With Disney’s new motto being “More, MORE, MORE!!!!” when it comes to TV shows for their streaming platform, Disney+, we have a lot of interesting content to look forward to. With Disney acquiring cinematic property like Thanos collecting Infinity Stones, we have a plethora of shows in the Star Wars and Marvel universes upcoming. Just in the Star Wars sphere, we have upcoming shows around beloved characters, such as Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ahsoka Tano, Boba Fett, The Bad Batch …hang on, who?
That’s right, on the 4th of May (Star Wars Day, May the 4th be with you), an animated series called The Bad Batch will be premiering on Disney+. Disney has taken the interesting move to start their small screen adventures with relatively untouched, less mainstream characters and surroundings. First, The Mandalorian and now The Bad Batch. The name will be unfamiliar with anyone who hasn’t seen The Clone Wars Season 7, so I’m here to shed some light on the baddest batch around.
Who are the Bad Batch?
The Bad Batch first appeared in Season 7, Episode 1, of The Clone Wars animated series. They were in a four-episode arc that included the likes of Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Mace Windu. Also known as Clone Force 99, The Bad Batch are a group of clones that have been born with desirable genetic mutations that enable them to fight more effectively. They acted as a special forces squad for The Grand Army of the Republic (or the Clone Army) and were not directly under anyone’s authority, being very independent. They gained a reputation for getting the job done, if unconventionally, with a reported 100% success rate and recommendations from the likes of Commander Cody. The name “Clone Force 99” came from the heroic, deformed maintenance clone called 99, who died helping against the separatist invasion of Kamino, the Clone’s homeworld. In order to honour their brave comrade, the squad was named in his honour.
The members of The Bad Batch
There are four original members of The Bad Batch, which include:
-Hunter, who leads The Bad Batch. As Clone sergeant, it’s his job to keep the independent, unique Clones together and pointing in the same direction. He was born with incredibly keen senses, including the ability to sense electromagnetic signals. He mostly fights up close and personal with his knife.
-Wrecker, who is your typical big, stupid tough guy. His genetic mutation was to be large and insanely strong. He is brash and abrasive, with a bit of a temper. He takes child-like delight in killing droids and blowing things up. But he absolutely hates heights.
-Crosshair, whose genetic mutation is exceptional eyesight. Because of this, he acts as the squad’s sniper. It’s said that he can take out targets 10 kilometres away. He is sarcastic, dry and often contemptuous of regular Clone Troopers, which the squad calls “Regs”.
-Tech, who is the brains of the operation. His mutation is an incredible aptitude with science and technology. He is fairly non-combative, preferring to stay out of squad bickering and combat if he can.
There is one more member of the squad that joins at the end of their original four-story arc, which is CT-1409, otherwise known as “Echo”. We see his development throughout The Clone Wars series right from his cadet days, when he used to repeat orders that had already been given, like an echo. During one of his missions, he is presumed killed but was in fact taken by the separatists and made into a tactical cyborg to aid against the Republic. The Bad Batch, along with Anakin Skywalker and Clone Captain CT-7567, otherwise known as Captain Rex, go to rescue him. Echo, because of his time with the separatists, had a knowledge of their systems and cybernetic enhancements, which he used against them.
What should you expect from The Bad Batch show?
By the looks of the trailer, they are keeping the fantastic level of animation that we saw in the later Clone Wars seasons. Well get the same brazen, badass, get stuff done attitude we came to love from them and a smattering of new characters. The show seems to be set a short time after order 66 and the end of The Clone Wars.
In the trailer, we see Admiral Tarkin assess Clone Squad 99 and deem them too independent, ordering them destroyed. The story will follow their escape and what they do after. They are also joined by a new member, Omega, who is a young girl that Hunter offers the chance to travel with The Bad Batch. Along with Tarkin, we are also expected to see some other familiar faces, including Fennec Shand (from The Mandalorian), Captain Rex (could that mean we might see a certain orange force wielder again?) and Saw Gerrera (from The Clone Wars, Rebels and Rogue One).
If you enjoyed this article, check out more of our TV content!
