Star Wars: The Bad Batch - Replacements Review

TBB "Replacements"

What if in The Force Awakens, FN-2187 was executed on the spot by Captain Phasma for not firing on the Tuanul village civilians on Jakku? That is a question indirectly raised by The Bad Batch episode "Replacements". Crosshair is put in charge of a group of "elite squad" stormtroopers who are again sent to Onderon to eliminate Saw Gerrera's forces. Finding a contingent of Saw's Partisan fighters escorting refugees off-world, Crosshair orders all parties slaughtered. When one of the troopers objects, Crosshair crosses him off too. It's a brutal moment in a subplot that gives the episode a dark character.

The rest of the Bad Batch (including the ever-proactive Omega) crash on a moon and must regain a vital ship part from a local ordo dragon. It's a familiar-feeling story that ends up as a sidelight when the episode provides such juicy world-building material about the transition from Republic to Empire.

To Admiral Rampart, that transition should take the form of one between Republic clone troopers and Imperial stormtroopers, codenamed Project War Mantle. These villain scenes on Kamino and Onderon are generally the most distinctive scenes in the episode. Interestingly, one must stretch to find a sympathetic anchor within them. Crosshair would fulfill that function... if he wasn't brainwashed to be a chilling murder machine. In the Kamino scenes, the closest thing is Lama Su, who fears a transition to enlisted troops would financially imperil the Kaminoan cloning operation.

Meanwhile on the unnamed moon, the setup of the oxygen masks and critters freaking people out on the windshield can't help but recall the mynocks in the Exogorth from The Empire Strikes Back. From that same movie, the dragon has certain biological similarities with a tauntaun.

There's further development in the parental bond between Hunter and Omega, as she defies him to save the day. Of course, Wrecker gets in on the surrogate family action too by building Omega her own room on their shuttle. But again, the episode's flavor, bitter as it is, lies in the brutal villain scenes on Kamino and Onderon. 6/10.

Star Wars: The Bad Batch - Cut and Run Review

TBB "Cut and Run"

Are Hunter and Omega getting a Din Djarin and Grogu arc? It's a thought that arises in "Cut and Run", a decent second installment of the show in which the villain is bureaucracy, old Clone Wars guest stars return, and (found) familial bonds are forged.

When Clone Force 99 lands on Saleucami, Omega greets the sun and dirt of the new world with wonder. After all, neither sun nor dirt are in evidence on Kamino. Her reaction is reminiscent of Rey's "I didn't know there was this much green in the whole galaxy" when going from Jakku to Takodana in The Force Awakens.

The Bad Batch are there to meet with Suu and Cut Lawquane, the latter of whom is a deserter clone trooper. Both characters appeared in The Clone Wars. At this stage in galactic history, other clone troopers are being used by the Empire, exactly as stormtroopers soon will be. And they're enforcing a new registration drive for citizens to get mandatory chain codes. (Read: DMV Real IDs.) So the villain in this episode is bureaucracy.

The Lawquanes are determined to leave Saleucami with their children, and Hunter deems their family the best place for Omega - at least until she chooses to stay with our heroes. But to get off-planet the Lawquanes need chain codes, a problem Tech and Echo set out to fix. That duo's scene together brings to mind the arguably redundant nature of having two "techie" characters, in the fine tradition of, say, Tej and Ramsey in the Fast and Furious series.

So what we end up with is a Mission: Impossible setup where one group of characters has to walk casually through a checkpoint while another frantically hacks into the system to establish their credentials. The Lawquanes make it off planet, and the Bad Batch shoot their way out of the spaceport to fight another day. "Cut and Run" is a fine statement for the surrogate father/daughter bond developing between Hunter and Omega, and for the state of this galaxy in transition. 6/10.

Stray observations:

- It should be noted that the Imperial officer pushing chain codes in a public holo message is one Vice Admiral Rampart. Why is this significant? He has a Black Series figure, so you can bet that the toys have tipped the show's hand and he's got a bigger role to play as the show goes on.

- Echo's right arm has a servo that interfaces with computer terminals exactly like R2-D2's arm.

- Wrecker gets a classic Ralph McQuarrie poncho, and continues his Gonk droid exercise routine.

- Two connections to Solo: the boot on the impounded ship is like that on Lando and L3's Millennium Falcon, and the Imperial check-in station with tray for item exchange is straight out of Coronet Spaceport on Corellia.

