The Unhealthy Batch 1.06: “Decommissioned” – Evaluation:
The Unhealthy Batch episode six signified a much-needed enchancment over the case of the week however with a cameo-type storytelling that we’ve been launched to within the sequence thus far, because the group stumble throughout the Martez sisters while pulling off a job looking for a tactical droid, a relic of the Clone Wars, in a droid manufacturing facility. It’s a reasonably strong episode, and it’s no coincidence that it’s an enchancment on what got here earlier than, out of the 2 particular person story arcs within the final Clone Wars sequence, it was the Martez’ storyline that I most well-liked, and it was a pleasure seeing them again – and it is sensible to deliver them again greater than anyone else right here, because the characters are paired up with the Unhealthy Batch by the truth that they’re a part of the identical respective sequence, even when they haven’t met prior to now.
What follows is a reasonably customary Star Wars episode that follows the Clones stepping into fights, working with the Martez sisters finally coming to an understanding. It’s a rinse-and-repeat of the Clones utilizing unorthodox strategies to get the job completed with Tech finally getting the Tactical Droid to assist lead a military of tremendous battle droids into battle vs safety droids, and within the grand scheme of issues it’s a comparatively disposable combat – however the motion is effectively choreographed and immediately likeable. Seeing how the Martez sisters have developed since The Clone Wars nearly makes me want we’d hung out following them throughout this era as a substitute of the Unhealthy Batch – however what maybe is extra urgent, and extra prevalent on this episode is the eye on Wrecker – whose bond with Omega is fleshed out giving them each a way of connection. Omega’s apply along with her bow offers the present a mini-arc for her character, and regardless that the conveyer belt technique is tried and examined it does give her some inventive motion set-piece of her personal. Elsewhere, Rafa and Echo bought a enjoyable one liner the place Rafa requested if there was an Echo within the room, so as to add some gentle hearted humour to a enjoyable episode.
Wrecker now has one other hit on the top on account of his need to get right into a battle – and sooner, reasonably than later, the chips within the head of the Unhealthy Batch are about to grow to be a ticking time bomb. For the time being the Batch themselves are simply operating mercenary jobs – nevertheless it was attention-grabbing to see them begin to develop a persona and query why they’re doing sure jobs on account of this encounter with the Martez sisters – who inform them to choose a aspect.
The Unhealthy Batch 1.07: “Battle Scars” – Evaluation:
Battle Scars picked up from the place we left off on the finish of Decommissioned with the nameless determine making himself identified to the Batch themselves, and to their delight, it’s Rex – who in fact was going to point out up within the present at one level and the truth that he’s right here, now, makes it an exquisite alternative to not solely push the Batch again into the specter of being activated by Order 66, but in addition proceed to discover what they’re doing and what they’re preventing for. I favored the significance that Omega has to him as a revelation and seeing her be taught that there was one common clone that they favored was an necessary character-building second, simply as Rex got here clear concerning the risks of the inhibitor chip – he’s clearly expressed remorse about what he’s completed to Ahsoka previously and their battle in that season of The Clone Wars makes Decommissioned and Battle Scars really feel like epilogues to each respectively, selecting up leftover threads in a wider galaxy.
This isn’t the final time that we’re going to see Rex or the Martez sisters, I feel – and each really feel among the many extra related cameos to the plot that we’ve had thus far. Rex taking the Clones again to a graveyard of ships and the exploration of an previous Jedi cruiser allowed for some fascinating character-building while additionally making light-work of some motion alongside the best way, including simply the correct amount of stress to the plot that strikes past, for the primary actual time, simply one other customary fetch-and-retrieve mission. That is the path that The Unhealthy Batch needs to be urgent in the direction of – Omega and Wrecker get the emotional core of the episode and it’s clear that their friendship is among the sequence’ greatest strengths’, appearing as the true coronary heart to the matter. Giving Wrecker some depth was the perfect factor that The Unhealthy Batch has completed thus far, it makes it a lot extra impactful when he tries to search out Omega – moreso than had any of the opposite clones turned. It’s doubly heartbreaking as a result of we all know that Wrecker, like all the Clones, has no management over the state of affairs – and presumably spells hope for a Crosshair redemption arc ought to the present choose to go down that route sooner or later.
I did just like the tie-in within the Venator-class ship to Jedi: Fallen Order on Bracca, and it’s no shock that the popcorn that Wrecker and Omega have developed right into a mission routine is discovered at Galaxy’s Edge. Some tie-ins work higher than others, however I do like how regardless of all the pieces the present stays broadly accessible to those that have simply watched the films – however the extra acquainted you’re with the broader expanded universe, the higher.
Two nice episodes in a row enable for The Unhealthy Batch to really discover its ft. Grounding it and giving it a way of goal because the Clones determine what theirs is in a galaxy the place the very early days of the Rise up is coming collectively (will we get a Cassian Andor cameo?) is paying off divdends and I can’t wait to see what lies in retailer subsequent, in what is bound – now that the salvage guild are conscious of the Batch themselves – going to be an action-packed episode.