Ranking the Journey of Clone Force 99

Lucasfilm’s latest animated series, Star Wars: The Bad Batch returned recently with its third and final season. Fans were eager to follow up on all the iconic show’s cast of characters and get long-awaited answers as to the fate of Omega, the lingering conflict with the traitorous Clone Trooper Crosshair, and the dark secrets of Mount Tantiss, which was speculated to have long-reaching implications on the entire Star Wars galaxy.




Now after the season has wrapped up, it pays to dive deep into every episode, seeing how well all of these episodes did at wrapping up the multitude of plot threads the show set up, both with its titular cast of genetically altered Clone Troopers, and the wider ramifications on the larger Star Wars franchise. The quality of the story, character development, and overall impact on the season-long narrative are all factors in how well the final season did at finishing up Lucasfilm’s latest animated offering.

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15 “Bad Territory” Re-Introduces Fennec Shand

Episode 8

In “Bad Territory,” the eighth episode of The Bad Batch Season 3, the show takes a slight detour from the main plot. As Hunter and his team act on Rex’s tip to uncover the Empire’s intense interest in Omega, the mystery surrounding the M-count experiments deepens. Omega’s frustration at being sidelined in this episode is palpable and shows how far she’s come from the kid fans once knew, and Phee’s discovery about the Empire’s use of Class One bounty hunters adds a layer of tension to the plot. On the way to get intel about why the Empire is hunting Omega, the Batch crosses paths with Fennec Shand, leading to an episode of exciting locales, engaging action sequences, and a touching character moment between Crosshair and Omega. While this episode does feel more like a setup for upcoming events on Pabu, it does a great job at telling a contained Bad Batch adventure.


Meanwhile, on Pabu, Omega tends to Crosshair, who is still grappling with his trauma and the physical aftereffects of his experiences on Tantiss. A beautifully lit meditation scene between them stands out as the episode’s highlight, capturing a rare moment of tranquility and emotional depth among the chaos of the final season. The narrative juxtaposition of Hunter and Wrecker’s slow, methodical disarmament of space-gator-infested mines with Crosshair’s quiet journey toward inner peace is a clever touch of pacing. As the episode wraps up, Fennec’s mysterious communication with an exciting returning character hints at exciting developments ahead, leaving fans eagerly awaiting what comes next.

14 Crosshair Must Prove Himself in The Return

Episode 5

Hunter and Crosshair Have an Argument


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In “The Return,” Episode 5 of The Bad Batch Season 3, Crosshair continues his journey of redemption, first needing to earn the trust of his former brothers, who are on the outs following his betrayal of the team. The tension between Crosshair and Hunter is especially palpable, with the Batch’s leader expressing concern over Crosshair’s seemingly returned loyalty. This dynamic shows the continued development of Crosshair, bringing him to the most central figures in his life as he grapples with his new self after the Empire. Crosshair faces challenges with his marksmanship due to his newfound hand tremor as well, another staunch reminder of the man he isn’t anymore. The team’s mission to get vital information from Nala Se’s stolen data pad puts an immediate test on the Batch’s cohesion as a team, when they decide to visit the frozen outpost introduced in the Season 2 episode “The Outpost.”


As the squad adapts to their new dynamics, the episode cleverly ties back to past storylines, bringing some of Crosshair’s most crucial moments in the entire series to the surface. The reappearance of the helmets of Mayday and other fallen clones calls back to Crosshair’s most prominent lesson about how the Empire treats clones, and Crosshair carefully restores them to their rightful places. As the tension between Hunter and Crosshair comes to a head in an argument, they are forced to team up against a gigantic creature on the planet, forcing them to work together to survive. “The Return” is a great character episode that re-establishes the bond between the Batch.

13 Paths Unknown Provides the Batch With an Initial Discovery

Episode 2

Hunter and Wrecker with the Young Clones


“Paths Unknown” gives fans their first look at how the Batch proper is doing this season, depicting a mission with Hunter and Wrecker, and diving into how the Batch is holding up after the death of Tech and the loss of Omega. One of the first scenes of the episode, with Hunter somberly doing Tech’s maintenance on the ship, as Tech’s goggles and Omega’s doll sit in his vision, is an emotional showcase of the Batch’s current state.

