IR TV Review: THE BAD BATCH - EPISODE 10 & 11 (“Identity Crisis” & “Point Of No Return”) [Lucasfilm/Disney+-S3]
The context between structure and execution depends on the reasoning for a certain action. "The Bad Batch" has always been talking about individuality versus the common collective. After Episode 9 of Season 4 saw Ventress return in a different capacity but with no real answers, the concept seemed to be moving by the wayside. Episode 10: "Identity Crisis" sees a female doctor clone (likely an earlier version of Omega) being brought up to help in the M-Count program which obviously stands for Midichlorian. Now whether this storyline is trying to bridge what happened in "The Rise Of Skywalker" because of what will happen to The Emperor and thereby forseen by him is unknown. The reality is that the younglings here do seems to have some level of force powers. The irony is that when Anakin killed all the younglings in the temple in "Revenge Of The Sith", was that an order or a fit of rage on Anakin's part? Dave Filoni does try to weave some of these story points to think about in this episode but it is a matter if they come to bear.
The balance is between the conscience of this doctor and her overseer who is penitent to the Emperior even if Tarkin might be breathig down her neck. How Omega might be key is still elusive since that caption Caminoan isn't really saying much. On the flip side with "Point Of No Return", one of the new elite clone commandoes who has been retrained looks to find his target on the sanctuary world. This becomes more about protecting the stronghold but also Omega stategically putting herself in danger. She is smart but not experienced in knowing how she might both get her answers, keep her family together and not get unduly captured or killed. The loss of life and peace will continue to affect this settlement now for years likely to come. Whether Ventress lead The Empire to the rock or there is another traitor is yet to be determined. The question towards the end of the episode leads to how decisions will affect the future family. "Identity Crisis" : B "Point Of No Return" : B+
By Tim Wassberg
