The Bad Batch Season 2 - Everything You Need To Know
"Star Wars: The Bad Batch" is an animated spin-off of the popular series "Star Wars: The Clone Wars." It premiered on May 4, 2021. Originally conceived of by George Lucas and created and developed by Dave Filoni, the series follows a group of "enhanced" clones, who find themselves on the wrong side of the Empire after Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) issues Order 66, the directive to wipe out the Jedi.
Season 1 of the series follows Clone Force 99, also known as the "Bad Batch," as they leave their military lives behind and become mercenaries. They also accept a new member into their group: Omega (Michelle Ang), a child clone who shares their DNA. That season ends with the destruction of Tipoca, the capital city of the planet Kamino and the home of the Empire's cloning program. Season 2 hit the small screen on January 4, 2023. It spans 16 episodes in total, the last of which aired on March 29, 2023.
Season 2 brings even more action, emotion, and world-building to the "Star Wars" saga. Searing sacrifices take place, lost artifacts are recovered, and betrayals put the Bad Batch in mortal peril. Fans ate up every single episode of the unique season. Interested in checking it out for yourself? Here's everything you need to know about "Star Wars: The Bad Batch" Season 2.
What is the plot of The Bad Batch Season 2?
With their home world destroyed, the members of the Bad Batch find themselves searching for a new one. Still on the run from the Empire, they're also in dire need of allies. Crosshair's storyline proves to be an especially major factor in Season 2. At the end of Season 1, he considers abandoning the Empire to rejoin his former comrades-in-arms before ultimately deciding to stay Imperial. However, Crosshair is still obviously conflicted. Season 2 explores this turmoil is fascinating fashion. Crosshair suffers mightily, but in the end, he does right by his former compatriots, sending them a crucial warning in the midst of being heinously tortured.
That's not the only plot thread in Season 2. At the end of Season 1, Kaminoan geneticist Nala Se (Gwendoline Yeo) is brought to an Imperial facility to continue a mysterious new cloning program. Elsewhere, the Bad Batch attempts to find their way in a strange new world. These cloned ex-soldiers undertake many different missions, ranging from helping Wookiee younglings to retrieving pivotal command logs. It all culminates in a catastrophic summit attended by the Empire's clandestine Advanced Science Division. When the smoke clears, Tech is dead, the Bad Batch has been betrayed to Hemlock, and Omega is captured.
Who stars in The Bad Batch Season 2?
Dee Bradley Baker reprises his many roles in Season 2 of "Star Wars: The Bad Batch," including the enhanced clones Hunter, Wrecker, Tech, Echo, and Crosshair. He also plays several additional characters on the show, like Captain Rex, who debuted on "Star Wars: The Clone Wars." Michelle Ang is also back as Omega, rounding out the main cast.
Beyond our major players, Noshir Dalal returns as Imperial Vice Admiral Rampart, while Rhea Perlman reprises the role of Cid, the Trandoshan criminal on Ord Mantell who often gives the Bad Batch their jobs. Legendary comedian Wanda Sykes guest stars as Phee Genoa. She's not the only major star on this season: Ian McDiarmid returns as Emperor Palpatine. Jennifer Hale, Jimmi Simpson, and Keisha Castle-Hughes are also introduced in Season 2; they play Riyo Chuchi, Royce Hemlock, and Emerie Karr, respectively. Other major guest stars include Hector Elizondo as Romar Adell, Ben Schwartz as TAY-0, Ernie Hudson as Grini Millegi, and Ben Mendelsohn as Hurst Romodi.
How did critics and audiences respond to The Bad Batch Season 2?
Critics loved Season 2 of "Star Wars: The Bad Batch." While most acknowledged that the season is definitely not for newbies, this wasn't roundly regarded as a flaw. Rather, most reviewers thought it was a sensible choice that led to impressively deep storytelling. Many also considered Season 2 to be an improvement over Season 1. CNET's review described Season 1 as a stream of unfortunately loose episodes bookended by impressive opening and ending installments. "Thankfully," critic Sean Keane wrote, "Season 2 doesn't follow the same pattern — most of the 14 episodes (of the 16 in the season) Lucasfilm sent out to reviewers ahead of release were captivating."
This success came from a variety of factors. Collider's rave review highlighted Season 2's focus on the relationships that knit the Bad Batch together as a particular strength. "With its sophomore season," critic Maggie Lovitt opined, "the storytelling is much tighter, and it also gives its characters room to make mistakes and grow from them, rather than just brushing past conflict and differences of opinions." This vivid character work is indeed one of the most memorable aspects of Season 2, hailed by all manner of critics. If it's any indication of where the series will go from here, then fans have good reason to get excited for "Star Wars: The Bad Batch" Season 3.
Where to watch The Bad Batch Season 2
Immediately after the Walt Disney Company bought Lucasfilm in 2012, the Mouse House started churning out entries in the "Star Wars" cinematic canon. Then, in 2019, Disney+ was launched. A repository for Disney properties, this streaming service is also an exclusive outlet for new stuff, like TV shows set in the "Star Wars" universe. Unsurprisingly, "Star Wars: The Bad Batch" Seasons 1 and 2 are available for binge-watching on Disney+. Further seasons will also be available on the glitzy streamer.
This streaming set-up allows showrunners to really take their time and explore both new and familiar characters and realms. "Star Wars: The Bad Batch" also fits comfortably in the Disney+ line-up alongside live-action series like "The Mandalorian" and "The Book of Boba Fett." Happily, Disney+ is available on a plethora of devices, including smartphones, smart TVs, and computers. This means that no matter where you are, you can cue up an episode of "Star Wars: The Bad Batch."