The dust has barely settled after season one of The Bad Batch, yet fans are already speculating about the tantalizing direction for the future of the series. Having recently been renewed for a second season, there’s a multitude of avenues for the show to explore in the age of the Galactic Empire.
Season one featured numerous cameos from other Star Wars series, such as Fennec Shand, that will likely continue next season. This season’s finale offered a perfect bookend for the first chapter of the show, while dangling several potential plot threads to delve into in the future.
Rescuing Nala Se
The Empire’s desire to free themselves of the constraints imposed by Kamino’s Clone Army was the catalyst for much of season one. While that has been resolved, the Imperials remained interested in the practice of cloning itself. This culminated in chief medical officer Nala Se being taken into captivity as the Empire withdrew from Kamino. During the closing scenes, she is ushered into a mysterious Imperial facility which seems to hint towards a connection to Star Wars Legends canon location. This suggests that she still has a role to play in the future of the show. Her capture had already been confirmed in a previous episode, so it seems deliberately designed to suggest that fans will likely see this location and character again.
While it’s a cohesive narrative thread on a micro level, Omega has an attachment to Nala Se, it’s also important on a macro level. Dave Filoni used the Clone Wars TV series to expand upon the prequel trilogy, delving into the nuance that the movies either didn’t have time for or willfully ignored. It seems likely that this is part of a grander plan to offer greater insight as to how Palpatine returned in The Rise Of Skywalker, beyond “somehow” as the infamous Poe Dameron explanation goes.
Fallen Order Crossover
There’s already been one reference to Respawn’s acclaimed video game Fallen Order, but there’s every chance that will change. In Episode 7, ‘Battle Scars’, Clone Force 99 arrive on Bracca, the home of Jedi padawan and Order 66 fugitive Cal Kestis. While Kestis was indeed on the planet at the same time as The Batch, he would have been young and in hiding so the chances of him making an appearance anytime soon are slim to none. The events of Fallen Order occur five years after the end of the Clone Wars, but that doesn’t rule out the potential opportunity for a crossover.
While there's room for several of the game's characters to make an appearance, Greez Dritus would be one of the best candidates. Primarily because he would make for a hilarious foil with Cid but, considering Greez ran up sizeable gambling debts, it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that their paths would cross considering the nature of Cid’s business dealings. Whether he came to her for help in desperation, or he already has an established relationship with Cid, the curmudgeonly pair would fit the bill for one of Star Wars classic comedic duos.
Crosshair Conflict
The most exciting story avenue exists due to the survival of Crosshair. Each time he and his siblings cross paths, tension and drama aren't far behind. The bond between him and The Batch clearly still exists, to some extent, yet it is complicated by their knowledge that Crosshair’s decision to remain with the Empire is not because of his inhibitor chip. Though there is room for debate as to whether this is yet another Imperial trick, it's more narratively satisfying and complex if it has been removed.
Though Crosshair expressed his desire to remain loyal to the Empire, audiences know that Rampart has little love for the Clones. He sees Crosshair as expendable, it almost feels like a stretch to suggest he even regards him as an asset. Nevertheless, Crosshair signaled his intention to return to the Empire in the ruins of Tipoca City on Kamino as they assert their dominance across the Galaxy.
Crosshair’s reasons for staying with the Imperials seem to imply that there’s almost a comfort in the traditional leadership structure he’s offered. “Soldiers follow orders” is a line he often espouses when justifying his loyalty to the Empire. With his inhibitor chip seemingly removed, and Rampart’s disdain for the Clones increasing, one of the key questions arising in season two might be: how long will Crosshair be able to withstand the dismissive treatment from Rampart? And where will he go, if he can’t?
Reuniting With Rex
It was somewhat surprising not to see Rex appear in either of the two-part season finale, particularly when he holds some minor responsibility for getting Hunter caught. He implied his mission was too important to deviate from in order to rescue Gregor, which his continued absence only serves to make more intriguing. While it's important that the show grows beyond its Clone Wars origins, Rex is too entangled in the galactic struggle not to continue appearing next season in some form.
Rex is never too far from the action and seemed to be in a spot of bother when he broke off his transmission. While that may have simply been an easy way to railroad the plot towards its climax, it wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see next season pick up with The Batch coming to Rex's aid and becoming embroiled in a larger plot in the process - there's a Galactic Empire to topple, after all.
Boba Fett
Boba Fett casts something of an elusive shadow over all things clone-related, particularly after Omega's origins as an unaltered clone of Jango Fett were revealed. With the two characters being "Alpha" and "Omega", brother and sister, it might be difficult to resist the temptation of reuniting the pair in some form. Fett's return would undoubtedly rank high on most fans' wishlist for appearances in season two. With Fennec Shand and Cad Bane having appeared in the first season, it goes without saying that we're likely to see the return of bounty hunters in season two.
Boba Fett has unfinished business with Cad Bane, and the show certainly left Bane feeling similarly about both Shand and Omega. An encounter with his sister could be fleeting, but considering The Batch's status as fugitives, there's a good chance for their paths to cross. As Omega begins to define her own existence after the loss of her home and finds her place in the wider galaxy, Boba's influence on his sister could mimic the menacing impact Maul had over Ezra Bridger in Rebels.
The Bad Batch has established a matrix of relationships between its core characters and numerous alumni from other corners of the galaxy - one of the strongest episodes featured Hera Syndulla. The show's strength has been to tie these characters to important plot points that resonate with fans. This offers an emotional connection, while the show delves deeper into the cloning mythology that has largely gone unexplored on screen. Whatever direction The Bad Batch takes in its sophomore season, the series has more than carved out a niche for itself in the Star Wars universe.
The full Star Wars: The Bad Batch series is streaming now on Disney Plus