REIVEW: ‘Star Wars: The Bad Batch,’ Episode 7 – “Battle Scars”

Star Wars: The Bad Batch Episode 7 finally resolves not one but two of its ongoing plot points. “Battle Scars” finds the Batch reuniting with Captain Rex, who turns out to be the mysterious informant that Trace and Rafa Martez contacted in “Decommissioned.” Noticing that the Batch still has their inhibitor chips installed, Rex takes them to the planet Bracca where a damaged Star Destroyer resides, containing the medical equipment necessary to remove their chips.

Captain Rex has long been a fan-favorite character, serving as one of the most iconic characters in Star Wars: The Clone Wars and its sequel series, Star Wars Rebels. Here, it’s revealed that he has been fighting against the Empire, which foreshadows his eventual role in the Rebel Alliance. However, there’s also a fair bit of tension between Rex and the Batch, especially when he learns they haven’t gotten their inhibitor chips removed. Star Wars fans may remember that Rex was briefly under the thrall of Order 66 during the final arc of The Clone Wars, which colors his actions with a touch of guilt.

The inhibitor chip also leads to tension within the Batch, particularly where Wrecker is concerned. Previous episodes have hinted that Wrecker’s inhibitor chip may be taking a toll on him, and this plot point finally comes to a head in “Battle Scars.” With Crosshair’s defection still hanging over the Batch’s heads, the idea of history repeating itself is too much to bear. And further complicating matters is their bond with Omega, who has a sisterly relationship with Wrecker. The massive clone, best known for bashing in heads, is surprisingly tender with Omega and she with him. It’s also great to see Omega form bonds with members of the Batch who aren’t Hunter. Not that I dislike that father/daughter bond, but the show should also give all of its characters equal focus. This applies the most to Tech and Echo, who have largely been regulated to “the smart guy” role.

Director Saul Ruiz and showrunner Jennifer Corbett, who penned “Battle Scars,” deliver one of the most action-packed episodes since the series premiere. From the opening featuring the Batch on the run from enemy starships to a high-pitched battle inside the innards of a ruined Star Destroyer, Ruiz manages to deliver action sequences that feel perfectly timed and manage to keep the audience invested. Corbett’s script highlights the Batch’s struggle to escape the shadow of the Clone Wars and make their own way in the galaxy while also featuring a nod or two to other Star Wars planets. The planet Bracca, for example, was heavily featured in Star Wars: Jedi-Fallen Order and served as the residence of Jedi Padawan Cal Kestis.

However, the real MVP of the episode is Dee Bradley Baker. I’ve spoken about Baker’s impressive range of vocal talent before, and he has the chance to show off those skills in this episode fully. Baker once again effortlessly shifts between different vocal performances for the Batch, as well as Rex. Wrecker gets the lion’s share of the emotional weight, eagerly hugging Rex one minute and writhing in pain the next. Circling back to a previous paragraph, I hope that the other clones, especially Tech and Echo, are spotlighted in future episodes.

Star Wars: The Bad Batch Episode 7 brings a fan-favorite character into the mix while resolving two of the series’ ongoing plot points. Even though the Batch has now gotten rid of one ongoing problem, a shocking stinger toward the end hints at more strife for Clone Force 99 and a possible rematch with former squadmate Crosshair.

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