Star Wars: The Bad Batch - Aftermath Review

TBB "Aftermath"

"The Clone War may have ended, but a Civil War is about to begin."

As The Clone Wars logo burns away into that of The Bad Batch (literalizing this show's status as a sequel/spinoff), we find ourselves once again in that rich time period during and around Revenge of the Sith, with Order 66 playing out across the galaxy. But Clone Squad 99 is immune to such slavish programming. The experimental special forces team of Hunter, Tech, Wrecker, Crosshair, and Echo were introduced in the final season of The Clone Wars and crucially for this show, they already have a successful group dynamic. The distinct personalities are fun to watch play off of each other, such as the running bit where Tech needles Wrecker about how he loves blowing stuff up just because he was programmed that way.

But it's not all banter and brotherhood, as there is conflict within the team. Crosshair is presented initially as the Raphael of the group, if you will, aggressively questioning Hunter's (read: Leonardo's) leadership. Eventually it's revealed that Crosshair's chip is slightly more receptive to Order 66, a vulnerability that the Empire and the Kaminoans exploit. I wish that the conflict was a genuine disagreement; this development quantifies Crosshair's dissension, making it literal and tech-based. But in any case, Crosshair is now an agent of the Empire, throwing a wrench in the team dynamic already.

The source of Hunter and Crosshair's argument is the former's inability to follow through on Order 66 and kill young Caleb Dume, padawan to Depa Billaba. In events that don't seem to comport with the incident as portrayed in the Kanan: The Last Padawan comic series, Hunter lets Caleb go on his fugitive way, to eventually take the new name Kanan Jarrus. (And Caleb is still voiced by Kanan actor Freddie Prinze Jr.!) 

The episode depicts the Bad Batch's rough transition from serving the Republic to questioning and abandoning the Empire. Their disillusionment is helped along by a token appearance from Saw Gerrera, voiced by original actor Andrew Kishino - this time with a bit of Forest Whitaker inflection in the performance. Of course, to be heroes in this show the Bad Batch must reject the Empire, and another motivating factor presents itself in the form of the girl Omega, who is another defective clone. By episode's end the Squad minus Crosshair spirits Omega away from Kamino (not before she shows a latent talent for sharpshooting herself), her first jump to lightspeed scored beautifully by Kevin Kiner.

Appearances from Admiral Tarkin, Kaminoan Prime Minister Lama Su, and someone who appears to be Taun We fill out further connections to the established canon. Not to mention an animated take on Palpatine's big Senate speech announcing the Empire (Ian McDiarmid is credited, and to my ears this doesn't sound like the exact audio from Revenge of the Sith). The most chilling moment of the episode comes when the "regular" clone troopers follow their previously dormant fascist programming and cheer Palpatine. The Bad Batch do well to reject all that. 7/10.

Stray observations:

- There's a new Disney+ Star Wars logo treatment, this time a helmet montage specific to the animated shows.

- More of Revenge of the Sith gets the official animated treatment, specifically General Grievous' escape from the Invisible Hand.

- Kiner busts out the Imperial March during Palpatine's big speech.

- Echo is described as "more machine than man", echoing (heh) Obi-Wan's description of Darth Vader as "more machine now than man" in Return of the Jedi.

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier: One World, One People Review

TFATWS "One World, One People"

For the show's run so far, the title has been The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. In a final flourish, "One World One People" recapitulates it as Captain America and the Winter Soldier. And that tracks with how the episode leans into the iconography of Captain America with the new Wakandan stars and stripes wingsuit, and furthermore the idea of Captain America. Cue an awed bystander calling Sam Black Falcon, and a fellow citizen correcting him with, "That's Captain America!" It's a welcome bit of superhero cheesiness, in this climactic episode of the miniseries.

The threat of the Flag Smashers leads to the GRC evacuating their facility before their resettlement vote, leading to a January 6th type of imagery as politicians huddle in fear. The sequence progresses on multiple fronts, Sam dealing with Batroc then taking to the air, and Bucky engaging the super soldiers on the ground. Sam's helicopter rescue maneuver, enlisting hostage Ayla Perez to take the stick, makes for a fine companion piece to Tony Stark's rescue of falling civilians in Iron Man 3.

