Star Wars: The Bad Batch Episode 1, Aftermath
Created by Dave Filoni (Star Wars: The Clone Wars, The Mandalorian & Avatar: The Last Airbender) and starring Dee Bradley Baker, almost exclusively, Star Wars: The Bad Batch made it’s much anticipated premiere with an hour long first episode, Aftermath.
SYNOPSIS
Set within the broken heart of Revenge of The Sith (my favourite), Order 66 has been executed by the Clone army, along with several members of the Jedi Order. The separatists have been overthrown, the war is over and the galaxy is now under the protection of the first Galactic Empire.
Not all clones are made equal and the Bad Batch have mixed feelings about their new orders from Emperor Palpatine and Grand Moff Tarkin. Mutated genetic enhancements and a very particular set of skills deem them defective as clones, but for the sake of the galaxy, these troopers are our only hope.
PRESENTATION
Much like its predecessor, the Clone Wars, the animation style is expertly illustrated and computer generated, from its figures to its landscapes, only with more nuance and a tint of dark side. The Lucasfilm Animation studio’s style is truly one of a kind, like living paintings. Every scar and aging grey hair is visible, showcasing the history of our seasoned veterans.
Dee Bradley Baker gives his best performance to date as the collective Bad Batch crew. Being synonymous with the Clone Wars series and Star Wars as a whole, his astronomical and versatile voiceover work is on full display here with 5 very similar but distinctly unique voices and you can tell he’s relishing in every utterance.
WRITING
Taking place during the events of Revenge of The Sith, this series has begun to bridge the gap between the prequel and original trilogies with fan-service as it’s platform. The words “Execute Order 66” will never cease to give me chills.
With the latter seasons of The Clone Wars series bringing in more attention from the mainstream audience, The Bad Batch looks to be setting a more serious tone for this animation which makes sense given the gravity of the events. Not to mention with the success of The Mandalorian and Rogue One, a grittier story is a welcome addition.
Despite The Bad Batch being a sub-plot within an extensive series, director Brad Rau has immediately given layers of potential for drama, action, suspense and surprise, both on the surface and beneath it. Like every Star Wars story should.
OVERALL
In conclusion, Star Wars: The Bad Batch premiere episode, Aftermath, sets up our 5 Republic clone rejects in a row and knocks them down with a cataclysmic change of tides. Similar to that of the vastly underrated 501st story of Star Wars Battlefront II, the show offers a realistic and heartwrenching tale of soldiers fighting with their duties and morals.
With a well-deserved hour long premiere and a second episode dropping this Friday with weekly instalments thereafter, new fans and old will know exactly what they are in for and yet, we wait in excited anticipation for what comes next. Let’s just hope that the episodes come out in order this time around!
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Let us know in the comments your thoughts on episode 1 of Star Wars: The Bad Batch, your rankings of all the films and lastly we hope you have a great Star Wars Day! May the Fourth be with you!
Also check out our comic reviews of Star Wars: The Destiny Path & Star Wars Doctor Aphra: Fortune & Fate from earlier today!
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