|
|
Post by Kenbo on Jan 11, 2023 8:43:32 GMT -5
Solitary Clone was good, liked it a lot. I think it would've been butter if this was the premiere.
Kinda dislike the defector arc they seem to be setting up for Cody though. He was always by the books with little personality. If anyone stays loyal to the Empire it's him. I also don't understand why they even have to do this arc for Cody. If he's going to play a bigger role later, help the squad or Rex or something, they could've just used Howzer instead and make him a recurring character
|
|
|
|
Post by Star on Jan 11, 2023 22:20:30 GMT -5
I agree, that was a much better episode. I'm glad they chose not to feature the Bad Batch, hopefully they'll do some more episodes like this.
Desix was visually impressive, and I enjoyed the concept of the Empire having to take down a Separatist holdout. Kind of mixed on Cody's inclusion, his defection felt a bit forced based on what we previously knew about him. Overall though, this was a solid improvement and actually made me more eager to see what's next.
|
|
|
|
Post by Star on Jan 11, 2023 22:30:21 GMT -5
I'm curious how many additional seasons are planned for this show. Wondering this about all of their shows. Hard to tell what their goal is with these series. Are they supposed to be miniseries? Are they all connected and will lead to a big culminating event? Because they don't really feel that connected, not the way Marvel content feels. Do they go in with a plan for X seasons or just arbitrarily decide to do more? Their logic for renewal is also very strange. From the metrics, any other studio would've cancelled Andor after season 1 yet they're going ahead with season 2. OWK and BOBF seemed to do fine with numbers but were not super well received overall yet there's rumors to continue those as well. More seasons for those two will I think would feel forced and tacked on as their first seasons left no room for continuation. I think Mando might be the only one with an endgame plan. Bad Batch could be like TCW/Rebels and they just do as much as they can before they're told to end. I actually wouldn't mind a long running animated series with a new season every year. I think it'd be good to have a staple show like that just not sure if I want it to be Bad Batch. I like the show overall but it's not super exciting or diverse in its stories. I think Rebels maybe even Mando had the potential to be that show that's always there though Rebels was obviously before D+ and I think Covid really screwed Mando. Plus live action Star Wars maybe isn't as sustainable as animation I'm pretty sure Mando, Ahsoka, Skeleton Crew, and maybe one other post-ROTJ show are still supposed to connect. Most likely that connection is Thrawn and Imperial remnants, but I imagine it'll become more clear once those other series finally release this year. I guess Bad Batch could be the staple animated show for the next few years, I'm just not convinced its current narrative trajectory justifies more than 3 seasons. I imagine Filoni or someone else has to be brainstorming another animated series, although maybe that's not a big priority compared to live action shows and future movies. But I agree it's nice to have an ongoing animated show to follow alongside the live action projects that have shorter runs/take much longer to make. |
|
|
|
Post by Kenbo on Jan 12, 2023 19:30:34 GMT -5
Wondering this about all of their shows. Hard to tell what their goal is with these series. Are they supposed to be miniseries? Are they all connected and will lead to a big culminating event? Because they don't really feel that connected, not the way Marvel content feels. Do they go in with a plan for X seasons or just arbitrarily decide to do more? Their logic for renewal is also very strange. From the metrics, any other studio would've cancelled Andor after season 1 yet they're going ahead with season 2. OWK and BOBF seemed to do fine with numbers but were not super well received overall yet there's rumors to continue those as well. More seasons for those two will I think would feel forced and tacked on as their first seasons left no room for continuation. I think Mando might be the only one with an endgame plan. Bad Batch could be like TCW/Rebels and they just do as much as they can before they're told to end. I actually wouldn't mind a long running animated series with a new season every year. I think it'd be good to have a staple show like that just not sure if I want it to be Bad Batch. I like the show overall but it's not super exciting or diverse in its stories. I think Rebels maybe even Mando had the potential to be that show that's always there though Rebels was obviously before D+ and I think Covid really screwed Mando. Plus live action Star Wars maybe isn't as sustainable as animation I'm pretty sure Mando, Ahsoka, Skeleton Crew, and maybe one other post-ROTJ show are still supposed to connect. Most likely that connection is Thrawn and Imperial remnants, but I imagine it'll become more clear once those other series finally release this year. I guess Bad Batch could be the staple animated show for the next few years, I'm just not convinced its current narrative trajectory justifies more than 3 seasons. I imagine Filoni or someone else has to be brainstorming another animated series, although maybe that's not a big priority compared to live action shows and future movies. But I agree it's nice to have an ongoing animated show to follow alongside the live action projects that have shorter runs/take much longer to make. I think Rangers of the New Republic getting cancelled might've hurt whatever plan they had for Mandoverse quite a bit. They could've used that show for some worldbuilding heavy lifting. And BOBF was too slapped together to be a meaningful connection. I really wish they put more effort into BOBF because if they are adapting the Thrawn trilogy, that was the perfect opportunity to set up the underworld elements from the books like Talon Karrde and his crew as well as the Katana fleet. Unfortunately it seems like they still have no interest in faithfully adapting EU and instead just do stuff loosely inspired by it. |
|
|
|
Post by Newan on Jan 16, 2023 21:48:02 GMT -5
Well Andor definitely has an endgame given it’s only two seasons. But I think Mando and the other post ROTJ shows will all be connected sorta like the Arrowverse.
