Slight Changes from Story Reel Version of “The Bad Batch” in Release to Disney Plus Provide Further Depth to Captain Rex
Captain Rex speaking to Commander Cody in the barracks about the possibility of Echo being alive in the newly-released episode, "The Bad Batch"
After much anticipation, the first episode of the seventh and final season of Star Wars The Clone Wars was released this weekend. The first episode in “The Bad Batch” story arc, “The Bad Batch” was basically the first episode of the story arc that had first been shown at Star Wars Celebration Anaheim 2015 (which was an incredible experience(!)) and subsequently released on the Star Wars website in 2015. While the news was made public at Star Wars Celebration Chicago 2019 that the Bad Batch story arc would be one of the story arcs as part of this season, I thought the only difference would be the visual improvement from the story reel versions of this story arc to being ready for online streaming.
While there was a significant upgrade in the visual production value, there was a surprising little change made regarding the plot:
In the original story reel version, the conversation amongst Mace Windu, Anakin Skywalker, Captain Rex, and Commander Cody goes like this:
Commander Cody: “Pardon the interruption, general, but Rex here has a good theory on why we keep losing.”
Mace Windu: “Please, captain.”
Captain Rex: “Well, as you know, I’ve studied our battle lines for some time. I developed an algorithm to counter all our tactical tendencies with the hope that we could shore up our weaknesses. Since this battle for Anaxes started, the Separatists have always been one step ahead of us. If I’m right, Admiral Trench has my algorithm and he’s using it to predict our strategies. It’s just…I don’t know how he got it. My data files are heavily encrypted.”
Mace Windu: “Did anybody else know about your work?”
Captain Rex: “Well, Fives knew, but…he’s gone. And then only one other trooper – Echo.”
Anakin Skywalker: “We lost Echo at the Citadel.”
Captain Rex: “Yes, sir, I know. But I also know Echo, and he could never leave well enough alone. He used to recheck that algorithm every day just to cut the tension of battle. Kind of a hobby. He might have had it on him when he died.”
Anakin Skywalker: “We have to consider what Rex is saying. It would explain the ease with which Trench has been able to defeat us.”
Mace Windu: “Skywalker and I will hold the line on Anaxes; I want you to take a small squad of troopers behind enemy lines to infiltrate the Separatist cyber center. If they have possession of the algorithm, you’ll find evidence of it there. Cody, I’m putting you in charge.”
Anakin Skywalker: “Rex, you’re in on this one, too.”
Captain Rex: “Thank you, general.”
Commander Cody: “I have got the perfect squad for this operation – Clone Force 99.”
In the new version, however, the discussion changes, leaving out any mention of Echo, as well as Commander Cody suggesting where to target, versus Mace Windu:
Commander Cody: “Pardon the interruption, general, but Rex here has a good theory on why we, uh, keep losing.”
Mace Windu: “Please, captain.”
Captain Rex: “The droid army uses analytics to predict our strategy: the first time we use a tactic, it’s very effective; the next, less so. In fact, the more we use a certain tactic, the less effective it becomes. They learn our tendencies and use that data against us. To counter them, we’re constantly working out ways to vary our attack.”
Mace Windu: “But the losses we are experiencing on Anaxes are not commonplace.”
Captain Rex: “Exactly. The counterattacks are so specific, it’s my strategy the droids know, my playbook.”
Commander Cody: “My concern is that Rex is one of our best. If the droids can learn to defeat him, we may all be vulnerable.”
Mace Windu: “What do you propose?”
Commander Cody: “Let Rex and me take a small squad behind enemy lines. There’s a Separatist cyber center which relays all battlefield intel to their command ship. If we’re going to find anything, it will be there.”
Mace Windu: “If you think it will help turn this fight around, get going.”
Captain Rex: “Thank you, general.”
Aankin Skywalker: “Rex, is there anything else?”
Captain Rex: “No, general.”
To make up for some of the plot removed in the conversation, we then see Commander Cody walking in the barracks and finding Captain Rex sitting on a cot, looking at a picture of fellow clone troopers:
Commander Cody: “Come on, Rex, time to move out.”
Captain Rex: “Fives, Echo, and, before that, Hevy. There’s so many troopers gone.”
Commander Cody: “Yeah, regular folk don’t understand. Sometimes, in war, it’s hard to be the one that survives.”
Captain Rex: “That’s what I’m worried about.”
Commander Cody: “Well, what do you mean?”
Captain Rex: “I didn’t tell the generals; they might think I’m crazy – in fact, you might think I’m crazy.”
Commander Cody: “What is it?”
Captain Rex: “I think Echo’s alive.”
Commander Cody: “That’s not possible – he died at the Citadel.”
Captain Rex: “The way the droids are countering us here, the strategies I’m using, they’re all old battle plans Echo and I drew up together.”
Commander Cody: “Look, Rex, I hear what you’re saying, but it’s just not possible.”
Captain Rex: “I hope you’re right, but the fact is: Echo’s fingerprints are all over these Separatist strategies.”
Commander Cody: “Rex, you have to admit what you’re saying is a long shot at best and, most likely, misplaced hope. I need you to be focused on this.”
Captain Rex: “I-I know, I know. Don’t worry. So, what squad are we taking in?
Commander Cody: “Clone Force 99.”
It’s an interesting set of story changes, even if minor, but it does make for an interesting shift for Captain Rex, as Caroline Cao writes, “there is noticeable evolution in the script, especially in Rex’s emotional odyssey for autonomous thinking highlighted by the new element of him burrowing his personal theory—and his sorrow as well. “
