Everyone, catch your breath. The Bad Batch's Season 3, episode 5, "The Return," was a much-needed episode for the core cast to come together once again. Echo is back with the group for this mission as Clone Force 99 struggles to work through the return of Crosshair.
"The Return" featured just the main cast, which was a nice break after the crazy pace of Season 3's first few episodes. While it was a more straightforward episode, it was an important step forward that set up the rest of the show. Let's break down the ending, shall we?
The title has more than one meaning
The title "The Return" stands for multiple things in the episode. Crosshair is back with Clone Force 99, but it's not an easy transition. After being their enemy for two seasons, he has to find his place once again as he learns to work with his brothers. We also see Echo, who has been sorely missing from the show throughout the last couple of seasons since he left to work with Rex, return to the group. Echo is essentially the Batch's "mom friend," keeping everyone in line as Hunter and Crosshair try to bicker. He provides a needed balance to Clone Force 99.
The other big significance of the title is that the group returns to Barton IV, where the episode "The Outpost" occurred. It's emotional for Crosshair as he remembers Commander Mayday and his own turn against the Empire here. "The Outpost" is one of the best episodes of the series. Forcing Crosshair back to the location where his redemption arc kicked off was a stroke of genius.
The boys hash out their feelings
Hunter and Crosshair have always bickered, even dating back to the Batch's introduction in Season 7 of The Clone Wars. However, Crosshair has burnt many bridges with his brothers, constantly choosing the Empire over the Batch whenever they extended a hand for him to come home. It takes time to build that trust.
Except for Wrecker that is. He instantly trusted Omega's vouching for Crosshair.
"The Return" had the Batch facing off against a massive ice Wyrm, forcing Crosshair and Hunter to work together. They fell back into step once more like old times. Laying all their hurt feelings out into the open about how they both felt betrayed for different reasons, they finally connected once more. A bit of healing happened between the two brothers, so now the group can start to move forward.
Not a complete failed mission
The entire reason the Batch returned to Barton IV was to break into Nala Se's datapad. Echo hoped it would contain maps of Mount Tantiss and the location of the base. Sadly, it only held medical records.
However, not all is lost. Echo discovered how many clones are being held on Tantiss, which was way more than he thought. He also has a record of all the horrible things happening to them. With Senator Riyo Chuchi as his and Rex's ally, this is physical proof of horrible things happening to the clones. And, more than anything, it makes Echo, Omega, Rex, and the entire Batch more resolute in their mission to save all the clone troopers trapped on Mount Tantiss.
"The Return" was emotional on multiple levels, forcing the boys of the Batch to address their feelings. With the team back together and having a mission they are all passionate about, it sets the stage for the rest of the season to save the rest of their brothers from the clutches of Doctor Hemlock.