When I saw Bad Batch season 2 had started I was so excited. I really liked the first season, and I have a feeling season 2 will be even better.
(Did anyone realize (and question why) Crosshair isn't in the poster like last season?)
The first two episodes were pretty good. The battles and action was well animated and fun to watch. The show still kept it's humor which I liked. Plus, I liked how they were having more character moments, but I'll get into that later on.
First, my big question. Where is Crosshair? I guess I didn't expect him to have a major role in the first few episodes, but where is he? Did they even find him on Kamino? I'm guessing he's still part of the Empire, but if so why was it such a shock to Admiral Rampart that the Bad Batch was alive? If Crosshair had made his way back there, they would want to know how, but since the Bad Batch were considered dead, that means he either isn't with them or didn't tell them (which does show some development and that he still does care about his squad, but this isn't confirmed).
Moving on to the actual plot of the episodes. I did like the idea of them basically going on a heist (and the mentions of Count Dooku and the Clone Wars) and having to kind of come out from the shadows. I was a little annoyed by Omega however. I understand she wanted to help the others, but she got both her and Echo (and technically Tech) in danger. Honestly, it get's kind of annoying because that's what she did most of the last season. I expected her to grow more mature since she's older, so I hope she shows that in future episodes.
I liked seeing a character like the old man (I believe his name is Romar Abdell). He was just a normal person, and we rarely see that in shows like this. Most characters are fighters or force sensitive or some sort of leader or rebel. But Romar was just a toy-maker, someone who's planet was attacked. He shows what it's like for a survivor who isn't a fighter. Plus, his conversations and relationship with characters like Omega and Tech were interesting to see, and I feel he has effected both of them in some way. Speaking of characters, lets get into that!
I'll admit I'm very happy the characters are starting to get more of their own scenes, specifically Tech. I have talked about this before, but Tech has always seemed to be less developed than his brothers. However, these episodes (specifically episode 2) began to give him more time to shine. After he got injured, Tech didn't back down. He was willing to fight and was able to, showing he really is a brave person. I actually got scared he was going to die when he was fighting the clones, but he didn't, showing his strength and that he can be more than just the brain of the group. I also liked him becoming friends with Romar. Tech seemed to learn things from Romar, which is surprising since Tech always seems to be ahead of his brothers (like when he revealed Omega was a clone and didn't understand how the others didn't figure it out). He started getting his own scenes that were actually impactful, and this is great to see since personally I really like Tech's character.
Then there's Echo. Echo has always been a fighter. He had to fight hard just to survive. He became an ARC Trooper, which is hard to do since not many are and it's basically thought of as a dream for any young clone cadet. It makes sense why he wants to fight the Empire. He knows the Empire is evil, just like the Separatists, and he wants to defeat them just as much. I am questioning what his fate will be however. We know he isn't with Rex (who is a fighter, like Echo, and fighting against the Empire), at least not by the time Rebels occurs. But I'm not sure if he will stay with the Bad Batch. If they don't become rebels and go against the Empire directly, it doesn't make sense why Echo would stay except for the fact that he doesn't want to be alone, however this does make sense. Echo has lost everyone, from his squad, specifically Fives, to the 501st after leaving the battalion and Order 66 happening, which I now see is another reason why he'd probably be against the Empire. I also liked seeing the relationship between Omega and Echo. Last season, Omega was mainly being around Hunter and the main story was their relationship. However, we are starting to see her friendship with other characters, specifically Echo, which is nice to see and can maybe make both characters stronger in the end.
Speaking of Hunter, he has also changed. He is still protective over Omega, but he is also starting to see that she needs to learn how to fight and can be helpful. When they went on the heist for the war chest, he let Omega come with. Not because she made him (since that would probably be shown on screen and it wasn't) but because he knew she would be able to help them. He knew the risks, he knew how dangerous it was, but he let her come along. Their relationship is becoming more of a respect for one another, which is necessary for them to still have a strong bond.
Then finally there's the minor clone trooper who was against the Bad Batch. His name was Captain Wilco, and his death shows exactly how terrible the Empire is, and that they are willing to do anything to stay in power. But it also shows that the clones are starting to have second thoughts about working for the Empire. Wilco went against orders, refusing to lie in his report. He went against what his orders, basically going against the idea of "Good soldiers follow orders" and therefore his inhibitor chip. This was a small moment, but it does have an impact in the story, and not just because Rampart knows the Bad Batch is alive.
What will happen next? I don't know for sure, but I have ideas.
One theory I have is that Crosshair will be sent after the Bad Batch to bring them in. However, since he didn't snitch on his brothers, proving he does still care for them, Cody will be sent with him to help capture them and to keep Crosshair from betraying the Empire. Since Cody will be in the show, I assume him and Rex will have a big moment or fight(since Rex is also going to be in this season, which I'm very excited about). Or maybe Rex will get Cody to be on his side and realize the Empire is not in any way good.
However, Cody's life could be short lived, since I think there is a possibility he won't survive. One reason would be he isn't with Rex, Gregor, and Wolffe in Rebels, nor is he mentioned. Plus, he was supposed to be in Kenobi, but this idea was scrapped for (as far as I'm aware) reasons unknown. Maybe it was because they were planning on killing him off in the Bad Batch, so it would be impossible for him to be in Kenobi? Of course, this is just a theory, one I really hope isn't true, but anything's possible.
To end this off, I rate the two first episodes a 4 out of 5. They weren't the best and did feel slightly like just a way to reintroduce the characters, but they were still great episodes, getting me very excited for what is to happen next! What would you rate the first episodes, and do you have any theories? If so, write them in the comments!
I had to, this was too funny (and true).