brothers till the end

yeah yeah i know i usually post silly little anecdotes about the bad batch but how about some real analysis?

people have said it before but truly the only way for this show to have a message and meaning in the end is for it to have a happy (if not that then bittersweet) ending.

the whole point of the show is family, specifically clone force 99/the bad batch as a family. the show literally starts with them accepting omega into their family. throughout the show, this theme of family is repeated. them helping hera syndulla rescue her parents. them helping rex rescue their fellow clones because they're all brothers. phee introducing them to her family on pabu.

star wars has always had a message of love and family, but more often than not, that ends in tragedy. we're all hoping the bad batch will give us that ending where they're all reunited. they'll rescue omega/all escape tantiss in some way, tech will be revealed as cx-2 (i'm a supporter of this theory and for this post i'm going to assume he is cx-2), and they're able to all go and be TOGETHER as a family. what they do after that doesn't matter. they just need to be together.

i can see any of them sacrificing themselves in the finale, but the whole point should be that they're not ALLOWED to. not when they're this close. not when they're a family again. not when crosshair is back. not when they learn tech is alive. not when omega is safe. whoever (likely hunter or echo) tries to sacrifice themselves needs to be held back. because family is the point. because they're not letting ANYONE else pull a plan 99.

the bad batch show might be ending, but it shouldn't be the end of them as a squad. they HAVE to live. because family is the point, because they protect each other, because they're allowed that quiet life of not being soldiers and that time to heal and to join the rebellion if they want to. but if hunter, wrecker, crosshair, and echo die, and tech is either not cx-2 or they can't save him, and omega stays in tantiss forever, it destroys their whole theme that they've spent the whole show developing.

tragic endings and stories are star wars specialty (the prequels, the clone wars, rogue one, andor, hell even rebels and solo to an extent). the bad batch has potential to show us that there is that other central theme of star wars: hope. there's hope for our main characters and that they'll be the ones who show us that not every hero who fights for the rebellion/the republic just faces tragedy. there's hope that omega can grow up in peace. there's hope that hunter can have his quiet life away from being a soldier. there's hope that echo can keep fighting for what he believes in, that crosshair can heal, that tech will live, that wrecker will see all his brothers again.

basically, star wars give us a happy ending to this story of family and hope. we deserve it, the characters deserve it, and the story deserves it.

I am fully prepared for Crosshair to *you know what* next week. I don’t want it to happen. I really, really don’t. I pray that he’ll just get a little bit (a lot) battered and all will be well afterward.

But after today, my senses are kicking in. I hope they’ll subvert my expectations bc so much of this season has caught me off guard (like rampart being comedy gold).

Either way, Crosshair is truly one of the most interesting and amazing characters I’ve ever met. I’ll love him forever and I’m so grateful we got to see his story play out. And thank you Jen for not rushing his redemption.

My thoughts on that line

Spoilers below for "Flash Strike"

"I've changed." "Sure you have."

I'm not gonna lie, hearing Rampart's words with the close up and sinister music did unnerve me. Because why frame the shot like that? What's the implication of Rampart's words? Does this mean Crosshair is going to prove Rampart right? Honestly, I don't think so. If anything, he will prove him wrong.

Rampart hasn't seen Crosshair's journey. He didn't watch "The Outpost" or "Tipping Point." He certainly didn't watch the first half of S3. Time and time again, we've seen where Crosshair's loyalty lies. And it's to his family. Rampart has seen Crosshair at his worst and only knows that side to him. Rampart himself is incapable of changing. He went to prison for at least 5-6 months and learned nothing. Crosshair went to prison for 5-6 months and realized just how badly he messed up. My guess, Rampart is projecting on to him.

And maybe there is some truth to Rampart's words about how Crosshair is only loyal to himself. But consider the reason why Crosshair didn't say anything about Rampart knowing a way to get Tantiss' location. Crosshair is traumatized and his hand shakes as a result. He is going to do everything he can to protect himself from reliving that experience. I don't blame him. I'll use myself as an example. I have anxiety. Sometimes, it gets so bad that I'll go to extreme lengths to bring myself back into a state of feeling "safe." Mental health is a very difficult thing to deal with. For Crosshair, this means doing everything he can to keep himself and his family away from Tantiss.

