Star Wars: The Bad Batch season 2 launches today, January 4th, on Disney+! In addition to the first two episodes that are available today, we got an early look at the first fourteen episodes of season two. This review will NOT contain any spoilers (outside of what was already revealed in the trailers), so let’s talk about what you can expect from The Bad Batch season 2 and my thoughts on it so far.

What To Expect

Season 2 of The Bad Batch picks up roughly a few months after the events of the season 1 finale with the Batch still running jobs for Cid. Hunter, Tech, Wrecker, and Echo (Dee Bradley Baker) are continuing to train and look after their sister, Omega (Michelle Ang), as they try to figure out their place in this new, post-Republic galaxy.

A central theme to this season of The Bad Batch is what the team should do next. Should they continue to work for Cid so they can get enough money to get away and be safe? Or should they be “doing more” as the Empire grows stronger, as Echo suggests in the trailer? It’s a question that each member of the team is going to have to answer before long.

This season also focuses more on Omega’s relationships with her brothers besides Hunter and Wrecker, who she seemed to spend the most time with in season 1. She shares some lovely moments with both Echo and Tech this season, learning more from both of them.

The show also continues to focus on how to deal with change. Of course, the biggest change for the characters is the continuing growth of the Empire- a change to be resisted. But other things change for the team, too. Varying values and new circumstances have to be addressed and faced. New and returning-for-the-first-time characters also must face these changes and figure out their own places in this new landscape. Will they work with this new Empire, or will they find ways of helping and rebelling against its overreach and cruelty?

Fans of Star Wars: The Clone Wars will also be delighted with some of the storylines that are pulled into this season of the show. Without giving too much away, threads that were left loose in Clone Wars will be picked up again. “Which threads?” you ask? Well, that would be spoiling some amazing reveals, so just you wait!

Returning and New Characters

As revealed in the trailers, there are many characters from Star Wars: The Clone Wars who will be returning for the first time in The Bad Batch season 2. The one that many fans are most excited for and are most eager to find out what happens to is Cody- the Clone Commander of the 212th and former second-in-command to Jedi General Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Without giving too much away, Cody’s appearance in The Bad Batch is phenomenally done. Really, I can’t say much more than that without spoiling things for eager fans! One thing to note from the trailer, though, is the lack of the familiar orange on Cody’s armor- now replaced with a much more uniform gray. In fact, as of season 2, none of the clones have much individuality anymore- much of it erased by the Empire. Don’t worry, though- fans will not have to wait long to see Commander Cody back in action.

Eagle-eyed fans will have also spotted a few other familiar faces in the trailers released for season two. Gungi, one of the Younglings from the Gathering arc in Clone Wars, where Ahsoka Tano oversees a group of young Jedi as they find their Kyber Crystals and build their lightsabers, makes an appearance. Palpatine even makes an in-person appearance in the trailer versus the screens he was seen on in season 1.

Of course, The Bad Batch has more surprises in store. Ones that I am not going to spoil as discovering that these characters were also a part of this story was an utter delight! Just trust that you’ll see more familiar faces from The Clone Wars and think about who else may fit into these Clones’ stories…

The Bad Batch season 2 also boasts some delightful new characters. Among these is Phee Genoa, voiced by Wanda Sykes (The Upshaws, Black-ish). Personally, Phee is my favorite of these new characters. Part pirate, part archeologist, Phee tags along on a few of the Batch’s adventures and plays a role in how their story unfolds from here.

Season 2 boasts a delightful guest cast as well. From a droid to a new friend to a new enemy and, of course, new Clones, these characters all play an important role in this season.

My Thoughts on The Bad Batch Season 2

This season of Star Wars: The Bad Batch is, in my opinion, even better than the first. The writers of this show were really able to come up with some interesting and new angles to look at these characters and the situations they find themselves in. The planets the Batch find themselves on this season are gorgeous, too, with so many varying climates and looks.

Season 2 is about the Batch finding their path as the Empire continues to grow. Season 1 was very hectic for them at times and took place so soon after Order 66 where this season has more time to cover and more breathing room for these characters. Sure, they’re still running jobs for Cid. And sure, Rex is still asking for their help on missions. With some space between them and those hectic early days, they’re able to figure themselves out more, or at least figure themselves out more as individuals who are no longer tied to a war or an army- at least not the one that they grew up with.

There are some really great moments with Omega this season, too. Still just a kid (if probably technically older than her brothers in at least years), she offers a unique perspective to the rest of the Batch. Coping with new situations and changes lead to some very touching moments between her and the other Clones- especially Echo and Tech. A moment between her and Tech in an episode in the later half of the season is one of my favorite scenes of the whole season.

Tech also gets more of a chance to shine this season. I really like how, in a few of the episodes, his skills are put to use for things other than just hacking or explaining technology. He gets some emotional development, too, thanks in part to Omega making him talk through some things that the Batch has to deal with.

There are a lot of great surprises in store for fans of the animated Star Wars shows in this season. If you’re able to, avoid all the spoilers that you can. You’re all in for a real treat!

Star Wars: The Bad Batch season 2 premieres January 4th on Disney+ with new episodes premiering every Wednesday through March 29th, 2023.