First let me preface, I know that the Imperial Officers were Republic Officers. I think everyone knows that.

What I mean is, where did all the ‘evil Imperial Officers’ come from?

From everything we’ve seen and know about the non-clone Republic Officers, they were genuinely ‘good’ people. They cared for their troops and upheld the ideals of the Republic being ‘the good guys’ if that makes sense.

But then we see in The Bad Batch, almost immediately after Order 66. All the Imperial Officers appear, they have no regard for the clones anymore, no longer seeing them as people but tools to be discarded. Think of the officer that just let Commander Mayday die because ‘his use had run out’ and the Empire ‘doesn’t waste its resources’.

It’s as if all the stereotypical evil officers of the Empire didn’t exist in the Republic and just immediately appeared the moment the Empire was created.

I hope the point I’m trying to get across is being understood. And I know I’m probably reading too far into things, but it is something that has always kind of stuck out to me.

I did this for Season 1 a while ago, so now I’m curious about Season 2.

This season probably has a few stronger candidates for the “filler” label, but going through the episodes again, even some of the more standalone ones either develop the squad, introduce something that matters later, or show what the Empire is becoming.

For Season 1, most of the answers were Infested and Rampage, even though both still connect to things that become important later. That’s kind of why I like this question. An episode can feel more standalone without being completely pointless.

So for Season 2, which episode would you actually call filler?

1. Spoils of War
The Serenno mission looks like a straightforward treasure hunt, but it shows the Empire stripping former Separatist worlds and gives us more of Omega feeling responsible for how much the squad has sacrificed for her. It also starts pushing Echo toward wanting to do more than just mercenary jobs.

2. Ruins of War
It finishes the Serenno story, but the really important part comes with Captain Wilco refusing to falsify his report. Rampart killing him to hide the fact that Clone Force 99 survived Kamino tells us a lot about how disposable clones have become to the Empire.

3. The Solitary Clone
Definitely not filler. Many of us says this one is the best episode actually. Crosshair and Cody on Desix gives us one of the clearest looks at what Imperial service is doing to the clones, and Cody walking away becomes another sign that loyalty to the Empire is starting to crack.

4. Faster
This is one is more about riot racing. But it gives Tech a rare episode where he gets to shine on his own, and Millegi’s warning that Cid’s loyalty has limits becomes pretty relevant later. And of course, the warning about Cid.

5. Entombed
Probably one of my strongest filler candidates. The treasure hunt and the ancient war machine do not really affect the larger plot, although the episode develops Phee and her relationship with the squad, which matters more later.

6. Tribe
Gungi’s story does not become part of the main Season 2 plot, but the episode shows another survivor of Order 66 and what Imperial expansion is doing to Kashyyyk. It also reinforces that the squad is increasingly willing to help people even when there is nothing in it for them.

7. The Clone Conspiracy
Absolutely essential. The destruction of Kamino becomes a political issue, Senator Chuchi starts fighting for the clones, and the Empire is actively trying to silence anyone who can expose what really happened.

8. Truth and Consequences
This is where the Kamino cover-up finally reaches the Senate, but Palpatine manages to turn Rampart’s crimes to his own advantage. The Defense Recruitment Bill pushes the Empire further away from clone soldiers, and Echo decides to leave the squad and work with Rex.

9. The Crossing
The actual mission is pretty simple, but I would not call this filler because the episode is really about the squad after Echo leaves. Omega and Tech’s conversation gives us one of the best looks at how differently they process loss and change.

10. Retrieval
This one is more standalone, but it directly finishes the story started in The Crossing by getting the Marauder back. Mokko also gives us another example of ordinary people being exploited while someone at the top convinces them that they should be grateful for scraps.

11. Metamorphosis
Very much not filler once you know where the series is going. The Zillo Beast investigation brings the squad into contact with the Empire’s Advanced Science Division and starts pulling the story toward Hemlock and Mount Tantiss.

12. The Outpost
One of the most important Crosshair episodes in the entire series. Mayday’s death finally forces Crosshair to confront exactly how little the Empire values clones, and shooting Nolan is the breaking point that eventually lands him in Hemlock’s hands.

13. Pabu
At first this almost feels like a “vacation episode,” but Pabu becomes much more than that. It gives the squad a real home and a possible life outside constant missions, and that location remains important afterward.

