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Star Wars: The Bad Batch: Common Ground (2021)
The Best Opening in the Show Yet
The episode opens with a breathtaking visual of Raxus, the capital city of the CIS from the Clone Wars. And the following few minutes are one of the best scenes in the entirety of The Bad Batch yet. The Imperial Occupators have covinced the Senator Avi Singh to allow their "partnership", and Singh is not so sure about it. His little revolt speech, and the events that follow are somehow really nerve-wracking and surprisingly dark, without having a single death.
The episode then shifts back to the Batch, who now need to rescue said senator. And Omega is not going with them. This was a really good decision and allowed for Omega's skill to be revealed properly, and it now makes sense because she is, after all, a direct, unaltered clone of Jango Fett. It also, at first, gave hope for the biggest issue of the show to be solved. And that's giving Echo and Tech some good development.
That does happen for quite some time. In the first ten minutes, Echo talks against the mission multiple times, and is angry about how they are saving Seperatists. This makes complete sense because of what happened to him after the Citadel. And it promises for a good argument between the group, but it is not touched upon ever again. Echo is sent away with Wrecker and not seen during the rescue of the senator at all. It gives Tech some moments, but really steals from Echo's importance.
The episode promises with it's description that "The Batch have their ideologies challenged.". But that never happens after the start. They are all cool with what is going on, and Echo stops being discontent as soon as he comes face to face with the Senator. They have no dialogue at all. The Senator then helps them escape, and shows concern for his citizens. But during none of these moments is Echo's reaction shown. All it would have taken was a few frames. And then Echo ends it all with an inspiring, old comment, "Live to fight another day.". Overall, this main, most intriguing aspect of the episode turned out to be uninspiring and half-baked.
Omega's side is much better with the narrative. It gives her some time with Cid and we also get to see more of the creditor. The Holochess scene is really good and shows each of their personalities well. Omega is trying to help, and Cid is looking for more ways to make money. And the end with Omega and Hunter sitting down to play a match is also a great way to end the episode.
The episode was good overall, but had some very bad shortcomings. The main premise was ruined and Echo's character wasted pathetically once more. The opening was the best part and highlight of the episode, and the animation really had some stand-out moments. The music was still on par with the rest of the show. While the Bad Batch has been a great ride till now, it still hasn't reached it's true potential. With six episodes to go, I hope stuff gets crazy next week.
Loki: The Nexus Event (2021)
Back on Track with Better Pacing
The episode begins with the demise of Lamentis 1, and a nexus event which defines the following forty-five minutes.
The show once more proves it's ability to make an episode stand out from the rest of the bunch with a unique color pallete and atmosphere. The music is still pretty good, and the acting is great for most of the part.
This one is miles better from the previous ones in the fact that it understands how to handle pacing and how to transition from character development to plot progression. The beginning is very much like the previous episode and brings us up to pace with where the TVA stand currently. A reunion between Mobius and Loki, and a confrontation between Ravonna and Mobius about C-20. But slowly, it works towards the faster paced scenes with a small hint at the beginning, and then goes all out after B-15 takes Sylvie back to Alabama. It works much better as compared to the abrupt drop of the previous installment.
The plot moves forward in a major way too. Mobius and B-15 learn the truth about the Time Keepers and each work with their Loki towards a solution. Sif is a welcome cameo after not being seen for quite a while, the last time being in Agents of S. H. I. E. L. D., and she plays her part pretty well. The final moments of Mobius are really great and well set-up, despite not being something too big. The episode promises us the Time Keepers, and provides, in the end, with a confrontation between their Variants.
The dynamic between Loki and Sylvie seemed to be coming, even from the previous episode. It is a great way to make Loki care about and fall for someone. It's a version of himself! And it works because you know that there is nobody like him, and only those two can understand each other and care about the actions they take. Really interested to see where they go with it.
It is, however, far from perfect, due to some very obvious, jarring reasons. The scene with B-15 regaining her memories was not that great, and neither did they hint at it in a previous episode (in contrast, Mobius' love for Jet ski's was set up a while back). The fight was pretty boring and seemed like a normal, cliche MCU fight. Coming from FATWS, and even the previous episode, it is a huge drop in quality and choreography. The end with Loki being pruned does not really hit hard at all. This is because the same has already happened to Mobius, who went out pretty unceremoniously, and knowing Marvel, they would never do that to a character. So it was pretty obvious that they were still alive and well.
