– Spoiler Review –
When Clone Force 99 finds a lead on their stolen ship, they encounter a brutalist regime standing in their way…will they get their ship and get out or start to do something more? Find out in our review of The Bad Batch’s “Retrieval.”
I’m very glad “Retrieval” picks up after “The Crossing,” where Clone Force 99 is still stranded, as it means Cid still hasn’t come through despite saying she would, and them losing the ship isn’t forgotten for a few episodes or something, while I appreciate a little continuity between episodes, especially if they haven’t quite been billed as a two-parter. I’ll be curious to see if this leads to some strife with Cid in the final several episodes of the season.
We didn’t have to wait long to learn the identity of the thief who stole the Marauder, as “Retrieval” picks up with him returning his haul to his boss. Identified as Benni (voiced by Yuri Lowenthal), it quickly becomes clear he’s in a terrible situation, where his benevolent acting boss preys on the youths around him to further his coffers and stomach. How Mokko treats the group of kids who mine and steal for him are the Empire’s methods writ small, as he dribbles out rewards for harder and harder work, claiming they couldn’t survive without what he gives them, his own rewards supposedly limited as well. It shows it’s not just the Empire oppressing people of the galaxy, as little dictators have been out there capitalizing on terrible conditions long before Palpatine made it trendy, and also how effective the systems can be, the falsehoods masquerading as generosity, roping in unsuspecting peoples and those who don’t know any different, while giving just enough safety and security to blind the receivers to the reality of the situation. Echo left the group to fight the bigger fight against the Empire, the biggest bad guy in the galaxy using these tactics to keep a populace under control, but in their interactions with Benni and Mokko, the rest of Clone Force 99 finds themselves doing the same good, just at a much smaller scale. All series long so far, especially reiterated this season when Hunter and Echo debated it, is Clone Force 99’s next steps. Do they keep fighting? Do they retire somewhere nice, away from the war so Omega can grow up without it, at peace? And is that even possible as the oppression reigns everywhere?
It feels like the show’s been brewing a confrontation between Omega and Hunter on this issue, as she seems eager to be helping the galaxy and he’s eager to take her away from it. By having them fight a smaller-scale oppressive system which feels exactly like the Empire, it gives Omega even more ammo for her side of the potential argument as their efforts to free the kids from Mokko proves, even if they would decide against sticking it against the giant Imperial machine, they could focus on the places abandoned by the Empire or the Republic as corruption ran through its veins. It’s certainly just as interesting a story for The Bad Batch to follow, allowing the show to introduce tons of new characters, worlds, and situations, opening up the galaxy while showing what even one team can do to stem the tide against oppression. Thinking of the shimmering issues on Ferrix, which exploded into righteous and timely fury against the Empire in the Andor finale, it proves a localized fight can be won, and provides hope across the galaxy to others in terrible situations, though they are still outnumbered by the larger Imperial war machine. In the end, the fight will always come back to taking out the bigger rancor in the room, so while their efforts would be important and probably a joy to watch fighting for those who can’t fight for themselves, it’s hard to ignore how damn impressive this season has been when it pivots away from Clone Force 99 and focuses on the bigger picture. And that’s even true when Clone Force 99 is involved, so I feel like they’ll be roped in eventually, I’m just curious to see how, when, and why.
Speaking of Omega, her interactions with Benni dig into the big heart she has for others, another point towards her never being okay with just walking away from it all if Hunter wants them too. It’s always appreciated to see Omega with younger characters, as she can both be the child she usually doesn’t get a chance to be while also show her maturity and intellect. Her simple act of kindness is enough for Benni to rethink his betrayal, while her trust in Hunter leads her to pull herself off a ledge and fall towards the molten abyss below, knowing things will be timed out just right. After her wonderful conversations with Tech last episode, I loved how, while not outright noticeable but just enough, the two of seem to be on slightly better terms now than ever before on the show, something I was worried wouldn’t make it beyond the previous episode. Omega is the heart of the show and as long as she can be put center stage, her actions and interactions with both the group and those they deal with, I’m usually going to enjoy an episode of The Bad Batch.
Here are a few other things:
- From the moment Benni spoke, I knew right away it was Yuri Lowenthal voicing him, as I’ve spent countless hours with him voicing characters like Peter Parker in Marvel’s Spider-Man (and the spin-off Miles Morales) and as the titular Prince of Persia in early 2000’s. While he’s provided additional voices in previous projects, it’s cool he final got a lead role!
- This is it, the final week of season two that doesn’t overlap with The Mandalorian’s third season, which is looking to quite expansive. I’ll be covering both but it’ll be a shame this will end up likely overshadowed by the other show, especially since I think we’re going to get some even more quality stuff by its end.
- As always, #UnwhitewashTBB. You can read more up on the campaign via their Carrd, and this great article on Gizmodo, but it’s simply pointing out how the special clones of a character played by a Māori actor are whiter than any other clone, unintentionally implying superiority and uniqueness are inherent in those who are white versus their darker-skinned brethren. I find it hard to cover this show without mentioning it each episode, as not acknowledging it would be ignoring the problem. They’ve reportedly darkened the characters, but it’s still not been enough to fix the issue, so hopefully by the show’s eventual third season they can maybe get it right.
The Bad Batch’s “Retrieval” makes the case for the crew to do more for those who can’t help themselves.
+ The oppression we must fight comes in all shapes and sizes
+ Picking up after the previous episode
– Unwhitewash the Bad Batch
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 Two: 1.1/1.2 Spoils of War & Ruins of War | 1.3 The Solitary Clone | 1.4 Faster | 1.5 Entombed | 1.6 Tribe | 1.7/1.8 The Clone Conspiracy & Truth and Consequences | 1.9 The Crossing
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 | 1.13 Infested | 1.14 War-Mantle | 1.15 Return to Kamino | 1.16 Kamino Lost