IR TV Review: THE BAD BATCH - EPISODE 12 (“Rescue On Ryloth”) [Disney+]

The reasoning for the last episode (#11) for many with "The Bad Batch" was that it seemed to point the needle somewhere else but, as with all of Dave Filoni's story structures, it does lead back which is why Episode 12: "Rescue On Ryloth" does sufficiently push the element forward because it recognizes the idea of Omega and her choices and strategy while reaffirming that the Batch needs to change their ways of thinking slightly or they are not going to grow in context to their path. The situation on Ryloth creates an interesting structure, not just for the Batch, but for one of the lead clones serving the Empire on Ryloth. It shows the disconnect, even after Order 66. This aspect of Star Wars lore is perhaps the deepest angle that was never explored much since it is an existential question. We saw some hark to it in "Rebels" but that is still 15-20 years in the future in terms of the timeline.

When the Stormtrooper element actually takes over the Clones, that actual societal breakdown will be interesting...and we already see the Caminoans aware of its inevitability. This is why the Omega question is interesting because she is the only girl cloned out of the genetic material of Jango which makes Boba her brother per se. There is alot of ways to go with this and definitely a parallel with Luke & Leia so the series is unearthing deeper connections which could be explored in "The Book Of Boba Fett" or "Ahsoka". But the ensuing narrative for this story speaks to a bigger idea of what the Batch is capable of or what they want to be capable of. Also this interconnection with Hera (and by extension Chopper) lays the basis for other developments. This episode, more than others recently, builds the character motivations and the world without overindulging in action showing an efficiency of story. B+

By Tim Wassberg