Season 1 of the Disney+ Original animated series “Star Wars: The Bad Batch” first premiered on Disney+ in May of 2021.
“Star Wars: The Bad Batch” follows the elite and experimental clones of the Bad Batch (first introduced in “The Clone Wars”) as they find their way in a rapidly changing galaxy in the immediate aftermath of the Clone War. Members of Bad Batch—a unique squad of clones who vary genetically from their brothers in the Clone Army—each possess a singular exceptional skill that makes them extraordinarily effective soldiers and a formidable crew.
When the new season opens, months have passed since the events on Kamino, and the Bad Batch continues their journey navigating the Empire after the fall of the Republic. They will cross paths with friends and foes, both new and familiar, as they take on a variety of thrilling mercenary missions that will take them to unexpected and dangerous new places.
“Star Wars: The Bad Batch” season 2 stars Emmy Award® nominee Dee Bradley Baker (“American Dad!”) as the voice of the Bad Batch and Emmy Award® nominee Michelle Ang (“Fear the Walking Dead: Flight 462”) as the voice of Omega. Emmy Award® winner Rhea Perlman (“The Mindy Project,” “Cheers”) returns to guest star as Cid, Noshir Dalal (“It’s Pony,” “The Owl House”) returns to guest star as Vice Admiral Rampart and Emmy Award® winner Wanda Sykes (“The Upshaws,” “Black-ish”) makes her guest starring debut in the series as Phee Genoa.
“Star Wars: The Bad Batch” Season 2 streams exclusively on Disney+ beginning January 4, 2023, with the first two episodes. New episodes will release every Wednesday through March 29, 2023.
This review is based on the first 14 episodes of Season 2.
Not much time has passed between Season 1 and Season 2. The Bad Batch crew is still on the run and laying low from the Empire. Crosshair also has sights for the crew after turning his back on the gang. Omega’s relationship with Hunter, Tech, Echo, and Wrecker continues to grow as her training progresses.
The animation for the second season is even better than the first and often times feels like you’re watching a live-action series. Most episodes follow the main plot storyline but there are some fun filler episodes as well. A standout favorite is Episode 5 where the crew uncovers ancient mysteries and artifacts which feels a little reminiscent of Indiana Jones and Episode 4 brings back a form of podracing from Episode 1 of the Star Wars saga.
Fans of The Clone Wars animated series will appreciate cameos from Senator Chuchi, Jedi Wookie Gungi, Captain Rex, and Commander Cody. 79’s Bar is also featured which was a cantina located on Coruscant that catered to the clone troopers and first appeared in the fourth episode of Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Additionally, Bail Organa makes an appearance along with The Emperor who is as evil as ever.
New clones are also introduced including Marshal Commander Mayday from the 77th Heavy Brigade, which was a heavy infantry and armored unit that served the Galactic Republic’s Grand Army during the Clone Wars.
Throughout the episode arcs, the empire begins to phase out clone troopers. Conscripted soldiers are the focus of Grand Moff Tarkin’s new army. However, many clone troopers begin to realize this plan and abandon the war.
Overall, the second season of The Bad Batch is a brilliant addition to the Star Wars animated series with plenty of action for casual Star Wars fans and fun easter eggs for Star Wars enthusiasts.
“Star Wars: The Bad Batch” is executive produced by Dave Filoni (“The Mandalorian,” “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”), Athena Portillo (“Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” “Star Wars Rebels”), Brad Rau (“Star Wars Rebels,” “Star Wars Resistance”), Jennifer Corbett (“Star Wars Resistance,” “NCIS”) and Carrie Beck (“The Mandalorian,” “Star Wars Rebels”) with Josh Rimes (“Star Wars Resistance,” “Star Wars: Visions”) and Alex Spotswood (“Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” “Star Wars Rebels”) as producers. Rau is also serving as supervising director with Corbett as head writer and Matt Michnovetz as story editor.
You can watch a trailer for Season 2 below:
List of episodes and airdates are below:
- Jan. 4 — Episode 201 “Spoils of War” & Episode 202 “Ruins of War”
- Jan. 11 — Episode 203 “The Solitary Clone”
- Jan. 18 — Episode 204 “Faster”
- Jan. 25 — Episode 205 “Entombed”
- Feb. 1 — Episode 206 “Tribe”
- Feb. 8 — Episode 207 “The Clone Conspiracy” & Episode 208 “Truth and Consequences”
- Feb. 15 — Episode 209 “The Crossing”
- Feb. 22 — Episode 210 “Retrieval”
- March 1 — Episode 211 “Metamorphosis”
- March 8 — Episode 212 “The Outpost”
- March 15 — Episode 213 “Pabu”
- March 22 — Episode 214 “Tipping Point”
- March 29 — Episode 215 “The Summit” & Episode 216 “Plan 99”
Season 1 of “Star Wars: The Bad Batch” is available to stream now on Disney+.