Star Wars: The Bad Batch review, “Replacements”

This week’s  episode of Star Wars: The Bad Batch is much like the last one: focused on characters, except this time with a less interesting plot.

Strap in for some good ol’ fashioned filler, Star Wars fans, as the third installment of Star Wars: The Bad Batch takes a closer look at the characters while building the world. “Replacements” splits its attention between the Bad Batch’s antics and Crosshair’s adjustment to the Empire. While I’m glad we have more adventures with Omega and the clones, I was more eager to see Crosshair after his absence in the second episode.

Crosshair is still one of the most interesting characters on the show, and watching his descent has been the most engaging thing about it. While he’s become more ruthless since we last saw him, there are still moments where he misses his brothers. After his mission, he returns to the living quarters, where he and the other Bad Batchers would rest. He doesn’t say anything in this scene, but his silence clearly express his longing for his former comrades.

This is the first time we’ve seen the Empire introduce non-clone soldiers into its army. Governor Tarkin and Admiral Rampart know the value of loyal soldiers opposed to clone troopers. However, Tarkin also knows Crosshair’s worth. As a test, he assigns the clone to execute Saw Gerrera with the recruits.

The scene where they take out the camp the Bad Batch failed to destroy in the premiere was my favorite of the episode. We get to see how merciless Crosshair has become as he executes civilians. During the mission, Crosshair’s leadership is challenged by a trooper who says clones are ineffective. When that trooper refuses to kill the civilians, Crosshair takes him out. This was the darkest moment in the show, and added even more depth to Crosshair’s character.

Another thing I liked about this episode was how it shows the formation of the Empire as we know it. Aside from the proto-Stormtrooper squad, characters talk about the Empire in glowing terms. One of my favorite elements of The Mandalorian was how characters like the Client and Moff Gideon believed that the Empire brought security and prosperity to the galaxy, showing us the philosophy that underpinned the brutality. In this episode, the soldier who questions Crosshair’s command defends the Empire for giving him food, shelter, and a job. “That’s more than the Republic ever did for me,” he says. I love when these Star Wars shows explore the nuances of the show’s universe.

The A story with the Bad Batch slogs along as they spend the episode fixing their ship after crashing on a moon. It’s filler, but it does develop Hunter and Omega’s relationship.

From the start of the episode, Hunter is over-protective of Omega, particular as regards Wrecker’s reckless antics. He’s trying to be more like a caregiver and less like a soldier. This is why he initially refuses to take her to find the creature that stole their ship’s capacitor. However, Hunter learns throughout the episode to trust Omega on missions and make her a full-fledged member of the team.

This was a great episode for Omega as she learns to defend herself and make tough decisions. In one sequence, Hunter passes out when his oxygen mask is knocked off his face, so Omega searches for the creature herself. She takes Hunter’s pistol for protection, and although she doesn’t use it, it shows she’s willing to do what it takes to survive.

The other members of the Bad Batch don’t get as much screen time, yet again. Tech and Echo are paired up and work to solve a situation off-screen. Wrecker whines about a head injury and disappears for the bulk of the runtime. He also arranges a small room for Omega. It’s an odd choice to exclude him, Tech, and Echo for most of the episode. Hopefully this doesn’t become a trend, because it’s starting to get annoying.

“Replacements” is a slow-burn with a compelling B story and more interesting character moments. I would like to see more Star Wars world-building scenes, and it looks like we might get that in upcoming episodes. I also want to see better stories with the Bad Batch that include all of the members. If we’re lucky, maybe that’s what we’ll get next week.

Grade: B

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