In Star Wars: The Bad Batch, all the members of Clone Force 99, except for Crosshair, refuse to follow the orders of Protocol 66. The series focuses on a group of fugitives called the Bad Batch, who go against the newly formed Galactic Empire.
Apart from Crosshair, all the members end up resisting the brainwashing of Order 66. But there’s something about Crosshair which makes him prey to their propaganda. Here’s why.
1. What is Order 66, and how did it affect the Clone Troopers?
Order 66, also known as Clone Protocol 66, is a top-secret order of the Galactic Republic that identifies all Jedi as traitors to the Empire and subjects them to capital punishment.
The Clone Troopers are an essential component of the Sith Conspiracy, which is attempting to kill the Jedi and convert the Republic into an authoritarian rule. Despite the intentions, the Clone Troopers are democratic, free-thinking beings and don’t wish to participate in the Empire’s nefarious endeavors.
Thus, the Empire employs Order 66 by brainwashing. As embryos, inhibitor chips are planted into the brains of the clones. These chips change their personalities and convert them into cruel, unthinking tools of the Empire to be used to massacre the Jedi.
2. Why did Order 66 not affect the Bad Batch?
The Kaminoans modified the brains of Clone Force 99 to create super-soldiers, resulting in an unintended side-effect. The tampering of their brains nullified the effect of the chips. The mutation was why Order 66 didn’t affect most of The Bad Batch commanders.
The pilot episode of Star Wars: The Bad Batch features the activation of Order 66. The standard clones immediately get brainwashed and kill Jedi Master Depa Billaba.
This isn’t the case with the commanders of the Bad Batch, who hardly show any effects of the chip. They follow their own free will and refuse to kill young Dume.
This happens because the members of the Bad Batch are fundamentally different from the other clone troopers in terms of their brain’s architecture.
3. What was wrong with Crosshair and Wrecker?
What’s the fun without some exceptions to the rule?
One member of the Bad Batch incessantly tries to murder Dume throughout the first season. Yes, we are talking about the sharpshooter Crosshair, and a little brainstorming session is enough to understand why.
Crosshair’s mutated ability is his eyesight. During his embryo stage, his brain was modified to make him the best sniper in the Republic Military. This change may have affected a different part of his brain compared to where the chip was. Hence, he was more susceptible to Order 66.
Wrecker’s mutated ability is his advanced muscle growth. Similar to Crosshair, his mutation affected a part of his brain where the chip wasn’t predominant. In comparison, Hunter and Tech had heightened brain development, which explains their resistance to the chip. Though it is not as intense as the other clones, it is strong enough to alter his personality.
This self-control is momentary, though. When Tarkin orders the Kaminoans to intensify the chip’s strength, it completely suppresses his former self, and Crosshair becomes an enemy of the Jedi.
The same thing happens with Wrecker. Wrecker experiences severe head trauma or migraine when Order 66 is implemented. The chip also causes fundamental changes in Wrecker’s personality, though not as severe as Crosshair’s.
With Crosshair under their wing, the Empire will become even more potent in Season 2. Not only is he an exceptional sniper, he knows the tactics and vulnerabilities of the Empire’s enemies very well.
On the flip side, if his fellow troop members can remove the chip from his brain, he can become their ally again. This will make for a fascinating dynamic in Season 2.
4. 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.
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