Why Is Echo In The Bad Batch?

Star Wars: The Bad Batch depicts one of the most important storylines in the history of the Star Wars universe. The way different character arcs play out and how they fit into this giant puzzle is quite fascinating and, in some ways, even poetically beautiful! One such arc is that of Echo!

Echo is one of those members whose loyalty has been questioned, but he’s consistently proved his allegiance & that was never easy. After all, he’s called the Hero of Anaxes for a reason.

So how and why did he join The Bad Batch?

The separatists turned Echo into a cyborg, but Rex and The Bad Batch later rescued him. After this, Echo, along with The Bad Batch, battled and defeated the Separatists. Post this, he found his new ‘tribe’ with The Bad Batch and joined them.

Echo was one of the finest clone troopers to have fought in the clone wars from the Galactic Republic’s side by serving in the Grand Army. Echo was born on Kamino and is known initially as CT-21-0408.

In his initial years, he was a cadet in the Domino Squad while still in the Clone Training Center. His very first assignment post graduation involved him working with the Clone Captain CT-7567, aka Rex, along with a few others to guard the Rishi Station moon base.

On this mission, he came to know and even warned the Republic of an imminent threat from the Separatists since they were going to attack Kamino. A part of General Grievous’ army was able to infiltrate the team on Rishi and battled them. In fact, there were only a few survivors from this post, and Echo was one of them.

He was then awarded for his bravery and became a part of the 501st Legion. With further missions and accomplishments, he was promoted to the Elite rank of ARC troopers.

However, his next mission changed a lot of things for him. He, along with a group of troopers and Jedi, was supposed to rescue Jedi Piell. However, due to unfortunate circumstances, he was caught in a blast and even presumed dead by his team members.

Although, he wasn’t dead. Captured by the Separatists, he was kept alive, tortured, and turned into a cyborg. Due to this, he lost a part of his consciousness and became a pawn for the Separatists in the war.

But this wasn’t the end for this impeccable character. After all, he was one of the best clone troopers the Republic had known. But, you know what they say, even the best of us need help at times. And help came to Echo.

In an infiltration mission by Rex and The Bad Batch, Rex realized that Echo, who he once worked with, was still alive, and thus ensued the plan for a critical mission – Saving Echo.

Rex, along with The Bad Batch, successfully saved Echo from the Separatists. However, seeing his condition as a cyborg, his loyalty was questioned. Finally, however, he managed to convince everyone of how he can use his newfound Separatist abilities to infiltrate them and lead an assault on them.

A plan was formulated that involved The Bad Batch, and here’s where he found his new tribe. Considering he was a misfit himself, he started identifying with them. Post their triumphant victory against General Trench and the Separatists, Echo decided to join The Bad Batch, aka Clone Force 99!

Initially, Clones were all meant to be identical, but the anomaly came with Clone 99. Clone 99, who earlier looked like he was unfit for duty, went on to lead the Domino Squad. But of course, he died sacrificing himself in a battle.

Clone Force 99 is named after him, and just like him, every member has some sort of defect. With Echo being turned into a cyborg, he also became defective, but as you already know, he leveraged his so-called ‘defects’ to defeat the Separatists who had done this to him.

This was enough for his redemption, but it wasn’t the end of his story arc. As one with defects, he himself identified and related to The Bad Batch and went on to join them! Like I said earlier, Star Wars: The Bad Batch has got some of the most poetic arcs I’ve come across.

There are two more episodes in the Star Wars: The Bad Batch remaining. They are slated to release this week and the next. I can’t wait to catch them & rewatch the complete season once they’re done.

About Star Wars: The Bad Batch

Star Wars: The Bad Batch is an American animated show created by Dave Filoni for Disney+. It is both a sequel and a spin-off of Star Wars: The Clone Wars. The series’ renewal was announced right before season 1’s two-part finale.

Dee Bradley Baker reprises his role as voice actor for all the clone troopers from the previous Star Wars animated projects. Additionally joining him are Ming-Na Wen, Stephen Stanton, Andrew Kishino and Michelle Ang.

The Bad Batch follows the elite and experimental troopers of Clone Force 99 as they find their way in a rapidly changing galaxy in the immediate aftermath of the Clone Wars. Choosing to become an independent group of mercenaries the show will see them undertake dangerous missions.