The ending, and mid-credit scene, hints at a pretty "expositionary" fifth episode, and it is probably going to set up the stage for the final villain, whoever it is (please be Kang the Conqueror). So, yeah, with a great plot and character-heavy episode, Loki is back on track, despite having a couple mistakes.
Star Wars: The Bad Batch: Bounty Lost (2021)
The Stage is Set
The episode jumps right into the action with Crosshair following the Batch after the previous episode's events. And that is all we see of Crosshair this week.
The animation was still beautiful, but nothing particularly stood out, except for the first shot of the abandoned facility. The music was pretty good, although I really wanted to hear the new theme heard in the last episode a bit more.
It was a very Batch-less episode and it actually worked in the show's favor. All of the members got their own time and space to bring forward their inputs and use their abilities to help rescue their little friend. The three-party stand-off with Bane, Fennec and Omega was one of the best parts about the episode and was handled very well. It allowed for their personalities and powers to pop through and show themselves.
The Bane vs. Fennec fight has to be one of the best fights in the show yet. Although I am still not sure if Bane was going easy on Fennec or if Fennec is supposed to be as strong as Bane. Because I honestly expected Bane to beat her in a couple seconds. Fennec is still probably supposed to be in her early years of bounty hunting, so going toe to toe with Bane and standing her ground was a bit surprising.
The story takes immense momentum in just a few minutes. While not the entire episode is plot-focused, there is a lot of stuff going on that makes it go forward really quick. Omega is revealed to be a kind-of sister to Boba Fett, i.e., an original copy of Jango, and the struggle inside the Kamino elite becomes extremely clear with Lama Su and Nala Se now against each other behind the scenes.
So, with amazing animation and music, albeit not being stand-out, and a really cool action set piece with an interesting stand-off, "Bounty Lost" leaves the Batch aside for a moment to focus on Omega and the bounty hunters, and make the sides a bit more clear, along with dropping a huge bomb about Omega's speciality.
Presentation (Animation/Music, etc.) - 3/4
Story - 3/3
Characters - 2/3.
Loki: Lamentis (2021)
Right Narrative, Wrong Time
The episode starts off directly where the last one left off, with some overlaps of narrative perspective. Going at incredible pace, it promises something magnificent to come, but drops off poorly after that. Bringing Sylvie and Loki so close to the Golden Elevator, only for them to then conveniently teleport to Lamentis 1 is a very overdone and boring desicion. Was it too much for us to just get a glimpse of the Time Keepers?
Now, to extend the journey and give more time for Loki and Sylvie to grow as partners is a good idea, but this just does not feel like the way to do it. The episode does provide for some great bonding betwen the two main characters and teases a troubled past between Sylvie and the Time Keepers. And Loki talking about Frigga was also a great moment. So was him snapping at Sylvie about her 'glorious purpose', now knowing how it all works.
But there is incredible stuff too. Towards the ending, the almost two and a half-minute long continous shot is a great way to show the chaos on the moon and the fights really seem tight and congested during those moments. Once more, the show provides a brilliant color palette in purple and black, and immediately seperates itself in terms of looks from the previous episodes. Just a few lines of dialogue, are the highlight of the episode, those being the ones about the TVA workers being Variants.
While it is still on par with the previous episode in terms of production quality and direction, it takes a massive dip in narrative and pace. And even though that narrative is still important and really good, this was not time for it, considering the previous installment's promise. It leaves off at a low point for our main characters, and with a hint of a shift in power against the Time Keepers. It is all a set-up for things to come, and is really just a forgettable episode except for a few moments. Tom Hiddleston's brilliant acting cannot save this one.
Star Wars: The Bad Batch: Reunion (2021)
Less Than Expected, but Still Pretty Good
The explosive encounter between Crosshair and the Batch that we were promised happens in a pretty rocky way. It starts off strong, misses the mark in the middle, and then has a weird ending.
The animation was brilliant, and gave some of the most beautiful shots of the show yet. And that deserves all the praise one can give. The music, especially in the final few minutes was really well done.
All the pieces set in the beginning, do connect together in the episode, and in a satisfying way. The defusal practice gives more time for Wrecker and Omega's relationship to grow, but we'll get back to that later. The middle half has a single fight scene, which gives a pretty shaky reunion between the old friends, and does nothing to change the plot except for a fleeting reference to the inhibitor chips. The escape is pretty fun, but nothing interesting, and the ending is related to the next point.
