7 Most Villainous Moments of the Empire in Star Wars: The Bad Batch

Split image of Hemlock torturing Crosshair and Dee Bradley Baker and Jennifer Hale in Star Wars: The Bad Batch (2021)
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Split image of Hemlock torturing Crosshair and Dee Bradley Baker and Jennifer Hale in Star Wars: The Bad Batch (2021)
Credit: LucasFilms/Disney+ Source: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt24176252/mediaviewer/rm2262379265/?ref_=tt_ov_i License: fair use for promotional, commentary and news purposes LucasFilms/Disney+ Source: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt24176204/mediaviewer/rm575813377/?ref_=tt_md_1 License: fair use for promotional, commentary and news purposes

Star Wars: The Bad Batch is set during one of the most devastating events in Star Wars history—Order 66—the series delves into the aftermath of the Emperor's brutal command to eradicate the Jedi. This order forced the Clone Troopers, once allies of the Jedi, to turn against them and commit genocide.

The Bad Batch chronicles the journey of Clone Force 99, a group of clones with enhanced genetics, as they grapple with their identities and loyalties in the face of the Empire's ascension. This era of the Empire is marked by numerous instances of villainy.

Crosshair's Unwavering Loyalty to the Empire

Clone Troopers hunting down refugees
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The moral complexities introduced in Star Wars: The Bad Batch are exemplified through various dark and twisted moments, starting with Crosshair's descent into darkness. In Season 1, Episode 3, Crosshair, now leading a group of elite human recruits, is tasked with quelling insurgents on Onderon.

Related: 8 Emotional Moments That Tug at the Heartstrings in 'Star Wars: The Bad Batch'

Unlike the Bad Batch, who previously refused to kill innocent civilians, Crosshair's allegiance to the Empire knows no bounds. When a member of his team hesitates to kill refugees, Crosshair ruthlessly eliminates him and orders the massacre of the refugees.

This cold-blooded action sets the tone for the series, illustrating the chilling consequences of blind obedience to the Empire.

The Empire's Young Lab Experiments

Ming-Na Wen, Dee Bradley Baker, and Rhea Perlman in Star Wars: The Bad Batch (2021)
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Emerie Karr’s promotion in Season 1, Episode 5, unravels the dark underbelly of the Empire’s scientific endeavors. Now a key figure in Dr. Royce Hemlock's sinister Project Necromancer, Karr reveals the existence of a facility where three Force-sensitive children are held captive.

This revelation highlights the Empire's gruesome ambition to manipulate and harness the Force through unethical experiments. The involvement of these innocent children is what makes this truly evil. If Order 66 wasn't enough, they're also hunting down Force-sensitive children.

Related: 7 Cameos and Easter Eggs in Star Wars: The Bad Batch Season 3

Dr Hemlock Tortures Crosshair for Information

Dee Bradley Baker and Jimmi Simpson in Star Wars: The Bad Batch (2021)
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Season 2 continues to push boundaries with even more intense scenes, particularly in Episode 14, where Crosshair endures brutal torture at the hands of Dr. Hemlock. Held captive on Weyland, Crosshair is coerced to betray his former comrades in Clone Force 99.

Hemlock's sadistic joy in inflicting pain is menacingly palpable, and the promise of a clean slate in exchange for Crosshair's cooperation is cruel manipulation.

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Crosshair’s resistance and the subsequent torture he faces underscore the Empire's ruthless methods and the lengths they will go to maintain control.

Admiral Tarkin Eliminates Insurgents

The Bad Batch in Season 1
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In the very first episode, where the Bad Batch confronts Admiral Tarkin's harsh evaluation. Tarkin's decision to enhance Crosshair’s inhibitor chip, turning him against his squadmates, is a heartbreaking betrayal that forces the Bad Batch and Omega to flee.

This pivotal moment not only fractures the team but also exemplifies the merciless nature of the Empire’s control over the clones.

Rampart Frames Cham

Michelle Ang, Dee Bradley Baker, and Vanessa Marshall in Star Wars: The Bad Batch (2021)
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Another layer of treachery is unveiled in Season 1, Episode 11, when Rampart frames Cham Syndulla for the attempted assassination of Senator Orn Free Taa.

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Crosshair’s role in the setup and the subsequent arrest of Cham, his wife Eleni, and their ally Glie highlight the political machinations and brutality of the Empire.

Hera Syndulla's narrow escape sets the stage for her future rebellion, but the immediate impact is a family torn apart by deceit and violence.

Assassinated for Knowing Too Much

Dee Bradley Baker and Jennifer Hale in Star Wars: The Bad Batch (2021)
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In Season 2, Episode 7, the stakes are raised further when Rampart pushes for a bill to replace clones with Imperial recruits, signalling the Empire’s readiness to discard its clone army. The murder of clone trooper Slip by an assassin, under Rampart’s orders, adds a layer of conspiracy and silencing dissent within the Imperial ranks.

Senator Riyo Chuchi’s investigation into Rampart’s actions reveals the dangerous lengths the Empire will go to maintain its narrative and power.

Everything About Project Necromancer

Dr. Hemlock and Emperor Palpatine
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Season 3’s exploration of Project Necromancer delves into the Empire’s most sinister ambitions yet. The project, spearheaded by Dr. Hemlock and supported by Emperor Palpatine himself, involves transferring midi-chlorians between subjects to create a Force-sensitive clone.

The presence of young Jedi prisoners and the experiments conducted on them underscore the Empire’s relentless pursuit of power, even at the cost of innocent lives.

Star Wars: The Bad Batch doesn’t shy away from the darkest aspects of the Star Wars universe. By highlighting these sinister moments, the series not only expands the lore but also offers a gripping exploration of the moral and ethical dilemmas faced by those living under the Empire’s shadow.


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