By George & Josh Bate
Clone Force 99 remain in the hearts and minds of many Star Wars fans long after their journey came to an end in 2024. After a recent rewatch of the show, we decided to breakdown our Top 10 Episodes of Star Wars: The Bad Batch….
10. Season 2, Episode 3: The Solitary Clone
Kicking off our list of Top 10 Episodes of The Bad Batch is “The Solitary Clone,” an installment in the series’ sophomore season that sets Crosshair onto his path toward redemption. The mission-of-the-week features plenty of strategy, tactics, and creative action that make for a far more entertaining episode than simple back-and-forth action, but it’s the exploration of deeper themes that make this episode most intriguing. The ways in which Imperial rule affects the lives of Clones continue to be unveiled here in both overt and subtle, yet similarly interesting, ways. For instance, in a subtle, yet particularly effective note, Rampart and others refer to Clones by their CT numbers, dehumanizing the individuality of the Clones. It’s so interesting to catch up with Cody and see where Obi-Wan’s former Commander stands, especially as it holds relevance for Crosshair’s continued deliberation of his loyalties. With Cody choosing to abandon the Empire and go AWOL, this episode of The Bad Batch leaves the audience with much to think about as Crosshair carefully considers his future.
9. Season 2, Episode 9: The Crossing
“The Crossing” is by-and-large a typical contained episode of The Bad Batch, but it makes this list due to the conversation with Tech and Omega at the end of the episode. Tech and Omega discuss Echo’s departure, with Tech explaining that he feels similar emotions to Omega even if his expression of these emotions is different from others. Star Wars had never dabbled in individual differences in such a manner as “The Crossing,” an episode that resonated with many who find themselves thinking, feeling, and behaving differently from those around them.
8. Season 1, Episode 8: Reunion
“Reunion” is the aptly titled first episode that reunites the Bad Batch with their fallen brother Crosshair. The episode unfolds intensely, with Crosshair’s return living up to expectations. The one-two punch of the return of Cad Bane and the capture of Omega caps off a shocking and heartbreaking episode of the series.
7. Season 2, Episode 8: Truth and Consequences
The second part of a two-part arc that began with the similarly excellent “The Clone Conspiracy,” “Truth and Consequences” follows Senator Chuchi and Omega as they try to expose the conspiracy surrounding Kamino, while the Bad Batch and Rex do the same with a different approach. “Truth and Consequences” plays into the politics of Star Wars more so than most Star Wars stories, and does so with a deftness and intensity that captivates from beginning to end. Although the explanation surrounding the Empire’s decision to remove all clones from the fold could be better executed, the episode culminates with a spine-tingling scene of Emperor Palpatine that showcases the multi-dimensional ways in which the evil Sith lord evokes terror.
6. Season 1, Episode 15: Return to Kamino
The penultimate episode of The Bad Batch’s first season shows Crosshair uses the captured Hunter as bait to lure Clone Force 99 back to Kamino. The episode takes place entirely on Kamino and brings devastating closure to the homeworld of the clone troopers. The ending of the episode, which shows the destruction of Kamino while the Bad Batch and Crosshair are still trapped inside, is as terrifying as it is emotional, while the setup for the upcoming finale is superb.
5. Season 3, Episode 3: Shadows of Tantiss
The Bad Batch’s final season premiered with three mature, methodically paced episodes, with the third episode “Shadows of Tantiss” not only standing out amongst the three but also amongst all episodes of the show’s three seasons. “Shadows of Tantiss” depicts Omega and Crosshair’s escape from Mount Tantiss as Emperor Palpatine arrives to inspect the ominous Project Necromancer. Connective tissue to The Mandalorian increases the stakes of the episode, while the intensity of the escape is palpable.
4. Season 2, Episode 16: Plan 99
Few Star Wars stories hit as hard as “Plan 99” from The Bad Batch’s second season. The death of beloved Clone Force 99 member Tech, carrying out the titular Plan 99 in order to sacrifice himself for his brothers and sister, is nothing short emotionally devastating. There are few episodes with as high-stakes as “Plan 99,” with the episode committed to a dark turn few big franchises stories have the boldness to attempt.
3. Season 3, Episode 15: The Cavalry Has Arrived
After 47 episodes, The Bad Batch came to an end with one of its best episodes, full of great intensity, suspense, and emotion. Adopting a structure similar to many Star Wars final battles in fluctuating between different groups of characters, “The Cavalry Has Arrived” overcomes the repetitiveness of trying to escape Tantiss again from previous episodes of Season 3 with rapid pacing and a tight focus on the Bad Batch and their love for one another. Crosshair, who was the highlight of Season 3, is given a fitting end as he is able to move past his trauma and retain his expert marksmanship despite losing a hand. Omega running to embrace Crosshair and Hunter proves to be one of the series’ most touching moments, amplified by the subtle detail that her de facto father figure Hunter gives a subtle gesture with his eyes to encourage Omega to hug Crosshair. While Rampart and Project Necromancer are given somewhat lackluster resolutions, the episode concludes with a brilliantly emotional epilogue that fittingly closes this story out while leaving the door open for more adventures with Omega. The series finale underwhelmed in some areas but overwhelmingly excelled as an endearing conclusion for one of Star Wars’ most endearing stories.
2. Season 1, Episode 1: Aftermath
The 70 minute-long premiere of The Bad Batch is arguably the most cinematic piece of Star Wars animated storytelling of all time. Unfolding as a direct follow-up to The Clone Wars, “Aftermath” features dramatic moment after dramatic moment, beginning with the onset of Order 66 and a cameo from Caleb Dume (aka Kanan Jarrus). Breathtaking animation accompanies a pitch perfect introduction to Omega, and the seeds are planted for her to become one of the series’ most endearing characters. Amplifying an already superb episode is the fact that it takes place concurrent with and immediately after the events of Revenge of the Sith, finally depicting the immediate aftermath of the clone troopers and setting the stage for what is ultimately the show’s most interesting plot thread.
1. Season 2, Episode 12: The Outpost
Sitting at the apex of our Top 10 Episodes of The Bad Batch is “The Outpost,” an episode that ironically doesn’t feature the titular rogue clones. Few episodes of Star Wars television, whether they be live-action or animation, possess the craft, artistry, symbolism, and emotional weight of “The Outpost.” The episode is crucial in the arc of Crosshair, who, after betraying his brothers to side with the Empire in the series’ first episode, finally saw the brutality in the Empire’s ways and had a change of heart. Changing loyalties like this is often handled haphazardly in films and television, but such is not the case with The Bad Batch as it makes Crosshair’s turn back to the light side logical, organic, and deeply affecting. A resounding achievement in character development and storytelling, “The Outpost” is the single best episode of The Bad Batch and one of the best Star Wars episodes of all time.