The biggest problem that The Bad Batch has even now, is how it handles the titular group of heroes. The only members of the group which I feel I know are Hunter, Wrecker and Omega. They are the only people who are given moments to shine. Tech and Echo exist as side characters who still have unique personalities, but only show up for a dialogue or two. Tech, especially, is used only to get them out of technology related situations and is not useful otherwise. Echo still does not earn his place in the Batch. Being one of my favorite clones from TCW, it hurts. He does not show any special abilities or is not different from Rex in any way. Just having a personality does not give him that spot. He must have a place, effect and use in the story. For example, think how much better it would have been, if Omega was doing defusal training with Tech, who knows everything about these devices. Just because Wrecker likes to blow things up does not mean he should get that spot.
The ending with Cad Bane did have me really excited to see his character again and I loved how his appearence was handled, although this does bring up the question of where Fennec Shand is, and why she did not accept the request (although this might play into the mystery of her original hirer). Hunter getting hit was a major moment, and one I hoped was used better. If he was not able to get up, and was unconscious for the rest of the episode, it would have given that much needed moment of the rest of the main characters to show their worth.
The next episode has more promise than this one. However, atleast the show is really coming into it's own.
So, overall, animation and music were impressive. The different threads were connected well, and bringing back Bane was a beautiful decision. Echo and Tech could still be explored a lot more, and the ending missed the opportunity to do that. I'd rate it like this -
Animation, Music, etc. - 4/4
Plot - 2/3
Characters - 2/3.
Loki: The Variant (2021)
The Moment It All Changes
Right from the get go, the episode sets it's visual theme. Every scene in the episode uses very calm colors and is very cosy to look at as a whole. Never heavy on the eyes, this episode is by far one of the most chill installments in the MCU. Something you can lie back and relax to.
Mobius really captures the scenes he is in, once more. Although Loki takes the prize for the episode's best performance. The Pompeii moment really shined while showing the god's disregard for human life, especially after he got moist eyes while reading about Asgard. It really cements that Loki still cares about the people he knows.
While the Lady Loki reveal was pretty expected and not too shocking, the "Variant" Scene, with different people changing into a version of her was really well done. Despite being different actors, the overall effect of it being one person really exists.
Story-wise, the entire episode was a lot like a murder mystery, or problem-solving movie. The "smaller moments of brilliance that characters have and suddenly figure out something important" trope seemed a bit overused. It happens about 3-4 times in about 35 minutes. But the Apocalypse Theory and the Freedom talk that Loki has with Mobius are really great story moments. After all, Loki would understand how it feels when people decide everything for others, being an adopted child himself.
The most captivating moment of the episode, however, are the final few minutes, which possibly change the MCU forever. As the timelines diverge, the Multiverse is closer than ever to becoming reality and taking everything we know about this Earth to new levels.
Loki: Glorious Purpose (2021)
A promising start
The biggest problem I could have had with this show was that this Loki is not the Loki we know and love from Infinity War. He has not been through all of those events. But the show beautifully handles that problem with Loki binge-watching his life in five minutes. Tom Hiddleston absolutely rocked in that scene. From the viewing of the clips, to the "Glorious purpose. (scoff)" line. Even the final confession he makes about wanting to have power makes complete sense.
Owen Wilson really brings that sense of knowledge into Mobius' character. Mobius, obviously is a huge member of the TVA and knows a lot of stuff about Loki, because of hunting him. And that really shows when he is talking to Loki, because Mobius immediately snatches control of the room whenever he says anything.
I loved how the comedy plays into the plot at some points. The Infinity Stones joke could have been just that, a joke, but it gives Loki more admiration towards the TVA, and I was really impressed by how they used the comedy like that.
The story, till now, is nothing impressive, except for the last reveal. I am not some all-knowing Loki character god, but Loki seemed inconsistent to me in the beginning. Considering the 2012 Loki, he would never ever comply with the TVA in the beginning like he did. He would immediately try to use his powers and reach the leader, instead of working his way through all of the lackeys. But then again, this was a personal thorn for me. Other than, the episode was obviously just a set-up for the things to come.
The final twist worked very well, and honestly, I did not see that coming. Now that I think about it, the little French girl calling Loki the Devil makes sense due to his mask horns. Interested to see how it goes forward.