This week The Bad Batch dealt with the fallout of being hunted by Fennec Shand while mounting a daring rescue mission on Ord Mantell. Once more the show introduced some familiar faces for Star Wars fans. Yet, after a strong start, this was arguably the weakest entry of the show, which isn't as scathing a critique as it might sound - considering the high standards the series has set thus far.
'Rampage', saw the show trade some forward momentum for a more self-contained affair, focussing on Clone Force 99's attempt to gain information on Fennec Shand. Nevertheless, there were still several nods to the overarching narrative and a frantic adolescent Rancor on the loose to keep things interesting.
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Fans may remember Han Solo referring to his run-in with a bounty hunter on Ord Mantell during The Empire Strikes Back, citing the encounter as the reason he intends to abandon the Rebel base on Hoth. Here, The Batch seeks out an informant named Cid who used to work with the Jedi, despite never actually meeting her. Once again, such is the success of Palpatine's grand plan, the show stresses how careful those not aligned with the Empire are being as Cid initially conceals her identity when Hunter questions her.
Working under the assumption that Cid is male, The Batch almost gives up on their search until Omega once again appears to be the most perceptive of the group as she deduces that Cid is actually the female Trandoshan Hunter had spoken to. While she has no love for the Empire, the Batch isn't exactly extended a warm welcome.
Cid is shrewd and more than a little suspicious, in her line of work it pays to be. She offers to track down information of Fennec, but only if the Batch will carry out a job for her. The threat Fennec poses leaves the Clones with little choice. There's a bounty for the retrieval of a kid named Muchi who's been captured by Zygerrian slavers, though Cid neglects to mention a proper description of the child. As they make their way to the ruins of Old Ord Mantell City, Wrecker's head continues to cause him grief, with his behavioral chip is the likely cause of the pain. He's complained in several episodes now which suggests it's going to come into play sooner rather than later. For now, it remains a ticking timebomb.
While there may be a lack of broader plot progression, seeds are still being planted for what's to come. Omega inquires about the practice of slave trade, shocked by the notion that people can be bought and sold for credits. Echo explains that people are "Captives, treated like property." She holds her clone trooper doll close and replies, "That... doesn't seem right." It's hard not to draw similarities here between the Clone Troopers and their relationship, formerly with the Jedi, but particularly with the Empire. It'll be interesting to see how this might shape her thinking as the season goes on.
Bad Batch continues to offer splendid visuals along with a fluid style of animation that helps bring the show to life, bringing the newly promoted Dave Filoni's vision to life. Sadly for the Batch, their attempt to free Muchi isn't so smooth. Having ordered Omega to remain with the ship, the Clones manage to get themselves captured as they're caught off guard by the slavers' Brezak - a flying serpentine creature.
It's a little frustrating to see Omega sent back to the ship as the show continues to demonstrate how capable she is when given the opportunity. The Batch seems content to include her in some potentially dangerous situations, but not others. That said, the decision does prove to be the fortunate catalyst for freeing the Clones from the slavers' shackles as she slips away from a patrol. While sneaking to retrieve the Batch's weapons, Omega discovers a caged creature and decides that freeing it will cause the best distraction.
That creature turns out to be a Rancor, the beloved creature first seen in Return Of The Jedi, whose return will delight fans. Omega attempts to calm the restrained child that she assumes is Muchi, only to discover that the Rancor she freed is actually the Muchi they've been looking for. The twist adds an extra layer of jeopardy to the climax of the episode as the Rancor rampages through the ruins of Old Ord Mantell City.
Hunter faces off against the leader of the slavers, besting him with a show of resilience as he grapples with the energized section of his enemy's laser whip, pulling him in close and beating him to the ground. It's a short battle but it serves two purposes, one demonstrates Hunter's superior training, and the other is the symbolic. Here is another person who has been treated like a commodity, rather than a person, rising against a slaver who has tormented many in the past.
Meanwhile, the pursuit of Muchi escalates. Even as an adolescent, the Rancor makes short work of the slavers' pet Brezak. However, Muchi finds Wrecker a much tougher opponent. As the two do battle, they eventually wear each other down, collapsing on one another. There's room for one final nod to bring everything together: the Rancor is actually owned by Jabba The Hutt as Bib Fortuna arrives to collect the rescued and docile Muchi from Cid and The Batch. The Rancor is the latest creature imbued with character beyond the typical cannon fodder role, which the show is all the more stronger for doing.
As the episode draws to a close, Cid makes sure to let Hunter know that she understands The Batch are high-profile targets, but that their secret is safe with her. Hunter doesn't appear to be entirely convinced, though, and the Empire could yet coerce her into providing them with some information. Nevertheless, she appeared to be genuine in her promise as she offered him further work, and it seems likely fans haven't seen the last of Cid. Ord Mantell is also known for housing the Black Sun crime organization, which suggests the potential for Clone Force 99 will cross paths with Maul at some point.
That the child turned out to be an adolescent Rancor was a pleasant surprise, and the resulting conclusion felt like a satisfying way to round off the episode - even if some nods could be seen to make the galaxy feel a little smaller. The Bad Batch continues to offer something different from other Star Wars shows. While it may have taken something of pitstop this week on the overarching narrative, it carries on seeding character moments that will undoubtedly pay off in the future.
New episodes Of Star Wars: The Bad Batch stream every Friday on Disney Plus.