The sequence also takes in the partial rehabilitation of Walker, who chooses to help save a vehicle full of hostages rather than blindly pursue revenge on Karli Morgenthau. In the big picture, it's questionable whether the whole project of rehabilitation is worth it given what Walker represents in the thematic framework of the show, but in any case, he's apparently "legit" again. This time he gets his handle from the comics, US Agent, working for "Val".

Also a major player in the conflict: the corrupt Sharon Carter, revealed as the mysterious "Power Broker" of Madripoor. By episode's end, she gets her pardon, but she fully intends to abuse her authority in the CIA. Over the course of the episode, Sharon kills Batroc and Karli. To outward appearances, these were necessary countermeasures. But when looked at from her perspective, she's covering for herself. Sharon gets rid of loose ends and bad actors with ties to her own criminal enterprise, and comes out looking like a hero. So Sharon Carter is essentially the Sheev Palpatine of this story, and the whole show has been her Phantom Menace. It's a downright dire turn for a character who started out a hero.

After the dust settles, Sam as Captain America discusses events with the GRC politicians. It's certainly positioned as a centerpiece moment, but when the whole situation of the refugee camps has been the victim of tell-don't-show storytelling, it's hard to parse how the show intends to frame audience sympathy in this debate. And without more information, it's hard to parse how to engage with it.

Zemo has his butler kill the arrested Flag Smashers, Bucky tells Yori Nakajima the true circumstances of his son's murder, and in a very "Vincent and the Doctor" from Doctor Who moment, Sam shows Isaiah Bradley his new room in the Captain America Smithsonian exhibit. It's a piece of poignant punctuation in a finale that brings closure and plenty of action, but still exposes holes in the presentation of the show's overarching story. The character work for Sam, Bucky, and Zemo has been largely excellent. The cases of Walker, Karli, and especially Sharon are more mixed. But that doesn't stop the crystallization of Sam's hero moment, bursting through the window as a Captain America for the 21st Century. 7/10.

Stray observation:

- Isaiah Bradley says Sam is "no Martin". Indeed, but Anthony Mackie played Martin Luther King Jr. on TV in All the Way.

- One of the reporters asks Sam if he's "Captain Falcon" now. If he is, maybe he should race in F-Zero and practice his Falcon Punch for Super Smash Bros.

Power Rangers Dino Fury: Unexpected Guest Review

PRDF "Unexpected Guest"

The grand tradition of Kelson Henderson in Power Rangers continues, as he reprises his Ninja Steel role of Mick in a meat and potatoes episode that features a brief but compelling peek into Ranger mythology.

New monster Wolfgang has an impressive sonic howl power that can literally dismantle a Megazord. Meanwhile Mick arrives on Earth to search for the lost Nexus Prism. His presence means a team-up of two mentors, as he and Solon attempt to locate the Prism.

The episode's centerpiece moment comes when Zayto telepathically communicates with the Nexus Prism. He sees the Morphin Masters creating the Nexus Prism, part of a general practice of creating magical objects to one day power Ranger teams. (Presumably, the Zeo Crystal is another example.) We also see glimpses the Masters' observations of the Ninja Steel, Beast Morphers, and of course, Dino Fury teams. It's a great fleeting look at the series' wider mythos.

The Rangers coalesce to deal with Wolfgang and the still-empowered Boomtower, occasioning the first time all five zords make a big entrance together. They combine to form the Dino Fury Megazord, Warrior formation, killing Boomtower for good with the Rangers securing his raw sporix to boot.

Other moments of flavor in the episode include a Great British Bake Off parody at Buzzblast, a space taxi, and the reveal of Void Knight going all Mr. Freeze and keeping his great love in suspended animation. "Unexpected Guest" brings back Mick for a fun guest role, expanded into something more by connecting to the wider Power Rangers story for the first time this season. 7/10.

Stray observation:

- Mick says he has selfies with over 40 Power Rangers. So, six Ninja Steel Rangers. Ten legendary Rangers from "Dimensions in Danger". Accounting for the others provides fuel for imagining some off-screen adventures.

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier: Truth Review

TFATWS "Truth"

In its penultimate installment, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier got back into its wheelhouse for a moving and satisfying "calm before the storm" episode.

We begin in the only place we could after the heinous events at the end of last week's episode: with consequences for John Walker. Sam and Bucky confront the enraged, 'roided up, unrepentant Walker, and an exciting two-on-one fight ensues. The power sets on display land logically, but more than that, the motivations behind the fight have the spice of a proper build-up. The sequence is earned.

