WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Star Wars: The Bad Batch Episode 13, “Infested,” streaming now on Disney+.
Throughout Star Wars: The Bad Batch, Cid’s bar has mainly had two patrons: Bolo and Ketch. The duo has primarily been in the background thus far and serves as comic relief. However, in “Infested,” they take an active role in the team’s attempts to get Cid’s bar back from Roland Duran, and their actions may foreshadow the duo taking a larger role in the series’ future.
Bolo is an Ithorian man whose character design is inspired by the vintage Kenner “Hammerhead” figure of Momaw Nadon from Star Wars: A New Hope. As his starwars.com databank entry reveals, Bolo has a device that translates what he says into Basic. Ketch is a Weequay man and the second character to have this name. In Star Wars: Legends, Lieutenant Kettch was a made-up Ewok pilot who served as a running gag for the Wraith Squadron. Bolo and Ketch are voiced by Liam O’Brien and Sam Riegel, respectively, who are known for their work in animation both as voice actors and behind the scenes. However, for many fans, they may be best known for their work on Critical Role.
Bolo and Ketch’s Role in The Bad Batch So Far
Bolo and Ketch make their first appearance in “Rampage” along with Cid. When Clone Force 99 first enters Cid’s parlor, the duo argues over a game in the background, which sets the tone for their appearances throughout The Bad Batch. While they may seem like inconsequential background characters, their continued appearance shows that they are a more important part of the series’ fabric. In “Decommissioned,” the two watch Omega’s target practice with her bow and take bets on her abilities, much to Omega’s annoyance. In “Battle Scars,” they attempt to intimidate Captain Rex into leaving “their” booth, but he scares them away instead.
While Cid occasionally has other customers, Bolo and Ketch are regulars. “Common Ground” also hints that the two have reached a point where Cid may consider them friends. When Cid struggles comforting Omega as she complains about being left behind, Bolo and Ketch look disapproving at her. Later, they play a game of dejarik against Cid and almost win until Omega interferes. Thus, they inadvertently serve as the catalyst for Cid and Omega bonding over dejarik and for Clone Force 99 paying off their debt to Cid.
Bolo and Ketch’s Critical Role in “Infested”
In “Infested,” Clone Force 99 returns from a mission to find that Cid’s bar has been overtaken by Roland Durand. While Hunter is ready to cut and run, Omega argues that they have to help Cid. Cid reveals that she is already on the Havoc Marauder, waiting for the team. Bolo and Ketch are also there, playing cards and basically treating the ship as if it is an extension of Cid’s parlor. If they just liked the parlor, they could have continued to go there even with Roland in control. The fact that they follow Cid instead spotlights the duo’s loyalty to her and hints that they may be more than just Cid’s customers.
Bolo and Ketch play an active part in sabotaging Roland’s spice deal with the Pyke Syndicate. They trick Ruby, Roland’s prized pet lizard, into following them outside by leaving a trail of Mantell Mix. Once there, they capture Ruby. Ruby eventually escapes, but Bolo and Ketch still provide enough of a distraction to allow the team to get away with the spice. When caught by Roland and his guards, the duo immediately sells Cid out. However, Cid seems to have planned for this to happen, or at the very least, she does not appear upset with them. Their confession also seems to have allowed them to survive the Pykes’ revenge; Bolo and Ketch are not among the bodies of Roland’s guards when the team returns to the parlor.
Thus, while Bolo and Ketch have been recurring background characters in The Bad Batch thus far, in “Infested,” they get more time to shine. Their role in this episode shows that they might not just be patrons of Cid’s; they also might be her friends or serve as employees like Clone Force 99 from time to time. They also might take an active part in future episodes as well, especially since Cid’s parlor is now known to be prime real estate for the criminal underground. Thus, despite their fear in the face of foes, Bolo and Ketch may prove to be valuable allies to Cid and Clone Force 99 in the future.
Created by Dave Filoni, Star Wars: The Bad Batch brings viewers to a galaxy far, far away with new episodes each Friday on Disney+.
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