Review: The Bad Batch Episode 14 – ‘Flash Strike’ Introduces a Likely Ally
The Bad Batch have officially made it back to Mount Tantiss and plans are rapidly being improvised. True to the theme of this season, loyalties are once again questioned from Former Vice Admiral Rampart to Emerie to Crosshair, and we’re sure to see both triumph and downfall in this department in next week’s finale.
This episode also included the not-so-surprising return of a fan favorite character and fellow prisoner who features in Omega’s escape plan. At this rate, I expect all of Tantiss to be emptied out. While we will likely see the rescue of our heroes, I anticipate lingering questions regarding the continuity between the cloning experiments of Dr. Hemlock and Dr. Pershing from The Mandalorian.
This was another action-packed episode, and yet didn’t really contain any surprises. The story moves us ever closer to climactic conflict between the clones and the Empire.
SPOILERS AHEAD
The episode opens with Hunter, Wrecker, Crosshair and Rampart arriving on Mount Tantiss to an expectant squadron of fighters prepared for their infiltration. Dr. Hemlock is aware that they broke into the orbital station and he’s aware that it’s Clone Force 99 and that Rampart is with them. All the cards are on the table now. Dr. Hemlock’s cool, focused assessment and preparedness stand in contrast to the Batch’s hastily improvised plans. Their shuttle is promptly shot down and they are dropped into the surrounding wilderness. In a small moment of foreshadowing, Rampart’s rappel cable jams and he lags behind. Hunter’s quick thinking and impressive strength and coordination save him, for now. Meanwhile, Echo attempts to find Omega’s location and simultaneously blend in.
This action sequence was fun. I enjoyed the animation of the laser cannons most of all, which perhaps isn’t the highest praise, but I understand that the lack of deliberation and suspense is intentional. The Batch will retrieve Omega at any cost. We’ve already seen multiple episodes of them attempting to find and break into Mount Tantiss at the start of the season and we’ve had all the episodes since Omega’s return to consider the moral equation of leaving the rest of the clones to suffer under Dr. Hemlock’s authority. Now is the time for action.
Despite the lack of any real plan, the arrival of the Batch is literally shaking the base to the core. Omega immediately recognizes the tremors as the laser cannons and heeds the call to action. Her fellow prisoners continue to be hesitant accomplices in her recon missions.
As Crosshair and Wrecker dust themselves off after fleeing their crashing ship, Wrecker remarks on the symmetry of Crosshair breaking back into Mount Tantiss after he and Omega barely escaped. Crosshair says, “It’s not a place you forget” and it cuts, once again, to Crosshair’s injured hand. That the writers chose to include this scene in what is otherwise an episode traveling at breakneck speed to the final showdown makes me feel hopeful that we’ll see resolution for Crosshair. What exactly happened to him on Mount Tantiss? What does Crosshair know that he hasn’t yet shared with Omega and his brothers? Will we see the return of CX-2?
As the Batch make their way to the base, Omega is climbing through the shafts behind the vault in an attempt to locate something or someone who may aid in their escape.
Meanwhile, Rampart chooses an ill-advised spot for a catnap. When the monster wakes up and Rampart ignores the warnings of the others to remain calm and flees, I thought for sure it would pursue Rampart, leading to an appropriately ignoble demise–alas, no dice. Instead, he’s captured by Imperial forces.
At last, Omega stumbles upon something noteworthy. She discovers the location of the Zillo Beast. We already know from The Clone Wars that the Zillo Beast is sentient enough to recognize or somehow sense evil vs compassionate intent. With this in mind, I expect it to aid Omega and the children in the escape. I’m imagining something akin to the dragon escape in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Omega and the kids clinging to the Zillo Beast as it storms through the facility raining destruction from within. I expect the epilogue to include Omega trying to manage her growing menagerie–first Batcher, now the Zillo Beast. Kidding!
In the lab, Emerie confronts Echo and finally chooses a side. She will help him access the vault and rescue the children. I have a feeling Omega might beat them to the punch.
This episode was perfectly fine. I’m still enjoying the story, but I can’t shake the opinion that I was hoping for more depth with the resolution of the cloning narrative and the show as a whole. However, I’m going to reserve any final judgment until next week’s finale.
For all of our thoughts on The Bad Batch season 3 thus far, check out our reviews. Next week’s season finale and final installment of the show airs on Disney Plus May 1.
When she isn't watching her friends and family's eyes glaze over at the mention of The Clone Wars, she's at the park with her dog, Melvin, or on the couch with a book in one hand and a drink in the other. Physically, she lives in Ohio; spiritually, she lives in Naboo.