Hunter and Wrecker’s mission brings them into contact with some Clone cadets from earlier in the show, but the reunion is a heartbreaking one. They meet up with three cadets: Mox, Deke, and Stak, who are the only ones to survive the destruction of Kamino. Seeing the sad state that they’ve been left in serves as another stark reminder of the way the Empire has cast aside the Clone populace. Seeing them help the Batch on their mission to locate Omega’s coordinates is a poignant development for the Batch as they bond with their younger “reg” counterparts, with some fun horror visuals to boot.


12 Asajj Ventress Returns in The Harbinger

Episode 9

Bad Batch clones stand in shadow around Asajj Ventress in a canyon

Asajj Ventress is back, bringing warnings of a dark future in an episode aptly titled “The Harbinger.” While her return adds intrigue, the episode doesn’t provide a lot of answers as to how she’s re-entered the story. The story unfolds entirely on Pabu, where the Batch has been hiding, instead focusing on her dynamic with Omega. Crosshair’s integration into the community, despite his gruff outward demeanor, shows how far his character has come along since fans first saw him this season. The arrival of Ventress, found by Batcher and Omega, brings immediate tension as she offers cryptic explanations for her presence, leaving breadcrumbs as to how she is alive, and how she has found them, leaving viewers craving more details.


Episode 9 also delves into the potential Force-sensitivity of Omega, something fans have long speculated about, as Ventress begins testing her while the rest of the Batch watches with growing suspicion. The reveal to the Batch about Ventress’s past as a Separatist assassin creates an undercurrent of mistrust, despite her seemingly evident changes since Star Wars: The Clone Wars, which fans can find in the Dark Disciple novel. The episode cleverly balances Ventress’s new nature, neither fully of light nor dark, reflecting her journey from Dark Disciple to a more complex, morally gray character. The tension peaks during a fight scene between the Batch and Ventress, which showcases Ventress’s formidable Force ability and skill with her new yellow lightsaber. The episode concludes with Ventress taking Omega to a test against a formidable sea creature, drawing parallels to Ventress’s own past and hinting at Omega’s unique potential in the Force. As Ventress departs, she leaves behind more questions about Omega’s future and the Empire’s relentless pursuit, setting the stage for an ominous and thrilling continuation of the story.


11 A Different Approach Presents a New Team

Episode 4

Bad Batch Crosshair and Omega

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“A Different Approach” offers a fun look into one of the best developing relationships of Season 3, between Omega and Crosshair. Forced to rely solely on each other, it’s fun for viewers to see them begin to develop a level of cooperation and trust. Omega’s resourcefulness and gambling skills, something she received during her time with Cid, are used at first to broker them off the world they are stranded on, while Crosshair’s combat abilities are eventually utilized when Batcher is taken by the Empire.


The end of this episode also serves as a bridge between the two main character groups seen thus far. The reunion of the Bad Batch is a long-awaited moment; a cathartic reunion with a lot of underlying tension. The dynamics between the group members, however, as well as the complex emotions of everyone involved, are saved for the next episode.

10 Juggernaut Sets the Batch Towards The End

Episode 12


This episode marks the final four episodes of The Bad Batch, and “Juggernaut” signals that fans are in for something different right from the start. The title music shifts into an ominous tone, setting the stage for an episode filled with tension and high stakes, which it delivers upon. Omega’s capture and return to Mount Tantiss may seem very quick after her last escape, but her willingness to go back of her own volition shows fans her newfound resilience and determination to face her fears, setting up for her to have an active role in the upcoming rescue mission despite her captivity. On Pabu, as the Empire prepares to leave, the Batch formulates a plan to reach Omega, with Crosshair admitting he knows a way to find Tantiss, his hand going through its now-familiar tremor as he confronts his fears connected to the ominous location in a great emotional beat.

