The tenth instalment of the series is comparatively slower and lighter on narrative reveals compared to the previous couple of weeks, however it still offers plenty of action, and a look at more worlds coping with the arrival of the Empire.
The episode opens with what must be its strongest, barring episode one. We start on the planet Raxus, with Imperial Captain Bragg addressing a large crowd, trying to reassure them that the Empire will treat the former Separatist planet fairly, however this is not to be the case. She also imposes a curfew upon the citizens, under the guise of protection but it is really for control. She invites the planet’s Senator, Avi Singh to justify the move.
However, he cannot condone the Imperial occupation, and instead incites the crowd to rebel. Bragg however immediately arrests the Senator and tries to disperse the crowd with Clones. When this doesn’t work, she brings in several AT-TE tanks to quell the protest.
This is excellent for several reasons. It shows how former Separatist worlds are treated, allowing for a wider view of the galaxy after the Clone Wars. The planet is now swarming with Republic iconography, the Clones, the AT-TE walkers and V-Wing starfighters. This means that the planet would be even more rebellious against Imperial occupation, as during the Clone Wars this is the technology that the Separatists were fighting against.
The Empire also stands in direct opposition to Separatist ideals, as they were about getting away from a tyrannical government full of corruption, which is what the Empire is. How the walkers are used in this scene is also part of what makes it great. Their entrance onto the square made me gasp with shock, along with the music and sound effects signalling the horror of the moment. We have seen these walkers in action, adding to the shock.
The walkers entering onto the square to quell the protest has some historical parallels. After the Second World War, autocracies such as the Soviet Union and Communist China started to use tanks to quell protest.
In 1956, Hungary revolted against USSR policy, and as a result Soviet tanks were sent in to crush the movement. Furthermore, in 1989, Students protested in Tiananmen Square, and the Government sent a column of tanks to deal with the protest. The same can be seen here. After the Clone Wars, AT-TEs are repurposed to be used against the citizenry. This further adds to the dictatorial nature of the Empire.
The main focus of the episode is the Bad Batch rescuing the Senator, which was a fine episode. The theme of learning common ground with former enemies has already been explored in Star Wars Rebels with Rex, and in this episode, it was even more predictable. Though it is still an important lesson the Batch need to learn. The aesthetic felt similar to Naboo in the Phantom Menace, although with the occupying force and the opposing force switched.
The Batch’s escape once they had freed the Senator was another good use of the AT-TE walkers. Tech hijack’s one, however it is not long before others come and attack our heroes in narrow streets, making them vulnerable. The sound and visuals are amazing.
Omega once again proved her usefulness to the group. Hunter forces her to sit the mission out, because he feels less equipped to protect her after their run-in with Cad Bane. However, she gets rid of the Batch’s debt to Cid by showing her strength at HoloChess.
I love that once Cid discovers this, her first thought is great, how can I monetise this? It helps to show that her character is solely in it for the money.
Overall, this episode is a weaker one in the series, however the highlight of the opening makes it worth a watch. While a slower pace is taken than the previous two, it gives the show time to breathe before preparing for the next high narrative points.
By Kieran Burt
Feature image: Disney