Earlier in the arc, we learned the Bad Batch have movie posters on their ship. This time, another angle reveals what looks like a blown-up magazine cover labeled “History Monthly.” It features a picture of a clone trooper. Not a lot is known about media in Star Wars outside of the HoloNet News. It’s likely this is a cute nod to the idea of a magazine for history buffs who now find themselves living in it in a big way.
Clone Trooper Jesse
Outside of the main cast, only one clone character is addressed by name in this episode. This is CT-5597, “Jesse,” an elite ARC trooper who also appeared in the first episode of the Bad Batch arc as part of the assault on the Separatists’ base. He also participated in the Battle of Umbara. There, he was one of the clones to resist the cruel General Krell’s orders and was almost executed for it.
Parallels to Revenge of the Sith
By this point in the timeline, we know Anakin tends to give in to his angry tendencies, even though he has not fully fallen to the dark side. Emperor Palpatine is whispering in his ear when Anakin is at home on Coruscant, and he has a lot of unresolved anger from the death of his mother. Obi-Wan’s well-meaning but sometimes grating teaching style isn’t enough to assuage Anakin’s anger.
Near the end of the episode, when Anakin confronts Admiral Trench, a scene calls forward to Anakin’s execution of Count Dooku in Revenge of the Sith. Trench is helpless and insists that Anakin won’t kill him because he’s a Jedi. Anakin cuts off his arms and gets information from him. When Trench attacks, Anakin stabs him through the chest. In Revenge of the Sith, Palpatine had to encourage Anakin to kill Dooku, pushing Anakin even further toward the dark side. Both scenes show Anakin’s progression as he gradually abandons the moral high ground.