Henry Jackman breaks out his main theme from Captain America: Civil War, underlining superficial parallels the fight has with Steve and Bucky vs. Tony Stark in that film. Another MCU moment comes up when Sam uses his wings' rocket booster to force the shield out of Walker's hands; it's reminiscent of Tony and Peter Parker trying to wrest the Infinity Gauntlet off Thanos' arm in Avengers: Infinity War.

After Walker is stripped of his duties and military pension, he and his wife are approached by a quirky and enigmatic woman played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus (giving a performance not unlike her Arrested Development character). After visiting Lemar's family, Walker begins to make his own knock-off Captain America shield.

When I say the episode throws itself squarely in the show's wheelhouse, I mean that it largely gets away from the pokey Flag Smashers material and focuses on the areas of the show where its strengths most clearly reside: reckoning with the exploitation of Isaiah Bradley, the Wilson family drama in Louisiana, and the partnership between Sam and Bucky. Each element is tended to, as the episode prioritizes relatively quiet character moments after the initial action business has been dealt with. Even the telling detail of Bucky's right-handedness plays into this, and the bonding he and Sam engage in is genuinely touching.

Sam wrestles with the revelation of Bradley's all-too-predictable story, and the problematic nature of a Black man wielding a shield so loaded with nationalistic symbolism. Ultimately, he decides to "keep fighting", and get himself a sweet training montage. Sam practicing his shield throw is undeniably cool. Bucky also delivers a gift for Sam from Wakanda, that the show is teasing hard. Presumably it's a new wingsuit, to replace the one Walker tore apart. Wakanda has given Bucky a metal arm and Steve retractable "shields", but there's an extra resonance to the country giving gear to a Black superhero. (Granted, the Captain America shield is made of likely-stolen vibranium...)

Elsewhere, Bucky delivers Zemo to Ayo and the Dora Milaje, who intend to deliver him in turn to the Raft. We learn that Sharon Carter really is a villain, working with Batroc of all people. Come on, Sharon, this is the Hydra type of bullshit you took a stand against in Captain America: The Winter Soldier! And Karli and the other Flag Smashers begin their attack to delay a GRC vote on a resolution to repatriate thousands of blipped people to their original countries. Hmm, a terrorist attack to stop a vote, does that sound familiar? 8/10.

Power Rangers Dino Fury: Stego Search Review

PRDF "Stego Search"

Yes. That is Javi playing a keytar in the image above. Thank you and you're welcome.

Of course, the presence of said keytar is no surprise, as that was central to Javi's motivation from his introduction to the show. As he plays it in the park, J-Borg accompanies him with operatic vocals that recall the "Diva Dance" from The Fifth Element. But in a moment of parental authority gone too far, Javi's dad Carlos instantly takes it upon himself to return the instrument and get Javi's money back.

Meanwhile, the other Rangers and Solon attempt to locate Javi's dormant Stegozord. After no joy on the search, Izzy nominates Zayto to tell Javi the bad news, but then leaves Amelia and Ollie to do it. Is that leadership?

In Area 62, Boomtower takes it upon himself to power up with a sporix enhancement. Boomtower, blithely enhancing himself like he's John Walker in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier... The ensuing action sequence benefits from the nicely counterintuitive choice to have the unmorphed foot soldier fight at the end of the action sequence. But after Izzy is injured, "Stego Search" continues to be not a great episode for Carlos, who venomously blames Javi for Izzy's injury even though a) he doesn't understand the situation, and b) everything that's gone before would indicate that Izzy's the "tougher" sibling!

There's an amusing moment when Boomtower grows to kaiju size across town, and Amelia asks, "Am I imagining it, or is he looking right at us?" At this point, it becomes clear that in addition to Zayto and Carlos, Void Knight has to come in for leadership criticism too. Boomower says that Void Knight "let [him] keep" the sporix powers. This, after Void Knight interrupted the attack on an overwhelmed team of Rangers purely because he was annoyed Boomtower used his initiative? Shame, Void Knight. Shame. Inefficiency and incompetence in evil.

Anyways, Javi finds his zord, it comes with the Megazord in a spike formation, and there's a cool sunset zord battle. Aside from multiple instances of characters behaving illogically, the episode nonetheless shines as a solid focus episode for Javi. There's also a decent runner about Zayto needing a teen dictionary to understand slang. Now get back that keytar. 7/10.