Episod 12 balances action and character development masterfully. Phee’s stealthy infiltration into the Archium using hidden caves is a clever plot device that showcases the show’s attention to detail. Rampart’s imprisonment on the darkly named planet Erebus and the subsequent rescue mission gives fans a thrilling action sequence, reminiscent of classic film scenes where the mission is to break someone out of prison, that manages to be both intense and humorous, with moments like throwing an unconscious Rampart onto Phee’s ship providing comic relief. The successful extraction of Rampart brings a thought-forgotten antagonist back into the fold and sets the stage for a climactic showdown at Tantiss, while Omega’s unique genetic importance and potential connection to the Force continue to intrigue at the mountain fortress. Overall, “Juggernaut” is an action-packed, entertaining episode that propels the story forward, leaving fans excited as the show speeds towards the finale.


9 Infiltration Ups the Stakes With New Antagonists

Episode 6

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In “Infiltration,” fans get to see some major threads about Mount Tantiss coming loose. The episode kicks off with former adversaries Ravi Singh of the Separatists and Senator Chuchi of the Republic having a meeting about how to revolt against the Empire. Seeing these factions of The Clone Wars begin to form the seeds of Rebellion is a fascinating detail. Fans have heard that the Clone Wars had “heroes on both sides” since Revenge of the Sith, but it’s interesting to see these developments as they happen.


The episode further deepens the intrigue as Rex and his team capture a Clone X assassin operative attempting to assassinate Singh. With this episode, fans really see the Empire start to act directly to stop the rebelling Clones in the galaxy. Rex and his team, now stationed at a base on Teth, attempt to extract information from the operative, but the Empire dispatches a second Clone Assassin to neutralize the team. The CX troopers in action provide terrifyingly competent antagonists to go up against the Batch. It is also revealed that the Empire is hunting Omega as well, which brings the stakes up for the titular team and brings them into this conspiracy.

8 “Into The Breach” Begins to Show Omega’s Plan

Episode 13

Scorch Entering Project Necromancer


The Bad Batch‘s thirteenth episode in this season, “Into the Breach,” propels the story forward with action-packed sequences and crucial character developments, continuing to set the stage for an intense series finale. Omega begins to bond with the other imprisoned Force-sensitive children at Project Necromancer, quickly recognizing the hopelessness they feel from her own time imprisoned in the mountain fortress. Her discovery of a doll she made earlier in the season, now in the hands of a child named Eva, hints at Emerie’s coming redemption. Despite being imprisoned, Omega’s resourcefulness shines as she immediately begins asking questions about the guards and routines, providing the other children with hope. In scenes that call to mind classic prison escapes, Omega begins to carve her way into the walls, finding a potential escape route for her new friends.


Meanwhile, the rest of the Bad Batch joins forces with Echo, who finally gets some more screen time this season, on an old Kaminoan colony to execute a daring mission. They must infiltrate a space station above Coruscant to steal the coordinates for Mount Tantiss, requiring them to strip the paint from their armor, a necessary step that continues to visually signify the climax that awaits them. The mission’s tension escalates relentlessly as Echo sneaks aboard a science vessel to disable the proximity sensors, allowing the Batch’s shuttle to hitch a ride on the Imperial station at the last second. The risky plan keeps viewers on the edge of their seats, and despite their success, the team’s safety remains uncertain, especially with Rampart’s presence with the team in the background looming large.


7 “Identity Crisis” Takes Some Time Away From the Batch

Episode 10

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In “Identity Crisis,” The Bad Batch takes an interesting step by excluding the main characters from the episode, reminiscent of prior episodes of the series. The episode starts with a touching narrative focusing on a small family with a Force-sensitive baby who is in danger of capture, using a species first seen in Solo: A Star Wars Story. The adorable baby quickly finds itself in peril, leading to a harrowing encounter with Cad Bane. The tension escalates when the child is captured, showcasing the series’ tradition of putting vulnerable Force-sensitive children in danger.


Meanwhile, on Mount Tantiss, Dr. Hemlock is shown conducting disturbing experiments with cloned Force-sensitive children. His interactions with Emerie reveal the sinister Project Necromancer, aiming to utilize these children’s unique abilities to maintain the Emperor’s power, even after death. The episode lays hints and groundwork for Emerie’s backstory, alluding to her traumatic past at Mount Tantiss, and creating sympathy for her character. Her moral conflict becomes apparent as she shows compassion towards the children, setting the stage for a possible rebellion against Hemlock.

