In Season 3, Episode 15 of the Disney Plus series The Bad Batch, titled “The Cavalry Has Arrived,” the narrative unfolds at Mount Tantiss. The Bad Batch (Dee Bradley Baker), aside from Echo who is already in the facility, heads to Tantiss but is captured by CX Assassins along the way, with Crosshair losing his right hand during the skirmish. On the other hand, Omega (Michelle Ang), Eva (Olwyn M. Whelan), Jax (Ivan Sinitsin), Sami (Naiya Singh Padilla), and Bayrn (Shelby Young) escape the Vault and release the Zillo Beast. The Zillo Beast acts as a distraction for the children to escape, and this distraction is noticed by Echo and Dr. Emerie Karr (Keisha Castle-Hughes). Since a distraction was what Echo would do when things get messy, he correctly pinpoints where Omega and the children went and reunites with them. Emerie helps take the children to the safety of Pabu while Omega and Echo go back to save the rest of the Bad Batch. Before that, the two clones need help, so they free all the other clones, Nala Se (Gwendoline Yeo), and Rampart (Noshir Dalal) from their captivity.
In a dark training room, Hemlock attempts to brainwash the three clones so they can serve the Empire as CX Assassins. The process is interrupted when Governor Tarkin (Stephen Stanton) contacts Hemlock regarding the situation at Mount Tantiss. It turns out Tarkin has informants, or personal spies in a sense, in Tantiss who reported the Zillo Beast rampage and that the facility is under threat. Hemlock assures the governor that he has the situation under control, but Tarkin still opts to personally head to Weyland with his army and navy to end the incursion. What Tarkin is doing is trying to discredit Hemlock in the eyes of the Emperor because he is a power-hungry fascist who wants nothing more but to control everything the Empire works on. Echo, Omega, and some of the freed clones head to the training room to free the rest of the Bad Batch. However, Nala Se decides to return to the central lab to erase the databases on Project Necromancer’s research and advises Omega that Hemlock needs to die for her to be truly safe. This is noticed by Rampart who plans to steal the data on Project Necromancer as a bargaining chip in exchange for regaining his status as an Imperial Vice Admiral once more. However, Rampart fails when he shoots Nala Se dead, but not before she uses a grenade to blow up the lab, killing the stunned Vice Admiral before he could react.
Echo, Omega, and the clones are intercepted by the CX Assassins, and Hemlock is able to recapture Omega the third time. He plans to evacuate Tantiss with Omega so he can continue Project Necromancer and create a suitable vessel for the Emperor. However, the Bad Batch is able to free themselves from their captivity and kill Hemlock, Commander Scorch (Dee Bradely Baker), and the CX Assassins before escaping.
In the aftermath, Tarkin arrives on Tantiss and sees the entire science facility in ruins. Unfortunately, Hemlock’s research for Project Necromancer is destroyed so the project itself is a lost cause. Tarkin concludes the assessment of the situation by deciding to shut down Tantiss indefinitely and redirect all funds needed for Project Necromancer to Project Stardust: the Death Star. Even though Tarkin does not know it, the Emperor lost the solution he needed to achieve immortality and reign over the Galaxy for eternity as many powerful Sith lords have done before.
In the end, the Bad Batch and Omega return to Pabu alongside the children and the rest of the surviving clone captives. Hunter plans to work with Rex to locate the children’s families so they can return home. Emerie and Echo decide to head to Pantora to regroup with the clones there and have Emerie herself act as a witness for Senator Chuchi as evidence regarding the illegal experimentations at Tantiss. However, the likelihood of the revelation of the true nature of Mount Tantiss will not break the Empire since the Empire is able to crush the clone rebellion, forcing Rex and some other surviving clones into retirement as shown in Rebels. From this understanding, the off-screen clone rebellion will fail, Echo and Emerie are likely dead or retired in the future, and Rex, Wolffe, and Gregor are the only surviving and active clone rebels. Despite the grim future, the Bad Batch and Omega are able to find peace in Pabu.
Many years later, Omega has become a fully grown adult and decides to leave Pabu to join the growing rebellion. Hunter notices Omega leaving Pabu and decides to say goodbye to his sister even though he knows his fight is over while Omega’s is not. The episode ends with Omega leaving Pabu on her shuttle with her future left unknown.
Omega leaves Hunter and joins the Rebellion
Season 3, Episode 15 of The Bad Batch, titled “The Cavalry Has Arrived,” directed by Steward Lee, Saul Ruiz, and Brad Rau and penned by Jennifer Corbett, serves as the culmination of the series, delivering a satisfying conclusion to several storylines. The episode focuses on the liberation of the surviving clones and children from Mount Tantiss, ultimately resulting in the downfall of Dr. Hemlock and the destruction of his nefarious Project Necromancer.
The narrative unfolds with tension and action as the Bad Batch, along with Omega and their allies, confront the challenges within Mount Tantiss. The stakes are high as they face off against CX Assassins and navigate through the treacherous facility. The encounter culminates in a thrilling showdown where Hemlock is defeated and his plans thwarted.
While the episode provides a heartwarming conclusion, there are valid criticisms regarding its direction. It can be argued that the conflict with Mount Tantiss could have been more compelling if other familiar characters, such as Captain Rex, Howzer, Gregor, and possibly even Wolffe, were involved in the rescue mission. Their absence raises questions about the fate of other clone veterans and adds a layer of complexity to the story, particularly in relation to their roles in the broader Rebel Alliance depicted in Rebels.
Additionally, it was disappointing that the Emperor did not make an appearance. There was significant anticipation to reveal the true nature of Project Necromancer, particularly its connection to the creation of Snoke and Force-sensitive clone vessels for Sidious’s potential immortality. However, the episode fails to provide any substantial insight into Project Necromancer or depict Sidious’s reaction to the destruction of Mount Tantiss and Hemlock’s demise. This lack of resolution leaves the series finale feeling anticlimactic, as viewers are left in the dark regarding the enigmatic heart of Mount Tantiss.
Overall, “The Cavalry Has Arrived” delivers a satisfying finale to The Bad Batch, showcasing the resilience and heroism of its characters while leaving room for reflection on the series’ narrative choices and potential avenues for exploration.
Rating: 8/10