What They Say:
To save a friend, the Batch plot a mission to sabotage a gangster’s operation.
The Review: Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers)
With four episodes left in the season, I’m figuring the final three will come together to tell one storyline. With a two-part storyline behind us, that means this one is something of a standalone piece, a bit of a breather before getting back into things full swing to close out the season. And after such a fun storyline focused on Ryloth and Hera in particular, which did give the ‘Batch a chance to shine in a good way, it’s the kind of episode that we need. Something small, a little more intimate, and focused on our core group without being spread so big and wide as to make a real mark on the mythology.
With the group having returned to Ord Mantell, they find that Cid’s place isn’t what it was as Cid is no longer there and someone else has taken charge of the place. As it goes when it comes to the criminal element, changes like this do happen and the new boss is one looking to make a name for himself. Named Roland, he’s the son of Isa Durand and he’s looking to work with the Pykes in order to expand the business with some hyperspace routes. While Hunter and the rest are ready to resupply and head to some new world, Omega wants to find Cid and help her because she does value friendship even if it’s hugely transactional for Cid. Who, of course, overhears all of this and reminds Hunter that she has quite a lot of dirt on them and needs their help to deal with this situation.
What we get is a pretty fun under the city mission as Cid gets the team to work with her to get back the container she needs with all the spice. It’s good to see Cid actively involved in things here and how she’s organized things in this homage to the Temple of Doom that plays out with blasters. Trying to achieve this in the cover of darkness and to remain quiet so as to not awake the creature that are in there is her goal, but they reach the point of no return and the thing gets really crazy then with all the bugs bursting up and swarming about. And this all puts Roland in a real bind with the spice lost that he needed to pay the Pykes, who don’t treat him with the same respect as his father. Suffice to say, it’s an amusing powerplay that unfolds here that shows how Cid is able to regain her position – eventually.
What’s enjoyable here is just how much this episode is able to pack into its twenty-five-minute or so running time. Having the ‘Batch go back to the cave to retrieve the spice to placate the Pykes and to get Omega back is nicely handled. I do like that Cid is involved in it and not just directing it as well, going down with them and at least bringing the first box back up. And that gives us time with Omega back at the bar where she’s trying to scope things out and figure out how to gain the upper hand here. While these aren’t high stakes, there’s enough happening that it’s engaging to watch and to see how the team works together, though you do tend to have Cid ready to cut loose anyone at any time. But in terms of working together, it’s done well and has some really great moments of action.
In Summary:
As a standalone episode and one that doesn’t really change much of anything, The Bad Batch has a decent one here. It took Omega out of the picture for the back half so we got to see the team in full together and some time with just the guys, which is important as well. We got Cid being a lot more active and involved, which was amusing to watch unfold, and we got some solid action out of it that reminded me of the old mine cart Temple of Doom coin-op game I used to play decades ago. This is the kind of episode that may never be referenced again, or very little in general, but it’s solidly done and further reinforces who all of these characters are. With three episodes left, I’m excited to see how this season closes out.
Chris has been writing about anime, manga, movies and comics for well on twenty years now. He began AnimeOnDVD.com back in 1998 and has covered nearly every anime release that’s come out in the US ever since.
