Review: ‘The Bad Batch’ Episode 9 – ‘The Crossing’ Is an Echoless Struggle
In this week’s episode, we meet the Bad Batch on a barren landscape and discover they’ve been given a mission from Cid to search for any remaining ipsium on a mine she recently purchased. It’s clear from the moment we land that the mood among the group is less than cheerful. Echo is gone, and they are all adjusting to this new order, most of all Omega.
This mission also presents a disheartening contrast. Just last week, we saw The Bad Batch attempting to improve the lives of all clones and bring to light a dangerous Imperial conspiracy; now we are on yet another glorified delivery job for Cid.
As they work to extract the ipsium and return to Ord Mantell, events do not go as planned. The Bad Batch encounter local challenges along the way that make return difficult and, upset by these obstacles, we witness a rare moment of strife between Tech, Wrecker, and Omega. The Bad Batch must first find resolution among themselves in order to work together to overcome these new challenges and return safely to Ord Mantell.
I’ve become used to the pattern of heavy Crosshair/Empire episodes and lighter episodes with the rest of The Bad Batch. This episode disrupts that thinking. While I dislike seeing conflict among the group and sympathize with Omega’s moody attitude after the departure of Echo, it’s refreshing to watch them work through a problem that can’t be solved with blaster fire – at least not entirely.
Spoilers ahead…
From the moment the batch arrives at the mine, they are working through logistical problems related to Echo’s absence. An approaching storm on the horizon signals trouble to viewers despite Hunter’s assurance that it’s heading away from them. When Hunter reminds the batch that Cid warned them about poachers in the area, we immediately see that someone is spying on the crew from afar.
Omega is called in to assist in extracting the ipsium, and Wrecker is left to stand lookout alone. Unable to see the ship from the entrance to the mine, our poacher sneaks up and steals the Havoc Marauder. The ship has been such a mainstay throughout the course of the show that I found myself just as upset as Omega. How will they get off world? What will Wrecker and Omega do without their tooka doll? Echo just left and now this!
The next beat includes obstacle after obstacle as the clones work to survive a stampede of creatures fleeing the lightning storm, only to drop the ipsium as they dive back into the mine and narrowly avoid being crushed by boulders when the entrance caves in. Typical.
As their troubles mount, so too does the conflict between Tech and Wrecker. It all reaches a boiling point for Omega when, exclaiming about the loss of the ship and communicating her sadness about Echo’s absence, Tech insensitively responds, “This squad existed before Echo was a part of it, and it will exist after it. What is your issue?” Taken aback by his abrasive response, Omega wanders off to spend a moment alone. This moment was a reminder for me that Omega is growing up. Hunter won’t be able to provide comfort and resolution for her in every conflict. And as much as she loves her brothers, sometimes you simply require your own company.
In true Omega fashion, she stumbles upon an undiscovered, rich vein of ipsium. Taking initiative, she starts to extract it. I wonder, just once, if the gang will be able to complete a mission with the goods intact. Hope abounds.
After some stern words from Hunter, Tech finds Omega and, if not totally reconciled, the two are able to work together to mine more of the ipsium. In an attempt to fill the last canister, Omega leans over the precipice and falls into the abyss below. Tech doesn’t hesitate to jump in after her, and the two are washed away down an underground river with heavy rapids, where they are spat out into a cavernous pool that is stunningly lit by a massive ipsium deposit below. I am consistently impressed by the quality of the animation in The Bad Batch, and this scene may be one of the most gorgeous yet.
Recovering on the shore, Tech and Omega are able to find a way out of the mine and fully reconcile. Dee Bradley Baker expertly delivers Tech’s awkward attempts at conveying his emotions, adopting a softer tone and inserting uncertain pauses into Tech’s dialogue instead of the matter-of-fact delivery we typically hear. Tech tells Omega that he misses both Echo and Crosshair as well, but also that they have to respect their decisions to chart different paths. This is an important lesson for Omega to learn, and represents an interesting juxtaposition for her as a character. As adaptable and flexible as she is regarding their location, income, daily routine, and level of safety, she is new to change within her family.
When Wrecker and Hunter arrive with the mined ipsium, the crew are able to blast their way out of the cavern and reach the nearby spaceport… only to learn that it’s abandoned. They call Cid to request help, and she initially responds that she’s “tied up at the moment.” She eventually gives in when Tech reminds her of the help she’s received from them. This is a direct callback to episode 4, Faster, when Millegi warned Tech, Wrecker, and Omega about Cid’s shifting loyalties. I must admit, I thought Cid would come to their aid quicker.
Between The Bad Batch’s increasing displeasure at scraping by doing Cid’s bidding and her obvious reluctance to stick her neck out for them, this fragile arrangement may be nearing a breaking point. In the meantime, I don’t believe we’ve seen the last of the Havoc Marauder and our mysterious poacher.
Stay tuned for more adventures with The Bad Batch and check out the latest news and reviews of season 2.
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.
