Expectations were high heading into the third and final season of “The Bad Batch”. Creator and showrunner Dave Filoni along with the wizards at LucasFilm Animation had set the bar high after two strong seasons. To no surprise Season 3 didn’t disappoint. That doesn’t mean we aren’t left with questions. In fact, I could write a lengthy essay focused solely on the many things left to ponder following the show’s final episode. But to be honest, that’s a big part of the fun when it comes to Star Wars.

Set shortly after the events of the feature film “Revenge of the Sith”, the Bad Batch set out to take a deeper look at the clone soldiers who were created solely to fight for Emperor Palpatine and his fledgling Empire. The series explores what happened to the clones once Palpatine deemed them to be expendable and took his cloning experiments to more sinister depths. And it’s all brought to life through the eyes of Clone Force 99, a small squad of defective yet genetically altered clones, each with their own unique combat specialties.

Clone Force 99, or the “Bad Batch” as they were affectionately known, found themselves on the the run from the Empire after rescuing and taking in Omega, a young unaltered clone from the top-secret laboratory deep inside Mount Tantiss. Omega proved to be an invaluable piece to the well-hidden experiments happening under the direction of Palpatine’s chief scientist Royce Hemlock. On their journey, the Bad Batch and Omega experienced their share of danger and loss which all helped set the table for the third season.

Taking place in the wake of the sinister Order 66, the Bad Batch’s story has offered all kinds of connecting tissue that helps bring the post-prequel trilogy story together. Season three goes even further, not only filling in gaps from the past but reaching ahead to the sequel trilogy. But at its core, the story revolves around the growing connection between Omega and her brothers/father figures. Every episode feeds on their relationships and the writers do an incredible job nurturing it as the season progresses.

Once again, the animation is spectacular throughout. And with a couple of exceptions, the episodic storytelling is terrific. But you can’t talk about The Bad Batch, especially Season 3, and not mention the extraordinary voice work. A special industry award should be made just for Dee Bradley Baker. He voices every Bad Butch member, imbuing Hunter, Wrecker, Echo, and Crosshair with their own unique personalities and qualities. And if that wasn’t enough, he also voices nearly every other clone in the series, much as he did in ”The Clone Wars”. It’s truly mind-boggling talent.

But also good is Michelle Ang as the voice of Omega. Throughout the series Ang chronicles Omega’s journey through various stages of her life. She brings such warmth and sincerity while capturing the qualities that make Omega such a joy. Season 3 sees Omega’s early naïveté replaced by a maturity forged from her ever-changing and often perilous circumstances. At the same time, Ang’s performance brings out the empathy in Omega which proves to be a crucial part of the character.

In addition to the main cast, Season 3 brings back a number of Star Wars favorites. They include Tarkin (once again voiced by the superb Stephen Stanton), the notorious bounty hunter Cad Bane (Corey Burton), the cool and calculated Fennec Shand (the indomitable Ming-Na Wen) and the mysterious yet deadly Asajj Ventress (a returning Nika Futterman). This is just a sample-size of the many heroes, villains, and in-betweens who pop up and add heft to Season 3.

Helmed by the directing trio of Saul Ruiz, Nate Villanueva, and Steward Lee, “The Bad Batch” Season 3 does an exceptional job bringing this highly entertaining and unexpectedly moving Star Wars story to a close. LucasFilm Animation once again raises the bar in visual storytelling while Dave Filoni and his team of creators continue to expand the galaxy far, far away in exciting new ways. Star Wars remains in capable hands. And for fans who love the franchise’s ever-growing mythos, “The Bad Batch” is a satisfying three-season entry full of warmth, thrills, and plenty of surprises. “The Bad Batch” is streaming exclusively on Disney+.

VERDICT – 4.5 STARS