Star Wars: The Bad Batch is playing a pivotal part in bridging the gap in terms of what happened in between the events of Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels through the perspective of the titular team of clones.
The series is created by Dave Filoni, and it centers around a group known in Star Wars canon as Clone Force 99 which includes Hunter, Tech, Echo, Wrecker, and Crosshair. The first episode immediately showed how the Bad Batch reacted to Order 66, leaving them confused as to why the clones decided to betray the Jedi and the Republic.
However, as a result of Order 66, Crosshair decided to side with the Empire, and this led to a clash between him and his former brothers. While Clone Force 99 lost a team member, they gained another in the form of Omega, a female clone of Jango Fett.
Throughout the first season, the Bad Batch takes on mercenary work to survive and earn credits, thus leading them to encounter familiar figures in Star Wars lore. From Captain Rex to Saw Gerrera, the Clone Wars spinoff has had no shortage of guest stars.
One of the significant additions to The Bad Batch is Ming-Na Wen's Fennec Shand. The bounty hunter already appeared in live-action during The Mandalorian, and she is also set to return alongside Temeura Morrison in The Book of Boba Fett.
In The Bad Batch, however, a younger version of Fennec plays a major part in the show's narrative. The character appeared during the fourth episode as she tried to capture Omega and lure her away from Clone Force 99.
Ultimately, Fennec's effort was thwarted by the titular clones, but it looks like she will make a triumphant return in future episodes.
OMEGA TAKES THE SPOTLIGHT IN THE BAD BATCH
Lucasfilm officially released a brand-new mid-season trailer for Star Wars: The Bad Batch, showcasing hard-hitting action, intimate character moments, Crosshair's return, and Fennec Shand's continued pursuit of Omega:
FENNEC SHAND VS. THE BAD BATCH
The trailer is essentially a refresher for The Bad Batch fans, reminding them of the journey of the titular clones. Still, footage centered around Crosshair's intense reunion against his former squad and Fennec Shand's return is no doubt the highlight of this latest promo.
One of the lingering mysteries behind Fennec Shand's inclusion in The Bad Batch is her mysterious employer. Speculation about her boss became rampant when the bounty hunter returned in the first half of the series, and it seems that a powerful figure tasked her to track down Omega.
The fourth episode entitled "Cornered" might have teased that Fennec actually cares for Omega, and this could be a game-changer once she returns to pursue the young clone. It's possible that she will defy her employer's orders once it's all said and done, and this could eventually lead to a team-up between her and Clone Force 99 down the road.
In the latest episode, Cad Bane was able to capture Omega, and this could hint that Fennec is not too far behind due to the fact that they have the same target. Fennec could eventually pursue Cad Bane and regain Omega. The young clone could persuade Fennec to give her back to Hunter and Clone Force 99.
Obtaining a new ally in the midst of the Empire's reign is pivotal for Clone Force 99, and forming an alliance with a bounty hunter of Fennec's caliber will definitely be an advantage. In a way, this could also connect to Fennec's live-action arc in The Mandalorian.
Fennec's decision to protect Omega from the Empire's forces could directly explain why she decided to fulfill her promise of keeping Grogu safe in the Jon Favreau-created series.
As for Crosshair, it looks like an emotional confrontation is on the cards when he reunites with his former squad. The show's composers, Kiner Brothers Music, previously teased that a gut-wrenching finale would be in store, and this could allude to the aforementioned reunion of former brothers.
Star Wars: The Bad Batch airs on Fridays on Disney+.
