skywalker – but that doesn’t completely rule out them coming to fruition. It’s unclear if Obi-Wan Kenobi season 2 will happen, but if it does then Commander Cody could feasibly still appear. He may not be needed to watch over Luke Skywalker – a role that could’ve been interesting in season 1, seeing him go from a killer of Jedi and back to a protector of them, completing his reclamation of identity and free will – but there should be opportunity for a reunion still.
Obi-Wan Kenobi season 2 would need a new story and new characters, and him meeting his old friend could form part of that. Cody could reunite with Obi-Wan because of a new threat or mission involving the Empire. If he’s already AWOL and been helping to fight against the Empire for some time, then him eventually learning Obi-Wan is alive and seeking out his old Jedi friend, for both his redemption and to help take down the villains, could still be powerful if done right. Star Wars: The Bad Batch season 2 should only be the beginning of Cody’s return: a reunion with Obi-Wan Kenobi, in some way, somewhere, should be the end.
