"The Bad Batch Ep. 14: War-Mantle"
"The Bad Batch Ep. 14: War-Mantle" written by Damani Johnson, directed by Steward Lee
First off, we have a hunted and then captured Gregor!! See the nasty beasties (Massifs) catching up to him after he sets a signaling beacon below. Somehow I knew it was Gregor from go, especially having recently wondered if Gregor and Wolffe were going to be brought into the story. Well, guess that question was answered! (I've been reading through the second edition of the Absolutely Everything You Need to Know reference book and it mentions that after Fives revealed the chips that Rex, Gregor, and Wolffe removed theirs...but that can't be the case because in S7 of "The Clone Wars" TV show we see Rex visibly struggle against shooting Ahsoka after Order 66 is issued...and here we see Gregor having worked for the new regime for a bit before realizing it was wrong. Of course this was a "Journey to the Last Jedi" book so some of the info has been fleshed out/modified by now. Regardless, I'm beyond curious to get Wolffe's story!!) Gregor even has the same odd laugh and I love it. Apparently he used to be an instructor at the new Daro base (see above for an image and below for more info) but realized he didn't like how things were going and escaped, only to get caught and need a rescue...which is where our Bad Batch comes in.
The majority of the episode is the mission, given to the Bad Batch by Rex, of finding and rescuing Gregor. Turns out they have to invade a brand new Imperial outpost to do so...an outpost full of the new civilian-recruited stormtrooper or "TK" trooper. The outpost is on the planet Daro (its first mention in canon) which according to Tech is "a terrestrial planet in the Outer Rim with no known settlements or installations." But as they soon find out, there's a mountain full of troopers in the new and very secret outpost.
We also get eyes on what's happening on Kamino with "all viable clones" being gathered together and shipped off world (see the ominous Star Destroyers hovering over Tipoca City below). And by way of Lama Su, we learn that all contracts between the Kaminoans and the Empire have been canceled...which can't be good news for the Kaminoans themselves as Lama Su realizes all too clearly. Nala Se thinks they can find employers elsewhere because of their success with the clone troopers being known galaxy wide. But Lama Su knows the Empire is different...and that reality hits a little too close to home when he's left alone in a room with armed troopers coming toward him!! As Vice Admiral Rampart puts it, he can use a scientist but not a politician. Yikes! So despite Nala Se being caught secretly gathering medical personnel to take off world, Rampart decides to use her cloning expertise and do away with the Prime Minister regardless of how amenable to the rapid fire changes he's been. I cannot wait to see how the Empire proceeds with cloning technology!! I do so hope this show continues to delve into that...perhaps even making some connections to what we see in the future in the timeline of "The Mandalorian" TV show.
Before I go, I wanted to mention a few more things. First, I love that Wrecker sees the good in everybody's argument! As they are discussing the potential mission, Echo, Tech, and Omega all state their opinions and he says "good point" about each of them. He truly has a heart of gold! Second, they're still working for Cid!! What the heck? I mean that's fine if that's the direction Filoni wants to go with this and perhaps it will all make sense in the end, but I really feel like the Batch needs to move on to really come into their own as the main characters of their namesake show. Third, at the beginning of the episode, we see Hunter twirling his knife through his fingers and then, adorably, Omega tries to replicate the action by twirling one of her tools through her fingers. Too freaking cute! Fourth, we see Scorch!! He's the clone commando with the yellow on his pack and armor (see below--the other troops with glowing visors are the rest of the clone commandos). Fifth, we end with Hunter captured (NO!!) and him face-to-face with Crosshair. What a dang cliffhanger!! What is this situation going to mean for Hunter?? And what is the loss of their leader going to mean for the Bad Batch?? Will Hunter be rescued before the season is up?? There are only 2 episodes left!!!
Lastly, I know I've mentioned this before but ever notice how the Batch only use stunblasts? I get this in regards to them not wanting to harm their brothers regardless of where loyalties currently lie, but it does seem a bit soft. Well, they've discovered that their enemies are quickly being phased out from being their own brothers to being recruits (Project War-Mantle in a nutshell)...will this change their tactics? When Wrecker and Omega come swooping in to save the rest of the Batch, Wrecker doesn't hold back at all and starts blasting away. I'm definitely curious to see how this attitude shifts as the show continues.
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Trivia:
-For every 1000 TK Troopers there are 50 clone commandos to train them.
-Gregor's number is CC-5576.
-Gregor was being hunted by Massifs on Daro.
-Gregor is being held in Cellblock 25.
-Tech uses a Code 16 to try and divert the troopers but clone codes don't work anymore!
-The Havoc Marauder is being chased by V-wings as they make their escape...without Hunter *tear* (see below)
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So another episode with a lot to unpack!! So many goodies that I'm stuffed but want more! I cannot wait to see how they wrap up the season in the next two episodes...ahhh!!
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