Disaster struck on this week's episode of The Bad Batch as the Batch crash land on a desolate moon. To make matters worse, the group is stalked by an Ordo Moon Dragon, who has a taste for capacitors. It may appear to be standard Star Wars fare, however, 'Replacements', directed by Nathaniel Villanueva, delves into more than just spare parts, as Crosshair finds himself in charge of a squad of newly recruited elite soldiers.
Having previously reinforced Omega's inclusion in the group in episode 2, it's clear from the opening scene that she doesn't yet entirely fit in her new surroundings. Though she seems content, propped up against an upturned GNK droid, Omega doesn't yet have a space on the ship to call her own - comfort is hard to find here. Yet, as the ship is thrown out of hyperspace the situation becomes even more uncomfortable. As Omega hunts for the replacement part, she accidentally draws attention to Crosshair's weapon kit. Prompting discussion about Crosshair's actions and whether his inhibitor chip was responsible. Dee Bradley Baker's skills in bringing each remaining member of the Batch to life deserve great credit. It's a poignant moment between the squad, which will inevitably drive much of their motivations during the rest of the season.
RELATED: 'Star Wars: The Bad Batch' LEGO Set Now Available For Pre-Order
Meanwhile, Crosshair becomes commander of an elite squad of non-clone troopers, part of 'Project War Mantle' introduced by the suitably smarmy Imperial Vice Admiral Rampart. If the name sounds familiar, it's because it was mentioned in Rogue One as Jyn Erso rifled through files on Scarif. Rampart believes there are alternative means of producing loyal soldiers to cloning, mentioning that Crosshair's new squadmates 'willingly enlisted', but the word willingly is doing some major heavy lifting - as is later emphasized by Crosshair's response to one of the squad refusing to harm civilians. The clones' loyalty is hardwired, but they are perhaps more resistant to the sort of coercion that the Empire can use to control others.
It's exciting to see the show begin exploring this as it leads into another interesting plot thread within the wider Star Wars universe. 'Project War Mantle' sees the Empire begin to explore alternative methods to Kamino's clone factories. The Kaminoan's stress that conscripts can never reach the same level of proficiency that the clones can achieve, considering they have been trained for battle since creation. Nevertheless, the Lama-Su understands that their value to the Empire is diminishing. It's always a treat to see more of Tarkin's plotting on screen, but it's fair to say his decision to move away from the clone army ultimately backfires further down the line. Here he puts the new recruits to the test by sending the unit to destroy Saw Gerrera's camp, something the Batch failed to do, seeking the proof that the replacements can be a success.
Though Gerrera has fled the camp, there are stragglers who remain. As one of the new recruits resists Crosshair's order to murder the civilians, he is ruthlessly gunned down for insubordination. It's a compelling scene that demonstrates the brutal nature the Empire is imposing across the galaxy, with echoes of the raid on Jakku in The Force Awakens. Not only that, but it serves Omega's arc perfectly in tandem. Bravely pursuing the Ordo Moon Dragon to retrieve the stolen capacitor, she manages to resolve the conflict peacefully by offering her torch to the creature as a distraction. Ingenuity is directly juxtaposed with barbarity. It's to the show's credit that it doesn't waste a great deal of time pitting Hunter and Omega against one another when she offers to help, instead allowing her the opportunity to contribute - finding a role within the squad.
The final payoff for their direct opposition throughout the episode comes in the climactic scenes where the contrast between Crosshair and Omega is at its most stark. Crosshair returns to a room littered with visual reminders of his old comrades and though the room is no longer empty, the final shot impresses a feeling of loneliness. Omega, on the other hand, is overwhelmed by Recker's decision to create a room for her. She basks in the glow from the light above, a fully-fledged member of the squad. Episode 3 is not just about the replacements for the Bad Batch, but for Crosshair too.
While there are doubtlessly more trials ahead for the Batch, episode 3 helped define the stakes at the heart of The Bad Batch going forward. The theme of replacement is woven throughout this episode, the Batch's ship part, Omega becoming a permanent part of the Batch, Crosshair's new squadmates and even the Empire replacing the Kaminoan clone trooper program. 'Replacements' is the strongest episode so far and it feels like the show is beginning to find its groove as it ties together intimate character moments with the wider Star Wars mythology.
Star Wars: The Bad Batch is streaming now on Disney Plus
MORE: Star Wars: The Bad Batch - 10 Things You Need To Know About Clone Force 99