Tech Is NOT Dead - A Theory

If I think about it for too long, I'll literally burst into tears. Please, for the love of all things good in this world, let Crosshair return to his family. Let them be a happy family again. I'm begging. I cannot take much more of this shit. My mental state is decaying as I speak.

Also, if anyone dies, I'm going off the grid and living in a forest. That will be the 13th reason. I won't emotionally survive. I'll never recover.

The Bad Batch Season 2 Episode 7 & 8 Review and Discussion - The Consequences of Truth

MASSIVE SPOILER WARNING!

First and foremost, these two episodes were absolutely fantastic from start to finish. It had the same energy that peek Clone Wars had. And the politics. The politics of the clones and the military are some of the best moments to me, as they flesh out the world that our beloved characters live in.

Riyo Chuchi is the absolute goat. End of discussion. I’m so glad that someone is finally stepping up to fight for the clones and their rights, even though it may inevitably be all for nothing. Nevertheless, it was so good to see her appear in TBB, and I love what she was standing for. How the clones have been treated has always broken my heart. They have always deserved so much more and while I know not much will come out of this, it’s good to know that there are people who see them and recognize what they did for the galaxy. Also, it was really nice to see Bail. I wish we got a bit more of him but I understand that perhaps he wants to lay low and not have a target on his back, especially when considering his position in all of this (being the adoptive father of Leia, spearheading the pre-rebellion, etc.)

Seeing the truth be revealed in regards to what really happened to Tipoca City, while short lived, was a victory to me. The dramatic irony that was Rampart saying he was “just following orders,” in the same way that the clones are “just following orders,” was masterful. And to hammer it home, Palpatine saying that “if the clones blindly follow orders” then they need to usher in a new military; thus the introduction of the storm troopers, That stung. Yet, I cannot say I’m necessarily surprised since we are all aware by now of how well Palpatine plays his cards. I am devastated, regardless, at how easy it was for him to spin it around in his favour. 

The final scenes of episode 8 was heartbreaking to say the least. I didn’t expect it at all and I’m honestly really concerned for Echo now that he’s decided to stay with Rex. As we have all speculated, there has to be some sort of event that will push Rex over the edge, enough for him to want to stop fighting. I fear that the possibility of Echo dying has increased because of his decision to stay with Rex and moreover, the chances that his death being the breaking point for Rex has increased. I really hope that isn’t the case though, I don’t think I’d ever recover from that. Plus, It would feel a bit cheap to kill him AGAIN.

To continue from that, the bad batch’s numbers are growing eerily thin. They are now down to four 3.5 members (no offence to Omega, love her character, but let’s be real for a second, she’s not a soldier, she’s a child). I don’t really know what this could mean for them in the long run. All I know is that the family dynamic is breaking down and they may need to start considering their place in all of this; perhaps joining the fight alongside Rex and Echo. 

Overall, these two episodes were on par, if not even better, than episode three. They really gave viewers the insight into the function of the galaxy and its politics at this point in the timeline. Moreover, the tragedy of the clones has been especially highlighted here and it really cements their place in the galaxy. 10/10.

As both a Tech girlie and a Crosshair girlie since the moment they were introduced to the world (back in 2020 with season 7 of The Clone Wars), I couldn't be happier with the past two episodes. I would imagine that many of my fellow Tech and Crosshair fans can agree when I say that it's truly wonderful to see them finally get the screen time and character development that they've deserved (respectively). And yes, I know it was a filler episode but I was still smiling the entire time. I am very pleased.

I do need to say this, though. I find it to be quite hilarious how we go from last week's episode of Crosshair living his worst life (actually fighting for his life, albeit, due to his own choices). Then this week's episode is just Tech living his best life. Not a care in the world, just racing, with his siblings cheering him on... LOL The dichotomy is amusing and ironic.

Okay that is all. 😗✌️

THIS! Very well said.

Regarding Tech and one reason I think we’re all reeling:

So, we’re all pretty hurt right now. Even if you’re firmly in the “Tech lived” camp, which I am, it still hurts—it still feels like a death, and something that needs to be mourned, even if or when he makes it back. I’ve seen a lot of people say it feels like they’re grieving a friend, not a fictional character. And one reason for that, beyond Tech being a well-developed, beloved character, beyond him being a fantastic piece of representation, even beyond the way that our brains can react to fictional characters the same way they do to real people, is that Tech’s story is so unfinished.

