IR TV Review: THE BAD BATCH - EPISODE 3 (“Replacements”) [Disney+]

Identity and the aspect of loyalty continue to be an ongoing structure of storytelling in "The Bad Batch". With Episode 3 entitled "Replacements" the texture is based on the aspect of following orders on one hand and what makes a team on the other. This parallel storytelling works quite well so far in "The Bad Batch" since there are two stories going on concurrently which is the viability of the clones in the new Empire but also the travails of the Bad Batch to come to terms with their place or survival as it were. The problems the Batch encounters are simple growing pains but the character points actually work quite well if not a little predictably. A slight ode to "Alien" works well. On the reverse the aspect of the social structure and responsibility of conscripted soldiers is an interesting idea that hasn't been explored in the Star Wars universe as well as what it means in a business structure for the Caminoans. The idea is obviously part of a bigger myth and story but like "Rebels" with Ezra, the inclusion of Omega, how she fits in but also how her actions will affect the story going forward show an inherent force of story with a steady hand. A

By Tim Wassberg