Ventress Is Back, Tell A Friend!

Star Wars: The Bad Batch S3 Ep 9 Review

When the trailer for the final season of The Bad Batch first dropped, there was one thing that had everybody talking: Asajj Ventress. Featured prominently in The Clone Wars series (and Old EU projects that predate it), Ventress is one of Star Wars most dynamic characters. From Sith assassin and Separatist commander to lone Nightsister and eventually a bounty hunter, Ventress has been through a lot in her life. And had the show continued its initial run, fans would’ve gotten to see the end of her story, only for that to get made into a novel. So when the trailer revealed she would appear in The Bad Batch, it was a big deal. And with the end to the last episode showing Fennec Shand contacting an unknown party, many guessed that the return of Ventress was imminent. That only made this episode all the more hype. 

Ventress is Here

Some time has passed since Hunter and Wrecker reached out to Fennec Shand about what an M-Count is, but they still haven’t heard back. Not being able to gather intel is starting to get to the squad, but they don’t have much choice but to be patient. However, their patience gets rewarded when Shand’s contact, Ventress, tracks them down.

From the moment Ventress shows up unannounced, there’s plenty of tension to go around, even before the Bad Batch realizes who Ventress is. Given her past, the Clones aren’t willing to trust her, unable to see how she’s not the same person she was back in the Clone Wars. When you’ve fought against someone for so long, it’s hard to forget your prejudice against them, even when you have a common enemy like the Empire. Had viewers not seen her change with their own eyes, they might not believe it either. But one of the big themes behind Star Wars is that anyone can change, for better or worse. 

Being the kind person that she is, and one who never experienced the war herself, Omega is the only one receptive to having Ventress around. Especially when the latter reveals the possibility that Omega might be Force-sensitive. The audience knows that she’s likely not; her blood merely has the means to transfer the Midichlorians needed to be Force-sensitive. However, the idea of a Force-sensitive Clone remains a tempting prospect, especially considering how, decades from now, this will play a part in Darth Sidious’ return from death. Still, given how receptive she was to Gunji’s Jedi Meditation, and her empathic nature, Omega may have some connection to the Force. Ventress’ attempts to test don’t yield any results, but it’s still possible. However, it also calls into question whether the Bad Batch is capable of protecting her anymore.

Ventress Might Be Better to Watch Over Omega

There’s no denying the Bad Batch is good at what they do. They can take down an army on their own, as they’ve shown during the Clone Wars. However, this episode, maybe even the whole season, makes several arguments against their capacity to protect Omega anymore.

Firstly, there’s how easily Ventress tracked them down. She’s only one person; a very capable person, but still one person. The Empire has limitless resources and manpower at its disposal. Sooner or later, they will find the Clones on Pabu. And when they do, they may bring an Inquisitor with them. As Ventress makes it clear when the Bad Batch tries to make her leave, they’re good, but few can match up to the Force. 

Secondly, even if Hemlock didn’t need her, the chance that she could be Force-sensitive still makes her a target for the Empire. During the Disney era, the franchise has made it clear that the Empire wants to bring in as many Force users as possible. That way, any surviving Jedi won’t be able to rebuild their ranks while ensuring the Sith remain dominant. Someone like Asajj Ventress might be better suited to teaching someone like Omega in the long run. 

In addition, there’s also the fact that Omega managed to escape without any help from the Bad Batch. She managed to track them down rather than them finding her. She’s learned much from her brothers and can take care of herself. So, beyond her emotional attachment to them, does she have any other reason to stay with the Bad Batch? I don’t know, but I’m hoping we learn about it before the series ends.

We Still Don’t Know How Ventress Lives

This was a great episode overall, but there remains one issue that it fails to address. One that fans have dying to know the answer to for months: how is Ventress still alive?

No, really. In the novel Dark Disciple, it is made clear that Ventress died at the hands of Count Dooku. Anakin and Obi-Wan laid her to rest of Dathomir. So how is she still alive? The only vague clue the show gives is Ventress remarking how she has a few more lives left in her. Beyond that, we know nothing, and that’s frustrating. We want to know more: how did she come back? Did she enter a trance and heal herself? What has she been doing since the war ended? And now that she’s back, what’s the next step in her story? 

There are only seven episodes left in the series, and that might not be enough time to explain how Ventress is back. Either Dave Filoni belongs to continue the story in another spin-off, or others will pick up where she left off. Either way, I’m hoping we get to see more of Ventress. The show’s cancellation screwed her over, and I’m glad she’s getting another chance in the spotlight. 

I Give “The Harbinger” a 4/5