The Bad Batch: The importance of Crosshair's hand tremors

Season 3 of The Bad Batch revealed a massive development for one of the main characters. It might not seem like a big deal, but the lasting implications for this person are exactly what is needed to kick off the rest of their character arc. It's also the very thesis of the show.

Let's discuss the importance of Crosshair's hand tremors.

One of the core themes of The Bad Batch has been "Who are the clones when they don't have their purpose anymore?" It's a narrative that's developed over the course of the first two seasons from the regular clones, AKA "Regs," realizing they're being phased out for stormtroopers to Hunter and Clone Force 99 trying to figure out how to do basic things in the galaxy like get a job and make money. They can't be soldiers for the very government they were created for, as the Empire has cast them out, vilified them, and made sure they have no rights in the Senate. As we see in the episodes "Confined" and "Paths Unknown," the most unlucky clones are used as macabre test subjects in Doctor Royce Hemlock's experiments or left to die like the clone cadets. A big focus in The Bad Batch has been exploring the new galaxy the clones have found themselves in a post-Clone Wars time period.

Whether it's from Dr. Hemlock's experiments, PTSD, or a mix of both, Crosshair developing a hand tremor is a massive deal for his character. Clone Force 99 all have very specific skills. However, unlike Hunter, Wrecker, Tech, and Echo, whose skills can all be applied off the battlefield in everyday life, Crosshair's special skill is directly tied to being a soldier. He is a sharpshooter. That is the trait that has always defined him. It's what gave him a purpose in the Empire up until the excellent episode "The Outpost," which was the turning point in his character development.

Having a hand tremor strips Crosshair of his special clone trait. If he can't do the one thing he was created to do, then he will be forced to consider another path. He will have to stop and truly look at who he is as a person and what that means for him. He likely won't be able to be a sharp-shooting sniper in the long run. So, who is Crosshair without his purpose?

At its core, that has always been a major theme of this show. This one element is kicking off some major character development for Crosshair, and I'm excited to see it.

Let's just hope they don't kill him once he's fully redeemed.