The Bad Batch Season 2, Episode 11: 5 questions we need answered
The Bad Batch episode “Metamorphosis” was a major transitional episode this season for the Batch. With a returning Clone Wars creature, a fracturing relationship with Cid, and a possible new big bad introduced, there were a lot of questions raised. Let’s dive into them!
1. Why was the Empire cloning the Zillo Beast?
Cloning has become a big topic recently in Star Wars television shows. The Mandalorian has Doctor Pershing sporting the same scientist patch on his arms as the scientists in The Bad Batch. They all seem to be working towards the same goal. Between taking samples from Grogu, the Zillo Beast, the creation of Omega, and everything in between, the question is why. The most likely answer is they are working to answer the big question of the Sequel Trilogy of how Palpatine was able to come back from the dead. He was trying to make a Force-sensitive clone of himself to live eternally with this technology. While the Zillo Beast is more than likely being used for military purposes, as even lightsabers couldn’t even penetrate its scales, everything else seems to be pointing to explaining the line in The Rise of Skywalker, “Somehow Palpatine’s returned.”
2. Is Doctor Hemlock the new big bad?
“Metamorphosis” introduced a delightfully evil new baddie with Doctor Hemlock. He seems to have a past with Nala Se and holds quite a lot of power in the Empire. With Admiral Rampart booted out a few episodes ago, is Hemlock going to be the new big bad of the show? I sure do hope so. In one episode, he is far more terrifying and capable than Rampart ever was. Because he deals with clones and is targeting Omega, the fight against him is far more personal for the Batch. Also, this is a format that other Star Wars shows used in the past by stepping up into more threatening villains over their seasons. Star Wars Rebels started with the lackeys of Aresko and Grint, stepped up into the Grand Inquisitor, then to Vader, Tarkin, and Thrawn. Each villain became more deadly as the show went on. Ousting Rampart for Hemlock very much follows this same path.
3. Will the Bad Batch leave Cid?
After the episode “Retrieval” where the Batch witnessed an unfair system where a horrific boss is abusing his power against a group who worked for him out of need, I’m sure they’re starting to realize that this is how Cid is treating them. Tech has brought up her pattern of using the Batch. Though, as he stated in “Metamorphosis,” they have to be very careful with dealing with her. If they wrong her, she can easily out them and throw them to the Empire for profit. This week they had their first real conversation on the possibility of leaving Cid which is quite the development. It could be a dangerous thing to do, but it’s not a hopeless venture. The key person here is Omega. Cid clearly has a soft spot for the young girl which might be what stays Cid’s hand. Or, if Cid does turn in the Batch, it will be her care for Omega that makes her reconsider and save them. It seems we’re on the precipice of the Batch finally leaving Cid for good. I think the only other question now is when?
4. What are Echo and Rex up to?
“Metamorphosis” ended with Hunter sending all the cloning information they discovered to Echo and Rex. It makes me wonder what those two have been up to. I don’t have an answer for this, but I can only assume they’re working in some way for the bigger Rebellion. Rex has ties to Ahsoka Tano. Thanks to the Ahsoka novel and Tales of the Jedi, we know that Ahsoka is part of the network of Rebellion founder, Bail Organa. At this point, we can only assume that Echo and Rex are doing work for Bail, Ahsoka, or both. While I don’t think we’ll get Ahsoka this season, Bail has already played quite the role in season two. I absolutely think he is Echo and Rex’s benefactor from afar and funding whatever mission they happen to be on.
5. Is someone in the Batch going to die this season?
As a Tech fan, this question scares me. They’ve been really going out of their way to give Tech a good amount of screen time and develop him in season two. I’m hoping this is a treatment they all get eventually. Hunter got the most development in season one with Tech getting it in season two. I could see a scenario where Wrecker or Echo are next with Crosshair getting the last big character development arc in the final season. Or this could all be set up to kill Tech so he has an emotional death. I would hate this because it would be painful if these creators gave us fantastic neurodivergent representation just to take him away. There is also the dated Star Wars trope of redeeming a character only to immediately kill them in the case of Crosshair, which I would also hate. Killing characters is easy; actually letting them work through their atonement is a far more fascinating story to tell. I can see a major character death down the line in The Bad Batch. Kanan’s death in Star Wars Rebels was a MASSIVE moment. It came in season four and the final season of the show which is why I would be very shocked to see someone major die this early in The Bad Batch. What are some of your lingering questions about The Bad Batch? Let us know in the comments below, and stay up to date with all things Star Wars on Dork Side of the Force.