I think I’m gonna get caught up on Bad Batch in a couple days then I’ll give my thoughts here
|
|
|
|
Post by Star on Jan 18, 2023 10:32:40 GMT -5
That was a pretty weak episode. It had potential at the start with the choice to focus on just part of the main squad, but centering it around a predictable plot involving pod racing made this pretty boring. Cid's kind of a frustrating character. They regularly tease how she's a jaded individual with a cool history, but every time they try to dive into it we get episodes like this or Infested from S1. Both those episodes are among the worst in the series and don't have any genuine stakes.
I'm sure this episode is meant to build up to Cid most likely betraying the Bad Batch at some point later in the season, I just wish it could do it in a more exciting way.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kenbo on Jan 18, 2023 11:53:31 GMT -5
Yeah I thought this one was pretty boring. I liked seeing Tech's race and all the colors and visuals were pretty but that's kinda it.
It really felt like a Resistance episode which also had a lot of racing stuff. Even had that annoying droid who definitely would've fit in Resistance lol. I don't know what to make of the Cid stuff but I agree it doesn't seem like it will be exciting. She will probably betray them but feel bad about it and then maybe try to save them from whatever mess she put them in.
Weird that after four episodes there doesn't seem to be a clear objective for the season. Just feels more of the same stuff from last season with them on the run and Crosshair doing his own thing.
|
|
|
|
Post by Star on Jan 18, 2023 14:19:09 GMT -5
Yeah I thought this one was pretty boring. I liked seeing Tech's race and all the colors and visuals were pretty but that's kinda it. It really felt like a Resistance episode which also had a lot of racing stuff. Even had that annoying droid who definitely would've fit in Resistance lol. I don't know what to make of the Cid stuff but I agree it doesn't seem like it will be exciting. She will probably betray them but feel bad about it and then maybe try to save them from whatever mess she put them in. Weird that after four episodes there doesn't seem to be a clear objective for the season. Just feels more of the same stuff from last season with them on the run and Crosshair doing his own thing. I didn't watch Resistance but I can see how this episode would've fit into that show. And you're right, the visuals are still phenomenal for this series, it sort of makes even dull episodes engaging to watch lol Yeah I'm thinking Cid's being set up to betray the Bad Batch and then redeem herself. Although honestly she might die by the end of the season, perhaps as part of her redemption. Plus she made that comment in the premiere about how her cantina wasn't going to be safe from the expanding Empire for much longer. It's possible we may see the Empire arrive on Ord Mantell by midseason. |
|
|
|
Post by Newan on Jan 24, 2023 18:29:17 GMT -5
Alright I got caught up on the first 3 episodes. Why the first two aren’t one episode is a little weird though.
Spoils of War was alright, kind of what I expected for a premiere with this show tbh. It was cool seeing Serenno and I like the new paint schemes/ Omega model. However not really much happened here to advance the story as a whole. I don’t really understand the point of orbital bombarding the village and also there’s kind of a huge plot hole with the clone they stunned. They could literally have Echo impersonate that trooper and check in. I could see Hunter or Wrecker missing that line but Echo and Tech? Seems weird tbh.
