Bad Batch: "Bad Territory" - Review and Music Breakdown

Bad Batch Season 3, Episode 8, titled Bad  Territory, sees Hunter and Wrecker team up with Fennec Shand so they can begin to get  answers about Omega s abduction while Omega helps Crosshair begin his path to recovery. And  this meant we also got to hear Fennec s music once more. This is Star Wars Music Analysis. The episode begins with a soft string swell. And even though there is some tension and  dissonance here, I could already expect that we were going to open back on Pabu. Especially  once

the flute enters. It quickly gives way to dialogue though as Crosshair and Omega speak. Eerie music enters as they mention Fennec Shand. The strums in the acoustic guitar are reminiscent  of the music of Book of Boba Fett where Fennec was a key character. I was listening for the  characteristic ascending half step that begins her motif but did not hear during this conversation. As Hunter asks Omega to look after Crosshair and his hand, Crosshair s theme enters,  tying the shaking of his hand bac

k to the trauma of everything he endured,  likely being the cause of the shaking. As Hunter and Wrecker enter a shady cantina, we  get to hear another EDM track. Even though the vocals sounded like something quickly put  together using Apple Loops, I really got into this one and I have a feeling that this  one will end up on the final soundtrack. As the EDM finally dissipates and external music  enters, a short motif enters. It moves in the opposite direction as Fennec s theme, and I wonder  if

this is the Kiner s giving her a more clear theme than before where she was mostly shrouded  with sound effect rather than a melodic device. As they head through hyperspace, we get a  very clear dose of that very sound effect with the distorted descending glissando. Her  theme continues to loom in the background as she introduces them to their target. As they arrive at their destination, the Bad Batch theme is shrouded in  musical atmosphere of Fennec s music, demonstrating how these two forces

are working  together now. We get another version of it as well as they progress on the pontoon boat. Low distortions and beat play as Wrecker and Hunter begin to disarm the mines. The music  lingers as this will clearly be a long task. The music then segues back to Crosshair and Omega  as he tries to work on his aim. He s clearly annoyed at his deficiency. As Omega comforts him,  her theme plays gently. I love that the youngest of the group continues to be the adult and teach  these clone sold

iers how to be something more. As we cut back to the bayou, the distortions  return as well. Hunter s heightened senses finally come in actual handy as he senses the pack  of alligaotors approaching. Wait. Alligators or Crocodiles? There s always one person that knows.  This is that person s moment. As they do approach though, the music picks up to accompany Shennec  s blaster fire, adding the heightened danger and urgency to the scene. The horn rip sounds as the  beast lunges and grabs Wrecker.

Cymbal crashes go with Wrecker as he bashes it with his fists. The music pauses just long enough for Wrecker to look over the side of the boat. As he  does, another leaps up along with a horn rip and tremolo in the French Horn. More horn rips  follow as the chaos continues. As they escape, the music finally subsides, allowing them to  return to their sneaking. It remains soft as they all bicker. As they continue, it begins to pick  up a little bit, increasing our anticipation. But as they near

, the music cuts off again  in response to Hunter s cue. It slowly returns as they enter the hut with low drones and  occasional soft swells. As Sylar reveals himself, a flutter in the flute accompanies  him. Screams in the horn follow as Hunter struggles against him. The music remains  intense until Sylar escapes into his tunnel. It picks up again as he continues his  attempted escape. The music continues to fight on with the giant insect until the  final stun blast finally does him in. The tra

nsition from a dark swamp to the bright  daylight of Pabu is highlighted in the music as the harp and high strings move us back to the  safety of the island. The peacefulness of the music sets us up for the meditation that s  being done by Omega and sort of Crosshair. As he does really give it a try though, the  horn calls through peacefully. The trumpet takes over next, transitioning  us back to the space station. Fennec s music returns as she calls her contact.  I m actually hesitant to call i

t a theme since there isn t a clear melodic idea. Instead,  it s sound effects that accompany her. So, as her music continues, she appears to send her  contact after The Bad Batch. And I m sure that this is Ventress since she would be one of these  M-count targets herself. And Fennec, as a fellow bounty hunter and likely friend, would be doing  her part to protect Ventress. I m still not sure how this will play into the fact that Ventress is  not dead which happened to her in the book Dark Disci

ple. If you haven t read this book, I highly  recommend it as it's one of if not the best book in the canon right now in my opinion. Even if it  is about to be de-canonized somehow. If you have read it, I d love your thoughts on Ventress in the  upcoming episodes. It's no spoiler since she was in the trailer. But how do you feel about it? And I absolutely would love to know what you all think. What did you think of this  episode? How do you think we ll see Ventress introduced? What role do you t

hink the Bad  Batch will play by the end of this season as they look into the M-count research? Tell me  in the comments below what you think. Consider checking out my Patreon Page using the link in  the description where you can help support this channel for as little as $1 a month or download  PDFs and Mp3s of projects as I complete them along with other perks at higher tiers. Please  don t forget to like this video and subscribe to learn more about the music of a galaxy far,  far away and as

always, may the . Be with you.