The Bad Batch arc featured a lot of epic moments. These are three of our favorite moments from the Star Wars: The Clone Wars arc.
The final season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars returned in thrilling fashion with the Bad Batch arc. While some fans already saw the unfinished story reel version of these episodes, it’s another thing to now see the finished episodes updated with stunning animation.
Some changes to the story have also been made in order to make the pacing and thematic weight of the arc even stronger.
Everything about these episodes feels like The Clone Wars at it best. It’s got heart, humor, exhilarating action sequences, important themes, and developments that enrich the larger Star Wars universe.
Beginning the final season with this story was a fitting choice that pays tribute to the show’s past while also moving it toward the emotional conclusion of the entire series.
There is no shortage of great moments in the Bad Batch episodes, but the moments chosen here are more focused on character development rather than action. These moments are specifically geared toward the development of characters like Captain Rex, Echo, the Bad Batch, Anakin Skywalker, and Padmé Amidala.
3. Anakin’s Dark Side
With these episodes taking place so close to the events of Revenge of the Sith, it only makes sense to have moments showing Anakin getting closer to fully turning to the dark side. His transformation in that film didn’t magically happen overnight, but was largely influenced by the events of the Clone Wars.
Episodes from past seasons touched on this before, such as when Anakin began Force-choking Rush Clovis.
The final episode of the Bad Batch arc shows Anakin giving in to the dark side when he confronts Admiral Trench. Feeling confident that the nobility of the Jedi would prevent Anakin from going to extreme measures, Trench initially refused to give Anakin the information he needed.
Trench grievously underestimated the situation as Anakin proceeded to sever three of Trench’s six arms. Shortly after relaying the information to Mace Windu, Anakin plunged his lightsaber through Trench’s chest and made a joke about it “being a pleasure” as he left the Separatist leader to die.
Anakin’s intentions are justified here, but the way he goes about the matter is more questionable. Unless he got the last number needed to deactivate the bomb on Anaxes, many lives would be lost and the loss of shipyards might even cause the Republic to lose the war. Also, Anakin only killed Trench after Trench tried to kill him.
It’s still fascinating to see Anakin losing patience and casting aside the norms of the Jedi. He hasn’t fully embraced the dark side yet, but he’s inching ever closer to becoming Darth Vader.
2. Echo Joins the Bad Batch
Ending the arc this way is thematically perfect. The Bad Batch showed from the start that they are different from the other clones. Rather than feeling like outcasts, they’ve forged their own family together. They play outside the rules and contribute to the war effort in a way others cannot.
Meanwhile, it’s clear from the moment Rex saw Echo was alive that he could never go back to the life he once knew. Circumstances had changed Echo too much, as had everything that happened in the Clone Wars since the Citadel.
Echo needed a fresh start in a group where he could be valued and accepted because of his differences. That makes him a perfect fit for the Bad Batch.
This moment isn’t just about Echo and the Bad Batch, though. It’s also about Rex. So much of the war feels like it’s been outside of his control and he feels responsible for the losses of his many clone brothers. By believing Echo was alive and doing everything in his power to save him, Rex took control and saved a brother who otherwise would’ve been forever lost and suffering.
Rex doesn’t just literally save Echo’s life. He helps Echo realize in the end it’s okay to feel like he doesn’t belong in the way he used to, and that if he feels like serving with the Bad Batch is the best fit for him, then he should join them. It’s important for Echo to hear this and for Rex to see it happen as they take their final steps in the Clone Wars.
Such an ending is the perfect thematic culmination of an arc that focuses on Rex, introduces the Bad Batch, and brings back Echo.
1. Anakin and Padmé’s “Secret” Meeting
Anakin and Padmé’s “secret” meeting is satisfying on so many levels.
It’s no secret that Star Wars fans take issue with Anakin and Padmé’s romantic relationship in the prequel films, with many feeling as though the relationship is contrived and cringe-worthy to watch.
This scene feels nothing like that as it captures why Anakin and Padmé actually do love and understand each other. Padmé helps Anakin see that Rex relying on his instincts even when no one else sees it is something Rex learned from Anakin. Just as Rex has always been at Anakin’s side to help him, Anakin now owes it to be there for Rex.
Anakin just wants to bring a swift end to the larger conflict so he can be with Padmé. She admires his devotion, but realizes it takes time to make these things happen, and that he needs to be on the front lines of the war while her voice is needed in the Senate. There’s a sense of understanding, emotional intimacy, and genuine longing in this scene that makes their relationship feel real rather than contrived.
The dynamics between Anakin, Rex, and Obi-Wan are also hilarious. Anakin is downright awkward about asking Rex to help with the “thing” they need to do. The normally composed Rex is even more awkward and flustered when Obi-Wan arrives. The best part is when Obi-Wan comes right out and says, “I hope you at least told Padmé I said hello.”
It’s funny and the dynamics between these characters are delightful. Yet, it’s also sad to realize that Anakin felt like he couldn’t share the burden of his secret relationship or reach out for help, even though Obi-Wan clearly knew about it all along. Past moments in The Clone Wars made it fairly clear that Obi-Wan knew the truth all along, but never this explicitly. Obi-Wan’s sarcastic line shows not only that he knows, but more importantly that he accepts it.
Padmé straight up asks Anakin in Revenge of the Sith about reaching out to Obi-Wan for help. Instead, Anakin claims they don’t need his help. He tries to “fix” everything on his own and ends up falling to the dark side and allowing terrible events to befall the entire galaxy.
At least fans got to see this sweet and understanding moment between Anakin and Padmé as part of the show’s final season.
What was your favorite moment from the Bad Batch arc? Let us know in the comments!
Stream Star Wars: The Clone Wars on Disney+.