The second part was definitely better. I liked the character development for Omega tbh and it finally gave Echo a little character as well since I sort of felt he was always just tagging along for the ride and being pretty one dimensional, more so then the others. Ramparts appearance at the end was nice and it’s cool that we are already seeing some Imperial power struggles.
I’d say 6/10 for Spoils of War and 7/10 for Ruins of War.
|
|
|
|
Post by Newan on Jan 24, 2023 18:35:08 GMT -5
The Solitary Clone was much better. This is honestly what I wanted from the show was to see some Separatist holdouts and the transition of power. I’m just surprised it came in the form of Crosshair rather then the squad. Cody was honestly pretty cool but it was obvious from the start his chip was failing/ already failed and he was keeping up appearances.
I wonder if this show is heading for a civil war type aspect between Clones vs the Empire. Honestly it was something that was in the old EU even was in the original SWBF2. I think it could be kind of cool tbh, like realistically there’s enough clones at this stage of the empire to be a legitimate threat and would honestly explain why we don’t see any clones later on for the most part if the Empire tries to wipe them out. Honestly it would explain why Rex and them are in exile as well.
I’ll give this episode a 9/10. Not many flaws here and the visuals were quite good. Definitely a saving grace for the show.
|
|
|
|
Post by Newan on Jan 24, 2023 18:37:24 GMT -5
I take it episode 4 is some weird race episode? Seems weird although honestly I did always have the idea that TCW should have revisited the actual pod racing. Like have Anakin go enter the big pod race on Malastare that Qui-Gon references in TPM. Would have been a better filler then day Nomad droids…
|
|
|
|
Post by Newan on Jan 24, 2023 18:44:53 GMT -5
Kenobi was talking about the portrayal of Dooku but I think that actually makes sense tbh. The Jedi are seen as traitors due to Imperial propaganda. Dooku is basically a double traitor, he betrayed what was already viewed as a power hungry and corrupt organization at this point to form his own power run exclusively by him. I could see how public perception of him is a moustache twirling villain.
|
|
|
|
Post by Star on Jan 25, 2023 12:21:11 GMT -5
Entombed was an okay episode on its own, but I wish it had more relevance to the show's overarching plot. This is the first time the entire crew is back on screen together since the premiere, although they were mostly sidelined in favor of Omega and Phee.
Some cool world building with the tomb and pre-Jedi Ancients. For a moment I actually thought it was going to be a tie in to Fallen Order with it relating to the Zeffo. There was a neat mix of themes here too, reminded me a little of Indiana Jones, Alien/Prometheus, and Horizon Zero Dawn with that mech at the end.
But yeah, another pretty average episode that's basically filler. I can't believe we're five episodes in and don't have any real sense of where the season as a whole is headed.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kenbo on Jan 25, 2023 16:37:25 GMT -5
I take it episode 4 is some weird race episode? Seems weird although honestly I did always have the idea that TCW should have revisited the actual pod racing. Like have Anakin go enter the big pod race on Malastare that Qui-Gon references in TPM. Would have been a better filler then day Nomad droids… Wait wtf seeing adult Anakin pod racing on Malastare would've been so cool. I have to see this somewhere now lol |
|
|
|
Post by Kenbo on Jan 25, 2023 16:55:26 GMT -5
Yeah 5 was another lame one. So far the season feels like something from older cartoons aimed toward kids. Sorta episodic shows with like 20+ episode seasons. Seeing it like that type of show I guess it's fine but it kinda doesn't fit with modern times. Streaming and bingeing and general expectations have changed things.
I was thinking if this was comparable to an old TCW episode but honestly not really. TCW episodes even if it wasn't part of a big arc usually at least had something to do with the war or had interesting lore. Or even in Rebels, the characters always had some objective and again good lore. Bad Batch feels so aimless. They're going around just trying to scavenge stuff. It's not that fun and one reason is the main cast isn't super interesting.
