– Spoiler Review –
After some heavier, hefty episodes, The Bad Batch’s “Infested” is a pleasant palate cleanser as the season approaches its final three episodes.
With the business on Ryloth wrapped up, Clone Force 99 continues to run missions for Cid, but as Ord Mantell is teeming with strange new helmeted goons, the group has a rude awakening: Cid is gone, replaced by gangster Roland Durand. Cid traffics in the underworld and while it’s clear her connections and enemies are sight unseen for us viewers, there was always the possibility she’d run afoul of one of them. Relying on her was less a sure thing than relying on the Republic to always be where the Batch got its purpose, though having that neeku fur rug pulled out from under them should’ve prompted them to always be considering other avenues, always on the lookout for the next sure thing. Instead, they’ve gotten comfortable with Cid, regardless of hints they should be considering other ways to use their abilities for the galaxy, be it from Rex, the Martez sisters, or even Captain Howzer’s example, and maybe knowing this could happen again means they’ll consider finding something more stable or at least worth fighting for.
Omega continues to entrench herself as the group’s moral center, as while they are eager to leave Ord Mantell and Cid behind, wherever she might be, the youngster pleads with them they owe it to Cid to find her and help her. Seems Cid is way ahead of them, already on their ship (people really need to learn about ship locks in the Star War universe) and requesting their help to mess with Roland. The gangster, son to Isa Durand, has taken over Cid’s parlor since Ord Mantell is along some profitable hyperspace routes among the underworld, and he’s trying to use it to pay back his debts to the Pykes with a bunch of spice. She wants them to take away the spice and get Roland ousted so she can sneak back in after the fireworks have ended. Hunter and the Batch are initially against it, but Omega takes Cid’s side, seeing a woman in need who helped them when they needed it as well, regardless of her little threat she’d spill the beans about them being clones (if their armor didn’t already kind of give it away). Despite a semi-successful heist (they lose the spice!), Cid and the Batch still find themselves with Pyke blasters in their faces, with Omega held behind as collateral for the group to retrieve the lost spice. While captured, Roland talks with Omega about his family’s methods of taking what they want after she asks him why he took Cid’s parlor, and I love her reaction is simply that they’re all criminals, but despite her remark he appreciates the strange Ruby creature likes Omega. This shared moment between them leads her to make a case for his life to the Pykes after the successful return of the spice, which results in him losing a horn (as he’s a Devaronian) instead of his life. Hunter asks her afterwards why she stood up for him and her answer is, because Ruby likes him, maybe he’s not all bad. It might not seem like much, but it’s sort of a thesis statement for the season and what’s to come in these final episodes, as the Batch comes to face their old friend, Crosshair. Omega once told him it wasn’t going to be his fault in the season premiere, so for her to say that here, now, and to Hunter only feels even more relevant to the coming clash. Will Hunter remember those words, and Howzer’s even, when he must face their broken comrade?
With a title like “Infested,” it’s clear we’d deal with some creepy creature and the initial mention of gundarks from a mission they just finished made me curious if some gundark eggs or whatever followed them to Ord Mantell, but instead it’s a host of insects deep below the surface. Initially the group, along with Cid, use old mine carts and crank them through the insects’ hive (like old mine carts on railroad tracks), with Wrecker dropping his flashlight but it not being enough to wake them up. Chased on the way back, Roland’s goons aren’t as quiet, waking up the hive and causing the spice to drop into their lair, the Batch barely getting out before the swarm overtakes them. I liked the cart chase sequence, as it had a very old school feel, but I enjoyed the moment Cid and Wrecker rappel down into the lair more, as these two together offer some humorous interactions. Wrecker has some funny moments, like him being tired from all the cranking and Cid walks by not even out of breath, and it was nice to feature him because I felt like he’s not been as utilized in the last few episodes. Also, having more time with Cid was a blast, as Rhea Perlman’s world-weary and reluctant voice she gives Cid begged for more since we met her and she delivered here, as it’s interesting to see Cid ask for help, stand up and put herself in the way of the Batch, and work alongside them (even if it’s to mainly help herself).
Overall, “Infested” is not a terribly notable episode and that’s okay, as it felt nice to have this breather before what I can only assume will be three big final episodes of the season. We only know the title for one of the remaining three and it’s titled: “War Mantle.” This is the name of the Imperial operation regarding the special forces as trained by Crosshair, so there’s no doubt things are going to get real, and real quick, and we’ll probably look back and appreciate this episode a little more. Plus, there’s some precedence in Star Wars animation and even live-action TV for these palate cleansers to involve something that’s important later on, like say the TIE fighter from Star Wars Rebels’ “Fighter Flight” saving the day in the season one finale or Migs Mayfield from The Mandalorian’s “Chapter 6 – The Prisoner” helping Din Djarin break into an Imperial Remnant facility in season two; I’d place bets Roland from “Infested” will return, maybe offering the same kindness Omega showed him and somehow helping out the Batch as Crosshair and his special forces track them down.
The Bad Batch’s “Infested” cleanses the palate before the season takes us into its final three episodes.
+ Omega Morals
+ Cid in the thick of it
Ryan is Mynock Manor’s Head Butler. You can follow him on Twitter @BrushYourTeeth. You can follow the website on Twitter @MynockManor and Instagram @mynockmanor.
THE BAD BATCH REVIEWS
Season One: 1.1 Aftermath | 1.2 Cut and Run | 1.3 Replacements | 1.4 Cornered | 1.5 Rampage | 1.6 Decommissioned | 1.7 Battle Scars | 1.8 Reunion | 1.9 Bounty Lost | 1.10 Common Ground | 1.11 Devil’s Deal | 1.12 Rescue on Ryloth