Though the era has been explored to some degree in other forms of media, there’s been little on-screen presence for the immediate aftermath of the Star Wars prequel trilogy. However, the latest Disney Plus hit show, The Bad Batch, has given fans the perfect bridge to see how the Empire’s rule spread throughout the galaxy.
Showrunner Dave Filoni has previously given the prequel trilogy a similar treatment. His Clone Wars series served to enhance the reputation of the prequels, elevating the broader narrative of George Lucas’s divisive trilogy. While Rebels granted fans an insight into the galaxy as the Alliance grew in strength, the immediate aftermath of the Republic’s fall has been largely unexplored until now.
Exploring the Galactic Empire era through The Batch allows the focus to shift away from the Empire itself, while at the same time the Clones aren’t intrinsically linked to the growing Rebellion - for the moment at least. With no such attachments, the show can examine the daily impact of the Empire’s rule on different societies and the individuals within them. For example, in episode 2, the introduction of chain codes shows how regulations both allow the Empire to control the movement between planets of regular people, and how it increases the market for smugglers to take advantage of. Fixers such as the curmudgeonly Cid, thrive in this environment. As she continues to offer more work to The Batch, further opportunities arise to seed references to the original trilogy - such as Bib Fortuna’s recent appearance in episode 5 and the fresh perspective it offered on Jabba’s Rancor.
While Solo planted some seeds of the Rebellion, it seemed more pre-occupied with padding out Han’s background or filling in stories that were referred to in the original trilogy. Had the planned sequels materialized, it seemed likely that the criminal underworld was set to take center stage.
The upcoming Andor and Kenobi series are going to provide a live-action entry point into the post-Republic era. There are several advantages to Star Wars operating as a TV series, but as The Bad Batch is an animated series it allows a certain amount of wiggle room when it comes to budget. This means more characters, different planets, and a somewhat broader scope than most live-action series can offer.
Using an animated series to kick start the next round of storytelling in this era was the right decision. The show has done an exceptional job at using detritus from the Clone Wars in episodes to create beautiful vistas and interesting set pieces, with the ship scrapyard and droid recycling plants standing out so far. This also serves to show how the Empire transitioned away from Republic technology in the intervening years between the prequels and the original trilogy.
One of the most interesting aspects of The Bad Batch so far is the Empire’s insistence upon exploring new alternatives to the Kaminoan Clone armies. Vice Admiral Rampart seems intent upon investing in elite human operatives, with Crosshair placed in charge of what appears to be a squad of proto-Death Troopers, as seen in Rogue One. This might offer the potential for some in-universe explanation regarding the inconsistency of the Empire’s Stormtroopers across the series - beyond simple suspension of disbelief.
Similarly, the show provides a potential bridge to another Star Wars series, perhaps tying into The Mandalorian. During the first season, when the remnants of the Empire captured Grogu, eagle-eyed viewers will have spotted an insignia on Dr. Pershing’s outfit that closely resembles the Kaminoan emblem shown in Attack Of The Clones. The Kaminoan’s are wary that Jango Fett’s DNA is beginning to expire - leaving them to explore other options that might keep their operation relevant to the Empire.
Though there are plenty of physical reminders of the Clone Wars, there remain emotional wounds that are worthy of inspection - something the Obi-Wan series should also reflect. Episode 7, ‘Battle Scars,’ taps into the mournful feeling that permeates throughout those on the losing side of the Clone Wars. The Batch and Rex have not only lost their Jedi companions, but they’ve lost their fellow clones too. Carving out a new place for themselves in the galaxy is a lonely affair. Seeing the emotional trauma inflicted upon both supporters of the Republic and the average citizen actually strengthens the impact of each subsequent battle like Scarif or Yavin.
Ultimately, that justifies the existence of the show. The Bad Batch manages to stand alone as a story worth telling about an isolated and defective batch of Clones, while serving the wider Star Wars narrative. It makes the galaxy feel larger, more lived-in and gives fans an insight into just how insidious the spread of the Empire was at the end of the Clone Wars. Most importantly, it bolsters the strength of feeling behind each of the Rebellion’s victories in the original trilogy.
New episodes of Star Wars: The Bad Batch is streaming on Disney Plus every Friday.
