The Bad Batch Gives Omega An Epic Gamer Moment
Tensions are high in the last episode of Star Wars: The Bad Batch, As our preferred group of maladapted clones will balance out to earn money while maintaining a low profile. With a number of narrow calls that had almost Omega coming back into the hands of the Empire, it’s clear that Hunter and co. they feel angry for taking their charge on more missions. But the situation resolves itself in a wonderful way that happens to involve the Star Wars version of space chess.
To put it bluntly: the clones are still on the run from their former employer. A few episodes ago, the group made progress to break away from their previous teachers by undergoing surgery that removed a chip in their brain. The chip, they tell us, is capable of controlling it even from a distance. Not good! And so our merry band of hard guys heads towards it a place introduced in Star Wars: Fallen Order, just managed to escape. While in the end the clones got what they wanted, the mission proved to be traumatic for all participants. Not only will the clones have to fight a former team member, but Omega is nearly killed by Wrecker, his best friend.
While Omega obviously forgives Wrecker, the proof is just the beginning of the group’s problems. Soon after, Omega is kidnapped by a bounty hunter who intends to make his return to the Kaminoans. Except that the Kaminoans are divided on what they want to do with Omega, with one wanting to get it back to the end, and the other hoping to keep it healthy and healthy. And so poor Omega finds himself targeted by one second size hunter who has the task of limiting the former.
The clones manage to recover Omega, but at this point, Hunter is tired of the danger facing his adopted daughter. For episode 10, which was released this July 2nd, Hunter decides it’s no longer a good idea to take Omega on missions, especially not in the places they shoot with Stormtroopers. Although Omega isn’t happy about this, the clones leave it at the arcade they used as a base.
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The saloon is owned by Cid, who promises to take care of her while the clones go out in the mission. While Cid is grouchy and doesn’t want to deal with Omega, she agrees to do it because it’s the only way to ensure the clones can do the job and pay the immense debt that they owe her. Omega, of course, is miserable: Up until now, despite being just a kid, she’s been a key part of the team. Usually she’s out there kicking ass and shooting space arrows—but now she’s stuck inside scrubbing countertops. That sucks!
Since the show’s introduction of the base, I’ve been fascinated by the visible arcade machines glowing in the background. What sorts of games might the people in Star Wars enjoy, I wondered? To my eternal delight, S1E10 finally makes use of that setting. While we don’t get to see any new games, we do sometimes see folks playing that holographic version of chess that was introduced in the original trilogy. Known as holochess (or Dejarik to Star Wars nerds), the game’s rules are never fully explained in the movies. We do, however, see enough to get the general gist that it is a two-player strategy game in which a number of aliens are moved on a board, each one having its own hit points, attack, and movement patterns.
Space chess, basically. And wouldn’t you know it, Omega is a killer at strategy. While watching Cid play against other patrons, Omega critiques Cid’s play style, warning her that her intended move is not a good idea. Cid doesn’t listen, and ends up getting his piece killed. That’s when the gears start turning in her head. If Omega is a genius at the game, can she use her wits to hustle other players into forking over money?
The answer, dear reader, is yes. Omega, ever the sharp lass, negotiates with Cid about getting a 60 percent cut of the earnings. And then they play against unsuspecting competitors, allowing Omega not only to make some cash, but to pay back the giant debt accrued by the clones. That rules! I’m heartened that the show takes care in showing that, regardless of her physical ability or age, Omega is not actually helpless. She’s smart, she’s resourceful, and she’s a tactical genius.
While she’s always a help during missions, the forays also push her out of her comfort zone. Sure, she’s been genetically engineered to have enhancements, but she’s not a trained soldier like Wrecker and the rest of her adoptive dads. She does indeed grow more capable as the show goes own, but it’s also cool that The Bad Batch finds a way to let Omega shine on her own terms. That it happens to involve a fictional game is icing on the cake. Turns out, you can still have epic gamer moments in space.
