A newStar Warsresource has retconned a key part ofCrosshair’s journey inStar Wars: The Bad Batch, which completely rewrites his story into something much darker - though, eventually, also one that’s even more meaningful. Crosshair has one of the best redemption arcs in all ofStar Warsover the course ofThe Bad Batch, going from a loyal soldier of the Empire to one of theClone Force 99members responsible for destroying Mount Tantiss and delayingProject Necromancer. The start of his journey, however, has now become the subject of an interesting retcon.
In the brand-newStar Wars Encyclopedia, it’s written that Crosshair, like his brothers, “has enhancements that interfere with the inhibitor chip that instructs them to kill the Jedi. However, Crosshair believes that good soldiers follow orders, so the Empire’s commands should not be questioned.“This seems to contradict the events ofThe Bad Batch, which make it fairly clear that Crosshair’s chip does work to a degree- as confirmed by Nala Se. It also makes it sound as if Crosshair utters the words “good soldiers follow orders” of his own accord, and not of the chip.
TheStar Wars Encyclopediaalso confirms that Crosshair fractured his relationship with Clone Force 99 after Hunter tried to save the Padawan Caleb Dume rather than killing him. Not only that, but it reveals thatthe enhancement of Crosshair’s inhibitor chip by Tarkin only happens “After Crosshair chooses to stay with the Empire.“This is definitely different from what occurs inThe Bad Batch, as Crosshair was taken away without choice to have his chip examined. It also confirms that after removing his inhibitor chip at some indeterminate point, Crosshair still decides to remain loyal to the Empire.
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The Start Of Crosshair’s Journey Is Much, Much Darker
If theStar Wars Encyclopediatruly is retconning the start of Crosshair’s journey, then it makes everything he does in the animated TV show’s first episode even darker. It means thatCrosshair, rather than being mostly influenced by the inhibitor chip, wanted to followOrder 66of his own accord, and that he actively chose the Empire over his brothers and theGalactic Republicthat once came before it. Considering this was all supposed to be a side effect of his chip partially activating before, this would be absolutely shocking if it was indeed the intent here.
Crosshair’s Redemption Arc Is Even More Meaningful Now
He Overcame The Darkness
On the other hand, this potential change in the beginning of Crosshair’s journey makes the end of it even more meaningful. It means thatCrosshair truly changed through and through as a person, and wasn’t simply coming down from the mental conditioning the Empire had put him through. He already has one ofStar Wars’best redemption stories, but if this retcon really does intend to move away from the chip more, it makes Crosshair’s redemptive journey all the more satisfying. Either way, Crosshair’s story inThe Bad Batchremains very compelling, perhaps even more so now.
Star Wars: The Bad Batch
Cast
Star Wars: The Bad Batch is an action-adventure animated series set after the events of The Clone Wars, following Clone Force 99 (a.k.a. the Bad Batch.) Finding themselves immune to the brainwashing effects of Order 66, the Bad Batch become mercenaries for hire while outrunning the empire, now seeing them as fugitives of the law.
