Echo is a complex character with no clear identifiable archetype but a key moment for me with Echo that is often overlooked is when Omega is practicing Jedi meditation and asks Echo if he would like to try. He declined and says he doesn’t like solitude after being a P.O.W. But peeling back that surface it can be assumed that Echo has a strong desire to be surrounded by the Batch or Rex and other clones because they are real, tangible, understanding and caring. Of course as clones they are genetically modified to handle stress and severe trauma but Echo’s mutation is unlike most characterizations seen in storytelling, that’s hard to relate to and not addressed in depth in this show. But nevertheless Echo probably copes with his new life through his proximity to others and being a source of good and selflessness. Finally this way of thinking about Echo is especially hard hitting when later after the Batch is recovering from the loss of Tech at Sid’s parlour, Echo is seen alone on the ship (albeit with Gonky) but sitting/leaning back with his expression of a blank stare, deep in grief and back to a moment of loneliness. I don’t know why but upon my recap watch before season 3, I have a better appreciation for Echo. And it’s unfortunate that he is often the “but we got to do this Hunter” side of the decision, but he is more soldier driven than the rest, personality wise. But I appreciate his character and hope he has an equally important role in this last season (especially since he was barely seen in the s3 trailer). But fun analysis, good video, 🧅!
I’m so glad you liked the video!! 😄 And yes, that scene with Omega was something I only really appreciated the second time through. I love Echo’s character and hope we get a ton more of him, I would’ve loved to include him but since I didn’t feel like he had a clear archetype like the others I didn’t. Maybe he can get his own video some day! Your analysis is so good tho!
Another aspect of Hunter I find fascinating is that he's a leader without a cause. Remember the conversation between him and Rex in S1E7: "I have to do what's best for my squad." "Which is what?" "I'm still figuring that out." When the war ends he's left without a plan outside of protecting CF99 and Omega; taking work for Cid to get some money is the short term solution. Putting soldier life behind them now seems to be his long term one (until Omega gets captured, that is) - which is exactly what Cut advised him in S1E2, but clashes with what Echo wants. Several of the characters really want to continue doing what they did before; Echo wants to help his clone brothers. Rex wants to fight for the Republic. Crosshair wants to be sent out on missions. Hunter wants to do what he feels is right... but he's not sure just what that is.
Yess it’s such an interesting position to see him in! I especially like the differences between him and Echo in S2 for that reason. It’s yet another sign of the clone’s individuality and their personal goals and desires.
Since Echo isn’t an original member of The Bad Batch, I don’t feel like he was made to be as much of an archetype as the others (at least as far as I can tell). His character was originally created for CW. I think he’s a great character, but not as archetypical as the rest of the Batch, which is why I didn’t include him. I love him tho 👏
I love this breakdown so much!! I was struggling to put into words why I love the show so much when explaining it to others, but showing how they turn stereotypes/archetypes into real characters is exactly it! 🧅🧅🧅
I definitely appreciated the writers taking the time to expand/break the archetypes of each member, and your video explained each one beautifully! (Great job, btw!) But I wanted to add a bit more for Wrecker that was shown in Season 2 of BB. Now as you said, Wrecker is the big guy and the gentle giant, but doesn’t lack in being emotionally intelligent, but something that always peeved me was how all the characters with big muscles were always seen as not that smart or can’t figure complicated issues out or can’t solve complicated problems and throughout season 1, Wrecker was just that. But then Season 2 comes around and in the first two episodes where the team gets split up with Tech, Echo, and Omega in one place and Hunter and Wrecker in another, we get see how Hunter struggles to do things like work computer systems and hack into different technologies without Tech. (He even says something along the lines that working computers is more of Tech’s thing than his) The first few times we see Hunter struggle, we see Wrecker step in and just use his strength to solve the problem, but when they both were getting overwhelmed by Wilco’s men, Hunter and Wrecker discover old battle droid tanks, and Wrecker has a plan to build himself a makeshift bazooka! I really like how in this whole sequence, Wrecker instructs Hunter what buttons to press to turn on the tank and tells him what parts he needs to make the bazooka. In this whole scene, Wrecker was the smart one solving the problem and knowing what to do. It was a great way of showing not just that Wrecker can come up with plans but can also solve them, too! (And seeing as how in the Season 3 trailer, the two do appear to be having to work together through a lot of crazy stuff, I think Season 2 was definitely setting up their dynamic early on.) I’m not trying to dis on Hunter because he obviously can do a heck of a lot on his own, but seeing as how they’re now down to only two members, (Unless Echo was just hidden in the majority of the trailer…) I’m seeing the two have to take on very different roles from what they’re used to to survive now. (Albeit, they had to before when Crosshair betrayed them and Omega was thrown into the mix, but now they no longer have Tech, who-let’s be honest, was their savior in many missions, and they would definitely be dead by now if it wasn’t for him being there, and also Tech kinda took on Crosshair’s role along with Echo’s somewhat-so if Echo will be absent for whatever reason…Wrecker and Hunter will be having to juggle from being just the leader and muscle/weapons expert to the lookout, tactician, pilot, tech expert, and who knows what else Tech took the role of! 😵💫)
I’m so glad you liked the video! That’s a great point about Wrecker. I also like how he’s the demolitions expert, but not just in the way that he blows stuff up, he knows how to disarm them too. I think that the more situations the Batch are put into after the war, the more we get to see them adapt. Especially as the group gets smaller and they have to expand beyond their specializations. Who will be the pilot now without Tech or Echo? Also, where is Echo in the trailer!? I need to know what he’s up to. I don’t feel like he would have left Hunter and Wrecker till they had Omega back.
@@WritingWithAsh Yeah… I wonder why he isn’t in the trailer much…🤨 Maybe he’s working a lot with Rex and other clones to perhaps find where Omega and Crosshair along with other brothers are? 🤔
This is a great breakdown! I'm watching this when I'm sick though so the brainfog is making it hard to get my thoughts in order. I'll watch again when I'm better, and leave a better comment.
