IR TV Review: THE BAD BATCH - EPISODE 13 (“Infested”) [Disney+]

The reality of "The Bad Batch" is becoming more a story of where loyalties lie in the context of real friends and acquaintances versus those that just need a job. The Batch needs meaning in their lives but functioned so long as they were governed by the mission per se. Omega brings that focus because she sees things in others that might not be detectable which undeniably is changing what the actual meaning of The Batch is. Whether this has to do with Omega's DNA or chemical makeup as a clone has yet to be revealed. And yet the entire crux of Episode 13: "Infested" is based in that pattern of perception, not just with her but with others. It is a very simple storyline in terms of lose, retrieve and retreat. Granted there is a bigger scope action set piece in place (which harks back to Geonosis which never comes to bear). There is also a weapon eventually in play that harks back to Star Wars lore but that also too goes a different way. This episode does use expectation against itself but also reaffirms instinct which oddly enough is made clear by the animal character of Ruby. Again, it is a very simple plot mechanism that says much about primality. In an earlier episode which also had a simple thrust, it was more based in that instinctual reaction (in that case with a young Rancor). The consequence of action shown in this episode dictates that actions cause people to remember for better or worse. Those decisions create a more focused path whose eventual repercussions can't yet be felt. B

By Tim Wassberg