This week’s episode wastes no time getting into the action, which is a strong way to start. It provides a link to last week’s episode, which also ended on an action beat. It continues the fast paced nature of it too, and also explains a key fact about Omega.
Crosshair is chasing the Bad Batch out of Bracca, trying to get them before they escape. On the Bad Batch’s vessel, the crew are frantically trying to console Hunter, who wants them to stay to find Omega. Once they convince him that she is gone for the time being, the Batch escape through hyperspace. This provides some urgency to finding Omega, as the Batch don’t know where she is or how to find her.
Cutting to Omega, she is seen on Cad Bane’s ship the Justifier, which was great to see. This ship was originally designed for an unfinished Clone Wars episode, so I am happy that they are bringing it back, That and Ord Mantell are great nods to those arcs that were cancelled.
We finally get confirmation that Bane is working for the Kaminoans, more specifically the Prime Minister Lama Su. We also find out why he wants her, he wants to continue the cloning operations that have made Kamino an influential planet.
Due to the Empire wanting to move away from cloning, he is desperately trying to keep clones relevant, though this is being done behind the Empire’s back, which may result in consequences down the line. His view of Omega also is line with previous, as the Kaminoans only see the clones as their property, and do not consider the individuality of the beings the clones are.
We also find out more the motives of the Kaminoan Chief Medical Officer, Nala Se. She has developed feelings for Omega and has hired her own bounty hunter (Fennec Shand) to keep Omega out of Lama Su’s hands. This makes for some great intrigue with what is happening on Kamino, and I cannot wait for this to continue.
The location this week was amazing as well. The Kaminoans want to meet Cad Bane at one of their old facilities, which makes for a creepy environment. It also allows Omega to know her way around the area without it seeming like she is a Mary Sue, as she would have spent lots of time around Kaminoan technology.
The creepiness of the location comes into play later in the episode, where Omega finds failed Kaminoan cloning pods, complete with dead bodies of Kaminoans inside. This atmosphere is increased when Omega finds out that the Kaminoans want to do the same to her and use her genetic material for other means.
Going back to the mid-point of the episode, Fennec Shand makes a return in order to “save” Omega. The one detail I appreciated about her inclusion is that whenever she went against Bane, she would struggle.
This relates to the fact that Bane is a master of his trade, while she is just starting out as a bounty hunter. However, with her providing somewhat of a distraction for Omega, Omega could escape. This is not to downplay her own role in her escape, as she is seen manipulating Bane’s droid and is able to keep herself out of his hands. The only part the Bad Batch play in her escape is to pick her falling craft up, which is a small part.
Omega’s experience rightly scares her, and she craves the comfort of Hunter as soon as she gets on board his ship. Hunter tries to tell her that they will protect her no matter what, though Omega still is scared that Lama Su will not stop to get her. This sets up a return to Kamino, as Omega will need to face her fear at some point.
Overall, this episode was a strong continuation from last week, as it effectively deals with the capture of Omega and forwards the distrust within the Kaminoans, which is likely to come to a head in the next few weeks.
The reveal of Omega is fascinating as well, it makes her the closest relative to Boba Fett, who I hope to see in the show as well. While this episode ends with little obvious direction, the thrust of episode eight and the prior events will hopefully continue propel the series forward.
By Kieran Burt
Feature image: Disney