– Spoiler Review –
After making a jaw-dropping surprise appearance in the season’s last trailer, the time for Asajj Ventress’ big return comes in The Bad Batch’s season three “The Harbinger.” As Omega embraces the new stranger, Clone Force 99 struggles with what they know of her past, resulting in a triumphant, and emotional, return for Asajj that brings with it more questions than answers but so much promise it drowns it all out.
I was going to try being subtle about Asajj’s return, in fact the top image of the article doesn’t feature her anywhere, but the official site and its social media accounts have been anything but subtle about her return so, here we are, Asajj Ventress is back in The Bad Batch’s “The Harbinger”! Turns out she was the contact Fennec Shand reached out to at the end of last episode, “Bad Territory,” and she wasted no time in following up on their information request. The episode begins with the group reiterating why it even matters to learn about M-count, in the process making it feel a little thinner they keep pursuing it, and Asajj’s information leaves them just shy of the bigger picture, but with only 7 episodes left I have no doubt, as the title of the episode suggests, the next step is on its way and they’ll either learn exactly why Omega is important or their actions will make the Empire’s project/need for her moot…for now. I’m glad Asajj didn’t just show up and answer everything, as it wouldn’t make sense for her to both know the Empire’s plans or even guess what it could mean, because as the episode shows, she’s clearly closer to the light side of the Force than ever, her darkness tempered by her choices so far though it clings to her shadows, and only those aligned with the dark would be concerned with prolonging one’s own life. And for Asajj, she’s somehow come back from the dead anyways to appear here, her playful joke about having multiple lives to the clones reads more like a wink and nod for us viewers and fans at home, so why would she be concerned with prolonging her life it already seems she get so lucky? Clone Force 99 and Omega now know, at the very least, M-count means midi-chlorians and having a higher count means Force-sensitivity potential, though the resulting tests by Asajj shows Omega isn’t sought after because she has a high count, as she fails most of Asajj’s tests, but the question remains what about her makes her so special regardless is one Asajj, the team, and Omega herself have to grapple with still. I’d be happy if the show manages to reveal what makes Omega’s blood special enough to allow for successful M-count transfers, and maybe, finally, make a statement one way or another about her gender, as those two things make far more sense to be revealed to use viewers and the Bad Batch than what exactly Palpatine and the Empire are up to with M-count targets.
Now that we’ve gotten all the episode’s information out of the way…let’s celebrate again: ASAJJ VENTRESS IS BACK! Voiced to perfection once again by Nika Futterman, Asajj thankfully both answers some questions and yet feels far more than just a harbinger of news throughout. In fact, Asajj has a calmness to her that feels like a natural progression from the last few known stories with her during the Clone Wars, from her going off to be a bounty hunter, helping clear Ahsoka Tano’s name, to her romantic connection with Jedi Master Quinlan Vos as he recruits her for his secret mission to assassinate Count Dooku, where she makes the ultimate sacrifice to save Quinlan from his a fall to the dark side rather than get the revenge she wants to (a moment I always felt came off more like fridging her for Quinlan’s benefit than a fitting end for her character). Having come so far, and taken such a big step towards the light by being selfless, it’s no surprise much of what has made her such a memorable character over the years remains to some degree regardless, as she’s still testy as ever, allowing people to play out their expectations of her rather than counter them outright, and her intentions feel as shrouded as ever, on purpose. She’s looking out for herself, or so she claims by the episode’s end, but I’m sure there’s more to it than that, as she didn’t stop by, stick around to test Omega’s potential, and offer to take her and train her in the ways of the Force if she wasn’t just concerned with her own well-being. Ever since the trailer revealing her return, it hadn’t quite hit me Asajj was coming back, nor did I quite realize how excited I truly was for the moment, and it all really hit home when Asajj connects with the giant ocean creature to calm it and I notice a few droplets of tears in happiness of seeing her growth, of how far she’s come after what we thought for years was her death.