Honestly maybe the whole series should've been like the Cody episode. It makes more sense to show the war aftermath and transition stuff from an Imperial perspective.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kenbo on Jan 25, 2023 17:02:14 GMT -5
Something I thought of while watching this episode was I think the show having a Jedi or Jedi related character would've elevated it. In some ways this feels like Rebels minus the Jedi elements which I don't think would've made as good a show
I really think the secret sauce to Star Wars is the Jedi. They just make things more exciting. Like yeah there was a lot of old EU that was good without incorporating them. But seeing how the Jedi are unique to the Star Wars franchise and the only place to see them, I think there should always be ample Jedi content.
|
|
|
|
Post by Star on Jan 25, 2023 22:06:42 GMT -5
Yeah 5 was another lame one. So far the season feels like something from older cartoons aimed toward kids. Sorta episodic shows with like 20+ episode seasons. Seeing it like that type of show I guess it's fine but it kinda doesn't fit with modern times. Streaming and bingeing and general expectations have changed things. I was thinking if this was comparable to an old TCW episode but honestly not really. TCW episodes even if it wasn't part of a big arc usually at least had something to do with the war or had interesting lore. Or even in Rebels, the characters always had some objective and again good lore. Bad Batch feels so aimless. They're going around just trying to scavenge stuff. It's not that fun and one reason is the main cast isn't super interesting. Honestly maybe the whole series should've been like the Cody episode. It makes more sense to show the war aftermath and transition stuff from an Imperial perspective. Definitely agree with you on that first point with this season feeling more episodic and less streamlined. That older tv show approach isn't completely bad, but audience expectations have 100% changed in the past decade to make us less receptive to "adventure of the week" filler episodes. I think you can compare this episode to early standalone stories from Rebels like Idiot's Array or Brothers of the Broken Horn. Episodes like those deviated from the overarching plot and just showed the main cast going on a random mission. The biggest difference for me with that comparison though is that Rebels had a much more varied main cast whereas Bad Batch can't really match that. |
|
|
|
Post by Newan on Jan 26, 2023 21:43:18 GMT -5
Something I thought of while watching this episode was I think the show having a Jedi or Jedi related character would've elevated it. In some ways this feels like Rebels minus the Jedi elements which I don't think would've made as good a show I really think the secret sauce to Star Wars is the Jedi. They just make things more exciting. Like yeah there was a lot of old EU that was good without incorporating them. But seeing how the Jedi are unique to the Star Wars franchise and the only place to see them, I think there should always be ample Jedi content. Idk I honestly think we might be getting to a Clone Rebellion of sorts and then they could maybe bring in Jedi but might be awkward for them to work with Clones. Although Ahsoka would again. |
|
|
|
Post by Kenbo on Jan 27, 2023 13:03:35 GMT -5
Something I thought of while watching this episode was I think the show having a Jedi or Jedi related character would've elevated it. In some ways this feels like Rebels minus the Jedi elements which I don't think would've made as good a show I really think the secret sauce to Star Wars is the Jedi. They just make things more exciting. Like yeah there was a lot of old EU that was good without incorporating them. But seeing how the Jedi are unique to the Star Wars franchise and the only place to see them, I think there should always be ample Jedi content. Idk I honestly think we might be getting to a Clone Rebellion of sorts and then they could maybe bring in Jedi but might be awkward for them to work with Clones. Although Ahsoka would again. Season 1 felt like it was setting up the clone rebellion on Kamino from Battlefront but unfortunately that never happened. But yeah I think they will still eventually do that in some form. We are supposed to see Gungi but I wonder if he'll be a recurring character. Wasn't there rumors during season 1 of Ahsoka and Bo-Katan being in the show? Like I think somewhere it was confirmed the VA's recorded lines already |
|
|
|
Post by Newan on Jan 28, 2023 22:27:02 GMT -5
Idk I honestly think we might be getting to a Clone Rebellion of sorts and then they could maybe bring in Jedi but might be awkward for them to work with Clones. Although Ahsoka would again. Season 1 felt like it was setting up the clone rebellion on Kamino from Battlefront but unfortunately that never happened. But yeah I think they will still eventually do that in some form. We are supposed to see Gungi but I wonder if he'll be a recurring character. Wasn't there rumors during season 1 of Ahsoka and Bo-Katan being in the show? Like I think somewhere it was confirmed the VA's recorded lines already I honestly want to see Gungi, he seems cool. Not sure on the Bo stuff, Ahsoka would make sense since I think it’s probably obvious Rex is still in contact with Ahsoka during the first season of the Bad Batch. I’d like this show to be more universal like TCW and have arcs, I know eventually they are gonna shoehorn Maul into this and his criminal underworld which is honestly cool I just don’t see why it makes sense in the current context of the shows release format. I’m actually wondering if they do the clone rebellion will we see the anti clone biological weapons that were rumored in the Fives Arc? I mean technically they would be quite effective given they all have the same DNA. Probably wouldn’t work on the Batch however due to their mutations. |
|
|
|
Post by Kenbo on Feb 1, 2023 10:44:32 GMT -5
Gungi was really cool. Kinda carried the episode tbh. I don't get why Hunter called the AATs imperial tanks though. They also had Republic insignia on them I believe. Good opportunity to show the TX-130 tanks. I don't think we ever saw them in TCW? Though maybe they would've been too big for the jungle.
