The Bad Batch Season 2's Ending Is Even More Heartbreaking Now That I Know It's Final

Summary Watching Tech's final sacrifice in The Bad Batch's season 2 is even more emotional now that we know there's no revival possible.

The raw emotion displayed by Clone Force 99, especially Omega, in response to Tech's death is relatable and heartwrenching.

The Bad Batch season 2 is harder to rewatch knowing the tragic fate that awaits, but Tech's sacrifice is ultimately meaningful.

Now that Star Wars: The Bad Batch has come to an end, I've been conducting a rewatch of the animated Star Wars series, and I've found that season 2 is much more difficult to watch after the series has made Tech's death final. The Bad Batch has easily become my favorite animated Star Wars project, and my second-favorite project of the entire franchise. Its excellent ending cemented this even further, despite the fact it confirmed that Tech would not be making a comeback after all.

The nature of Tech's death seemingly left his true fate open to interpretation, especially with Dr. Royce Hemlock going back to retrieve Tech's goggles. I was one of the many who secretly hoped that Tech was still alive after he enacted Plan 99, but it was proven in The Bad Batch season 3's ending that his sacrifice would stand. Even though I wholeheartedly agree that it was the right choice and his sacrifice has been honored, it's still tough to process, especially as I rewatch the season where it happens.

Related Star Wars: The Bad Batch Voice Cast - What The Actors Look Like In Real Life Star Wars: The Bad Batch has quite an interesting cast of actors that features multiple Star Wars veterans, as well as a few newcomers.

Tech's Death Is Extremely Hard To Rewatch Now

Knowing There's No Chance Of Revival Makes It Hard To Process

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It was already hard to rewatch Tech's fate in The Bad Batch season 2 ending, but now that I know it won't be reversed, it's even harder. A fall like his made it easy to imagine that he could be revived in the way Bucky Barnes was in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and that's what many viewers hoped for with the mysterious CX-2 clone assassin in The Bad Batch season 3. Now that his death is final, however, there's no more hiding behind those hopes. I have to watch it and know that it was truly the last time we will ever see Tech.

Omega's Reaction (& The Squad's) Is Even More Relatable

The Tears & Desperation Are All Too Real In Retrospect

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What always gets me about Tech's death is the reaction of Clone Force 99, particularly Omega. The way she begs Hunter and Wrecker to go back for Tech once they're on Ord Mantell is just gutting, as is her declaration that "Tech's not gone, he... he can't be!" Hunter and Wrecker's own reactions are just as heartbreaking, especially with the former usually being so stoic. He lets his mask slip for a moment and portrays a striking grief, while Wrecker has to dismiss himself from the room in his own distress. It's an utterly devastating moment for the squad.

Now that Tech's death is final, it's even easier to relate to the emotions Clone Force 99 experiences in this moment. I used to be able to watch this scene and be fine, but now, I find myself tearing up every single time. They lost so much when they lost Tech; he was, in many ways, a massive foundation and voice of reason for their family. The way season 2 gives him an extra focus also makes that loss even more difficult, which further proves that the ending isn't the only part of season 2 that's now hard to rewatch.

It's an utterly devastating moment for the squad.

Related The 20 Best Moments In Star Wars: The Bad Batch, From The Beginning To The End Over the course of its three seasons, The Bad Batch has created some incredible Star Wars moments. Here are 20 of the animated series' very best.

It's Hard To Rewatch Season 2 At All Knowing What's Ahead

Even The Lighthearted Moments Are Haunted By Tech's Fate

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I'm nearly at the halfway point of season 2 in my rewatch of the series, and I'm already dreading what's to come at the end of it. It's easier to see the moments where Tech is highlighted specifically, which makes it even crueler when he meets his fate at the end of the season. One of the most fun episodes is "Faster," which sees Tech competing in a thrilling race, but even that is hard to watch with the knowledge of what's creeping around the corner.

At least in season 1, there aren't any worries about what will happen to Tech or the others. That made the first season of the series an easy and highly enjoyable rewatch. Even though most of season 2 is just as adventurous and lighthearted, the knowledge of how it will end taints the rest of the episodes. It doesn't ruin them by any means, as I have actually found during my rewatch that season 2 is even better than I remember it, but it does cast a dark shadow.

It almost feels wrong to enjoy it when I know what's still to come.

I'm still having a wonderful time rewatching, especially with season 2, but it almost feels wrong to enjoy it when I know what's still to come. What at least makes it better is knowing that Tech's sacrifice isn't for nothing. The ending of The Bad Batch may have confirmed that Tech's death is final, but it also confirmed that it meant something. If it weren't for Tech's sacrifice, his brothers and sister would never have gotten their peaceful life on Pabu, and that at least makes this tragic The Bad Batch scene a little bit easier to watch again.