I hope everyone is enjoying Star Wars: The Bad Batch episode 11, “Devil’s Deal”! I was definitely off base on what the title would mean for this Bad Batch episode–the Bad Batchers were barely even in this episode. But this episode of Ryloth world-building allows me some time to revisit a little theory I referenced in my article on Omega’s heroine’s journey and her similarities to Snow White. I call this Bad Batch theory the “Mother of Clones” theory.

What is the Bad Batch “Mother of Clones” theory?

I first heard this theory from Albert Padilla of the Cantina Cast and  who so far had been right on a number of theories. You’ll note that a number of his theories he posted on May 16th have come to fruition, so I think that speaks for itself. This theory that Omega is the DNA supplier of The Bad Batch has stuck with me.

Essentially the theory is that Omega is the clone template from which the Bad Batch is made. This theory was made back May 16 and each episode of Star Wars: The Bad Batch so far further backs this potential theory so I definitely felt it was past time to revisit it and analyze it a bit further.

Specifically, Omega is the Mother of The Bad Batch

In Episode 9 of Star Wars: The Bad Batch, “Bounty Lost”, Tech confirmed through analysis of Omega’s DNA that she is direct clone replication of Jango Fett, the same as her brother Boba Fett (code named Alpha), and the only other unaltered clone of Jango. With this new information in mind, it’s time to revisit previous dialogue from earlier episodes.

Star Wars The Bad Batch Episode 1, “Aftermath”

When Grand Moff Tarkin arrives on Kamino to review the performance of the clones and justify the expense of maintaining the contract with the Kaminoans, Prime Minister Lama Su proudly shows him the Bad Batch as the best of their current clone lines. You’ll notice that they are described as having mutations that lend them their strengths and intelligence. 

This suggests these positive traits may not have been originally intentional but something that happened spontaneously after replication. With these traits now existing, the Kaminoans can still further manipulate the clones made with requested modifications.

Lama Su tells Tarkin these are “enhanced” clones, though the Kaminoans describe them as “defective”. Why the discrepancy in terms? They are defective because the mutations were not intentional, as with cloning the desired intent is for perfect replication.

As Tech points out, however, they are deviant, not truly defective. Their differences are serendipitously desirable and Lama Su, a salesman in his own right, sells them as enhanced. And in truth, they have the usual enhancements of accelerated aging and Order 66 chips, even if those chips did not all work as intended. 

But Tarkin is unimpressed–he prizes obedience above all else, and he can get consripts at half the price for the same level of not-exactly-guaranteed obedience.

One key conversation in “Aftermath” has Nala Se tell Tarkin that there are only five of the enhanced clones left and suggests that Tarkin is presumably looking at them assembled in front of him. 

As Tech points out later the the rest of the Bad Batch, Echo is a “reg”.  Nala Se was truthful about their being five of these unique clones, but was letting Echo’s prescence at that moment point to him. This means Omega is the other member.

Why is this important?

Because it says that Omega is one of the Bad Batch, that they are of a singular collective.  

Star Wars: The Bad Batch episode 3, “Replacements”

Later in episode 3 of Star Wars: The Bad Batch, Prime Minister Lama Su, worried about the precarious status of the  contract with the Empire wants Dr. Nala Se to move to the next phase of her experiments.

This experiment is never defined.

Keep in mind that Lama Su must deliver what he thinks the Empire wants. He already knows that Tarkin demands obedience. He knows that Tarkin is at least impressed somewhat with powerful warriors. Tarkin doesn’t need more of the same clones he’s seen before. Tarkin doesn’t need the Bad Batch he saw in action. Yet Lama Su knows the Bad Batch, or what they represent, is the key to delivering the next product line.

Their dialogue suggests again that while the Bad Batch is key only Omega is the one that is needed. Again, Omega is treated as one of The Bad Batch, and the only one needed for this undefined experimental clone product Lama Su feels will impress the Empire.

Given what we now know about Omega, we can infer that the Bad Batch were  initial experiments created from Omega. She is the original template from which the Bad Batch were made, and so far she has shown that clones created from her can generate positive mutations if the Kaminoans can control and replicate that faithfully.

It’s also possible that there are other aspects of Omega’s desirability of a clone template we don’t know yet. But with the information so far, Omega is the desired template for clones unlike previous ones.

And Nala Se and Lama Su both refer to The Bad Batch and Omega in the same breath as “enhanced” clones. More specifically, Lama Su refers to Nala Se’s “experiment”, and we later understand that Omega is that experiment.

Lama Su does not care if the Bad Batch doesn’t return because they are copies of THE EXPERIMENT. But Omega is the template from which more enhanced experimental clones are to be made.

What does it mean for Omega to be the Mother of The Bad Batch?

So what does this mean? It means that  Omega is the “mother” of Hunter, Wrecker, Tech and Crossfire. As Jango Fett was to Boba Fett, she is both sister and mother. Chronologically older, but emotionally and physically  younger as she ages normally, unlike her brothers and “sons”.

And while this theory is strange,  it is also symbolically fascinating. I can’t help but remember  how Hunter is both fascinated and puzzled by Omega when he first sees her. It’s as if there is something to her he can’t put his finger on.

I also think back to how Omega was waiting for the Bad Batch’s return, a group of clones she presumably has never met, or at least not in the Bad Batch’s memory.

She never tells the Bad Batch how she knows them and why she is desperate to be with them. We know Omega sees the Bad Batch as being misfits among the others, like her. But why does she know of them? 

As always Omega knows more than she says, but she never, ever divulges very much about herself to the Bad Batch. There is a small moment in episode 1 where she thinks of saying something to Hunter as he leaves for Onderon, but she decides against it. What was it?

Why is Omega so reluctant to tell the Bad Batch about herself? 

So what do you think? Too crazy? Or a perfect story of choosing family and how we perceive them? Let me know below.