WARNING: This article contains spoilers from Star Wars: The Bad Batch season 2 episode 9, “The Crossing.”
Last we saw the Bad Batch, they were left stranded by their not-too-benevolent benefactor Cid when attempting to recover Ispium from an abandoned mine. A faceless grifter steals their ship and home, the Marauder and the crew are understandably upset about that. While last week we could be understandably upset at the thief, this week reveals a classic Star Wars example of an authoritarian figure using their power to take advantage of the weaker people.
Yuri Lowenthal as Benni
When talking about that thief, the voice may be somewhat familiar to the fans of video games or shows such as Young Justice. Benni, our young and spunky thief, was played by Yuri Lowenthal. Benni is consistently after the top earner position for which the reward is a single bowl of soup. Benni’s motivations are simple, and reminiscent of Star Wars: Resistance or even the earlier season of Star Wars: Rebels as we see young people being used for dubious purposes. It is scary to think how many other groups may be opposed across the galaxy.
The Empire on a Smaller Scale
That small-scale oppression seems to be the theme of this episode and an apt one. While Echo (and most of the Star Wars narrative) is focused on the one big bad, the Empire, many people are experiencing this situation. It is important to note that one of the turning points in this episode is Omega being willing to simply share her food. While the truth that she unveils is what ultimately changes Benni’s mind against Mooki, Omega is about to build her pathos with a simple act of empathy.
Final Thoughts
That simple act of empathy and theme of resistance (along with the villain falling to their timely demise) makes this episode feel like Star Wars. We may not have seen Palpatine or Crosshair but we see what Star Wars: The Bad Batch and the greater Star Wars franchise at large has always been about. Whether you are a Jedi or not, simple acts of kindness can help heal wounds and stop oppression. This episode embodies the quote “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”
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