They also could've used the Wyyyschokks from Fallen Order instead introducing a new spider species. But anyway probably one of the better episodes from the 6 so far. Actually might be second after the Cody episode for me. Honestly this is feeling like a chore to watch a little bit lol. Unfortunately I've had this feeling for every Star Wars show after Mando season 2...
|
|
|
|
Post by Star on Feb 4, 2023 10:45:36 GMT -5
Decent episode, although I think it could've benefitted from being a two-parter. It felt too rushed to me. I liked how they incorporated those spiders and the creatures the Wookies rode though, nice continuation of the ideas from the cancelled TCW arc where the Bad Batch would be on Kashyyyk.
The Trandoshans were pretty underwhelming, but again I think that's because this episode tried to cover too much in its runtime. But it was neat to see them siding with the Empire as they took over Kashyyyk. If this had been a two-parter, I would've enjoyed seeing a conversation between the Trandoshans and Imperial officers to flesh out their motives. Plus it would've been cool to see more of Kashyyyk, especially more elements from Fallen Order.
|
|
|
|
Post by Star on Feb 4, 2023 10:57:25 GMT -5
This week we get episodes 7 and 8. It really needs to advance the overarching plot ahead significantly, each episode apart from the third one have felt mostly inconsequential. I'm with Kenbo where it's felt like a chore to watch this recently. It's still a fine show, but there's not much exciting so far this season.
My rankings thus far would be something like:
The Solitary Clone
Tribe
Ruins of War
Spoils of War
Entombed
Faster
The Solitary Clone is the only one I've really enjoyed so far, I'd personally say it's about an 8/10. But everything else has been 5/10 - 7/10 content for me, so very mediocre. Season 1 had its fair share of weaker episodes near the beginning, but I'd say it was better overall by its sixth episode. Although I guess a big reason for that was Aftermath, which will possibly remain one of, if not the best, episodes for this entire series.
|
|
|
|
Post by Echani on Feb 6, 2023 12:09:52 GMT -5
Just finished watching both seasons, the second one isn't as good as the first imo. I did like the racing episode though, finally giving Tech some spotlight. I'd say Wrecker and Crosshair are my favorite characters. Seeing some familiar faces such as, Commander Cody I like how they are portraying him as having second thoughts about the Empire. It seems to me the clones are having to do grunt work now, as the new non-clone conscripts are taking over. Anyone else feel that? |
|
|
|
Post by Kenbo on Feb 7, 2023 19:02:04 GMT -5
Just finished watching both seasons, the second one isn't as good as the first imo. I did like the racing episode though, finally giving Tech some spotlight. I'd say Wrecker and Crosshair are my favorite characters. Seeing some familiar faces such as, Commander Cody I like how they are portraying him as having second thoughts about the Empire. It seems to me the clones are having to do grunt work now, as the new non-clone conscripts are taking over. Anyone else feel that? Yeah season 2 feels like a step backwards from season 1. Which is unfortunate because season 1 itself wasn't particularly remarkable imo |
|
|
|
Post by Kenbo on Feb 8, 2023 10:57:26 GMT -5
Wow a lot to talk about, these episodes were packed.
7 was amazing. It felt like a TCW episode. It was really nice they brought back minor TCW characters, Chuchi and Burtoni. Bail was great too. Utilizing Coruscant and a lengthy senate session that actually did some worldbuilding was what I wanted to see in Andor.
When 8 brought the Bad Batch back in, I thought it wouldn't be as good because I think I prefer the episodes without them lol. But it was still really solid. When they went to the Martez sisters' garage I got worried but thank god they didn't show up...
