REVIEW: The Bad Batch – Season 2, Episodes 1 and 2, “Spoils of War” and “Ruins of War”

"There are others out there who need our help. We've seen what the Empire has been doing; we should be doing more."

Television Reviews

*SPOILERS*

“Spoils of War” finds the Batch fleeing a herd of angry giant crabs. Once they escape and return to Ord Mantel, Cid gives them a new mission to Sereno, the former home of Country Dooku. They set off to pillage the remains of Dooku’s fortune and valuable items. However, in the effort to obtain valuable crates, the team is split up, and it’s up to Hunter and Wrecker to save everyone. This dynamic duo ends up going down a mysterious shaft in Dooku’s office as the others plummet toward the ground in an Imperial transport. 

In “Ruins of War,” Hunter and Wrecker sneak out of the palace as the others crash land in the forest. Tech’s leg is broken in the crash, and he, Omega, and Echo encounter a local named Romar, who takes them to his home. All the while, Stormtroopers search for the Batch. Omega bonds with Romar as he works in his workshop. However, once Echo returns from running recon, Omega is nowhere to be found. Echo finds her trying to claim the treasure, and Tech covers them. In the end, Wrecker and Hunter pick up their brothers and Omega. Romar chooses to stay on Sereno. Admiral Rampart comes to Sereno to clean up the mess by erasing any mention of Clone Force 99 in the Imperial reports.

The highlight of “Spoils of War” is undoubtedly the firefight in Count Dooku’s office. I feel silly calling it an “office,” but I’m not sure what would make more sense. The action in the forest isn’t that visually interesting, whereas the firefight in this confined space creates tension and visual interest. I was also intrigued by this episode’s ending seeing Hunter and Wrecker descending into Dooku’s palace. However, this leads to disappointment in “Ruins of War” when we see that this was just a trapdoor out of the palace. I ended “Spoils of War” interested in this trapdoor, thinking it would lead to some grand reveal of a secret room filled with Dooku’s treasures or relics of the Sith. Maybe this is my fault for overthinking Hunter and Wrecker’s escape, but why end the episode with it, then? It seemed important as a result. 

Now I’d like to talk about some small details that may not tie into the main story so much, but I found interesting nonetheless. The Batch tell Omega that Sereno was subjected to full aerial bombardment – just like Camino. So this must be standard practice for the early Empire. I was initially bored and concerned by the lack of Serennians, but this is remedied when Romar shows up. Romar is voiced by Hector Elizondo, who has previously worked on Avatar: The Last Airbender and the DCAU. I like Romar in concept, but even with two episodes, I feel they didn’t have enough time to flesh him out. At the end of “Ruins of War,” when the Batch bids him adieu, I don’t feel like he leaves much impact or any substantial bond was formed. I do like the way he encourages Omega to embrace the joy of life as much as financial gain. But again, I think this concept shows more promise than the execution across the two episodes. I also like the scene where Tech fixes Romar’s box, and they discuss Sereno, that it existed before the Separatists. This is another “Separatists are people too” episode, like The Clone Wars occasionally had. The Bad Batch season 1 episode “Devil’s Deal” was similar, too.

It’s nice that Tech and Echo actually get some love in this premiere. They got the shaft a lot in season 1 between Omega’s development and the conflict between Crosshair and Hunter. I loved Echo as a reg in The Clone Wars, and I want to love Tech, so I hope they continue to get more focus in season 2. I think they could have talked more about how Tech feels with his broken leg and everything; does he feel helpless? A burden to the team? I know he’s a logical character, but that’s exactly why challenging him emotionally could be so interesting. Wrecker exclaiming, “I make a good tank!” is funny, sweet, and perhaps a nod to gamers. Finally, I like that Rampart kills Commander Wilco and the way it’s framed. We know the Empire is ruthless, but I liked seeing it from a more personal, intimate perspective. While Rampart wasn’t a good guy in season 1, I’m not sure I expected him to kill one of his own men. Cold-blooded. 

It’s a good thing these episodes were released as a duo because “Spoils of War” ends on an unsatisfying cliffhanger. For what it’s worth, this isn’t as good of a premiere as “Aftermath” in season one. That’s not to say these episodes are bad, but I’m a touch disappointed. “Aftermath” was an amazing way to kick off a new series, and it immediately assuaged my concerns about the Batch as central characters. Especially in light of the ridiculous wait for this season (albeit not as bad as the wait for Mandalorian season 3), I really think this premiere needed to be a spectacular episode. As it stands, “Spoils of War” and “Ruins of War” are middle-grade Bad Batch episodes. They feel like season 1 filler, which isn’t horrible, but I wonder why you would begin a season this way. The premiere and season finale were easily season 1’s highlights. That doesn’t necessarily mean season 2 will follow the same pattern, but if this is one of the season’s big show-stoppers, I’m concerned. 

So, in short, this 2-part premiere is alright by The Bad Batch’s standards, but not thrilling as a season premiere. I would have liked more of a catch-up with the characters after the time jump; how has Omega matured through her time with the Batch? Have any of the relationships developed or changed? Why does Omega STILL see herself as an odd man out or a burden? We should be past this.