Star Wars: The Bad Batch Episode 11 Ending Explained
The bulk of "Star Wars: The Bad Batch" Season 1 is behind us, but that doesn't mean the program intends to slow down. Last week, "Common Ground" brought the story back to the status quo — the titular crew of clones embarked on a rescue mission for Cid (Rhea Perlman) with the galaxy's shift from a relatively free Republic to an oppressive Empire continuing in the background. At the same time, the episode gave us some insight into the moral standing of Clone Force 99 and how they're working to understand that things aren't as they were during the clone war.
In essence, this is the general objective of "The Bad Batch," which makes this week's episode, "Devil's Deal," a standout from the bunch. Clone Force 99 and their former teammate, Crosshair (Dee Bradley Baker), were hardly featured, marking a stark departure from the previous installments. Despite this, "Devil's Deal" had a lot to offer for those new to the "Star Wars" universe as well as those who've hung around a galaxy far, far away for some time. It provided plenty of action, answered some minor questions about the wider canon, and, as always, kept us thoroughly entertained from start to finish.
Here's how "The Bad Batch" Episode 11, "Devil's Deal," ultimately wrapped up, and what it means for the future — both immediate and far-flung — of the show.
The continued plight of Ryloth
To get things started this week, "Devil's Deal" brings viewers to Ryloth: a familiar "Star Wars" location that has popped up in the outstretched canon several times over the years. Unsurprisingly, we see it's under Imperial control, with Senator Orn Free Taa (Phil LaMarr) hitting it off with Vice Admiral Rampart (Noshir Dalal) and looking to use famed revolutionary Cham Syndulla (Robin Atkin Downes) to quell the common folk's worries. Cham goes along with the plan, but it's evident that he and his wife, Eleni (Ferelith Young), aren't entirely on-board with the state of the planet.
Throughout his "Star Wars: The Clone Wars," and "Star Wars Rebels" tenures, Cham is depicted as a man of the people who only wants what's best for Ryloth and is willing to mow down droves of Separatist battle droids to achieve it. However, even though peace has come at last, he feels as if something is wrong and continued occupation isn't necessary. Clone troopers have gone from heroes to enforcers and the people are restless, yet Cham does his best to embrace the new regime with open arms. However, even at her young age, his daughter and "Rebels" mainstay Hera Syndulla (Vanessa Marshall) sees right through the façade.
As has been the case for many years, Ryloth is a turbulent locale in the "Star Wars" galaxy. At the very least, its plight seems to be the spark that will set Hera on her path to joining the Rebel Alliance and fulfilling her father's longstanding mandate of freedom for all.
Hera's first supply run
Engaged with her curious spirit and excited to hone her flying skills, Hera elects to join her dad's ally, Gobi Glie (Corey Burton), on a supply run. They meet up with the Bad Batch, who are supplying Glie with weapons from Cid to replenish their supply after the Empire stripped Ryloth's people of their firearms. Meanwhile, Hera shares a lovely moment with Omega (Michelle Ang), checking out the Havoc Marauder's interior and explaining to the young clone what it really takes to fly a ship. They part ways once the transaction is complete, clearly leaving an impression on one another.
This small scene is the only one that includes Clone Force 99, and that may sound like a misstep for a show dedicated to the group, but "Devil's Deal" makes the most of their absence and then some. This episode isn't so much the next chapter in the "Bad Batch" story as it is a minor prelude to "Rebels." Even though she's far from an enemy of the Empire at this point, the seeds for Hera's eventual turn into a full-fledged Rebel have very much been planted. After all, she just went to recover an illegal weapons shipment with Glie — a vocal opponent of Imperial occupation.
Hera's radicalization will only progress from this point as she witnesses the Empire's cruel treatment of her people and countless others across the stars. On top of that, the return trip for her and Glie undoubtedly accelerate the process.
The Syndullas embrace their roots
On their way back to Ryloth, Gobi Glie and Hera are shot down by Crosshair, who had previously placed a tracker on the ship to keep a watchful eye on them. The shuttle crashes, Imperial forces swarm the area, and the Twi'leks are apprehended — being convicted of treason by Orn Free Taa and Vice Admiral Rampart without so much as a proper trial. Alerted by one of their patrols in the area, Cham and Eleni Syndulla spring into action to rescue their daughter and declare their dissention from the Imperial machine, embracing their rebellious ways once more.
Armed with little weaponry and riding both blurrgs and landspeeders, Cham and his cohorts make quick work of the Imperial turbo tank housing the prisoners and the smattering of speeders surrounding it. They free Hera, Glie, and his allies, taking in Orn Free Taa (who hoped to use Hera's involvement in Glie's plot to incriminate Cham and oust him from power), Rampart, Captain Howzer (Dee Bradley Baker), and the rest of their troops. Having spent the bulk of the episode acting as a diplomat rather than someone who fights for the common people, it was refreshing to see the Cham Syndulla of old come out for a spell.
It seems as if the Syndulla family has won the day, but the Empire is not to be underestimated. Things quickly take a turn for the worse, moments after their supposed victory.
To be continued...
Angered over Orn Free Taa's betrayal, Cham Syndulla threatens to gun down the tenured Senator for his schemes. Before he can do so, Crosshair kills him from a vantage point, then signals for loads of Imperial forces to retake the area and free Rampart and the others. Aware of their impending capture, Eleni sends Chopper and Hera off in a landspeeder to avoid suffering a similar fate. With that, the credits roll, forcing us all to wait until next week to see where this tale will go and what will become of Ryloth's revolutionaries.
More than likely, it'll fall on the shoulders of Clone Force 99 in Episode 12 to sort out Ryloth's latest political mess. Gobi Glie has contact with Cid already, so maybe he'll find a way to contact her so she can send her team over — either to rescue Cham, Eleni, and their fellow prisoners, or intercept Hera before the Imperials do, just in case her parents are imprisoned for good, or worse. This, of course, would once again put the squad back into Crosshair's sights, potentially setting up another confrontation between them.
All in all, if you're disappointed by the lack of Bad Batch on "The Bad Batch" this week, worry not, as our genetically enhanced heroes will surely return next week to play a much larger role in the story.