However, when Omega gets taken back, Crosshair puts his own worries aside for her. He might say to Wrecker that he "owes her," but his actions show that their relationship is so much more than that. Crosshair clearly loves Omega, but he's not the kind of person to openly admit things. Heck, he didn't voice his concerns to his brothers til Ep. 12. If Crosshair had no care for Omega whatsoever, he wouldn't have gone back. We wouldn't have had that argument between him and Hunter in "The Return." Crosshair would do anything for her.

In conclusion, Crosshair has changed. He's realized what truly matters to him (his family) and will do anything he can to protect them. He's also become more comfortable being open around them. I said in one BB analysis of mine that he's not guided by some giant moral compass. He's guided by whoever he's loyal to. And that just so happens to be his family. But Rampart isn't like Crosshair; he truly is in it only for himself. Thus, he can't fathom someone going to extreme lengths for others. I have a feeling Rampart will realize that his statement was wrong and it's going to be a satisfying moment.

*checks notes* 100%

Crosshair’s loyalty has always been and always will be, to his brothers and Omega

Crosshair: “I’ve changed.”

Rampart: “Sure, you have.”

This is what has been haunting me for the past 12 hours… Because I think, to a certain degree, Rampart is right…

Was anyone else completely thrown off by Rampart's "Sure, you have" remark?? Like, he seemed too confident in that… But now that I think about it…

Because like wasn't Crosshair like "I don't want to be breaking in or out [of Tantiss]. Omega didn't leave me behind last time. I owe her."

Is he only doing this because of a favor???

This is like a callback to Season 1 when he saved her after she saved him... But again he only did it because he owe her one.

I may be thinking about this in a really dark manner. But it sort of lines up...

AND THEN...in Episode 12, it’s revealed Crosshair purposely withheld information on the selfish account he didn't want to go back...

I think Rampart is right to a certain degree that Crosshair is loyal to himself...

I can't believe we only have one week left til is all over for real 😫 Time has truly flown by so quickly since we first met Clone Force 99 all the way back in 2020. I'll admit, the first time I met them, I was like ok cool. These dudes are pretty fun to watch. Now, they've come to mean so much to me. I guess that's one perk of having the show come out whilst in school; it felt like I was going on a journey with them. And now, it all comes to a close.

I don't know what the finale will have in store (pain), but I do know that I'm gonna miss this little family so much. I've loved watching my blog grow over the past few years and meeting so many incredible people who love this show just as much as I do. I love seeing all the fics, fanarts, analyses, and memes people create for TBB. We're a small but mighty fandom.

So, thank you everyone for a truly wonderful past 4 years with Clone Force 99. I'm still gonna be posting about these boys and Omega, even if the show is over. (And nothing will ever take "The Outpost" from me. You're gonna have to claw that episode away from cold, dead hands. It's truly that special to me).

I'll be mentally preparing for the finale, but I just wanted to stop by and say thank you for this wonderful fandom and show :)

"Flash Strike" Quick Reactions

spoilers below

omg the music! omg the animation! seriously, the Kiners and animators are feeding us well

Cross being open about how Omega is worth going back to Tantiss. He is loyalty

ah yes, the Rampart Comedy Show™ continues

Echo once again proving why he's the Arc Trooper

Hemlock and his crew can go bye bye (but not Emerie)

me when I realize Omega's plan:

Stop why is this true 😭😂

tbb fans and producers freaking over fish in twt is the funniest thing ever, especially considering having only 2 eps left. it's like everyone just choose to be bonkers instead of sad, ah how i love this fandom

Mentally, I'm still on Pabu, meditating with Crosshair, Omega, and Batcher

I’d say “Valar Dohaeris” but idk if I like what these tweets imply 😭

Whatever happens these next two episodes, I take comfort in knowing the Bad Batch tumblr community will be here to offer comfort and lean on one another for support. I’ve enjoyed my time here, from reading theories and fanfics, to admiring the art. I cherish this time.

