Star Wars: The Dangerous Batch 1.08 “Reunion”
Reunion was the instant observe on from the heartbreaking Battle Scars that thrust the Dangerous Batch right into a combat towards one among their very own as they had been pushed with their backs to the wall inside a former Jedi cruiser. It was a tense episode that had the motion that Battle Scars lacked, in that it was all-action, just about on a regular basis – we noticed the risks of Crosshair working with the enemy, he knew precisely what Hunter and firm would do and he knew simply how outnumbered and outmanoeuvred they had been – there was no manner out. I do discover it bizarre that Rex would depart with out a way of coming again to assist them within the combat – he simply left and walked off? – and I nonetheless discover it bizarre that the group simply didn’t go together with him – in the event that they had been on the lookout for a goal, he would have given them one immediately – however The Dangerous Batch has some time to go but earlier than it turns into a proto-Rebels, which is actually the one course that it will possibly head in at this level. It’s already a proto-Mandalorian, and that solely turned extra obvious on this episode.
Omega was certain to be kidnapped and separated from the group in some unspecified time in the future however The Dangerous Batch just isn’t even making an attempt to do something completely different from The Mandalorian, it’s treading drained floor time and again and providing up little in the way in which of something new. You desire a cameo? Right here, this time – it’s Cad Bane. It’s taking one of many greatest and widest fictional universes within the historical past of cinema and tv and making it really feel as small and as closed off as attainable, all people is related to one another – all people is aware of one another. There’s solely a matter of time earlier than Ahsoka exhibits up, as a result of Ahsoka all the time exhibits up. Certainly one of my greatest issues with The Dangerous Batch is that it simply feels pointless, it’s simply The Mandalorian with a much bigger forged, and Rebels already coated a lot of this floor. Even Fallen Order and the Kanan comics (retconned by this present, I would level out), coated what’s been coated right here and located their very own voice faster.
The Dangerous Batch has nothing new to say. It’s run out of concepts lengthy earlier than its 16th episode of its first season, and the truth that we’ve to take a seat by way of over 10 extra episodes earlier than we get to the finale at this level is definitely off-putting. There’s some good motion and the battle contained in the Jedi cruiser is enjoyable, however once more – nothing new. I virtually groaned by the point Cad Bane confirmed up and that’s not what fan-favourite characters and their entrances must be doing. At the least, as I discussed earlier than, the Martez sisters truly felt recent as a result of reality we’ve seen so little of them. Cad Bane alternatively? Yawn. We all know precisely what he can do and it robs the factor of shock. This present has to face by itself ft and its sheer reluctance to take action is popping me off it. Each time it desires to lift the stakes, it simply throws in a personality that we already know.
Has The Dangerous Batch run out of surprises solely seven episodes in? Its set-piece motion nearly stored issues entertaining with one of the best within the collection but, however in any other case, given the plot at massive, I’m failing to be satisfied. Every thing simply feels far too predictable.
Star Wars: The Dangerous Batch 1.09 “Bounty Misplaced” – Overview:
If Reunion was the primary half, Bounty Misplaced was the follow-up, no less than the group didn’t waste an excessive amount of time in getting Omega again as we’ve all gone by way of this arc earlier than, however then what was the purpose in all of it? The purpose was – on this case, for a Fennec and Cad Bane showdown which was thrilling sufficient by itself however as talked about within the above evaluation, it brings to gentle the broader issues with The Dangerous Batch at massive, it’s way more focused on different, ‘cooler’ characters than its personal and in consequence the Batch themselves are left to face round within the background and let the plot be dictated by what’s occurring round them. It doesn’t fairly really feel solely like a foul name – as Fennec invertedly serving to Omega escape with out undermining Cad Bane’s character works, nearly, no less than.
Omega is slowly studying some street-smarts like her capability to trick Cad Bane’s robotic ally into letting her out to restore the robotic’s leg earlier than knocking it out was enjoyable. I do really feel like we’re headed in direction of paving the way in which for a present that’s whole goal exists to indicate how Palpatine might be cloned in The Rise of Skywalker (or if not, the origin of Snoke, maybe?), and I actually hope I’m incorrect – as a result of the entire idea of Alpha and Omega (with Alpha being Boba Fett, a pure clone) is simply too attention-grabbing to cross by – the present’s dedication to not making any of those characters drive delicate is a welcome change of tempo and I’ll say this about The Dangerous Batch thus to date – no less than there’s no Jedi. In that sense, there’s freshness, unpredictability to the plot and the stakes within the fight all the time really feel actual with out the necessity for escalation to the purpose of overkill.
We at the moment are conscious of the motives for the Kaminoans and their involvement in wanting Omega again – and hopefully, now that she’s been kidnapped as soon as, we gained’t undergo this arc once more no less than for some time now. And we get a pleasant little affirmation that Omega could be very a lot a part of Clone Drive 99 – their household, and she or he’s there to remain. Plot-heavy episodes are slowly advancing the plot – and that’s all the time good to see, no less than.
I do surprise what’s going to occur with Crosshair in the long term although. Will there be a redemption arc for him? I wish to suppose so – and I’d like to see Omega bringing him again into the fold. The lack of one among their very own nonetheless hurts the Dangerous Batch, in spite of everything.