Warning: SPOILERS for the Star Wars: The Unhealthy Batch episodes “The Clone Conspiracy” and “Reality and Penalties” are forward!
Following the conclusion of the Clone Wars, because the Galactic Republic advanced into the Galactic Empire throughout the occasions of Revenge of the Sith, Jango Fett’s clones have been nonetheless serving as the federal government’s troopers. And but, there got here some extent within the Star Wars timeline when the clone troopers have been retired and other people from all throughout a galaxy far, far-off have been conscripted into the Empire to be stormtroopers. Due to Star Wars: The Unhealthy Batch, one of many many Star Wars exhibits that may be watched with a Disney+ subscription, we lastly know the way this full transition befell.
Star Wars: The Unhealthy Batch Season 1 had already laid the groundwork for the introduction of the stormtroopers, particularly by means of Crosshair briefly commanding a unit of conscripted troopers and Vice Admiral Rampart ordering the destruction of Kamino’s cloning amenities. The latter was greater than sufficient to place a countdown clock on when the clone troopers would now not be wanted, plus the truth that apart from Omega and Boba Fett, Jango Fett’s clones age quicker than regular people. Nonetheless, it was the two-parter “The Clone Conspiracy” and “Reality and Penalties” that basically sealed the deal, with the previous episode seeing Rampart introducing the Protection Recruitment Invoice, which might get rid of the clones in favor of making a army that conscripts Imperial residents.
In the meantime, two clones related to the Kamino bloodbath have been murdered as a result of they have been planning to come back ahead with the reality about what occurred, as the general public was informed {that a} storm catastrophe was liable for the planet’s devastation. Senator Riyo Chuchi, who was launched in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, received wind of this conspiracy, and with the assistance of Clone Drive 99 and their comrade Captain Rex, they have been capable of finding proof that Admiral Rampart ordered the destruction on Kamino. Together with his nefarious deed now uncovered to the Senate, Emperor Palpatine then entered the image, as has been teased within the Unhealthy Batch Season 2 previews.
First, Palpatine positioned the blame of what occurred on Kamino solely on Rampart, accusing the person of committing treason and having him arrested. Nonetheless, in typical Palpatine vogue, the person also called Darth Sidious used this case to his benefit, telling the senators that he was involved that the clones beneath Rampart’s instructions adopted orders so blindly and inflicted “such carnage” with out hesitation. He then added:
As such, regardless of Rampart taking the autumn for what occurred on Kamino, Palpatine decreed that his Protection Recruitment Invoice undergo anyway, and with this act, “we will usher in a brand new period, heralded by the imperial stormtrooper.” So now the Empire is on its solution to phasing out the clone troopers and bringing in Imperial residents to fill the stormtrooper ranks. Clones being deserted by the Empire was touched on within the second episode of Obi-Wan Kenobi final 12 months, when Ewan McGregor’s character handed by one among Jango Fett’s duplicates begging for cash on the planet Daiyu.
By the top of “Reality and Penalties,” Senator Chuchi promised Omega that she would proceed preventing for the clones, and Echo determined to depart Clone Drive 99 and be part of forces with Rex so he may additionally assist his clone brethren. So now it’s simply Omega, Hunter, Wrecker and Tech touring across the galaxy, finishing up missions for Cid and doing their finest to remain off the Empire’s radar. It’s unclear how a lot Star Wars: The Unhealthy Batch will discover the clones being tossed apart by the Empire, or how lengthy we’ll proceed to see precise clone troopers in motion. However with this savvy transfer on Palpatine’s half, the stage is ready for the stormtroopers to hold on of their place.
New episodes of Star Wars: The Unhealthy Batch premiere Wednesdays on Disney+ (opens in new tab), the identical platform the place you may simply stream the Star Wars films so as. Additionally maintain your eyes peeled for The Mandalorian Season 3, which dropped a brand new trailer final month and kicks off on March 1.