Star Wars: The Bad Batch Has Taken An Epic Clone Wars Character Full Circle

Summary Echo's journey in The Bad Batch brings his story full circle, from being manipulated by the Separatists to leading prison breaks against the Empire.

Echo's role in rescuing imprisoned clone troopers highlights his empathy for those who have been tortured and his determination to right past wrongs.

The upcoming series finale of Star Wars: The Bad Batch will see Echo's character arc completed, showcasing his growth and resilience in the face of adversity.

Star Wars: The Bad Batch is about to give one Star Wars: The Clone Wars character the closure they deserve. As a direct continuation of The Clone Wars season 7, and more specifically, the first arc of The Clone Wars' final season, The Bad Batch focused on Clone Force 99 and their mission to stay alive and protect Omega as the Empire's reach grew throughout the galaxy. Though most of the Bad Batch were introduced in The Clone Wars season 7, episode 1, "The Bad Batch," one particular clone has a more extensive Star Wars history.

Though each member of the Bad Batch has specific abilities because of their unique genetic makeup - Hunter has heightened senses, Wrecker is unnaturally strong, Tech was unusually intelligent, and Crosshair was (and perhaps still is) a fantastic sniper - Echo's abilities come from a different source entirely. Though he was originally part of the Domino Squad, and later Clone Captain Rex's 501st Legion, he was eventually believed to have been killed during a mission gone awry. Echo's story didn't end there, however, but his time with the Bad Batch and his reunion with Captain Rex have allowed him to bring his rather tragic story full circle.

Echo's Clone Wars Story Saw Him Become A Prisoner & Test Subject

In The Clone Wars season 7, Rex discovered that Echo was still alive. He hadn't died in an explosion after all - instead, he was taken by the Separatists in the aftermath and later sold to the Techno Union's foreman, who kept Echo's body alive by turning him into a cyborg and suppressing his consciousness. Together with Clone Force 99 and Jedi General Anakin Skywalker, Rex launched a mission to save Echo from the Union, succeeding in freeing his friend from that brutal torture and helping him remember who he was. Afterward, Echo joined Clone Force 99, as he didn't fit in with the "regular" clones anymore, either.

To find out more about Echo's story, watch Star Wars: The Clone Wars season 7, episode 1-4.

With his enhanced cybernetic capabilities, Echo managed to help the Republic win a key battle against the Separatists, and later, once the Empire had taken hold, he helped Clone Force 99 on various dangerous missions, too. There's no doubt that Echo has been a key Bad Batch member, but it has also been clear that something has always been missing. More than anyone, Echo knows what it's like to be tortured and robbed of agency. He wanted to do something more. Now, it seems like Echo's part in the story is finally going to come to a head.

Echo (CT-1409) A loyal clone soldier, Echo was captured by the Separatists and transformed into a tool that they used against the Republic. Rescued by Clone Force 99, Echo chose to join the team, and - like most of that mutant squad - he was not affected by Order 66. Echo left the Bad Batch to work alongside early rebel cells. Created By Dave Filoni Cast Dee Bradley Baker First Appearance Star Wars: The Clone Wars Race Clone TV Shows Star Wars: The Clone Wars , Star Wars: The Bad Batch Franchise Star Wars

Now Echo Is The One Rescuing Imperial Test Subjects

Custom Image made by Debanjana Chowdhury

Throughout The Bad Batch season 3, Echo has been working alongside Captain Rex to help him find information on the Empire's imprisoned clone troopers. Now, Clone Force 99 and Echo are all on Tantiss, hoping to rescue Omega. But Echo is there for more than just Omega - he wants to free all the captured clones. The Empire has been experimenting on them with no end in sight, taking away their freedom and causing them unimaginable pain and trauma for far too long. The Bad Batch season 3, episode 14, "Flash Strike," set up Echo's major role in a prison break, and this will bring his story full circle.

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When he confronts Dr. Emerie Karr, it's clear in his tone of voice how much rescuing the captured clone troopers means to him. He wants to help these other clones now because he knows what they've been going through better than anyone - well, except Crosshair, perhaps - and because he feels like he owes it to them, Rex, and his Bad Batch brothers to see this through. Star Wars: The Bad Batch has had some fantastic and emotional character arcs, and it looks like Echo's is going to be completed now, too.

The Star Wars: The Bad Batch series finale airs Wednesday, May 1, exclusively on Disney+.