Episode 7


“Extraction” picks up where the previous episode left off, with the survivors of the monastery’s collapse making a desperate escape. Commander Wolffe’s arrival is a fun inclusion for fans of Star Wars Rebels who get to see the character beginning to have doubts about his place in the Empire. The tension between his duty and camaraderie with his brothers creates a compelling arc for his character in this episode, as Wolffe gradually begins to question the Empire’s motives. The episode balances action, as CX-2 hunts the Batch in a thrilling non-stop chase and character development, with Crosshair’s struggle with his accuracy continuing to hamper him, as he is forced to work around it to evade CX-2.


As the clones attempt to evade capture, Crosshair and the operative become embroiled in a thrilling showdown. Crosshair is out through trial by fire as he must fight for his brothers against the ultimate mindless Clone operative he was set to become. The episode concludes with a standoff between Rex’s group of renegade clones and Wolffe’s squad, who are surprised to see the legendary 501st commander on the wrong side of the Empire. The standoff that follows emphasizes the central theme of loyalty to one’s comrades over blind allegiance to an oppressive government. This pivotal moment not only sets the stage for future confrontations but also highlights the themes of loyalty and trust that permeate the series. As the Empire continues its pursuit of Omega, the Bad Batch is propelled into a race against time to uncover the truth behind her significance, setting up an engaging trajectory for the remainder of the season.

5 “Confined Serves” as a Dark Beginning For The Season

Episode 1

Omega sad sitting at the window in her Tantiss cell from Star wars the bad batch


The season’s first episode, “Confined”, starts by immediately plunging fans into the heart of Mount Tantiss. As soon as the episode starts, fans catch up with Omega, who is imprisoned in the chilling Imperial facility. Much-awaited breadcrumbs are provided regarding the Empire’s cloning program, and Nala Se reveals the Empire is desperately trying to replicate midichlorians, in a move that undoubtedly ties the series into the latest theatrical release, The Rise of Skywalker.

Seeing Omega in this harrowing predicament provides a lot of insight into her character, as she tries to bond with Crosshair, who is also imprisoned at Tantiss, and is demoralized from his experiences in the last season. Her bond with the lurca hound Batched also shows her empathetic core, as she sees the animal for more than it’s bred purpose as a guard dog. Her ability to see that the animal has a heart and soul that goes beyond the Empire’s purpose for it, showcases exactly why she’s the girl for the job of liberating her Clone brothers, who were also bred for little more than war. Omega’s defiant freeing of Batcher is just the first step in her journey this season, and it is a fitting one.


4 “Point of No Return” Brings Our Heroes Under Attack

Episode 11

the-bad-batch-entombed-phee-genoa-omega

“Point of No Return” follows immediately after, with the Empire closing in on Pabu. This episode ramps up the stakes as Clone Force 99 is forced to leave its safe haven to protect it from the Empire’s wrath. Omega’s emotional moment of placing Tech’s goggles and her doll Lula in the Pabu Archium signifies her growth and readiness to face the impending threats, as well as a staunch reminder of the losses they’ve suffered. The tension comes to a climax when the Empire, led by the relentless assassin trooper CX-2, invades Pabu, resulting in the destruction of the Marauder and putting the Batch in a desperate situation.


As the Empire attacks, Omega’s brave decision to surrender herself to protect Pabu highlights her maturity, selflessness and how far she’s come since the series began. Her resolve is juxtaposed with Crosshair’s attempt to track CX-2’s ship, a moment that ultimately serves as a final, heart-wrenching failure and heightens the episode’s emotional impact. The episode concludes with the Batch left without their sister and no real way to find her, setting the stage for a climactic rescue mission against all odds.

