Does Crosshair Deserve Redemption

Star Wars

Mar 20

There is no denying that Crosshair is one of the most dynamic characters in Star Wars. He has been through every trial and failed in every way possible, and yet we still want to see him on our screens each week.

As the final season of The Bad Batch nears its conclusion, it is time to discuss whether or not Crosshair deserves a redemptive arc or if he should have to live with the consequences of his actions in season one. WARNING!! Contains spoilers for The Bad Batch seasons one and two!!

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The Bad Batch took fans by storm when it aired on Star Wars Day in 2021. The show finally put the spotlight 100% on the clones, and gave us a look at how difficult life was for them after the execution of Order 66. Until the show’s premiere, we had only seen the aftermath and how it affected the Jedi that managed to survive.

The show introduced us to Clone Force 99, which was a group of unique clones that each possessed an expertise in a different area. We had been introduced to them in season seven of The Clone Wars, but it wasn’t until their show premiered that we actually got to know the group. Early on in season one, it is made clear that they are a close group but that Crosshair’s inhibitor chip is still active while his brothers’ chips are not.

This leads him to betray them over and over again throughout the season. It isn’t until the season one finale that he finally helps them escape a collapsing Kamino, and in my opinion, earns his redemptive arc. This arc is teased throughout season two, but he never truly gets a redemptive arc, so it makes me wonder if he will be given one in the final season.

Before working on this article, my gut reaction to the question was no, he doesn’t deserve a redemptive arc. I hated his character’s path in season two because I felt like he could have done more to help his former team or at least actually done some damage to the Empire since he was working from the inside. After giving it more thought though, I not only think that he deserves a redemptive arc, but I genuinely hope he gets one. Crosshair has been through more than any of his brothers because while they were out trying to protect Omega he was inside betraying everyone he ever loved and doing what he thought was right.

Then he learns that not only was he being used as a puppet by the Empire but that they also didn’t care if he lived or died. I cannot imagine what that must have felt like for him. Crosshair is like all of the best Star Wars characters: damaged but willing to do the right thing once he realizes how wrong he was. This is reminiscent of Darth Vader’s redemptive arc in Return of the Jedi.

Redemption is a key theme throughout Star Wars, and there are few characters that deserve it more than Crosshair. Although he was an enemy in season one, we started to see him trying to help his brothers at the end of season two after he saw firsthand what the Empire was willing to do to clones. I am curious to see what role he will play in season three and if he will be welcomed back by his brothers or cast aside since they are still reeling from the tragic death of Tech.

You can watch The Bad Batch seasons one and two plus catch new episodes of season three every wednesday on Disney+.

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