He’s developing this amazing relationship with Omega. He has the chance of staying on Pabu in peace and being something other than a soldier. He maybe discovered a passion for racing. He’s branching out and appreciating the galaxy beyond the war, the republic, the separatists, the Jedi, and being allowed to appreciate how broad it is in ways he hadn’t before. He’s falling in love with someone who’s falling for him. He’s pushing to get his brother back and reunite his family. And then—

His story gets derailed. The batch’s story gets derailed—by something none of them could have accounted for. No one expected there to be someone else infiltrating Eriadu. But there was, and it sends the whole trajectory of his life, all of their lives, figuratively and literally—they’re on a train when this happens, guys—off the tracks. Suddenly Tech has to let himself fall to give his family a chance. It’s fast, it’s brutal, and it’s almost nonsensical. It shouldn’t need to happen—but it does. And that’s how loss happens in real life, a lot of the time.

Sometimes there’s closure, and sometimes the people we lose get to live out their whole full lives, but not always. A lot of the time, they had plans. They were just going about and being themselves. The walk out the door and you think nothing of it and then—they’re gone. And now there’s so much left to do, so much unsaid, so many things that will never happen because they’re gone. You come home after hearing the news and their room is empty. There’s a half eaten bowl of cereal they left on the table. Their favorite chair is empty. There’s no satisfying conclusion or narrative closure—it’s just life, interrupted, suddenly and brutally, in a way that’s impossible to understand. That’s often how it is. And right now, for the batch characters, and for us, that’s Tech. He has everything to live for—and then he’s ripped away.

Now, this is something that rarely happens in fiction, because it’s incredibly unsatisfying. Maybe because loss is so sudden and cruel in the real world, we want our fictional deaths to come with purpose and feel like a natural conclusion. And while the unsatisfactory nature of Tech’s “death” is one of the many (many) (seriously there are so many) reasons why I don’t think this is permanent, it does (for now) put us on the same emotional footing as the characters in a way it wouldn’t if it had happened in a narratively satisfying way. We’re not just sad, we’re grieving him right alongside them. It feels unfair and wrong because it is. It wasn’t supposed to be like this! This wasn’t supposed to happen! And no, it wasn’t. But things got derailed on Eriadu.

Freefalling From Great Heights - A Discussion & Analysis

Hey guys. So, I lied about getting off socials LOL I really need to go full on film theory here and talk about the fall. I do want to preface though and say that I am not a woman of science (I’m an art girlie), therefore I won’t be able to make any sort of proper calculations. Without further ado, I’m going to break down the whole fall and discuss how Tech could’ve and probably did survive. 

First and foremost, I want to go back and take a look at the most clear shot given to viewers of the height between the tram system and the perceived ground level. In this picture, we get a brief glimpse from Wrecker’s POV of how far down it is from the trams. 

While it looks quite high, considering they are practically in the clouds, it is important to note the amount of foliage this planet has; a vast amount large trees, specifically tall pine trees.

These types of trees are not uncommon in biomes that include bodies of water. Consider the images below.

 While it is not definitive, it can be safe to assume that there could have been a stream or body of water below in that valley. However, even if this was not the case, the trees are large enough that they can dampen a fall, even if it is from a great height. This leads me to my next point: 

How high of a fall can humans survive?

An NCBI article covers the case of a rock climber who had fallen from a total of 300 feet and survived. Though she suffered many severe injuries, she was able to recover after extensive medical care. According to this article, the way in which a person falls is imperative to survival. In particular, if a person is falling vertically, they can survive an average fall height of 23 feet and 7 inches (7.2 meters) with minor to moderate injury. Survivable injuries have a threshold of around 20-25 feet. Yet the rock climber was able to survive at even greater heights. That being said, according to an article by Arnold & Atkin Trial Lawyers, 20 feet and below can still prove to be fatal. Moreover, fatal falls usually are between 21 and 40 feet. Considering all the information thus far, it would seem that Tech is exceptionally fucked. But stay with me folks, I’m not done cooking yet.

While it is not common, humans have, in fact, survived free falls at extreme heights. Take for example Vesna Vulović, a Serbian flight attendant who holds the Guinness world record for surviving the highest freefall without a parachute: 33,330 feet (10,160 meters). She was in a coma for days and spent several months hospitalized. She suffered a fractured skull, three broken vertebrae, broken legs, broken ribs, and a fractured pelvis, leaving her temporarily paralyzed from the waist down. Despite all of this, she made a nearly complete recovery, only continuing to walk with a limp. 

