While we know little about Episodes 6 & 7 of Star Wars: The Bad Batch Season 3, we do know the titles: “Infiltration” and “Extraction”. And, based on the events of Episode 5, we can indulge in some reasonable speculation about what that title may imply. We’ll find out more when the episodes drop on Disney+ on March 13, but in the meantime let’s break down the particulars.
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Will Clone Force 99 infiltrate Mount Tantiss in Episode 6?
When Omega and Crosshair escaped from Mount Tantiss in Episode 4, they took Nala Se’s datapad with them. It was encrypted, and Episode 5 involved the gang cracking that encryption by plugging it into an Imperial terminal so that Echo and Rex could use the intel to plan a raid of Mount Tantiss to free the captured clones.
Although it seems a little soon for this to happen, and Echo made it clear that the intelligence from the datapad didn’t provide any coordinates for the facility, the premise does suit a two-part storyline. It’d be hard to get in and out of Tantiss in a single episode, and “Infiltration” and “Extraction” fit the notion so well, we do think that Clone Force 99 will infiltrate Mount Tantiss in Episode 6 and then escape in Episode 7.
There will be a major death in Episode 6 or 7 — or both
With this being the final season, and these two episodes being its midpoint, it stands to reason that there will be a significant character death in one — or both, God forbid — of these episodes. Tantiss is a highly secure Imperial facility, and the chances of the entire team getting in and out unscathed is unlikely.
Since we know that Rex survives until Rebels — and possibly Return of the Jedi if fan theories are to be believed — then he can’t be used to fulfill this purpose, even if he takes part in the raid. That means that one of Clone Force 99 should bite the bullet here, and based on the development of the characters thus far, we think Crosshair is the likeliest candidate to meet his end.
This image from Quora highlights a popular fan theory that Captain Rex survived until the Battle of Endor in Return of the Jedi
Crosshair is on a redemptive arc at the moment. He sold out his brother clones for the Empire believing he was doing the right thing, did some things he’s not proud of, eventually realized the Empire was too psychotic even for him, and then defected again. He helped Omega break out of Mount Tantiss and reunited with the remains of Clone Force 99, but he still carries a lot of lingering regret about what he did. Him sacrificing himself for the team would be a fitting final act, especially with the worsening effects of the experimentation on Tantiss making him a less capable marksman.
Hemlock will live to fight another day
We haven’t seen Dr. Royce Hemlock for an episode, but we know he’s still on Mount Tantiss. He is likely to be there during a raid of the facility, however, we don’t think that Hemlock will die in Episode 6 or 7. It’s a little early in the season for the Big Bad to meet his end, and we imagine he’ll live to fight another day so that he can continue to trouble the Bad Batch from afar. It’s also fitting for a slimy character like him to get out of the way when the action starts.
It would be an interesting direction to take if Clone Force 99 could free the prisoners and escape, but Hemlock keeps this a secret from the Emperor and continues to use the Empire’s limitless resources to track them down. This would make Hemlock increasingly panicked and desperate, creating tension on two sides.
Will there be any cameos?
Some of the major cameos like Cad Bane and Asajj Ventress probably won’t happen in this episode. However, you can probably expect to see Captain Rex turn up and get involved, and Nala Se, although not strictly a cameo, will be present too. For what it’s worth, I have a hunch that Nala Se will die in Episode 6 to raise the stakes for Episode 7 and beyond.
Star Wars: The Bad Batch Season 3 Episodes 6 & 7 Release Date/Where to Watch
The next two episodes of Star Wars: The Bad Batch Season 3, Episodes 6 & 7, will both air on Wednesday, March 13 at 12 am PT, 3 am ET, and 8 am GMT, exclusively on Disney+. This is the first time since the three-part season premiere that multiple episodes have aired on the same day. As above, the episodes will be titled “Infiltration” and “Extraction”.
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