And worry not. The Bad Batch as a series is coming to an end, but it will continue to live on through stories, artwork, and the love we have for these characters.

Thanks for being here, everyone. You are appreciated and loved ❤️

May the Force be with us always.

I love that in “Replacements,” Omega tells Hunter that’s they’ll find a way to get Crosshair back somehow.

Lo and behold, Omega did find a way to bring her brother home ☺️

i’m getting emotional about a lot of things ending about bad batch but damn am i gonna miss those cryptic tweets from jennifer and the kiners. that shits been torture for the past three years but man i’d do anything for them to continue

So I have been thinking of what line that’s said in the next episode is some people’s favorite of the series. Beating out stuff like the Tech Omega talk or the “when have we ever followed orders” I am pretty convinced it will be an Omega line. But I think it needs to be something more than Omega just calling hunter dad or some variation of that. I still think that’s coming, but I don’t think that will be next episode. I have a feeling it will be something more on the badass side.

But that’s just the thing I can’t actually image what the line could be and that’s what makes it fun. So what do you think the line could be and more importantly who is Omega saying it to?

Echo channelling his inner James bond

Arc trooper training coming in clutch

Fives would be proud

Been listening to EPIC the Musical and “Storm” is so Bad Batch on their way to Mt. Tantiss coded

It’s such a banger

Echo & Unshakeable Trust

If we really want to talk about how Echo and trust are intertwined then I think we need to start at The Bad Batch arc of The Clone Wars in season 7. We see pretty clearly that the batch doesn’t trust him, even before they know him. They make snide remarks, doubt him, and are ready to take him down if he crosses them. Hell, they’re sure he’s a traitor. One of the earliest examples of this is when Hunter first claims it’s a trap. He even says they’ll tag along with the mission even just to say ‘I told you so.’ Oh how wrong he was. How wrong they all were.

They venture into Skako to save Echo, following Rex’s intuition and going along with it even if they don’t agree. They go, they’re not trusting about it, but they go. What they find is Echo, being used as the algorithm for the Separatists. Rex has no reason to doubt that this is against Echo’s will but the batch… they’re not so sure. 

Echo’s plan to escape through the vents is what saves them from Wat Tambor. They have no choice but to follow his plan, even if they aren’t sure if they can trust him yet. But following along and going with it is what gets them out of there. That doesn’t mean it fixes the doubt. The batch even hesitates before walking across the pipe to escape. They’re still sure he’s screwing them over. They have no idea why Anakin and Rex follow Echo’s plans blindly, even when they’re objectively ridiculous. 

Rex trusts him. Always. Every time. When Rex hears Echo’s voice he doesn’t ever doubt that Echo is still alive and on their side. Even in the bad batch season 3 when he’s questioned about whether or not Crosshair gave them all of the information Rex doesn’t doubt that Echo handled it and they have no reason to question that. It’s such a beautiful thing to watch. His faith in Echo has always been unshakable. Just as unshakable as Echo’s faith in himself. At first Rex isn’t sure Echo is battle ready after being rescued; it's never about distrusting Echo, it’s about not being sure he’s ready yet. Has he healed enough? Is he stable enough to pull this off? It’s care, caution, not doubt. 

Echo even points that out: ‘I’m not a liability, Rex.’ Mace Windu really had me cheering when he says if Echo has a plan then he’d like to hear it. When Mace asks if Echo is certain he even responds with ‘Absolutely.’ Echo doesn’t doubt himself and he isn’t about to start now. This confidence is something we see from him a lot. From how he plans, how he moves, what he says. He knows he’s good at what he does. It’s so refreshing to watch him be so confident and grow in that confidence as time moves forward. 

