REVIEW: ‘Star Wars: The Bad Batch,’ Episode 5 – “Rampage”

Star Wars: The Bad Batch Episode 5 finally solidifies Clone Force 99’s place in the galaxy—though in typical Bad Batch fashion, it features a mission that goes south. “Rampage” sees the Bad Batch (Dee Bradley Baker) tracking down one of Echo’s contacts: a Trandoshan bar owner named Cid (Rhea Perlman). Cid offers to track down who hired Fenenc Shand to find Omega (Michelle Ang). In return, the Batch must travel to Ord Mantell and liberate a child named Muchi from slavers. The only problem: Muchi is a Rancor, the same species that Jabba the Hutt kept as a pet in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi!

Previous episodes of The Bad Batch explored the fallout of the Clone Wars and how the Batch would continue to operate in a galaxy that no longer needed them. With this episode, they essentially become the Star Wars version of The A-Team. Yes, they will accept money for those jobs, but the jobs themselves will have an altruistic bent—in this case, liberating a child from slavery. Star Wars has explored similar grounds with characters such as Din Djarin and Han Solo; yet what makes things different here is that we are following a team of characters rather than just one singular protagonist. That dynamic has been the focus of the series, both in Crosshair’s betrayal and Omega joining the Batch. Hopefully, it remains the driving force and the beating heart that keeps audiences invested in the story.

Writer Tamara Becher-Wilkinson and director Steward Lee utilize the Batch’s skillset in various ways for the mission. Hunter makes the plans, even adapting to being captured. Tech serves as the group’s brains, cracking codes and translating languages. Wrecker finally meets his match in physical strength with Muchi. who he is tasked to subdue. But perhaps the most important role falls to Omega, who helps the Batch escape when they are imprisoned by the slavers. Omega’s small stature makes her able to evade the slavers and get into Muchi’s cage. She also gains a new weapon, which could help her in future battles. Obviously, Omega can’t stay in the Batch’s shuttle forever, so it’s great to see she can handle herself if need be-and with how the Batch often runs into problems, that may happen more often than she thinks.

The episode also introduces a potential recurring character in the form of Cid, who acts as the Batch’s new informant. Perlman is a delight as Cid; anyone who’s watched Cheers or Matilda will instantly recognize her voice coming from a reptile lady. And as someone who always thought Bossk from The Empire Strikes Back was cool, it’s nice to see more Trandoshans in Star Wars media. However, an exchange between Cid and Hunter reveals that things may not always be copacetic between the two, which could provide a source of conflict for future episodes.

Another thing I loved about the episode was the numerous nods to Star Wars canon. The slavers are Zygerrians, a race first seen in Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Jabba the Hutt’s majordomo Bib Fortuna makes a cameo. And there’s even a nod to the Legends novel Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire with a family the Batch frees. I enjoy these little nods, as they serve as garnishes to the story and a nice treat for Star Wars fans.

Star Wars: The Bad Batch Episode 5 solidifies Clone Force 99’s place in the galaxy, and serves as a solid action-adventure to boot. With the Batch now diving into mercenary work, the possibilities for future episodes are endless.

New episodes of Star Wars: The Bad Batch will be available to stream Fridays on Disney+.