😭😭 Too Soon, OP, Too Soon. But So Truuuuuee

One of my few disappointments about Bad Batch season 3 when first watching it was how Tech's death and the aftermath is handled - namely, that his death doesn't seem to really have much impact on his family (besides creating some inconvenience when it comes to decryption). I couldn't help but think that if the season had included even just one moment of the squad (more specifically the brothers, not just Omega) actually honoring Tech, it would have not only helped drive home once and for all how important Tech was to them, but also provided some desperately needed closure and catharsis for this clone family that had already suffered so much (and, incidentally, provided some closure for the audience, too). This is especially important considering that the Batch's actions in season 3, especially at the beginning, are likely informed by Omega's capture as much as by Tech's death - and while Omega's rescue should be of utmost importance, it ends up seeming to sideline Tech's sacrifice in the narrative.

After rewatching, my view has shifted slightly, though I still firmly believe the show should have included at least one scene - even if it was at the end of the finale - of the brothers acknowledging Tech's influence and honoring him.

- Echo's story is the least impacted by Tech's death: he wanted to stay in the fight before Tech died, and he did so afterwards. He looks sadly at the empty pilot seat in "Plan 99," and he name drops Tech once in season 3. I can understand Echo having this reaction, though: unlike the other Bad Batch members, he has lost brothers before and therefore likely knows how to adjust more quickly. (You know what would have provided a nice contrast between how Echo and the rest of the squad handles the death? A moment to honor Tech: for example, a scene at any point in season 3 where Echo mentions a memory of him.)

- Hunter's decision to finally retire on Pabu comes before Omega is captured, and therefore must have been determined primarily by the loss of Tech. All through seasons 1 and 2, Hunter's desire to keep his squad and Omega safe eventually evolved to wanting to give Omega a childhood away from fighting and war, but even then he still hedged on settling down permanently on Pabu (see: the discussion between Hunter and Shep in "Turning Point"). It wasn't until after losing Tech that Hunter abruptly made the decision that it was time to stop being soldiers... And given that we never see Hunter actually interact with Tech's goggles in season 3 or mention him by name even once, I'm not convinced Hunter ever really got over the loss of his brother, even as he (very in character for him) focused on more pressing matters by (often recklessly) charging onward to ensure Omega's safety. (You know what would have tied off this plot thread nicely? A moment to honor Tech: for example, a brief scene at the end of the show where Hunter acknowledges that Tech's sacrifice made their life on Pabu possible.)

- Wrecker cries over Tech in the season 2 finale, alludes to him twice and mentions him by name once; and honestly, as little as this is, it is enough to convince me that Wrecker is and always will be grieved by Tech's death but has emotionally processed it and come to terms with it, much like Echo. His development seems to be driven more by being the last man standing between Hunter and a reckless demise, rather than being driven by the loss of Tech specifically, but... nuance. (You know what would have given us a point of comparison regarding how different people process loss in different ways? A moment to honor Tech: for example, maybe Wrecker joins Omega in honoring Tech at the impromptu memorial and insists on his other brothers joining them.)

- Crosshair's redemption in season 3 is largely driven by Omega. Looking back on season 3, I am increasingly convinced that Crosshair felt immense guilt and blamed himself for Tech's death, and therefore he avoided the subject. His "let me go on a suicide mission because I deserve it" speech in the finale only confirms my opinion on this. I guess Crosshair being partially driven by guilt over Tech's loss is one way of showing Tech's impact on his family, but I don't find it a satisfying note to end the show on. (You know what would have concluded this plot point perfectly? ... You already know what I'm going to say.)

DYING pleeeeease 😂😂

How Phee (should have) seduced Tech:

As the sun sets on the Pabu sea, the lights of the village come on from the shore up the hill.

Phee: Pretty spectacular, right?

Tech: I suppose...that is one way to quantify it.