In another case, Nicholas Alkemade, a British tail gunner of the Royal Air Force during World War II, survived a freefall of 18,000 feet (5, 490 meters). His fall was broken by pine trees and a soft snow cover on the ground. 

While the first case can be safely considered as a miracle, it's the second case that is interesting. The pilot survived a freefall from a height he should’ve died from. Yet, due to the large trees and the snow on the floor, his fall was cushioned and allowed for him to survive. 

Now, taking what we discussed and applying it to the Star Wars universe, the chances of Tech surviving is definitely in our favour. Firstly, we know there is a lot of foliage (bushes, grass, etc.), and there are also massive trees. But we must remember that this isn’t just some random, unprepared person that is falling. This is Tech, a highly skilled, highly intelligent, and well equipped clone trooper. It is also important to mention that he is wearing a helmet and a chest plate, which provides protection to critical body parts. Knowing him, Tech could have very well put his gear to use and used a grappling hook to attach to a tree and create momentum from his fall to swing onto the ground. He could have also gotten into the falling tram and found a way to cushion his fall. But let’s say he does neither of these things (perhaps due to the speed at which he was falling), Tech can still survive if he falls vertically into the pine trees and foliage, which will cushion his fall, just like Nicholas Alkemade and the rock climber, respectively.

Furthermore, based on all that has been discussed and considered, the chances of survival of a freefall from that height, while seemingly impossible, is in fact, possible and likely. 

Sources:

PubMed Central (PMC)

Survival following a vertical free fall from 300 feet: The crucial role of body position to impact surface

We report the case of a 28-year old rock climber who survived an "unsurvivable" injury consisting of a vertical free fall from 300 feet onto

Arnold & Itkin LLP

How Far of a Fall Is Fatal?

Falls are one of the deadliest and most common work accidents. Read more on our blog.

Guinness World Records

How Vesna Vulović survived the highest fall ever with no parachute

On 26 January 1972, Vesna Vulović accidentally achieved the highest fall survived without a parachute world record, after the plane she was

en.wikipedia.org

Nicholas Alkemade - Wikipedia

An Emotional Rant

Mild spoilers ahead (season 2 & 3)

I'm going to be a bit emotional and a bit dramatic for a second, so bare with me. Also, please feel free to leave comments, as community is something I think I need right now and would love to know I'm not alone in how I feel.🖤

My mind keeps returning to Tech and how much I miss his character. He was such a huge source of comfort for me, and I related to him so deeply. I really don't know what to expect for the rest of this final season. I so desperately want him to be alive and for this series to end on a good note with the entire batch back together (alive, safe, and happy). Yet, knowing Star Wars, I'm quite uncertain of how this will conclude.

I do not exaggerate when I say that I am genuinely hurting so badly over this. It's to the point that I don't think it's healthy. I feel hollow, and I'm striken with grief. Part of me wants to believe that he'll return because it's the only thing that makes sense for his unfinished story. The other part of me is anticipating disappointment via leaving him dead. I've put so many theories out there (see my other posts if you're interested), and I don't know what to believe anymore. On one hand, I think CX-2 is Tech. On the other hand, I believe it's Cody, and yet, I'm also suspicious of a redherring. The waiting is actually destroying me. I don't think I've connected this strongly to a character in a very long time. So I think that's why it's hurting me so much.

Anyway, any nice comments would be uplifting and appreciated as I want to know I'm not alone in how I feel. I just miss my boy 😔

The Solitary Clone is a Masterpiece **MASSIVE SPOILERS!** Episode 3 Discussion PART 2