3 “Flash Strike” Provides a Daring Penultimate Showdown

Episode 14

Echo Escaping Mount Tantiss


As the thrilling conclusion of The Bad Batch Season 3 nears, “Flash Strike” delivers a high-stakes, action-packed penultimate episode that sets the stage for an epic finale that will surely have ramifications for all the characters. The music kicks in with the title credits, immediately setting a fast-paced tone as Clone Force 99 continues its mission to Tantiss. The tension is palpable as Echo begins the episode trapped inside the science vessel, attempting to seek out information about the base. This episode shines a light on the team’s struggle in this final stroke of the series, showing off their relentless determination despite the looming threat of Hemlock’s forces, which grow larger every second.


Episode 14 also delves deep into the emotional journey of Crosshair, who is faced with his past in the most climactic way possible, as he returns to the dreaded Tantiss he was once held in. His hand tremors and internal conflict are brilliantly portrayed, showcasing his struggle between the self-preservation that has stopped him from wanting to come back all season, and his newfound commitment to saving Omega. It’s a great place for his arc to take him, that resonates with what his character has dealt with for the whole series. The shuttle crash in the jungle, Omega’s heightened senses, and Rampart’s dramatic antics add layers of excitement and unpredictability to this final gambit as well. Echo’s disguise and infiltration of the base, coupled with his tense confrontation with Emerie, also sets up an intriguing twist as she offers her help. Omega’s resourcefulness and the foreshadowing of the Zillo Beast’s reappearance give fans exciting seeds for a chaotic and satisfying conclusion to this gripping series.

2 “Shadows of Tantiss” Ups the Stakes on Tantiss

Episode 3

Stormtroopers in formation at Mt Tantiss as Palpatine strolls down the center flanked by two imperial guards from the bad batch


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“Shadows of Tantiss” brings fans back to Omega and ratchets up the tension by introducing the saga’s ultimate villain, Emperor Palpatine, to the narrative. Seeing Palpatine himself solidifies Mount Tantiss’s importance to the larger schemes of the Empire and larger significance to the franchise. With this going on in the background, Omega must free Crosshair and escape the facility with him.

The following escape sequence is thrilling and shows the newfound dynamic between the Batch’s newest member and first deserter. Seeing Crosshair’s cynical pragmatism mixed with Omega’s optimistic impulsiveness creates a fun duo for fans of the series to see. Fans also get to see Omega reunite with the hound she freed, Batcher, as they escape the fortress.


1 “The Cavalry Has Arrived” Provides an Amazing Series Finale

Episode 15

The final episode of The Bad Batch delivers a thrilling and emotional conclusion to the beloved series. Clocking in at a whopping 50 minutes, “The Cavalry Has Arrived” offers a satisfying blend of action, character development, and callbacks to earlier moments in the series, making it a fitting ending to the story of Clone Force 99. From the tense, somber opening to the climactic showdown, this episode keeps fans on the edge of their seats, ensuring that the fate of Clone Force 99 and their allies remains uncertain until the very end. As the story unfolds, we witness the capture of the series’ former primary antagonist, Rampart, and the dynamic interplay between him and Hemlock, which gives fans another great reminder of the cutthroat nature of the Empire.


Meanwhile, Omega showcases her growth and resourcefulness as she leads her fellow Project Necromancer prisoners in a daring escape, drawing parallels to the past exploits of her brothers. The long-awaited return of the Zillo Beast of Star Wars: The Clone Wars fame, adds a sense of grandeur and nostalgia, culminating in an absolutely awesome rampage through Mount Tantiss that does justice to its long-anticipated appearance. As the Bad Batch and other imprisoned clones launch a coordinated attack to free their brethren and dismantle Project Necromancer, the series finally delivers a heartfelt message about the strength of unity and the enduring spirit of the clones that have been set up since the opening episodes of The Clone Wars. In the chaos, Crosshair’s journey also sees its climax. As a character who is always struggling with his fears and the desire to protect his family, his arc mirrors the iconic Star Wars themes of redemption and self-acceptance, all coming to a point in a powerful scene as Crosshair makes the shot to save Omega that he missed last time. The episode’s conclusion leaves room for future adventures while providing a sense of closure for the main cast, celebrating the freedom and agency now available to these once-engineered soldiers.


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