Will Any Of 'The Bad Batch' Make It Out Of The Series?
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As a series, The Bad Batch has not shied away from some powerful character moments. The first season provided us with Crosshair’s betrayal and Wrecker’s chip activation. The second season built its entire finale on such moments, including Crosshair’s realization and Tech’s sacrifice. Already in season three, there have been many more moments, mostly involving Crosshair and Omega. But Tech’s sacrifice does raise a question for this third and final season. Will any of the others of Clone Force 99 go the same way?
To answer, there needs to be some reasons set for why any member of Clone Force 99 might see their end. The main reason would be to protect one of their own. Which includes Omega. And now Crosshair. Another reason would be the cause. During their adventures, Clone Force 99 has helped the Clone Underground, a resistance led by Rex that is striving to help as many clone troopers as possible escape the grasp of the Empire. The importance of that resistance seems like a large one in this season.
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The Clone Underground has been hunting for the location of Mount Tantiss for some time, and recent events have brought them that bit closer to it. The priorities of Clone Force 99 seem to have shifted in recent times so that they will be in the action helping the Clone Underground heavily from this point forward. That puts them in a lot of danger, especially with bounty hunters once again on their tail. That makes these two reasons intertwined.
Image Source: Star Wars: The Bad Batch S1.14 | Disney+
For Hunter, he will do anything to protect Omega. Being the one who suggested rescuing her from Kamino in the first place, he has stood by her side to protect her against any force that tried to take her. Though he knows that Omega has grown with her skills, there is still that protective father instinct that keeps him alert. Hunter has already faced off against the bounty hunters seen in the season three trailer before, so if they do show up again, he is likely to be prepared for them.
He has been lucky in situations where he has failed that the aggressor kept or wanted him alive. Or having help from his squad. This time, the stakes are higher. Now that Dr Hemlock knows the importance of Omega, it seems a sure bet that he’s given instructions for anyone aiding her to be taken out for good. And the best way of doing that is exactly how Cad Bane encountered the two last time. Without any help and an easy exit.
Wrecker has quite the attachment for Omega, with the sibling vibe between them stronger than with any of the others. Also, one who has looked out for her on numerous occasions, he has been most willing to go along with Omega’s plans, confident he could protect her. However, that confidence has turned to overconfidence on more than one occasion, leading to him being knocked out easily.
Omega has been most willing to see the good in Crosshair, just as she does with anyone. That has seemed to have an effect on Crosshair, who has been softening up from his usual strict personality. It’s likely Crosshair, the new man that he is becoming will feel the same way as Echo in wanting to rescue fellow clone troopers from the Empire’s grasp. He has seen first-hand how the Empire sees them, after all.
Image Source: Star Wars: The Bad Batch S3.03 | Disney+
But Crosshair also knows how important Omega is for those at Mount Tantiss. He knows her skills are strong, but has to be wary of ever wanting to approach Mount Tantiss again. Much less with Omega beside him. He owes her a lot for helping him escape the place, and I have to imagine that his original instructions of Plan 88 – run and hide – still stand. Even if he is helping the Clone Underground. It would take something personal for him to want to return. Such as Omega being recaptured.
Echo has a duty to all clones. That has been obvious with him leaving to join the Clone Underground and trying to convince the others to do so. Both before he joined, and with his rejoining them for missions. As long as the Batch is freely doing their own thing, his resources are better spent elsewhere in rescuing other clones. With the action heating up for the resistance, the point of no return is soon to be coming for the Clone Underground.
This, incidentally, is one of the episode titles for this third season of The Bad Batch. It is at this point I feel the first loss will happen. Not death, per se, but this will be the catalyst to get everyone to Mount Tantiss. After the episode ‘Point of No Return’, the final confrontation on Mount Tantiss will happen across the last four episodes, where everyone comes together to shut the facility down. Yes, even Phee Genoa, who has been seen in the trailer taking part in a mission for the Clone Underground.
Image Source: Star Wars: The Bad Batch S1.05 | Disney+
If I had to make a bet on what members of Clone Force 99 are making it out of the series alive, there would be two. The first is Wrecker. As much as he can be overconfident, he is also strong. And also the hardest to take out with force. He fought a baby Rancor and (narrowly) won, so a few blaster bolts while in armour aren’t going to slow him down. The second survivor is Crosshair. It’s a writing staple for those who redeem themselves to then be killed protecting the ones they love.
However, Crosshair I feel will go a different route. Hunter is not going to have a happy ending. He is the one who will sacrifice himself to get Omega out of trouble, under the proviso that Crosshair does everything he can to protect her. As such, Crosshair takes over the father figure role. As for Echo, he will not sit back until every clone from Mount Tantiss has escaped, being right in the thick of the action. An easy target for those trying to stop the extraction.
The death of Hunter will affect all the survivors of the battle, but none more than Omega. As said, Hunter is a father figure to Omega. The one who she has looked up to the most. She still has Crosshair and Wrecker by her side, but things will never feel the same. For Crosshair, he and Hunter have the most to work out and likely will have before the finale. Which is why Hunter will trust Omega to him. Owing to that, survivor’s guilt. Crosshair is well aware of how much Omega and Hunter mean to each other and knows he could never replace what they have.
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