I absolutely loved that we got more discussion in regards to the politics of it all, especially with the Separatists and the clever callback to TCW with Mina Bonteri. The final scenes where the Separatist governor, Tawni, discusses the failed efforts that they made to put an end to the war, and how "peace was never an option" was masterful. And the cherry on top was when Cody attempts to negotiate with her and successfully convinces her, only for Grotton to order her execution. The continued use of symbolism with un-helmeted clones to show those that they are freethinkers rebelling is subtle yet brilliant. Cody's agency and resolve stops him from doing what he knows is wrong, and the final straw for him is when Tawni is ultimately shot by Crosshair. And I'll be honest, I really did not expect this. I was somewhat disappointed in Crosshair's decision, yet I also understand that he as a character must get worse before he can get better. He is also not at the same stage that Cody is at (as stated before), so he is still following orders blindly and without a second thought about the consequences or repercussions of his actions. When Crosshair and Cody are boarding the ship, as I referenced earlier to the discussion of the Defence Recruitment bill, Cody witnesses this first-hand when a ship arrives with TK troopers. The clones are doing the dirty work, while we actively see the Empire not only replace them, but moving in to occupy more sovereign worlds. The expansion of Palpatine's iron grip continues to grow. The conclusion to this episode was devastating, to say the least. Cody and Crosshair speak, once again in front of the clone memorial. this time, Cody says a few very important words that show the viewers that he has made his decision, and that [I believe] will stick with Cross, "You know what makes us different from battle droids? We make our own decisions. Our own choices. And...We have to live with them too." I loved this scene for a few reasons. Firstly, because wow, that hit me right in the feels and secondly, because Cody is planting the seeds for Crosshair to really reflect on what he has done and what he will do. Crosshair has been given two opportunities to get out this situation, both times have been squandered. Now more than ever, Crosshair will have to face the consequences of his actions and, moreover, will have an even harder time getting out of this. He is, once again, alone. To conclude, this episode ends with Crosshair waking up in a similar way to how the episode started. The use of visual repetition shows how bleak and depressing Crosshair's life has become. Going to eat alone, and getting called to Rampart's office and going to speak with Rampart once again. The part that really hammered home the fact that the clones are just numbers to the Empire was when Cross asks what about Cody (in regards to his next mission), and Rampart doesn't care to recognize who he is talking about until Cross says Cody's CT number. Again, they are just numbers; this fact could very well be a tipping point for Crosshair if it continues to occur. Cody is declared to have gone "awol" and Crosshair, while it is subtle, appears distraught and confused. And the part that really hits the nail in the coffin is when Rampart makes the crude statement about how all the clones around Cross seem to be going awol and that their loyalty is becoming increasingly hard to come by. Again, another important moment because loyalty is a big part of Crosshair's story arc and if he correlates loyalty to the clones, something (the clones) that is slowly but surely being phased out, then he is losing his grip on what is keeping him with the Empire in the first place. Sorry for how long this was, but I really just needed to completely dissect this episode because it was genuinely a masterpiece. It was literature and art and everything I love in stories. 

Please...make this happen...😫🤧

Escape plan. doing this really quick because.. canon? what? ( fit toothpick thanks to Tech that always carried those even if Crosshair wasn't with them. )

.

.

Tech is alive because he will help save Crosshair and Omega. He had a Parachute, they took him and he is now with Omega and Cross. ESCAPE PLAN.

The Bad Batch s2ep 15 & 16 - Season Finale

I will not be reviewing these two episodes, at least not for a while. I apologize to those who cared to read this week's review and discussion.

I have not felt this much emotional distress and pain in such a long time. Frankly, I am not okay. In order to preserve my mental health, I will be stepping away from this platform for an undisclosed amount of time.I encourage all folks to take care of themselves as well. Please reach out to family/friends/health providers if you need support. 🫶

these two episodes were rough. This was the very last thing I ever expected to happen, but honestly, I should've known better. The foreshadow was right in my face, and I was foolish to ever be hopeful.

Zuko Crosshair Alone

Spoiler Warning: TBB season 2 episode 3

Content Warning: discussion of depression

Im not going to lie, Crosshair sitting by himself was a bit too real for me. Like, I'll be in a lecture and no one wants to sit with me (to be fair though, everyone avoids everyone).

I also just wanted to say that, regardless of whether or not you like him, you have to feel for Crosshair because he is so alone. Sure, you can say that these are the consequences of his actions and yes, I agree. But it doesn't negate the fact that it is a very sad state to see someone be in. He is turning out to be quite the tragic character and it reminds me of a few other characters from other series; specifically Zuko from Avatar: The Last Airbender, Sasuke from Naruto, and Red Hood from DC Comics. Moreover, this episode (at least to me) really embodied what depression can look like. He's a shell of who he once was, he doesn't know what he wants, what/who he cares about or what to do with himself. The days seem to blur together and most importantly, he's completely and utterly alone. No one to rely on, no one to fall back onto. And that really just spoke to me on a personal level.

I go into a lot more detail about this episode and how I personally think it's a masterpiece so if you're interested, go check that out. It's divided into two parts:

Part 1

Part 2

So anyways, yeah. Me too bro, me too.