Star Wars: Who Are the Members of the Bad Batch?

On May 4, 2021, The Bad Batch™ premiered on Disney+ as a new spinoff from the immensely popular Star Wars: The Clone Wars™ animated series. Even for those that haven’t watched all 133 episodes of The Clones Wars, this show proved to be an exciting new entry into Star Wars™ canon.

Now, before the season 2 premiere on January 4, 2023, there is plenty to catch up on and a few things that fans might do well to remember before the show begins. In case you missed it, here’s the trailer. We catch a look at an older Omega™, our faves from the Bad Batch™, as well as glimpses of Gungi the Wookiee Jedi™ and Emperor Palpatine™.

Once you’ve watched, keep scrolling for a spoiler-filled recap of The Bad Batch.

Just Who Exactly Are The Bad Batch?

The Bad Batch is the nickname given to Clone Force 99™, a special forces squad within the army of the Republic. Each member of the squad has a mutation that sets them apart from a standard clone trooper™. These mutations also give each team member a specific enhanced ability. Despite the usefulness of their unique abilities, their mutations make them viewed as “defective” in the eyes of their fellow clones. As a result, the Bad Batch is initially seen as a joke.

They are led by Hunter™, a clone sergeant who has enhanced senses capable of detecting electromagnetic signals. The rest of the squad includes Wrecker™, a clone with enhanced strength and physical prowess, Tech™, the brains of the operation, and Crosshair™, who has enhanced visual capabilities and superior aim. They are eventually joined by Echo™, who wasn’t born with a mutation like the others but was turned into a cyborg by Separatist forces.

Together they serve the Republic, taking on missions deemed too dangerous or specialized for a standard clone team.

Who Was 99?

Clone Force 99 is so named in honor of “99,” a clone who could not serve in the republic’s army due to unforeseen physical defects. 99 was stationed at the main clone facility on Kamino™, given a job as the janitor and maintenance man. While his job may not have been the most important, he took it very seriously. 99 only dreamed of being able to serve with his brothers in arms, and he did whatever he could to keep their spirits alive. Because of this, he was able to befriend many of the clone squadrons stationed on Kamino.

When General Grievous™ and Asajj Ventress™ attacked the cloning facility, 99 did his part in the battle, running weapons and ammunition to the various clone factions fending off the Separatist’s battle droids. Threatened to be overrun by the enemy forces, 99 was able to lead a small group of troopers to the armory so they could resupply and defend themselves. The clones were able to push back and defeat the remaining droids, but not before 99 was mortally wounded. He died a true soldier in the eyes of his brothers.

What Happened to Echo?

Trooper CT-1409™ was given the nickname Echo by the other squadron members due to his slightly annoying habit of repeating orders. This, however, did not prevent him from becoming a stellar soldier, joining the 501st Legion and eventually reaching the elite rank of Arc Trooper. Always a diligent soldier, Echo was able to adapt quickly to unexpected situations when they presented themselves on the battlefield.

On a mission to save Jedi Master Even Piell™, Echo and the rest of the 501st infiltrated a Separatist prison facility. While the rescue of the Jedi Master didn’t go as planned, the overall mission was a success. However, the unit took heavy losses, including Echo, who was killed in an explosion while trying to protect the team’s escape shuttle.

Down in the Trenches

Or at least, that’s what everyone thought had happened.

In truth, the explosion only maimed Echo, but did not kill him. He was captured by the enemy and forced to undergo cybernetic modifications by the wicked Admiral Trench™, in order to tap into the clone’s training and genetic programming. More machine now than man, the Separatist’s forces hoped to use the knowledge in Echo’s brain to decipher Republic plans and predict potential battle strategies. This was eventually discovered by Commander Rex™, who, along with Clone Force 99, saved Echo from the clutches of Trench’s programing.

Once the battle was over, Echo decided to stay with Clone Force 99 rather than return to the 501st, and became the fifth member of the Bad Batch.

The Clone Wars Are Over. Now What?

Because of their mutations, the Bad Batch doesn’t react the same way as their fellow clone troopers when Order 66™ is executed. Instead, Hunter questions the directive and even spares a young Caleb Dume™. As the empire extends its grip over the galaxy, the Bad Batch must contend with their place in the galaxy. Are they loyal to their upbringing or should they follow their own path?

Over the course of their adventures, Clone Force 99 gets on the wrong side of Grand Moff Tarkin™. Soon, after they assist Saw Gerrera™, the Bad Batch officially become outlaws of the Galactic Empire. While Crosshair struggles with his loyalty, primarily serving as an agent of Tarkin, the Bad Batch also welcomes a new member: Omega, the only female clone in existence.

Omega Joins the Pack

Omega quickly proves that she is a capable and trustworthy member of the crew. The group crosses paths with the Empire and even two of the galaxy’s most lethal bounty hunters, Cad Bane™ and Fennec Shand™. Eventually, it’s revealed that Omega is actually an unaltered clone of Jango Fett™ — which means she’s the only remaining source for fresh genetic material.

After a betrayal (and redemption) from Crosshair, the Bad Batch rescues Omega. However, at the end of the series, Nala Se™, the Kaminoan scientist who led the cloning program, is taken into Imperial custody and placed in a laboratory.

How will it all play out? We’ll have to tune in to the January 4 premiere on Disney+ to find out more! Who is your favorite squad member of the Bad Batch and what do you think might happen in season 2?

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