"Bad Batch" Ep. 4 - "Cornered"

"Bad Batch" Ep. 4 - "Cornered" written by Christian Taylor, directed by Saul Ruiz

To be perfectly honest, upon my first viewing of this episode, I was left underwhelmed as it just felt like one long chase scene...and nearly a copy of the Attack of the Clones chase scene with Zam Wesell at that (I love that scene, but am not a huge fan of repeating extended tropes). But upon my second viewing, I realized this episode actually contained some really fun content--the droids that Echo's put in charge of, Wrecker being Wrecker, intrigue over why Omega has a bounty on her head, all the clones putting on the father hat, etc. So all in all, I actually think this was a certainly enjoyable episode. 

We start off with the Bad Batch deciding their next course of action. Hunter wants to land on Idaflor, an uninhabited planet, and hide out for awhile, but Tech makes the great point that they don't have any rations and are super low on fuel so they really need to go somewhere inhabited and stock up. Then Echo reveals that the Havoc Marauder's signature is on a wanted list and they'll have to be very careful going anywhere the Empire has infiltrated. Tech, cocky as ever, shrugs and just says all they need to do is scramble the signature. Unfortunately, the ship itself sticks out like a sore thumb and it isn't too long after they land on Pantora (see above) that everything begins getting super dicey.

First, the Sullustan overseer (Raspar Six) of the landing bay they choose turns out to not be true to his word, letting a bounty hunter (Fennec Shand herself!!--remember her from "The Mandalorian" and soon to be "Book of Boba Fett"?? see her and Omega below) know that a modified Omicron-class attack shuttle has just landed in his bay.--a shuttle that many are on the hunt for!

Second, a Gran shopkeeper offers to buy a disguised Echo for 2,000 credits, thinking he's a droid (see Echo's crazy disguise below). Hunter even ups the ante by saying he's a military prototype and gets the shopkeeper to agree to 3,000 credits. That's certainly one way to make a quick buck, albeit a sneaky underhanded way... 

Third, a Voorpak (see below) takes a toy Omega was looking at from the Gran's shop and the repulsorlift it's on starts speeding away, leading Omega to follow in pursuit...with Fennec Shand watching just meters away...and so begins the episode's long-running debacle of Omega getting into a lot of trouble with Fennec Shand making matters worse. Poor girl is so naïve and so innocent that she has no idea of the dangers that await her in the galaxy at large. I feel like we need to know more about her past and her upbringing to really understand why she is this way, otherwise it's honestly a bit off-putting. Now don't get me wrong, I think she's a wonderful character--strong, brave, friendly, and her delight with life itself and the wonders around her is just such a joy. But the way she was overly trusting and welcoming with Fennec Shand in this episode was a bit much. (For example, she doesn't even know what a bounty hunter is...) 

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Trivia

-The place where our heroes land on Pantora is Ro Station.

-Clone Force 99's GNK droid goes by Gonky!! I freaking love it.

-The supervisor protocol droid in the Gran's shop is CG-67 (I love how she sounds like a nanny) and Clink is the name of the LE-series droid who is precious as all get out (see the middle droid below)!!

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All in all though, it was definitely a cute episode with a great deal of heart. You can tell the creators care about this show deeply and that makes me so happy!!

I'll leave you with the adorable image below of more Voorpaks!!!! The minute I heard their barking, I exclaimed aloud, "more Buggleses!!!" Buggles was probably my number one favorite creature from the animated TV show "Resistance" and I am so excited to see this species make an appearance again!