As this show is called The Bad Batch, I wasn’t surprised we didn’t learn how Asajj is still alive despite the events of Dark Disciple, her sacrifice to save Quinlan, though after her reveal in the final season three trailer, the creative team behind the show did at least say the answer would fit in with the events of the book. Upon the release of the episode, an interview with voice actress Nika Futterman and executive producers Jennifer Corbett (who wrote this episode) and Brad Rau was released on the official site, and it revealed of course Dave Filoni, who always has trouble letting go of characters, came up with the idea of her survival, but this one feels proper after her new lease on life was cut so short so quickly. The interview also isn’t subtle about how we’ll find out Asajj’s story, and more, in upcoming content! Does this mean she’s the focus of the next animated show?! Will it be about Asajj eventually finding Quinlan (if she hasn’t already) and getting wrapped up with his efforts with the Hidden Path? Could it be Asajj taking on Omega after the events of this series, helping the M-count bounties or are involved with the Path? At this point, Asajj is back and I’m down for whatever comes next for her, I just want more!!
The debate between Omega and the rest of the Batch felt a little surprising, as it seemed rather clear Asajj was there to help them but the moment they got confirmation of her past, they immediately decided to attack her. Clone Force 99 is clearly the aggressor in the scene, yet they get a heroic musical moment, which tonally felt off, when they get their weapons back after Asajj initially tore them away with the Force/wiped the floor with their asses in fisticuffs. I get they are the show’s heroes and, for a large part of the audience, they could have never met Asajj Ventress before this very moment, but given her obvious kindness with Omega (even with her usual gruffness), it didn’t sit right they get to appear heroic here being so aggressive. When Omega arrives, they are once again defeated by Asajj, but the young clone is able to get them to all stand down, as she’s eager for information about herself and has already made a connection with the woman. When the group chats about it in the Marauder, the points she makes play into my disconnect with their rash actions attacking Asajj, as she calls them out for how they, of all people, should realize how much others can change, case in point Crosshair back with them now. She’s able to secure herself freedom from her brothers, to have their trust in her feelings about the woman, as they only supervise the final test by Asajj from a great distance, and later they barely hesitate in trusting her advice to back off and let Asajj deal with the big monster. I’m glad it all got cleared up and they were begrudging allies with Asajj by the end, but all the conflict felt forced. Asajj and Omega’s interactions were a true delight, as it was wonderful to see Omega interact with more women in her life while fun to have Asajj’s patience tested with all her questions/exuberance, and their bond is partly why I’m guessing and hoping the next content Asajj Ventress appears in could be her and Omega on adventures together. Like I said before, I’m ready and eager to learn whatever it could be!
Here are a few other things:
- Pabu has felt…empty the last few times the show’s visited there so I was happy to see more of the locals meandering around and Wrecker/Crosshair helping around the city.
- Asajj Ventress’ biggest fan (the author of Brotherhood reached out to her for help with the character in his book, even!), Catrina Dennis, shared some great thoughts on the character’s return and how well it fits with everything that’s come before; if there’s anyone’s opinion on this I’d trust, it’s hers! Also, make sure to check out her stellar fan fiction about Asajj!
- Remaining season three release schedule: April 3: Episode 10 (“Identity Crisis”), 11 (“Point of No Return”) | April 10: Episode 12 (“Juggernaut”) | April 17: Episode 13 (“Into the Breach”) | April 24: Episode 14 (“Flash Strike”) | May 1: Episode 15 (“The Cavalry Has Arrived”)
- Those water effects on Omega and Asajj, their hair and clothes looking soaked, was a nice touch by the animation team, though such advancements once again call to mind the Unwhitewash The Bad Batch campaign, which I hope it they’ll consider going forward with any more clones in animation.
The Bad Batch’s “The Harbinger” gives Asajj Ventress a buzz-worthy return, with the promise of more to come, while the series’ story seems set to move on from gathering information as dark warnings come regarding the safety of their Pabu retreat.
+ Asajj Ventress returns in style and with promise of more
+ Omega and Asajj’s bond
+ Feels like we’re moving on to the last set of episodes
– Conflict felt forced
– Unwhitewash the Bad Batch
Ryan is Mynock Manor’s Head Butler. You can follow him on Twitter @BrushYourTeeth. You can follow the website on Bluesky, Twitter @MynockManor, and Instagram @mynockmanor.
THE BAD BATCH REVIEWS
Season Three: 3.1/3.2/3.3 Confined & Paths Unknown & Shadows of Tantiss | 3.4 A Different Approach | 3.5 The Return | 3.6/3.7 Infiltration” & “Extraction | 3.8 Bad Territory
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 | 1. 10 Retrieval | 1.11 Metamorphosis | 1.12 The Outpost | 1.13 Pabu (by Katie) | 1.14 Tipping Point | 1.15/1.16 The Summit & Plan 99
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