Phee (leans in, softly): Technically, that was a qualification.😏

Tech: (the goggle fidgeting intensifies)😳

This thought came to me at work today, but what if at one point the Marauder kept having issues with its navigation system or something?? And Hunter kept filing reports for it, but since he’s kinda lazy when it comes to reporting he just writes “tech issues” and hits submit

And then one day he gets a call from Cody, and Cody is like, “hey, uh…is Tech okay??” And Hunter’s like, what do you mean. And then Cody produces three months’ worth of reports that say “tech issues” and goes, “Well, apparently, he’s having problems…”

Crosshair never lets him live it down

Okay so between S1 when Echo snatched that trooper doll for Omega, and S3 when he brought her that crossbow, is it acceptable to assume that he would just like…bring her things? All the time?? Sometimes the batch isn’t 100% how he acquires some of the stuff he brings home, but Omega is always so excited when Echo has another gift, and sure it’s not usually something super grand, but it’s just his way of letting her know that she’s part of the squad and the family and maybe part of his way of making up for the fact that she doesn’t really get to be a kid all the time.

I just also think it’s funny how his gifts get progressively more dangerous…first it was like “here’s a doll for you to play with, kids need toys” and then it was like “here’s a lethal weapon, shoot straight”

Let's be real here for a second:

The first thing he did when he got out of cryo was taking them through the cooling vents and across a foot-wide space PVC pipe a thousand feet in the air to escape.

They didn't even make it all the way to "jump without question onto a semi-wild flying animal's back" before the Batch was making plans to keep Echo for themselves.

Gorgeous. Just stunning. 20/10

the one sunny day ever

Follow up on this: Tech, Hunter, Crosshair, and Echo frequently mention making calls to “tech support” on Kamino, and Wrecker definitely believes that they’re referring to some kind of therapist for Tech. The others would correct him, except he’s always super nice to Tech when he hears about them making a call so they just kinda let it be haha

This thought came to me at work today, but what if at one point the Marauder kept having issues with its navigation system or something?? And Hunter kept filing reports for it, but since he’s kinda lazy when it comes to reporting he just writes “tech issues” and hits submit

And then one day he gets a call from Cody, and Cody is like, “hey, uh…is Tech okay??” And Hunter’s like, what do you mean. And then Cody produces three months’ worth of reports that say “tech issues” and goes, “Well, apparently, he’s having problems…”

Crosshair never lets him live it down

No literally that conversation would have been pure gold. Wrecker is completely exaggerating the romance, Omega is all giggly, Hunter is trying to be mature and keep things under control, and Crosshair is just floored

we were absolutely robbed of this followup moment:

Phee: Any friend of Brown Eyes [Tech] is a friend of mine.

Phee: [turns around and starts heading for her ship]

Crosshair: [turns his head to Hunter with the most confused look ever on his face]

Crosshair: [mouthing silently to Hunter] "Brown Eyes" ???

This has been said a thousand times in a thousand different ways, but I just adore how Din Djarin found himself suddenly taking care of a strange alien kid with magic powers, and he is just like, “Yep, alright, this is cool, I can do this.” No questions asked (except for helpful ones, like “does this look Jedi to you??”), no hesitation (even when he has to give up said kid). I feel like too often, we see characters stall because of disbelief or skepticism when it comes to the unknown, but Din just straps the kid to his armor and his rifle to his back and embraces it. It’s not even heroism, it’s just decency

Agreed, 100%.

I think the whole pregnancy would be a mix of feels for all of them, but then once that baby is born??? Wrecker is that baby’s best friend, they play together and he feeds it and changes diapers and takes it on walks. Crosshair is the sweetest uncle, so so tender, and even though he would rather die than admit it, he definitely smiles anytime he holds the baby and loooooves when it falls asleep on him. And Hunter would of course be thrilled, and protective, and he is as ruthless in taking care of the baby as he was in getting Omega back from Tantiss.

BONUS: Echo keeps a picture of the baby in his shuttle :)

For some reason I was looking at couples’ maternity photos (I have no idea why since I don’t really want kids), and I was thinking about what if Tech and Phee had kids? And then I was thinking which sibling would be the most emotional when Tech and Phee announce the pregnancy?