Star Wars fans love The Clone Wars, the animated series detailing the time period between Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith, from the minds of Dave Filoni and the great George Lucas himself.
The Bad Batch, another animated show spun off from the beloved Clone Wars, introduced fans to Clone Force 99. Unlike ordinary troopers, the Bad Batchers have genetic deficiencies that give them unique abilities.
Throughout the series, we witness the remarkable character development and the formation of an unbreakable bond among the members of Clone Force 99, making us feel deeply connected and emotionally invested in their journey.
Below are some key moments that define Clone Force 99 in Star Wars: The Bad Batch.
The Introduction of Clone Force 99
The introduction of Clone Force 99 defines their dynamic. Very different from the standard clone troopers, who generally follow orders and act uniformly, these troopers have their way of doing things. The introduction of Clone Force 99 in Star Wars: The Bad Batch is the moment that establishes the squad as a unique group within the universe; the batch is composed of clones with genetic mutations that give them specific distinct physical and mental abilities.
Each member, including Hunter, Wrecker, Tech, and Crosshair—possesses a specialized skill set that sets them apart. For instance, Hunter has heightened sensory abilities, Wrecker possesses incredible strength, Tech is a genius in technology and strategy, and Crosshair has unmatched marksmanship. Other than these, They have different voices, mannerisms, and even attitudes toward authority and the concept of duty.
Disobeying Order 66
Order 66 was the ultimate purpose of the Clone Army. Even though they were trained and loyal to the empire, with time, they started having their own free will and would show an individual aspect towards everything they did.
They modified their armors, took names beyond their code designation, and even ignored the order. For these specific reasons, all the clones were implanted with a chip that could override their free will and would turn them into killers the immediate moment, which means they would turn against the Jedi.
Clone Force 99 was fighting alongside Regs, and when order 66 was activated, the clones then turned against and killed the Jedi Master as per Episode 1. But here, most of the mutated clones were confused or seemed not to affect the activation of order 66. Later on, Tech mentions that the squad's mutations, aimed at making them super warriors, have made them resistant to the chip inside them.
Removal of Inhibitor Chips
In the episode of Battle Scars, removing inhibitor chips plays an essential role in The Bad Batch. The inhibitor chips were implanted in all clone troopers so that it ensured that they followed all commands by Emperor Palpatine to execute order 66. However, clone Force 99's genetic mutations made them somewhat resistant to the chip's control.
We see the return of Captain Rex, who has previously removed his chip, considering the grave danger that it possesses. When he finds out that the chips in the team members are still intact, he then takes the troopers to the junkyard planet of Bracca, where they plan to use an abandoned Venator-class star destroyer to remove their chips. The urgency of the situation escalates when Wrecker's headache increases as a side effect of the malfunctioning chip and also from the lurking danger of the Scrapper Guild, which patrols the area and has ties to the Empire.
They were at constant risk, as their teammate could turn against them at any moment because of the malfunctioning chip. The removal process was quite tense and emotional for Omega, as she feared losing her new-found family. Even though the removal is difficult, it highlights the troopers breaking free from the Empire.
Tech’s Sacrifice in the Finale
During the finale of Season 2, we see Clone Force 99 go to Eriadu, where the Governor was hosting Imperials. The original plan of the clones was to attach a tracker to Hemlock's ship so they could trace his movement and find out where Crosshair's location was.
Later, we see Saw Gerrerra setting off explosives after being compromised. The explosives then destroy the power of the Bad Batch vehicle. When Tech tries to reboot the system from the terminal, Tarkin's air support shows up, blasting the cars apart.
Although we see Tech trying to escape, and even Wrecker tries to save him, when Tech figures out that his weight might pull the entire team down. In the next scene, Tech announces Plan 99 and shoots the connection between the cars, leading to his demise from the fall. This part of the series resonates deeply with loyalty and selflessness.
Omega’s Bond with the Team
Omega’s bond with Clone Force 99 in the series hugely highlights family and belongingness. Omega is a young clone with unique traits who has evolved from an outsider to a team member. Her appearance already sets her apart; later, she forms a special connection with the team, especially Hunter, who is like a father figure to her.
As the youngest, Omega experiences many new things familiar to other members, such as seeing sunlight, feeling dirt, etc. Her understanding of loyalty and family is particularly poignant in the Season 1 finale, as she forgives Crosshair despite his allegiance to the empire. These acts of forgiveness deepen her connection to the team, transforming them into more of a family unit than soldiers.
In Star Wars: The Bad Batch, the troopers go on a journey where they discover their freedom, emotions, and the concept of a family. Their sacrifices and bold choices also echo with us when living our own lives. It shows us that bravery and optimism are forever relevant.