The Bad Batch Spoiler Review: The Summit and Plan 99

This review contains spoilers for The Bad Batch episode “The Summit” and “Plan 99”

Here at The Geeky Waffle, while we are fans of The Bad Batch, we also support the Unwhitewash TBB movement.

This movement is from the Twitter user @unwhitewashtbb and is being led by “fans of color, disabled fans, neurodivergent fans, and Jewish fans.” It’s to bring awareness of the racial discrimination that is baked into the very fabric of this show. The Batch is designed to be “elite clones,” yet their skin tones are very white. All clones are designed after Temuera Morrison, who is a man of color. If the only clones that are perceived as white are considered “elite” and “the best” while regular clones who still appear as people of color are seen as “lesser,” these kinds of design choices have very real consequences on young audiences. @UnwhitewashTBB cites in their title card the hurtful implications this has on minority groups. The card, linked here, goes into great detail about how and why this is a problem. Go read it thoroughly.

It’s important that the creators hear the concerns of fans and work to rectify them. To be clear, whitewashing characters of color should never happen in the first place. It’s a choice that begins in the design phase, which makes it faulty and wrong from the start. We will continue to help hold the creators accountable so mistakes like this don’t happen if we get a season three as well as for future Star Wars projects.

Please follow @UnwhitewashTBB for more information.

The second season of The Bad Batch ended with an emotional and devastating finale. “The Summit” and “Plan 99” changed everything about the series, and nothing will ever be the same for Clone Force 99.

These two episodes remind me a lot of The Empire Strikes Back. Our heroes hit their lowest point to punch the end of a darker middle chapter for the series. The difference between Empire and these episodes is the lack of hope. Coming out of season two, it’s hard to feel a lot of hope for this group. Omega and Crosshair are captured at Mount Tantiss. Tech is (supposedly) dead. Hunter, Wrecker, and Echo have no idea how to find Omega. But I do think that it was intentional to have this emotion. These early years of the Empire were one of the darkest times of Star Wars. There’s really no rebellion, and the heroes fighting are few and far between. We’re supposed to feel the same crushing hopelessness of the Batch.

The arrival of Saw Gerrera added the perfect layer of chaos in “The Summit.” It would be easy to blame Saw for Tech’s demise, but would Saw even act this way if there wasn’t an Empire? This is the kind of complexity I love when Saw enters any scene. He’s on the same side as the Batch; they’re fighting the exact cause. But the clash of ideals and goals always makes for a tense episode whenever the freedom fighter enters the fray. He’s so quick to deal out violence that he doesn’t care about the consequences. It wasn’t Saw and his group sacrificed in “Plan 99.” Letting other people fall for Saw’s greater good is a pattern that he will continue to repeat again and again throughout all of his appearances.

Despite the dire season finale, I do not think all hope is lost. Season two did a fantastic job setting up multiple possible redemptions and the endgame for The Bad Batch. This show feels like a three-season series, and it’s about to get crazy, thanks to the groundwork for the first two seasons.

I do have two thoughts about Tech depending on whether or not he’s actually dead. Personally, I do not think he is gone. There is always the chance of a character surviving in Star Wars thanks to the ‘no body, no death’ trope. In season one, Hunter fell off an entire mountain and bounced up again with no scratches. There is also the confirmation of Tech’s death coming from Doctor Hemlock, a villain. Hemlock could be lying as he tried to manipulate Hunter when showing off Tech’s shattered goggles.

The creators could be setting up a Captain America: The Winter Soldier situation like with the character Bucky Barnes. In “The Clone Conspiracy,” the clone assassin had been altered, his number wiped, and he had no agency. While the clone was working for Rampart, perhaps he came from Hemlock’s experiments. The idea of Tech being a brainwashed assassin clone for Hemlock is chilling. The Batch having to face their brother they believed was dead only to see Tech be used as a tool for evil is the drama I would be here for.

If Tech’s death is real, it was one of the best deaths in Star Wars. My feelings for Tech's growth this season haven’t been subtle in these reviews. He’s my favorite character. “The Crossing” was a historic episode for Star Wars, confirming him as the first on-screen neurodivergent character of the franchise. Over on Dork Side of the Force, I dove into the percentages of on-screen neurodivergent characters and where Tech fell in all of that. He got a love interest with Phee instead of that slot going to a neurotypical character. His relationship with Omega has become one of the best parts of the show. Tech had a stellar season; if he’s gone for good, it was a well-earned death. It wasn’t a senseless death to push another character along their arc. It wasn’t random, like getting picked off by some stormtrooper. It was an active choice that Tech made himself. He chose to sacrifice himself so the Batch could fight on. It was powerful, fueled by the excellent score from Kevin Kiner. If Tech is dead, it was a perfect way for him to go out.

