REVIEW: ‘Star Wars: The Bad Batch’ Season 3 Episodes 6-7

Reunions remain a prominent theme in The Bad Batch Season 3, even as it crosses the midpoint in its final season. This week’s double drop of episodes, “Infiltration” and “Extraction,” sets the stage for a civil war among the clones. Unfortunately for Clone Force 99, this puts them amid the conflict. Throughout The Bad Batch Season 3 Episodes 6- 7, we learn about the fates of many beloved clones immediately after the Clone Wars. Under the direction of Steward Lee and Saul Ruiz, fans are taken to a period largely unexplored until now. However, not all reunions unfold as pleasantly as fans might have anticipated.

The Bad Batch Season 3 Episode 6, “Infiltration,” shifts focus from Clone Force 99 to Captain Rex and other prominent Clone Wars clones. They escort senators from opposing sides of that war, Riyo Chuchi and Avi Singh. Both familiar to franchise fans and formerly prominent senators now meet in secret. Early signs of rebellion emerge, foreshadowing events in projects like Rogue One and A New Hope. It’s a great way to continue the clone resistance network and its importance in the early days of the Rebellion. If clones can help bring together former enemies, then there may be hope for others in the galaxy as well.

Despite the grimness in The Bad Batch Season 3 Episodes 6-7,  it’s wonderful to see Captain Rex again. It’s been a while since his last appearance, and fans of the clones will be thrilled to see him back. It’s reassuring to know that these characters, who have such a dedicated fanbase, are still involved and making an impact in the ongoing war. However, witnessing the challenging situations the clones encounter during these episodes is heartbreaking. It’s great to have questions answered about what happened to these characters, but the path to get to their ending is anything but joyous reunions.

Before appearing in Star Wars Rebels, Rex, Wolffe, and Gregor were actively engaged in the fight. In The Bad Batch Season 3 Episodes 6- 7, they are shown striving to make a difference. This is despite their lack of representation in the Galactic Senate. Loyalty is a central tenet of the clones’ identity. Senator Chuchi is loyal to ensuring they have representation and are part of the emerging Rebellion. Clones Rex respects that loyalty and has chosen to join her. Yet, before fully committing to this cause, they must first navigate the internal dissension among the clones themselves.

While the two senators are meeting, they are attacked by a shadow clone, a trained operative of the Empire. Fortunately, Rex and the other rogue clones manage to capture the assassin. However, they cannot extract any information from him that could lead them to Mount Tantiss. Through a data puck, they learn the assassin clone has been sent to eliminate Senator Chuchi and Omega, bringing the Bad Batch into the fold for The Bad Batch Season 3 Episodes 6-7. Very quickly, Clone Force 99 and the rogue clones led by Captain Rex realize the severity of their situation. They realize they only have each other now that the Clone Wars are over. The Empire has cast them aside, using them for their own destructive purposes. This reality becomes increasingly apparent following Order 66.

Throughout The Bad Batch Season 3 Episodes 6- 7, there’s much to be said about how the Clones perceive each other. On one side, we have Rex, a seasoned soldier who has realized the mistakes made during his time with the Jedi. None more heartbreaking than his time with Ahsoka Tano. Despite the Empire’s attempts to control them, many Clones, including Captain Rex and others, have broken away to rebel. However, even those Clones still aligned with the Empire retain a strong sense of loyalty to their fellow Clones. In The Bad Batch Season 3 Episode 7, “Extraction,” the Clones led by Commander Wolfe to capture the rogue clones set their weapons to stun when they learn their targets. This loyalty bond, a recurring theme in The Bad Batch, remains prevalent.

Fans witness significant changes in the Clones themselves. Clones who were once on opposing sides now converge. Captain Rex learns they are being hunted by fellow clone fan favorite Commander Wolfe and another shadow clone. On top of that, the rogue clones have to contend with Crosshair’s presence, who, compared to others, has taken the lives of many fellow Clones on his journey back to Clone Force 99. It is in these moments that The Bad Batch Season 3 Episodes 6-7 shine. These struggles and changes of heart are highlighted beautifully through Crossahair.

The Bad Batch Season 3 Episode 7 highlights not only his paternal care for Omega but also his climactic battle against the highly skilled shadow clone trooper. Crosshair sees what he could have become if he had stayed with the Empire. It is a path that Commander Wolfe will likely go through before the season’s end. If Crosshair can do it, it gives hope that other clones aligned with the Empire can, too.

The Bad Batch Season 3 continues to impress every single week. We have gone from seeing very cherished reunions with the Clone Force 99 to heartbreaking reunions of clones who haven’t seen each other since the aftermath of the fall of the Republic. Seeing brother fight brother is surely not something easy to watch. However, it is clear how far the creative team is willing to go to give the Clones the agency they deserve.

As some questions are answered, many more are unfurled with The Bad Batch Season 3 Episodes 6-7. One thing is certain: There will be heartbreak along the way. Anyone who is a fan of Star Wars and its core tenets as a franchise should watch The Bad Batch Season 3 to see how this tale of unlikely characters unfolds.

The Bad Batch Season 3 Episodes 6- 7 are streaming exclusively on Disney+, with new episodes every Wednesday.