I was also really surprised Rampart got arrested. I expected him to get away with it but Palpatine sacrificing him was interesting. His speech was chilling, again surprised they got Ian McDiarmid for the voice.
I guess my only issue is the whole thing with the stormtrooper bill is kinda weird. The senate sees Rampart is doing this super shady stuff to get the bill passed. He is arrested for it but then Palpatine proposes the exact same thing using Rampart's actions to justify it and everyone goes along with it? Well I guess it wouldn't be the biggest leap of logic we've seen since they also just took his word on the Jedi being traitors lol
|
|
|
|
Post by Kenbo on Feb 8, 2023 11:04:46 GMT -5
I'm sure the next episodes will go back to being filler just when the show felt worth watching lmao. But having Echo leave is an interesting dynamic change which should create at least some longer term consequences. I feel like there was a reason to write him out here.
In fact even removing Rampart from his position is another interesting dynamic change since he was more or less the main antagonist of the show and to whom Crosshair reported to. Plus now they are fully going forward with making stormtroopers... Yeah these episodes definitely changed the status quo so you would think the rest of the season won't be more of the same.
Actually I'm also wondering if the clone assassin was made from Mount Tantiss... Wow yeah there is just so much going on in these two eps
|
|
|
|
Post by Echani on Feb 9, 2023 18:50:13 GMT -5
I wonder if they are going to go deeper into the clone assassins. Rex I think said the identifying marker was scrubbed so the clone wasn't identifiable. I wonder if they are a new batch of clones, phase 3? He seemed extremely loyal to the empire, sacrificing himself like that. He is a clone though. I'm surprised a single clone would be tasked with an execution of a senator. With the different armor I assuming it's a enhanced clone?
The Emperor rising into the senate floor was a pretty dramatic scene, but also reminds me that whatever progress is made is probably futile. I like Bad Batch exploring the galaxy for a change doing Sid's missions for that reason, it takes away from the gloomy empire and endless corruption we know will maintain the galaxy for some time, as this is the beginning of the Empire still. I wasn't too disappointed with Echo's leave, I loved him in TCW but I often forget he's in Bad Batch until he takes his helmet off. Seeing Omega sad made me sad though, at first she annoyed me in S1 but now I really enjoy Omega as a character.
I wonder what Crosshair is up too? He was an antagonist in S1 so I'm interested to see what happens with him this season. I wouldn't be surprised if he has a few solo episodes doing missions for the Empire like he did on Onderon. Since he is one of the original members, I assume the shows creators have a redemption arc coming or something.
|
|
|
|
Post by Star on Feb 14, 2023 11:44:15 GMT -5
It only took half the season, but now the show feels like it's justifying its existence. These episodes are some of the best across both seasons, particularly The Clone Conspiracy. Like Kenbo said, it really felt like a TCW episode. Reminded me a lot of the Fives arc, I believe that was the same bar Fives went to also.
Very cool seeing Chuchi and some other familiar faces in the Senate. I thought we'd get some more scenes like this in Andor, but happy to be getting them here at least. Also I like that Mas Amedda had a bigger role to play, he's always been an interesting side character to me.
Once again it was refreshing not to have the Bad Batch front and center. The clone assassin was interesting as well, glad it wasn't Crosshair. I've seen speculation online this is the first-gen Dark Trooper, which would be pretty cool and connect nicely with Mando. Maybe this is part of what Nala Se is involved with on Mount Tantiss.
Loved how Palpatine used Rampart's failure to still turn this into a win. His speech at the end was great. Didn't expect to see Rampart get taken down, I wonder if that means he'll no longer be the main antagonist.
|
|
|
|
Post by Star on Feb 14, 2023 12:00:14 GMT -5
Clone rights isn't something I ever really thought about in the Star Wars universe, but it makes a lot of sense to be included here. Episodes like these are so good at connecting concepts between the trilogy. It even makes that clone we see in the second episode of Kenobi sadder, kind of a dark parallel to the status of many veterans in the real world.
One of the coolest things so far in the Bad Batch has been the rise of the Imperial Stormtrooper, from Tarkin's comments in the premiere, to the War-Mantle Project, and finally Palpatine's public approval of them in Truth and Consequences. It does seem increasingly likely we might get a clone trooper rebellion.
|
|
it’s been quite a while. I’ve been pretty good, how about yourself? 