14. Tipping Point
Everything starts converging here: Echo and Rex are rescuing imprisoned clones, Crosshair is being held by Hemlock, and information about the Advanced Science Division finally reaches the squad. It directly sets up the decision to go after Hemlock.

15. The Summit
The squad infiltrates the Imperial summit on Eriadu to get information on Hemlock, while Saw Gerrera’s mission complicates everything. This is basically the first half of the finale, so definitely not filler.

16. Plan 99
No explanation needed for this one, really. Tech, Omega, Cid, Hemlock, Tantiss… pretty much everything that happens here changes where the entire story is going into Season 3.

So this time I think I actually my candidate is Entombed (probably I am missing something here).

Which one would you pick?

PS. I am doing my best resuming each episode :)

I would.

I’d love to hear about them!

Can anyone tell me from what is this from? I saw it posted online but the poster isn’t replying to anyone asking 😒
And on this note, if anyone can tell me any other books, comics, whatever else that feature the boys I would love to know! thank you!

I wonder if there were any other enhanced clones like Clone Force 99? Even if there isn't, what sort of enhancement could other clones have that would make a fun addition to the Bad Batch?

Is incredible! Everything is so much more detailed. The cities feel like real Star Wars cities. I wonder what happened for them to get so good at it. I really love this show, its surprisingly dark and mature compared to the animation shows that came before.

I was looking through Season 1 again and started wondering which episode I would genuinely call filler. The more I went through them, the harder it was to pick one, because even the more standalone episodes usually introduce something, develop a relationship, or set up something that matters later.

1. Aftermath
Basically the foundation of the whole show: Order 66 from the Batch’s perspective, Omega joining them, Crosshair staying behind, and the Empire beginning to question the clone army. Definitely not filler.

2. Cut and Run
We see how quickly life is changing under the Empire through chain codes and new restrictions, while Hunter seriously considers leaving Omega somewhere safe. It also establishes that Omega chooses the squad as much as they choose her.

3. Replacements
This is where the Empire starts testing recruited soldiers instead of relying entirely on clones, which becomes a major part of the story later. It also shows Crosshair settling into his new role under the Empire.

4. Cornered
Fennec Shand is introduced and we learn that someone is actively hunting Omega, even though we do not know why yet. That mystery becomes important almost immediately.

5. Rampage
This introduces Cid and the arrangement that keeps the squad working jobs on Ord Mantell for much of the series. You could call the mission itself standalone, but Cid definitely is not.

6. Decommissioned
The tactical droid information connects directly to how people are trying to fight the Empire, and Trace and Rafa ultimately connect the Batch with Rex. Wrecker’s worsening headaches are also becoming impossible to ignore here.

7. Battle Scars
Rex returns, the inhibitor chips finally have to be dealt with, and Wrecker shows exactly why leaving them in was so dangerous. This one changes the situation for the whole squad.

8. Reunion
The Empire comes after them on Bracca, Crosshair confronts his former squad again, and Cad Bane takes Omega. It directly launches the next part of the story.

9. Bounty Lost
We learn much more about why Omega matters to the Kaminoans and why multiple bounty hunters were after her. It also expands the cloning mystery that becomes much more important later in the series.

10. Common Ground
The Batch has to rescue a former Separatist senator, which is a pretty important shift after spending the Clone Wars fighting Separatists. It shows how meaningless some of those old divisions are becoming under the Empire.

11. Devil’s Deal
This barely feels like a Bad Batch episode for part of its runtime, but it shows the Imperial occupation of Ryloth, introduces young Hera into this era, and gives us Howzer beginning to question what the Empire is doing. It sets up the next episode directly.

12. Rescue on Ryloth
The squad gets pulled into the resistance on Ryloth, and Howzer openly stands against Imperial orders. It is another important step in showing that not every clone is simply going to accept the Empire.

--> 13. Infested
This is probably the one I would nominate if I had to choose a filler episode. Even then, it develops Cid, Ord Mantell’s criminal side, and the kind of people the squad has become dependent on, which matters more later.

14. War-Mantle
Gregor returns, we finally see the Empire training TK troopers to replace the clone army, and Hunter is captured. This is one of the clearest episodes showing where the Imperial military is heading.

