Star Wars: The Bad Batch 3x9 "The Harbinger" Review

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a harbinger is “something that foreshadows a future event: something that gives an anticipatory sign of what is to come.” Speaking of anticipation, the day before the release of episode 9 of The Bad Batch, I looked up the definition of a harbinger and experienced an overwhelming sense of dread. The batch is definitely in for an emotional time these next couple of weeks, with the threat of imminent danger on the horizon for Clone Force 99 and Pabu. Every Wednesday, I feel more nervous than excited before I watch the newest episode. I’m not ready to say goodbye to my favorite Star Wars show yet, and I’m honestly just trying to enjoy any brief moments of calm before the storm.

The beginning of “The Harbinger” started on a lighter note, with Hunter, Wrecker, Crosshair, Omega, and Lurka hound Batcher living comfortably on Pabu (for now, that is) until the unexpected arrival of a mysterious stranger, Asajj Ventress. We finally received confirmation on the theories surrounding the Empire’s “M-count” experiments relating to force sensitivity. We also learned that Omega might have a high M-count, explaining why the Empire is after her. However, despite several tests Ventress designs for Omega to test her force sensitivity, that possibility is still unconfirmed. All that has been established so far is that the Empire is still after Omega, and with Asajj Ventress able to find the Bad Batch so quickly, it doesn’t sound like they'll be safe on Pabu for much longer.

This episode received mixed but mostly positive reactions from The Bad Batch fans on social media, and I was among them. Honestly, I loved certain aspects of this episode. For example, the fight scene between Ventress and Hunter, Wrecker and Crosshair, is hands down one of my favorite fight scenes ever created for Star Wars. This scene's detailed animation and coloring are literally incredible, and the score (thank you, Kevin Kiner) is fantastic. Also, the protectiveness displayed by Hunter, Wrecker, and Crosshair was so wholesome to watch throughout the episode. Even though the three of them combined couldn’t come close to defeating Ventress when she challenged them to a fight (unsurprisingly), their willingness to try proved their courage despite knowing Ventress was a Separatist war criminal and assassin.

On the other hand, I wasn't super fond of different parts of this episode regarding the overall story and what the appearance of Ventress could mean for Omega and the batch’s story in the future. Overall, The Bad Batch's story focuses on the recurring themes of family (a dysfunctional one, maybe, but that’s what makes it interesting), loyalty, endurance through change, and belonging. However, at the end of episode 9, Ventress mentions that if Omega is force-sensitive and wants to train, Omega would need to leave her brothers behind to train. Unfortunately, I can only imagine how the rest of the batch would react.

Hunter, in particular, has experienced significant loss since episode 1 of The Bad Batch. First, when Crosshair decided to stay with the Empire in season 1, then again when Tech sacrificed himself in the finale of season 2, and again when Dr. Hemlock captured Omega following Tech’s supposed death. If season 3 ends with Omega leaving him and the rest of the batch behind again, it could break them entirely. When Omega was captured, the visible mental and physical toll on Hunter especially was detrimental, and even Wrecker had to hold him back from committing reckless behavior in his desperation to get her back. Now that Omega’s back with the batch, Hunter and Wrecker have been doing their best to keep her safe and away from Dr. Hemlock and the Empire. Even recently, Crosshair has been exhibiting behavior similar to Hunter’s in season 1 toward Omega with more father-daughter vibes. Personally, I don’t want Omega to leave the Bad Batch either. Omega’s character is one of my all-time favorites, and when paired with Hunter, they are an incredibly wholesome and lovable duo.

At this point in the season, all of Omega’s brothers are incredibly adamant about keeping her safe. However, none of them have recently considered the survivor's guilt Omega has been feeling, except Echo, who briefly mentioned it at the end of episode 5. Honestly, I think her guilt will play into her purposeful recapture by the Empire. My theory for the next episodes, “Identity Crisis” and “Point of No Return,” is that she’ll sacrifice herself to keep Pabu safe and lead Rex, Echo, and the rebel clones to Mount Tantiss.

I honestly could go into way more detail about my thoughts on this episode because there’s so much to unpack and explain. But for the sake of length, I’ll summarize this post by saying that I genuinely enjoyed watching “The Harbinger.” Overall, I’d rate this episode’s storyline, character development, and animation combined an 8/10. I’m equally excited and anxious for this week’s two-episode premiere of “Identity Crisis” and “Point of No Return.” There are a lot of bad things that could happen in these two episodes, and I have a sinking feeling we’re going to be left on a cliffhanger.

Thanks for reading!:)