Star Wars: The Bad Batch balances both new and familiar elements for the overarching franchise. Many stories have taken place in the time period between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope, but The Bad Batch is one of the few stories to take place during the very beginning of the Empire.
Having the story take place at this pivotal point in the Star Wars timeline presents the opportunity to incorporate many familiar characters in meaningful ways. Of course, the Bad Batch from season 7 of The Clone Wars are the stars of the show. But familiar supporting characters from other corners of the galaxy also play prominent roles in the series, along with some fascinating new characters as well.
Cid
The sleazy Cid is an entertaining character. Her history as an informant for the Jedi Order and her ongoing work in the criminal underworld allows her to have access to valuable information and mercenary assignments for the Bad Batch.
While the greedy Cid is entertaining, she is more of a plot device than a character. Her main purpose is to convey information and give the Bad Batch jobs that push the story forward. She fills this role perfectly but is not as well-developed as some of the series' other characters.
Nala Se
Nala Se has proven to be a surprisingly compelling character in The Bad Batch. She helped cover up the truth about the clones' inhibitor chips in season 6 of The Clone Wars. In The Bad Batch, she has defied the Empire and Kaminoan Prime Minister Lama Su in order to protect Omega. At the end of the first episode, she helps the Bad Batch and Omega escape Kamino. She also hires Fennec Shand to keep Omega safe and out of Lama Su's hands.
It is intriguing to see Nala Se so invested in protecting Omega to the point of defying her own people and the powerful Empire. Her actions are in stark contrast to Lama Su, who wants Omega to be found solely for her genetic material, and then wants Omega to be killed. Nala Se's actions are quite different from the character who helped cover up the dark truth about the clones' inhibitor chips.
Hunter
Hunter has grown as a father figure and leader throughout the show so far. Out of all the members of the Bad Batch, he is arguably the one who is wrestling the most with what it means to be a clone with the Clone Wars ended and the Empire now seizing control throughout the galaxy.
The show does a wonderful job of developing Hunter's relationship with Omega. His character would benefit from more time spent fleshing out his individual relationships with the other members of the Bad Batch. Also, Hunter's enhanced skills are the least interesting of the group. His heightened senses and ability to track are not quite as special or frequently utilized as the enhancements of Wrecker, Crosshair, Tech, or Echo.
Fennec Shand
The fan-favorite bounty hunter and assassin from The Mandalorian remains a force to be reckoned with in The Bad Batch. Just like in The Mandalorian, she is ruthless and cunning. Yet her actions are guided by a sense of honor.
This makes her a fun and unique character to watch, especially when she clashes with other formidable characters like Cad Bane and Clone Force 99. Knowing she is alive and still going strong all those years later in The Mandalorian adds further intrigue to her story.
Cad Bane
Fans lost their minds when Cad Bane appeared in the show's eighth episode. Everything from his drawl, to his costume, to the music that accompanies him perfectly suits the merciless, gunslinging bounty hunter.
For years, fans have wondered what became of Cad Bane and whether they would ever see him again. As if the Bad Batch doesn't already have enough enemies, Cad Bane is another daunting adversary. His willingness to take on any job and work for anyone for the right price can also make the Bad Batch more closely examine working as mercenaries taking whatever jobs Cid gives them.
Crosshair
The Bad Batch's arc in season 7 of The Clone Wars cemented Crosshair as the least likable member of Clone Force 99. The series takes advantage of this by transforming Crosshair into a villain not just because of his personality, but because of his programming and modifications made to his inhibitor chip.
The audience and the other members of the Bad Batch don't know if Crosshair's loyalty to the Empire and his vendetta against his clone brothers is more rooted in his personality or because of what was done to his inhibitor chip. This has helped make Crosshair a more compelling character while serving as a highly personal and formidable villain for the rest of the Bad Batch.
Tech
Tech's intellect and technical skills make him an essential member of Clone Force 99. His penchant for unintentionally withholding information because he assumes everyone else already knows the information has been a source of humor in the show. His character works best in the series when he is paired up and juxtaposed with other members of the Bad Batch.
The stark differences between him and Wrecker make the pair an unlikely, but surprisingly effective duo. Tech and Echo have become a strong team and are able to complement each other's unique skills. Tech and Omega are also a fun pairing as Omega is highly inquisitive about all things and Tech's encyclopedic knowledge means he always has an answer. Sometimes the answer is more literal than what Omega is looking for, like when she asked what the Clone Wars were like and he replies, "It was a primary mission objective comprised of battles on various fronts."
Echo
When it comes to being a fan-favorite character, Echo has an advantage as fans followed his story and were invested in him long before the original members of the Bad Batch were ever introduced. Echo's evolution from being a regular clone, to being brutally tortured and experimented on by the Separatists and to choosing to become part of the Bad Batch arguably makes him the most unique member of the group.
Echo is the one to often raise important ethical questions about what the Bad Batch chooses to do. He thinks about the larger ramifications of what they do and is concerned with more than just surviving. He often steals the show, whether it's raising a thought-provoking question or his humorous response to Trace Martez asking if there is an echo in here. Echo is a fantastic character who deserves to have more of a spotlight in the show.
Wrecker
Fans can't help but cherish Wrecker and his goofy, tough, and lovable attitude. He provides a lot of the show's heart and humor. It's touching to see his love for Omega and the way he acts like a big brother to her.
Despite being very different from his clone brothers, he cares for them all deeply and often feels like the glue that holds the group together. All of this makes it devastating and terrifying when Wrecker is briefly controlled by his inhibitor chip, even more so than if this happened to other members of the Bad Batch.
Omega
While The Bad Batch has done an excellent job of further fleshing out characters from The Clone Wars and other Star Wars stories, the original character of Omega is the best in the show. She is deeply compassionate, perceptive, curious, and adorable. The awe and appreciation she has for the galaxy around her are delightful, as is her ability to learn and grow from her various experiences.
As a unique child who is hunted by dangerous enemies and looked after by soldiers who have unexpectedly become father figures, many inevitably compare her to Grogu from The Mandalorian. Grogu is a great character, but what makes Omega particularly special is that she is developmentally at a point where she has a great deal of agency as a character. She makes her own choices and learns to adapt to each new situation she encounters. She acts like a kid while also proving that she is wise beyond her years.