The Bad Batch Repeats One Of Anakin's First Darth Vader Lines
Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Star Wars: The Bad Batch episode 12, "Rescue on Ryloth."
Cham Syndulla channels Darth Vader in Star Wars: The Bad Batch episode 12, repeating one of Anakin Skywalker's first lines after fully transforming into the Sith Lord. While The Bad Batch takes place in the aftermath of Order 66 and overlaps with/continues on from Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, Darth Vader himself has yet to appear. Based on the timeline, he may still be recovering, or is perhaps on his quest to find the kyber crystal that will power his red lightsaber. Either way, while there's no sign of him, his influence can still be felt as the Empire tightens its grip on the galaxy, parts of which try to break free.
That struggle continues in Star Wars: The Bad Batch episode 12, "Rescue on Ryloth," which concludes the events of episode 11, "Devil's Deal." It finds Clone Force 99 heading back to Ryloth to help Hera Syndulla free her parents, Cham and Eleni, and running up against Imperial forces, including Crosshair. Ultimately, the Bad Batch and Omega, alongside Hera and Chopper, succeed in freeing their parents, who escape Ryloth in order to continue building a rebellion and live to fight another day.
Within that rescue by Clone Force 99 comes a nod towards Darth Vader. When Hunter et al turn up to break Cham and Eleni out of where they're being detained, the freedom fighter asks in a panic: "Hera. Where is she? Is she safe?" If the line sounds familiar, it's because it repeats one from Revenge of the Sith. After waking up as Darth Vader, complete with helmet and suit following his duel with Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin immediately asks Palpatine: "Where is Padmé? Is she safe, is she alright?" It's Anakin's second line as the fully transformed Vader (the first is a more simple "Yes, my master.") and while the circumstances and characters are quite different, it is likely an intentional choice to link them.
In both cases, the line is used to underscore the love one character (Cham/Anakin) has for another (Hera/Padmé). Obviously they're still pretty different: for Cham, it is the concerned love of a parent for a child; for Anakin, it's a romantic love, but it also carries with it worry for his children. Cham's is a purer love, whereas in contrast Anakin and Padmé's relationship wasn't completely healthy, in part because of his obsessive behavior, which his immediate line of questioning continues, even if it's understandable.
It's an interesting parallel to make, given Cham is seen as being purely on the good side whereas Vader was at this point evil. The Bad Batch has blurred some of those lines to a degree, showing the Empire being celebrated and that the Republic wasn't ideal, and this continues that strand in a fashion, highlighting both sides are capable of love. At the very least, it backs up the idea of Anakin not being fully turned into a monster by that point, with his love for Padmé being what gave him a slight redemptive factor. Similarly, it highlights what the Empire does to people, with the fear and desperation they cause, often to their own advantage.
The reference to the Vader line also continues on The Bad Batch's frequent use of quotes from the Star Wars prequels. Already in season 1 it has put its own spin on Obi-Wan's "Hello there," General Grievous' "fine addition" line, and the "I'm in charge now" droid meme. Vader's line asking if Padmé is safe has, like those others, received the meme treatment, and so it shows how much fun the writers of The Bad Batch have in tapping into fan culture and calling back to the movies they follow on from.
Star Wars: The Bad Batch releases new episodes Fridays on Disney+.
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