"Bad Territory" is one of the more lighthearted episodes of season 3, a refreshing break from previously emotionally tumultuous episodes of this season. Omega and Crosshair are finally back safe and sound on Pabu, and Echo is off aiding Captain Rex in his search for more information regarding Mount Tantiss and the missing clones. Meanwhile, Hunter and Wrecker are desperate for clues regarding why the Empire is after Omega and their M-count experiments. The two clones seek the help of notorious bounty hunter Fennec Shand and wind up trapped in a deal helping Fennec track down a master criminal through a murky swamp planet infested with crocodile-like creatures. On Pabu, Omega teaches Crosshair how to meditate, and the two share several wholesome moments throughout the episode.
There are several important moments and themes that really stood out to me throughout this episode, and I’d like to touch on some of them briefly in this post. Additionally, I’d like to explain why I think they’re significant to the Star Wars universe and why I personally loved this episode. This episode marked an important turning point for The Bad Batch and established character development for each Bad Batch member (excluding Echo).
What I particularly enjoyed in this episode was the topic of mental health. At the beginning of the episode, we see Crosshair quickly brush off the implication of a mental barrier affecting his hand injury. As the episode progresses, we watch him finally stop resisting the physical and psychological healing he desperately needs, and via Omega’s teaching, he is able to practice meditation. I thought this moment where Omega and Crosshair are meditating on the beach was not only visually but emotionally beautiful. The two have gone through months of physical and mental turmoil living on Mount Tantiss and have trauma-bonded. Crosshair's trust for Omega is also shown multiple times throughout this episode. The episode starts with Hunter requesting Omega to urge Crosshair to get his hand looked at because even Hunter knows that the bond and trust Crosshair has with and for Omega is unlike the one Crosshair shares with the rest of the Batch. It’s honestly kind of funny how quickly Omega was able to convince Crosshair to seek medical attention regarding his shaking hand.
In the first episode of season 3, we see Omega visiting Crosshair’s cell daily on Mount Tantiss despite his grim and reserved attitude, giving him minor updates regarding her day, things she had learned, and about Lurka hound Batcher. These visits, though short in length, were anything but insignificant. The positive effects of Omega’s visits are shown through the close bond Omega and Crosshair now share. I can’t wait to see how their relationship continues to progress throughout the rest of this season. Honestly, with the near-constant threat of danger and war in the Star Wars universe, I often wonder how the topic of mental health has not been brought up before. I’d love to see this topic further explored in future Star Wars projects.
Despite the wholesome and somewhat relaxing moments Crosshair and Omega share in “Bad Territory,” Hunter and Wrecker end up having a bit of a harder time with their designated mission. In this episode, Wrecker and Hunter's actions demonstrate the extreme lengths they're willing to go to gain information to protect Omega, even if that means trusting the untrustable. I know for a fact that Hunter would not have even considered trusting a bounty hunter like Fennec Shand in season 1 of The Bad Batch, let alone working for one. Omega’s capture by the Empire was undeniably a turning point for both him and Wrecker, as we saw them going to extreme lengths to get her back. Now that she’s finally returned to them after nearly six months of being gone, their actions in this episode demonstrate their willingness to go to extreme lengths to keep her safe from the Empire capturing her again. As a lover of Hunter and Wrecker, I found this episode entertaining in that we finally got to see their unique fighting skills showcased for the first time in a while. Wrecker’s brute strength, explosive expertise, and Hunter’s ability to sense electromagnetic frequencies were showcased as they worked masterfully beside Fennec to capture their target. Hunter and Wrecker’s protectiveness for Omega in this episode really shined through and was interesting to watch their skills in action.
Fennec Shand is also a fascinating and humorous character to watch throughout this episode, occasionally roasting Hunter and Wrecker. Their interactions quickly have become one of my favorite quotable moments from the show:
Hunter: “Money isn’t everything.”
Fennec Shand: “That’s because you don’t have any.”
Fennec isn’t afraid to be blunt, and I love her character because of that. She is an extremely well-written female character compared to other female Star Wars protagonists. The Bad Batch writers Jennifer Corbett and Brad Rau have quickly become two of my favorite entertainment writers as their work for this show is unmatched.
While this episode isn’t my favorite so far from season 3, it felt like a nice breather. I particularly enjoyed the topics and themes demonstrated throughout this episode, and they expanded The Bad Batch’s story. Season 3 seems to really be leaning into recurring themes of loyalty and trust, and it’s been an exciting journey so far.
The Bad Batch’s next episode: Episode 9 “The Harbinger” premiered today on Disney+, but not without some teasing over the weekend from the The Bad Batch writers on X regarding the episode’s themes and story. I can’t wait to watch the episode for myself, but I will admit I am a bit nervous. The impending Imperial storm thundering on the horizon is only sure to worsen for the Batch. I’m hoping that my favorite characters will make it out of this season alive.
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