The endings of The Mandalorian Season 3 and The Bad Batch Season 3 are strikingly similar and for the right reasons.
Similar to The Bad Batch's ending, The Mandalorian Season 3 ended with the main characters settling down in their peaceful corner of the galaxy. Din and Grogu moved into a new cabin on Nevarro and Hunter, Crosshair, Wreckers, and Omega settled down on Pabu. These endings bear a striking resemblance, as do the main characters, Din and Hunter, who've desired domestic bliss and security for their families from the start.
The writers of both shows defied expectations by not killing off any of the main characters. Both follow in the footsteps of the Star Wars Resistance and continue a new trend of happy endings in Star Wars. While there have been happy endings in shows here and there, major series opting for a peaceful way to cap off their stories may finally signal that writers want to embrace a new style of storytelling. Tragedy and loss are a part of stories where war plays such a significant role, but Star Wars risks becoming too predictable if fans come to expect death.
For the past few weeks, The Bad Batch fandom expected the ending to be heartbreaking. Someone would die, or perhaps, everyone except Omega would perish on Mount Tantiss. However, the writers decided to let the remaining members of Clone Force 99 live their lives as they wanted to. It's pleasantly surprising and refreshing. The best part is it's equally as impactful as any ending in Star Wars.
Perhaps Rogue One is more impactful because the main characters all die for a higher cause, but The Bad Batch and The Mandalorian teach us that you can stir people's emotions with a simple, happy ending too. A few hugs between our favorite characters and an opportunity for people who've always suffered to live undisturbed on an island paradise are equally important. Many fans, including me, were moved to tears even though no one died. I cried at the surprising time jump that saw Omega go from a child to a grown woman, ready to set off on her journey, which meant leaving her brothers behind.
As Omega enters the best years of her life and volunteers as a pilot for the Rebellion, she's leaving behind her brothers, who are now much older and worn down from the many battles they fought in their own lives. Similarly, the ending of The Mandalorian Season 3 is a tearjerker because it's obvious the tranquility that Din and Grogu undoubtedly have in their home on Nevarro is temporary. It won't last long, as Thrawn's return is on the horizon and there's no telling what will happen when he's back.
But for now, we can exhale alongside our favorite characters, and take in the beautiful endings to two equally touching Star Wars stories.
All episodes of The Bad Batch are now streaming on Disney+.