WARNING: The following contains spoilers for the series premiere of Star Wars: The Bad Batch, “Aftermath,” now streaming on Disney+.
For some viewers of Star Wars: The Bad Batch, Crosshair’s betrayal was already spoiled by the character description for the Black Series Imperial Crosshair figure. However, the leaked information lacks important context. In the show’s premiere episode, Crosshair doesn’t betray the team of his own free will, which is a crucial distinction that changes the tone of his actions and allows for a possible reconciliation arc.
Early on, it seems as if Crosshair might betray Clone Force 99 of his own free will, but how much control he has over his actions is questionable. The episode opens on the planet Kaller, where Clone Force 99 helps Jedi Master Depa Billaba, her Padawan Caleb Dume and the Clone Troopers under their command from a Separatist attack. However, after they come out victorious, the Clones receive Order 66. While the regular Clones immediately begin firing at Billaba, Clone Force 99 is unaware of the meaning of the orders that they have received.
Click the button below to start this article in quick view.
Most of the team wants to wait and find out more, but Hunter and Crosshair quickly follow Caleb. While Hunter wants to protect Caleb from the troopers’ attacks, Crosshair opens fire. Notably, when questioned on his actions, Crosshair states, “Good soldiers follow orders.” In “The Unknown,” the Star Wars: The Clone Wars’ sixth season premiere, Clone Trooper Tup’s inhibitor chip malfunctions, and he prematurely begins to execute Order 66. Tup begins saying “Good soldiers follow orders” over and over again, alerting his fellow forces that something is seriously wrong. Thus, Crosshair’s use of this specific statement shows that he’s not acting fully of his own volition.
Even so, Crosshair does resist the programming throughout the episode. Even though he loudly protests every one of Hunter’s decisions, he still, for the most part, goes along with his leadership. Tarkin later reveals that a member of the team, most likely Crosshair, reported that Caleb escaped, but it seems as if Crosshair didn’t directly reveal that his commanding officer let the Jedi go. If Crosshair had reported that Hunter deliberately defied Order 66, Tarkin would have mentioned it, and Hunter would most likely have been arrested immediately.
Things only become clear when Clone Force 99 is arrested upon their return to Kamino after refusing to attack Saw Gerrera’s forces, and they wind up in the brig with Omega. She notices that Crosshair is acting as if he has a headache after yet another fight with Hunter. Omega says that she knows what Crosshair will do and asks him not to do it. She also states, “I know it’s not your fault,” which proves that she is fully aware that Crosshair is under the effects of the inhibitor chip.
However, Crosshair never truly is given the choice between the Empire and his teammates. After the team is arrested, Crosshair is separated from his teammates to undergo a medical scan, which confirms that while his mutations have affected his cranial activity, his inhibitor chip is still operational. Tarkin notes Crosshair’s loyalty to the Empire throughout the tests, and he decides to intensify the Clone’s programming.
Thus, while Crosshair’s betrayal is devastating, there still is hope that he can be saved. Since the choice to betray his teammates was not made of his own volition, there still is a chance that the Bad Batch may be able to help Crosshair overcome his brainwashing. Still, for the time being, Crosshair remains a formidable foe for Clone Force 99 as they attempt to escape the Empire.
Created by Dave Filoni, Star Wars: The Bad Batch stars Dee Bradley Baker, Andrew Kishino and Ming-Na Wen. The second episode airs Friday on Disney+.
About The Author