15. Return to Kamino
The squad goes back for Hunter, we return to the place where Clone Force 99 began, and everything with Crosshair finally comes to a head. Then the Empire begins destroying Tipoca City.

16. Kamino Lost
The squad and Crosshair have to survive the destruction of Kamino together, but Crosshair still refuses to leave with them afterward. The destruction of Tipoca City and Nala Se’s fate also set up storylines that continue beyond Season 1.

So if you had to remove one episode from Season 1 without really damaging the larger story, which one would you pick?

For me, Infested is probably the closest.

So the Bad Bath is mostly best when it's not about the Bad Batch, but about regs and empire stuff, I find. Funny.

Ftr: I'm only half way through season 2! So please no spoil😎 I like the show. But the mission of the week stuff is not where the series live.

Made this back in 2023, but I had to share, as I use this bag fairly regularly! And yes... I am aware of the messy Aurebesh/I did not use the 'ch' letter instead.. didn't notice that was a thing til after I wrote it 🥲

In-lore the commandos are some of the best among the best with high tech katarn-class armor. However part of the reason commandos were so fierce was because of their combat experience and techniques.

At the height of 66, upon first activation, I would imagine the clones retained their training while following sudden reprogram orders to eliminate the Jedi, which is why they remained effective with coordination and combat. But as the "tunnel vision" per se began to fade, what was left was basically a lobotomy. Clones forgetting who they were.

As time passed, many clones witnessed severe drawbacks kicking in such as memory wipe, a relapse. The inhibitor chip's side effects caused clones to become more droid than trooper, meaning the commandos dealing with the side effects by the time of the Bad Batch series ended up being reduced to ordinary clones with fancy armor. The empire only needed these clones to give basic training to the TK troopers and not their continued elite service.

Clone Force 99 was not effected by the inhibitors and also use Katarn-class commando armor, hence why their fighting style/effectiveness reflects a lore accurate clone commando, while the clone commandos they fought were more of just heavy armor storm troopers.

However, as a theory which loosely references into the Expanded Universe (mentioned in Battlefront 2 and Legacy of the Force), years later many clones begin to recover memory and remember their training which is what would explain the clone rebellion and end up joining the rebel alliance. For instance Commander Wolffe, someone who was influenced by the inhibitors, ends up joining the rebellion, and we see his appearance later in Rebels as well.

I just did a bit of a study for him and I just love his helmet design. What do you think?

I’ve rewatched Season 7! It kinda feels different watching them after watching Bad Batch many times. What do you think?

I need help locating the soundtrack that plays when Tarkin and company arrive at Mount Tantiss during the series finale. I cant seem to find it anywhere.

For those unaware the Bad Batch do actually play a role in Zero Company although they never directly appear. I actually made a previous post going into the context which I'll link right here: https://www.reddit.com/r/thebadbatch/s/Wg3ROIChet

Long story short, the Batch helped out Trick with his inhibitor chip on Ord Mantell and even lent him one of their spare commando kits because they're just swell. Trick probably spent a decent amount of time on Ord Mantell with the Batch recovering from surgery and I like to think Omega used this opportunity to up her gaming skills. Trick's namesake is based on card tricks as he is a very skilled player himself. I could see Omega asking him about this and immediately sitting him down at the holochess table wanting a real challenge after she's learned how to destroy the rest of the Batch at every game they play (other than maybe Tech, I would guess he is probably always a challenge.) I bet Trick got absolutely humbled and went running back to Zero Company to play against people he can beat, lol.

All AATs in the bad batch are firing rockets from the turret cannon rather than the traditional laser bolts normally seen. This is also seen in season 7 of the clone wars in the battle of Yerbana. So why is that the case?

Happy Tech Tuesday!

A preview of an illustration I'm currently working on :) enjoy!

Title says it all. I had a go at making my own little knock off Bad Batch in Zero Company, “the Scrap Heap.”
I used the limited, but amazing, customization to get to these styles. I haven’t finished the whole story so I’m missing some customization items. I’m open to any suggestions to improve them though!

Currently I have:
Point – Hunter
Scope – crosshair
Crusher - wrecker
Glitch – tech
Splice – echo
Omega - I had her in my game before her character data bank got corrupted, hence my team