‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars’ Season 7 Premiere ‘The Bad Batch’ Review: Strike Team

The War rages on in Star Wars: The Clone Wars. This time around, the Republic finds itself in a tough spot. As the assault on the planet Anaxes continues, the Separatists seem to gain the upper hand. When all of the tactics the Republic uses becomes ineffective, it is time for something new. With that said, our heroes turn to the most unorthodox of decisions: calling in Clone Force 99.

On Friday’s Season Premiere of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Captain Rex, Commander Cody, ARC Trooper Jesse, and Kix teams up with Clone Force 99. Also known as the ‘Bad Batch,’ Hunter, Wrecker, Tech, and Crosshair (all voiced by Dee Bradley Baker) help in discovering why the Republic is losing in Anaxes. An unsettling discovery shakes Rex to the core, making their mission even more relevant.

Team Dynamics

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The Bad Batch members are clone troopers with desirable mutations. For instance, we have Wrecker who has borderline super strength. Tech is basically a walking supercomputer while Crosshair is an expert marksman and assassin. Hunter, their leader, can track anything be it flash or mechanical. With that said, these guys understandably have a sense of superiority over normal clones whom they nicknamed ‘Regs.’ Jesse and Kix find themselves fighting with Crosshair and Wrecker and they do not listen to Rex, either, despite his rank. Miraculously, the team works together efficiently, having droids stand no chance against them.

Clankers’ Tactical Advantage

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Contrary to popular belief, Admiral Trench (Dee Bradley Baker) is still alive. The Republic’s last encounter with Trench was during the Separatist blockade of Christophsis. Anakin Skywalker (Matt Lanter) defeated Trench, later presumed dead. This is not the case as seen here in the episode. Admiral Trench was defeated, yes, but he survives the battle. Now sporting mechanical enhancements replacing his lost limbs, He lives to fight another day for the Separatists. However, Admiral Trench is not the only one making a surprise return to the series.

CT-1409

Lucasfilm/Disney

The main reason for embarking on this mission is because of how swiftly the Separatists make countermeasures to their strategies. Rex is an excellent strategist; one of the best in the Grand Army of the Republic, in fact. It does not make sense for the Separatists to have a decimating response to every single plan Rex made. Rex’s plans were only known to one brother, Echo, who died earlier in the war during the rescue of deceased Jedi Master Even Piell. However, Rex has a hunch that Echo is still alive. Cody, for one, thought that Rex’s assumption is crazy. As the mission progressed, Rex confirms his worst fears. Echo is alive, held captive in Skako Minor. He is the source of the Separatists’ intel.

‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars Season 7 Premiere ‘The Bad Batch’ Final Verdict

Despite having a simple plotline in this episode, Star Wars: The Clone Wars begins its seventh season quite well. The Bad Batch have distinct personalities but do not feel out of place. Also, we have a glimpse of Rex and Cody’s unique friendship. Seeing Anakin and Mace Windu (Terrence ‘T.C.’ Carson) in their Revenge of The Sith likeness also sets the tone of how near the time is for the Republic’s eventual downfall. The excellent animation paired with numerous battle sequences makes this episode a quick favorite to those who wish to watch more Clone Trooper action.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars continues Friday, February 28 with ‘A Distant Echo’ at Disney+.