I know Cid is now one of the fandom’s most hated characters, but I think it might be her lowest point to start a redemption story. For two seasons, Omega has been a soft spot for Cid. In “Faster,” the wily Trandoshan seemed genuinely surprised that Omega and the Batch were sticking up for her. I also don’t think she was lying to her fellow ruffian, Grini Millegi. I think Cid honestly wants to change for the better. It’s hard to break old habits, though. When Hemlock cornered the Batch, and the sleazy scientist gave her the money, Cid appeared so regretful. It looks like the beginning of a character turning the proverbial corner.

I bet Cid will help the Batch find Omega in season three. I could see her grabbing Phee and pulling together all of her scum and villainy resources. Don’t forget that the gangster Roland Durand has an I.O.U. to both Cid and the Batch as they convinced the Pykes to spare his life in season one. Cid might be the most hated character of season two, but I have a sneaking suspicion she will change that next season.

Emerie Karr is Omega’s sister and also a clone. I honestly did not see that coming, and kudos to all who got that fan theory right. It does set up some interesting possible dynamics for season three. In “Tipping Point,” Crosshair spared Emerie’s life while trying to warn his brothers. I noted that this action affected Emerie in some way, thanks to the episode's final scenes, as the camera is constantly cutting to her. We’ve yet to see the repercussions of that, but it will be a significant factor in season three. If Emerie is one of the clones Hemlock created that got him kicked out of the Republic, she’s probably been brainwashed with propaganda that she is property and must follow orders. Emerie has likely never experienced comradery with other clones.

Then Crosshair spared her life. He used his one chance of freedom not to save himself but to warn his brothers. I would suspect these are all new concepts for Emerie, and the Batch’s love and family could be enough to inspire Emerie to fight back against Hemlock.

I am also excited to have Omega and Crosshair together in the same place. Their few scenes in season one are some of the show's best moments. She has taken all the lessons of the Batch and will be put to the test. Crosshair is finally thinking outside himself and can form that sibling relationship with Omega. Together, they will be a powerhouse duo, and I can’t wait to see it.

But oh boy, though, I’m dreading the thought that Omega will have to be the one to tell Crosshair that Tech is dead. That would wreck me.

And finally, throw a ticker-tape parade! Hunter has made a decision!

I discussed last week how frustrating it has been to watch Hunter be so indecisive in his choices for two seasons. He’s tried running, hiding, random jobs, and settling on a tropical island to keep Omega safe. Echo has told him during this time that she will never be safe as long as the Empire is there, and it’s a point that’s been churned over multiple times.

I almost want to thank Doctor Hemlock because taking Omega means Hunter will finally act! It’s time to fight the Empire, and season three is the perfect setting for that. There is one clear mission: get Omega back no matter what. Echo has his network of clones with Rex to aid them. The Batch will hit back so incredibly hard, and I am here for it.

Some random thoughts to wrap up The Summit and Plan 99:

-I loved the mini-Rogue One reunion in these episodes with both Saw and Orson Krennic appearing. Though, I am sad that Krennic didn’t have his trademark cape.

-I find it hilarious that they brought Ben Mendelsohn to record one line of dialogue for the episode. It makes me wonder if Ben might have recorded some more dialogue for season three or for an upcoming animated project. Star Wars Celebration is coming up, so there could be an announcement of some kind. This is wishful thinking. I love Krennic as a villain and always want more of him.

-Phee is going to be so sad finding out about Tech. Hell, she might fight the whole dang Empire on her own.

-The build-up to the reveal of Saw was very well done. As the cameras around the summit began to shut down, and it wasn’t the Batch’s doing, it was a great source of dread for the episode.

-I have no idea how Mount Tantiss will remain a secret in the bigger story. It’s such an essential piece to Star Wars lore, especially in the journey using multiple shows to help “Somehow Palpatine’s returned” make sense. If the Batch saves Omega and Crosshair or the latter escapes, then Mount Tantiss is not a secret anymore. Though, I wouldn’t put it past Palpatine to have it destroyed. The Empire destroyed Kamino, so they will go to great lengths to hide Palpatine's actual work. Maybe Krennic has a baby super laser ready to destroy Mount Tantiss if needed.

-I can’t say enough how good the Kiners’ soundtrack has been this season. I hope Star Wars creators give Kevin and his sons, Dean and Sean, a live-action series one day. Let them score the Ahsoka series.

And that’s it for the second season of The Bad Batch. It didn’t go the way I expected, and I loved that about this finale. The creators smashed what was expected of them, making for some fascinating storytelling. It’s setting up for an insane season three, and I can’t wait to see where we go from here.