It’s here we start to really see the batch mistrust Echo. Tech voices this most often, followed by Hunter. Tech isn’t sure of Echo’s plan. He even goes as far as to say that ‘We don’t really know where his loyalties lie.’ You know what’s incredible about this? Rex follows it up with ‘Well, I know.’ Because he does. He doesn’t doubt Echo, has no reason to. The batch, however, isn’t ready for that yet. 

When Echo sends all the droids to the assembly complex and successfully shuts them all down is when both Hunter and Tech - the two who were the most vocal about their doubt in him - are ready to accept that Echo is on their side. He isn’t fighting against them, he never has been. They’re ready. Echo has proven himself without ever even really trying to.

Echo: ‘Was there ever any doubt?’ Tech: ‘Some.’

Echo trusts himself totally. He’s been trusted by his squads, by Fives, by Rex, by Cody. Hell, even Anakin, Mace, and Obi-Wan trust him. He’s been surrounded by people who are convinced of his skills. Being confronted by the batch who doesn’t trust him doesn’t even really faze him. He knows his intentions, he doesn’t need to fight their doubt. He just does what he’s always done and he proves himself in his actions. This confidence he has in himself is what carries him through everything and we only see that grow over time. (This post by @phantom-of-the-501st demonstrates how much he’s grown perfectly. Please go read it. It's amazing.) 

The batch saw him in action when they first met him, they had their time to doubt, and once Echo had proven to them that he was trustworthy and skilled they’ve trusted him fully ever since then. Hunter trusts him to be his second in command - the mission where they save Gregor comes to mind. He always hears Echo out and usually follows him into nearly certain death even if he doesn’t agree. Hunter trusts his word and he knows he wants only good things for them even when they don’t agree on how to get those good things. I think it’s especially important to note that they do disagree often but that is never cause to accuse the other of something in bad faith. The batch even trusts him to lead them into Kamino, right into enemy territory, when Hunter gets taken at the end of season 1. They follow his lead, listen to him, and know he’s got this. They’d never doubt him. Not for a second. Not now. Not when it’s Echo.

And of course we have this most recent episode, the thing that spurred this all on for me. This episode only solidifies for me that trust is a main thread in Echo’s story. He gets them a ship, has a disguise for Rampart, and he is ready to take on the brunt of their mission when things start to get dicey. Crosshair does say something about how Echo can’t infiltrate the ship alone which I am certain is more about worrying for him than it is doubt in his skillset. Letting Echo go into enemy territory without anyone else is difficult for them but they know he can do it. They always know he can pull it off, even if it’s absolutely ridiculous. When Rampart starts to bad mouth the plan Crosshair is right there with ‘Relax. Echo’s on it.’ I am still absolutely losing it over this line. To see Crosshair go from ‘besides, he’s just a reg’ to his hand on Echo’s shoulder in their first mission after they meet to ‘relax. Echo’s on it.’ That… That makes me so emotional. Of course the plan will work. It’s Echo. He’s got this. He knows exactly what he’s doing and he’s quick on his feet. It’ll work out. It’s Echo.

To follow that line with Hunter’s ‘Echo will come through. He just needs more time.’ just further solidifies that they wouldn’t doubt him, not anymore. He’s proved time and time again that he’s got this. They’re prepared to go with whatever scheme he proposes. He’s just as bad as them but he’s also got the skillset to back up his chaos. He fits in well. 

Echo is a skilled man. He’s an excellent strategist and he gets shit done. The batch has learned to trust him with their lives, as quickly and as unshakable as Rex’s faith in him. I think this is a beautiful thing to have seen over the course of our time with the batch. The batch puts their lives in Echo’s hands more than once and they don’t doubt him. Just like how he doesn’t doubt himself. The people around him trust him because he owns what he says, because he can back his shit up. 

It’s rather fitting that the intro quote in the last episode of The Bad Batch arc in The Clone Wars (S7 E4 Unfinished Business) is: Trust placed in another is trust earned. They learned a lot by watching Rex’s unshakeable faith in Echo and they knew that’s something they could do too by the end of their mission together. He proved his chaos, his strategies, and his intellect were invaluable. So much so that they wanted him with them, whatever that was going to look like.